The SMR Pro saddle from Ergon is the newest design of the company's most famous, and popular saddle. Ergon has supported and partnered with several pro and grassroots mountain bike programs that focus on endurance mountain racing. Working collaboratively with many of the top riders, and from feedback of hundreds of others, the shape and form of the SMR was born. Riders engaged with marathon racing, the Leadville 100, and multi-day trek events as well as countless hours of training on terrain that requires constant pedaling taught Ergon a few lessons that built on the lab work this ergonomically-focused company was founded on.

The essential shape of the SMR Pro has not changed, and more than anything else, the shape is what throws buyer off. We have been trained to see the saddle as sculpture, an aesthetically pleasing form that matches the speed and definition of a bike. Ergon, and others, are now asking you examine a saddle by it's purpose, and how the rider of a specific cycling action interacts with the saddle. The SMR, available in widths, is wider at the rear for optimal structural support. Then it narrows quickly into a longer throat and nose, that are only as wide as they need to be for support. The key is know the approximate hip/back angle of the rider in the conditions and position actually ridden in. On a trail-XC bike, the back angle is 45 degrees or less, which means as you rotate your hips , the legs want to drop straight down, and the sit bones narrow slightly at point of contact. The back of the saddle supports the bone structure, and narrow throat and nose allow the legs to drop cleanly down to the pedals for maximum freedom of movement, without rubbing or chafing. The longer nose section must also support the rider moving forward to change the center of gravity while climbing and maximize quad power when needed.

Ergon's re-design of the SMR Pro revolved around two crucial areas- padding and shell flex. Rider feedback taught the company that when cyclists spend hours in the saddle under heavy effort, the characteristics of the saddle change, as does the body as the rider fatigues. Riders asked for the shell to flex a little more, and for the padding to offer more return and support over time. A new AirCell padding has micro air pockets that deliver on those requests, and the feel doesn't change with body heat or long use. So, the former version had a stiffer shell, and softer padding that seemed to change over time, the new version flexes more, but the padding is more supportive and delivers all day comfort. Ergon also took the time to subtly re-sculpt the form and edges for an even more body friendly design. The same cover and silicone treatment allow the rider to glide easily over the saddle, and the superbly shaped and defined relief channel keeps the blood flowing.

If you are an endurance trail cyclist, racer or not, and you just aren't happy with the performance of your saddle, you should get on and ride an SMR Pro. Don't think about how it looks when you hold it on your hand. It is plenty sleek on the bike and weighs only 240 grams. But ride it and see how it fits, feels and protects. Saddles are a true individual preference, but Ergon has gone to great lengths to hit the commonalities with a true understanding of cycling anatomy and ergonomics. You spend hours in the saddle, and you owe it to yourself to find the most comfortable and protective model you can.