Until a few years ago, the word “ergonomics” was more reserved for trekking bikes, and ergonomic saddles like SQLabs 60X had a somewhat outdated retiree image. Especially in mountain biking, “cool” was more important than comfort, no matter what bike part it was. But then manufacturers like SQlab or Ergon entered the gravity segment, and components like the SQLab 60x saddle could prove that function, style, and seating comfort are not mutually exclusive.
Today, there are several manufacturers who develop bike parts and accessories according to strict ergonomic principles . SQlab is one of the most well-known, the brand stands for innovative ergonomics and well-thought-out products of the highest quality, helping you to utilize the full potential of your bike without sacrificing comfort. And especially in the MTB sector, that's a rare but interesting mix! We test rode the ERGOWAVE Active 2.1 for you, here is our review:
The SQLab 60x Ergowave Active 2.1 MTB Saddle
The Overview:
- Suitable for women & men
- Optimal pressure distribution
- Relief of particularly stressed areas of the seating area
- Raised rear for more support on climbs
- Material with good grip at the rear for better hold
- Available in one length and four different widths
- Slightly wider saddle nose
- Elastomer padding, divided into different zones
- Good power transmission
- Robust materials for long durability in demanding off-road use
How do you find the right SQLab 60x Ergowave?
Mountain biking is a tough sport, every rider has an individual riding style, and on top of that, everyone's anatomy is different... not exactly easy to find the saddle that offers the optimal balance between performance and comfort. Or?? Actually quite simple, here's how you do it.
Here's how to find the SQLab saddle that fits:
- You have the choice between many, many different saddles. Choose the general shape or the strength of the padding.
- You probably already have an idea of which saddle you sit well on, otherwise a thorough test with different borrowed saddles is recommended.
- If you want to buy a new bicycle saddle, you should also consider what bothers you about your old seat, then you can decide by exclusion.
- If you have decided on a product from SQlab, you should not just click a saddle into the shopping cart and buy it.
- Some bicycle saddles – especially those from SQLab – are available in different widths and lengths, so you can find your favorite saddle in the perfect fit.
Have you decided on the Ergowave 2Ox Active 2.1? Now you just need the right size!
For every backside, there is a suitable saddle size, because only when the saddle fits can it fulfill its full benefit. If it is too big or too small (in this case more: too narrow or too wide), it can not only affect your performance, but it can also cause numb legs, back pain, or other nasty "side effects."
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SQLab builds the 6OX saddle in one length, but in different widths, so measuring the sit bones plays an enormously important role in the selection, as these two points bear the majority of your weight. |
Here you see the stages of the SQLab 60X saddle with "Ergowave." Image © SQLab
Buying the right SQLab saddle – here's what you need to know:
- The SQLab Ergowave Active is available in one length (28cm).
- However, you can buy it in 4 different widths , available in 13, 14, 15, and 16 cm widths.
- You need to measure the distance of your sit bones to select an Ergowave 60x in the appropriate width.
How to measure the distance of the sit bones:
- The measurement is very simple. Place a piece of corrugated cardboard on a smooth surface and sit on it.
- Your pants should not be too thick, otherwise the imprint can be distorted.
- Lift your feet off the ground to get a clearer imprint.
- You can wiggle a bit so that the two sit bones press into the cardboard.
- Now you can measure the distance between the two pressure points of the sit bones .
- The width of the saddle corresponds to the measured distance, unless you sit particularly upright, then you may need to add a few centimeters.
- If you don't have corrugated cardboard at home, you can also order a "measurement cardboard" from SQLab.
You can find a table on the homepage of SQLab that suggests the appropriate saddle width and takes the seating position into account.
Grab a piece of cardboard and find the SQLab saddle 6OX in the right size! Image © SQLab
Interesting facts about the Ergowave 6Ox Active
The 60X Ergowave is now a proven size among saddles for E-MTBs and Mountain and Gravity bikes , its shape and other properties have been specially adapted to the needs of mountain bikers .
What does SQLab mean by “Ergowave”?
The 60X uses the Ergowave shape that has already been used in many other saddles. You can clearly see it in the picture, “Ergowave” means for SQLab that the saddle does not have a flat surface, rather there are steps or “waves”. The wave-shaped steps optimally relieve the perineum and pubic area – this saddle construction has absolutely convinced us and many other bikers.
