Test: Fabric Saddle Scoop Flat - Comfort at any price

The young saddle manufacturer Fabric, which belongs to the Cannondale parent company Cycling Sportsgroup, presents the Fabric Scoop, a sporty saddle that not only promises a lot of comfort, but also makes you sit up and take notice in terms of construction. And then there's the matter of cleaning the wheels...

Again and again, new providers attract attention who want to turn the market upside down in the respective product segment with fresh products and innovative ideas. The fact that they're making life difficult for the more traditional manufacturers is only a side aspect - they certainly liven up the scene and increase the range, and that's always a good thing, especially with saddles. Because sitting comfortably is a highly individual matter; what is perfect for one, the other can hardly endure. Recommendations in this area should therefore be treated with caution; However, if you hear a lot of positive things, you will eventually become curious and want to try it.

The saddles from the British supplier Fabric have received a lot of praise. The brand is under the same corporate umbrella as Cannondale, which is why fabric saddles can also be found on various bikes from the US manufacturer, such as the cyclocross bikes. And that's exactly what we tried.

With the Scoop, Fabric offers an all-round model that comes in three versions and should make everyone happy, from racers to commuters. The difference lies in the contour: while the racing Scoop Flat is almost flat, the Scoop Radius, designed for an upright riding position, has a more steeply rising tail. And the Scoop Shallow is somewhere in between.

All three models come in four variants, which differ in the materials used and thus in weight and price.

We screwed the Scoop Flat Pro with a carbon frame and shell made of a nylon-fiber mixture to a cross bike. The first thing you notice is that this saddle is really very flat, and the padding is comparatively firm and not very thick. The way the Scoop is made is interesting: the microfiber saddlecloth is not folded down and glued or stapled to the shell, but glued together with the padding to the top of the shell. This ensures a very tidy look, because the shell and support are completely separate from each other - but firmly connected. Seams, rivets, screws, clips and folds, as seen on many other saddles, are not to be found here. In addition, the underside of the saddle is completely smooth, which is noticeable at the latest when you clean the bike. As our before-and-after comparison shows, the typical Cross saddle pack can be removed without leaving any residue, which is hardly possible with conventional saddles in this form.

What counts, however, is how the saddle performs at the top - and that's where the Scoop can score points. First of all, thanks to its flat design, it allows a lot of freedom of movement, which is particularly helpful off-road. Then the matte surface is neither too slippery nor too grippy. Above all, however, the firm padding is convincing, which hardly dents and harmonises very well with the current, rather thickly padded racing pants. The nylon/fiber shell has a moderate flex with a degree of shock absorption but is not overly resilient. The cheaper CroMo/Nylon version of the Scoop is a little more flexible, although the padding is identical. Incidentally, not all manufacturers do it that way; often the cheaper versions are softer and therefore feel different.

At 280 x 140 mm, the saddle has normal dimensions; the slight depression at the rear is noticeable when you slide far back. Prices and weights are also within the usual range: the Scoop Flat Elite entry-level model costs €64,90 and weighs 255 grams; the Flat Pro (carbon/nylon) weighs 182 grams and costs €164,90. The top model Flat Ultimate should be 20 grams lighter; everyone has to decide for themselves whether it's worth paying an additional €110. In terms of seating comfort, design and appearance, we can definitely give all Scoops top marks.

Conclusion

The Fabric Scoop Flat is super comfortable, additional plus points are the minimalist look and the easy-to-clean underside. A good choice for racing and cross bikes!