Ergon SRS Comp Men review: The new, particularly short model from Koblenz stands out with such high comfort that you'll gladly switch to a saddle with a central groove. It also comes with grippy, soft handlebar tape that's easy to wrap and feels good in your hand.
Anyone who (like me) doesn't get on well with saddles that have a central cutout has a hard time these days. The longitudinal groove is standard on many manufacturers' models, but it doesn't always provide relief. On the contrary, depending on its shape, the groove can create additional pressure or shift it from one area to another. This often happens, for example, if the edge of the cutout in the saddle shell isn't padded or isn't padded enough, and you happen to be sitting on that exact spot for some anatomical reason.
I'm always a bit skeptical of the ergonomic promises made by saddle manufacturers, as I've had better experiences with very simple shapes and contours, rather than sophisticated pressure-relief concepts. But of course, I'm always happy to be proven wrong, and the ergonomics specialists at Ergon in Koblenz have certainly succeeded. The company is primarily known for its innovative "wing grips," which are widely used on trekking and everyday bikes, where their large contact area for the palm of the hand provides comfort. Ergon also has a strong presence in the sports sector – again with grips for mountain bikes, handlebar tape for road bikes, and, of course, saddles for pretty much every discipline.
Ergon SRS Comp Men: Short racing saddle with wide depression
A new model is the SRS Comp Men, and a rather modern one at that: at 250 mm long, it falls into the "short racing saddle" category, a segment Ergon hasn't previously represented. The idea behind such saddles, which are around 2-3 cm shorter than standard models, is to keep the rider stable in one position across different riding situations, instead of constantly sliding forward and backward. This naturally means that the single position must be extremely comfortable, allowing the rider to remain in it for several hours at a time. Does the Ergon SRS Comp Men live up to this promise?
Ergon SRS Comp Men – the highlights
- Ergonomically optimized drop-bar saddle for a slightly more upright seating position
- Price: € 119,95
- Weight: 261 grams (width S/M = 140 mm; M/L = 148 mm, approx. 30 grams more)
- Length mm 250
- Nylon saddle shell, steel rails
- Orthopedic Comfort Foam with microfiber outer layer
Wide saddle nose and smooth rear
At first glance, this saddle looks relatively ordinary: the nose is quite wide, and the transition from it to the rear appears fairly smooth. The only striking feature is the smooth rear edge, whereas most saddles have a rounded edge. But you don't actually sit on that part. The SRS's longitudinal groove widens towards the rear; in the middle, there's a rectangular opening in the saddle shell. This shell is made of nylon, and the rails are made of steel – the typical materials for Ergon's Comp quality level, which is reflected in the price of €119,95. The narrow version of the saddle (140 mm) weighs 260 grams, while the wider one (148 mm) is said to be 20 grams heavier. "Pro" and "Pro Carbon" versions of this saddle are not (yet) available – but they should be, because after several hundred kilometers on the new model, I'm convinced of its comfort. However, I (sit bone distance approx. 120 mm) first had to switch from the narrow to the wide version to feel sufficiently supported by the SRS.
Naturally, a longitudinal groove in the saddle serves to relieve pressure on sensitive soft tissue. In my experience, however, this only works if the groove is wide and deep enough. On the Ergon saddle, the groove is up to 10 mm deep and padded on the underside, with the shell curved downwards beneath the groove. The transition from the saddle surface to the groove is gently rounded, preventing any pressure points at this location.
The indentation aligns the rider's seating position; you can't slide sideways on this saddle. The short design also restricts longitudinal movement. So, you first have to adjust your position a bit, and of course, the saddle must be perfectly aligned. I follow the approach of positioning it centrally over the seat tube and leveling the front half (not the entire saddle). From there, I make minor adjustments as needed, which with the Ergon SRS Comp Men meant lowering the nose just a little bit more – enough so that the saddle exerts as little pressure as possible at the front without making me slide forward.
Pleasant pressure distribution and more freedom when pedaling
And with the SRS, that's very easy to achieve. The wide, not-too-soft nose with its forward-extending groove ensures pleasant pressure distribution; the benefits for the soft tissues and the central groove also work well for me. Sure, I first have to get used to not automatically sliding forward at high speeds and back a bit on climbs. But then the Ergon really starts to be fun, with two things being particularly noticeable: The transition between the saddle nose and rear doesn't initially look much different than on other saddles – however, especially on climbs, I have the feeling that I can pedal more freely downwards. This is a deliberate feature, as I later discover on the manufacturer's website: "More legroom for the pedaling motion," Ergon states, which I can fully confirm.
A second interesting feature is that the padding extends about 1 cm beyond the sides of the saddle shell – meaning the soft padding is wider than the hard shell. This prevents the inner leg from rubbing against the edges of the saddle shell, which proves to be a significant comfort advantage over other saddles after three to four hours in the saddle. The fact that Ergon states the SRS is designed for a "slightly more upright endurance riding position" doesn't prove to be a disadvantage, especially if, like me, you ride with a significant drop on your road bike: even in the drops or an aerodynamic position on the brake hoods, the pressure at the front never becomes uncomfortable. And so, the new all-road saddle from the Koblenz-based company leaves me with a thoroughly positive impression.
Ergon BT OrthoCell: Thick strap with a soft feel
Want even more comfort? Ergon also has a lot to offer for your hands – in addition to the wing grips, there are also various handlebar tapes for road bikes and the like, including the BT OrthoCell.
Ergon BT OrthoCell – the highlights
- 3 mm thick handlebar tape made of special foam
- Grippy, textured surface
- Price: € 44,95
- Weight: approx. 100 grams (with handlebar plugs)
- length: 250 cm
The handlebar tape, priced at €44,95, is quite expensive and consists of a special 3 mm thick foam designed for superior shock and vibration absorption. Despite its thickness, the tape is easy to wrap; even holes for SRAM Blips are easy to cut. The slightly textured surface provides a good grip, and the material's elasticity further improves its hold on the handlebars. While the 2,5-meter length of the tape doesn't really justify the price, it does allow for a tighter (and therefore softer) wrap, eliminating concerns about length on extremely wide gravel handlebars. The tape comes with bar end plugs featuring the Ergo logo, which I've primarily seen on e-bikes and everyday bicycles – but given the high quality of the brand's performance products, the logo looks good on drop bars as well.