All Arround MTB

Designed with enduro racing in mind, Ergon have produced a superb saddle for steep terrain. The rails extend a long way back, which allows the saddle to be set up far forward. This effectively steepens the seat angle, to put you in a better position for steep climbs. The shape is very neutral, with quite even pressure across the whole sitting area. We had no sore spots or chafing, but those who want to eliminate pressure from their undercarriage will want something with a more pronounced pressure-relief channel. It’s a pretty comfy perch, but needs the nose pointed down to provide plenty of support when climbing. Though moderately wide at 142mm, our ‘medium’ version (there’s also a ‘small’ size) felt very easy to move around on and didn’t get in the way on steep descents. Weight 225g Price $127

The SMD2 is Ergon’s downhill-specific perch. With chromoly steel rails and a carbon composite shell, the Comp model weighs 200g. When riding downhill, the saddle’s main role is to help with balance, along with a bit of seated pedalling and the odd sat-down foot-out drift. Ergon’s solution is a robust seat with a flat-ish backwards-sloping profile and no perineal cutout. The narrow, stubby shape (256mm long x 125mm wide) meant we never felt as though our movement on the bike was obstructed, and the padded edges definitely make it comfier on the insides of the thighs than some. The dimpled non-slip pad on top didn’t seem to make much difference. Apart from this, the SMD2 does everything that it sets out to well, but for the price, we think it would be fair to expect titanium rails. Price $115

Ergon offer the GD1 grips in ‘Regular’ (L/XL gloves) or ‘Slim’ (S/M) diameters. They’re side and position-specific too, due to the shape and grip pattern. Thankfully, all the info you require is etched into the single lock-on collar, which fastens securely to your bar with a meaty 3mm bolt. We found it took just minutes to get used to the slight taper (they get wider towards the end) Ergon have employed to help reduce vibrations through the hands, and were instantly impressed by the grip pattern and rubber compound used. The channeled, angled block design used on the underside of the grip adds purchase when you’re pulling back on the bar. This is particularly noticeable when your gloves are wet and you’re clamouring for traction, both on the trail and on the bar. Though the GD1s aren’t cheap, the build quality and well-executed design go a long way to justifying the price tag. Price 45$

These grips are a little more traditional in terms of shape than what we’re used to seeing from Ergon. Though there’s still some of the German brand’s signature ergonomic shaping, the GA2s’ curves are far more subtle than those of the GE1s, which we’ve had mixed experiences with in the past.As a result, they’re easy to get on with straight from the off, no matter what you’re riding.