Additional features and sizes
Also part of the concept is a material at the back that gives the saddle good grip . This provides good hold in wet weather conditions, but this feature becomes really interesting during uphill passages: Your butt sticks, so you don’t slip off the saddle or have to actively “counteract”.
The saddle is available in different sizes (in this case 13, 14, 15, and 16 cm wide). Unlike the other Ergowave MTB models, such as the 612 and 611, the 60X comes with a wider nose, measuring 46 mm in width. For comparison: the noses of the other two are 40 mm and 44 mm wide. Additionally, it has a thicker padding of 12 mm (the 612 has only 6 mm and the 611 has 9 mm).
There are no separate models for women and men, so the saddle is unisex.
The SQLAB 60x Ergo in the test
We were allowed to test a 60X Ergowave Active for a while, here you will find out what we noticed.
SQLab saddles are usually mounted horizontally. Image © SQLab
Mounting the SQLab 60X
A new saddle is quickly mounted and the appropriate setting is also quite simple. The Ergowave shape of the 60X is slightly higher than other saddles, so you may need to move the saddle a few millimeters lower and/or further back than usual, as you sit a bit further forward on the saddle. Normally, the saddles at SQlab are largely aligned horizontally, but here it can be individually fine-tuned as desired.
SQLAB 60X Active 2.1 – our test report
The new 60X saddle from SQlab supposedly contains the best of both worlds, meaning the strengths of the Ergolux- and the Ergowave concepts.
- Many mountain bikers now take a seat on the Ergowave saddles from SQlab . This line is primarily for a sporty posture on the MTB has been designed.
- The Ergolux saddle is particularly suitable for an upright body posture and is supposed to provide especially high comfort during long uphills .
Our test model 60X Ergowave active combines these two strengths and is therefore suitable for E-MTB, Enduro, and All Mountain . But does it deliver what the manufacturer promises?
Enduro on the Ergowave Active – how was it?
Even on the first test ride, the saddle shows its full potential. And the conditions couldn't have been better for a stress test. Rain, mud, and sludge, along with challenging uphills and tough sprint sections on a serious enduro round. Despite the wet weather from above and the resulting mud from below, the saddle provides a very good grip while sitting – no annoying sliding back and forth on the saddle surface. The main reason for this is the logo design on the elevation at the rear of the saddle. The grippy structure offers good hold for the four letters and also looks really good. The damping properties are also excellent.
You see.. we did not treat our test model of the SQLab 6OX gently!
The padding brings comfort!
The first impression is confirmed on further tours. Especially on longer distances, the conversion to the 60X is noticeably positive . From experience, you tend to slide nervously back and forth on other saddles after a while to relieve the buttocks or compensate for a pinch in the back. But… thanks to the slightly thicker padding and the Ergowave shape, we were able to pedal for hours without discomfort. The manufacturer provides its 60X Ergowave active elastomers in three hardness levels. SQlab explains that the active saddle technology allows the pelvis to move in the horizontal plane. This “pelvic swing” leads to a higher riding comfort through alternating load and relief, and it also improves power transmission. We cannot really make a judgment about a noticeably (and better) power transmission, but we gladly confirm a very pleasant riding behavior, especially uphill. Too much localized pressure, which after a long time leads to numb legs, numbness, or an unpleasant tingling in the genital area, was not noticeable.
Rather involuntarily, we also had to test what the saddle can withstand, as minor falls, especially in the wet and slippery season, are inevitable. After our test rounds, the upper material has held up very well so far. The saddle also has reinforced edges, making it an obviously very durable bicycle part .
Our Conclusion on the 6OX Ergowave from SQLab
The 60X Ergowave active is a very good choice for those looking for a saddle with high riding comfort . We were particularly impressed by the uphill performance. Despite the thicker padding, the 60X retains the sporty characteristics of the comparison models from SQlab. The combination of active technology, padding, and material embossing offered us the best grip without restricting freedom of movement.
With an RRP of 159.95 euros, the 60X is certainly not in the bargain department. However, due to the high-quality workmanship and the really good ergonomics, which have a positive effect on riding performance, this price is absolutely justified and a worthwhile investment, especially if you are struggling with problems on other saddles. For mountain bikers who are not unfamiliar with pain, numbness, tingling, or worse, this saddle offers significant relief and thus more riding fun at a fair price.
