Skip to main content

Tioga Spyder Outland saddle


Definitely one of the most curious-looking seats on the market, the Outland would definitely be Spiderman’s top choice if he rode mountain bikes. Rather than using foam to provide comfort, Tioga went a completely different route.

Their Spyder saddles start with a composite material they call “Carbonite” for the frame, which is covered with a flexible plastic-like web. The result is a saddle that has a good suspension feel without all the weight of foam. I found it soft enough to be comfortable without it feeling like I was sinking into the saddle. Removable silicone pads on the rear portion of the Outland provide much-needed traction. When not installed, I found the surface very slippery. It would be nice to see a permanently affixed silicone topcoat for the whole saddle because I found the nose too slippery to remain planted on during steep climbs. A more traditional, rounded shape and 125-millimeter width make it more likely to suit riders with narrower sit bones.

PRICE 140$




Popular posts from this blog

KONA SHRED

With a reputation for no-nonsense ruggedness and a background in the always progressive and punishing riding of Canada, Kona have been building hardcore hardtails for longer than almost anyone else. The Shred is the most expensive bike on test but it’s a proper trail tank.

CANYON NERVE AL 8.0

  S ince their entry into the UK market a few years ago, Canyon have made a name for themselves as purveyors of well-made bikes that exhibit often extraordinary value. The secret (or catch, depending on your point of view) is that the brand don’t have dealers – they ship bikes directly to your door.

GT Zaskar Evolution

While some bike models last just a couple of years, others change with the times to stay at the top of riders’ wishlists. In the second part of this series looking at the evolution of bikes that enjoy enduring popularity with UK riders, we turn to the GT Zaskar – a bike that was at the forefront of our sport for a long time and still has plenty of appeal today.

COMMENCAL EL CAMINO 3

Commencal are going from strength to strength at the moment and they’ve taken their tough trail hardtail bang up to date with 650b wheels. With its skinny rims, crankset and fork, the El Camino certainly isn’t perfect and it’s the least hardcore bike here. The handling, smoothness, speed and all-round agility of the basic bike still make it a real blast for technical trail riding though, and it’s a great base for upgrading over time.

Merida Big Seven 100

We've rolled up to our local woods, with a meandering blue trail, some natural wooded tracks and a bit of fire road chucked into the mix to see how the Big Seven 100 tackles trails that entry-level riders are likely to cut their teeth on.