Skip to main content

Race Face AEffect saddle


If you’re a fan of the love-or-hate shape of the fi’zi:k Gobi, you may get on with this similarly rounded offering from Race Face. We didn’t, though. It’s barrel-shaped, with no pressure-relief channel or even softer foam in the central part. This puts a lot of pressure onto your personal plumbing. To our main tester, it felt a bit like sitting astride a railing, but then again, so does the Gobi, and there are those who swear by that. The AEffect was the only seat here that caused him numbness and discomfort within just a short ride. It feels relatively good when climbing steep pitches, though, thanks to the broad, flat nose and generous padding. The ribbed upper grips well in the wet, and it’s pretty easy to clean. If you can get on with that barrel shape, it could be worth considering.

Weight 235g

Price $97

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.

ENVE M50 29" Wheels

Utah based company ENVE have been making drool-worthy carbon components for some years now. Despite the fact that carbon rims are becoming more and more common on mountain bikes these days, you can guarantee that ENVE wheels will be a talking point when someone is eyeing off a steed. Instantly, the big bold logos on each rim scream "fast", "light" and to some extent, "expensive" The kids call this 'bling'.

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.

Scott Scale 950

The Scale 950 uses the now traditional-for-cross-country 29er wheels to excellent effect, with a fast but fun character that's happy racing or railing.