Until a few years ago, the word “ergonomics” was more reserved for trekking bikes, and ergo saddles like SQLabs 60X had a somewhat dusty 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 were able to prove that function, style, and seating comfort are not mutually exclusive.
Today, there are some manufacturers who develop bike parts and accessories according to strict ergonomic principles . SQlab is one of the best-known, the brand stands for innovative ergonomics and well-thought-out products of the highest quality, helping you to use the full potential of your bike without sacrificing comfort. And especially in the MTB sector, this is a rare but interesting combination! We took the ERGOWAVE Active 2.1 for a test ride, 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 life 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, the anatomy of each person is different... not exactly easy to find the saddle that offers the optimal balance between performance and comfort. Or?? Actually, it's quite simple, here's how you do it.
This is how you find the SQLab saddle that fits:
- You have the choice between many, many different saddles. Choose the rough 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 bike 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 cart and buy it.
- Some bike 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 behind, there is the right saddle size, because only if the saddle fits can it fulfill its full potential. If it is too large 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 extremely important role in selection, as these two points bear the majority of your weight. |
Here you can see the stages of the SQLab 60X saddle with "Ergowave". Image © SQLab
Buying the right SQLab saddle - 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 correct 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 impression may be distorted.
- Lift your feet off the ground to get a clearer impression.
- You can wiggle a little to press the two sit bones 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 on the homepage of SQLab a table that suggests the appropriate saddle width while considering the seating position.
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 specifically adapted to the needs of mountain bikers .
What does SQLab mean by “Ergowave”?
The 60X uses the Ergowave shape already used by many other saddles. You can easily recognize it in the picture, “Ergowave” means at SQLab that the saddle does not have a flat surface, rather there are steps or “waves”. The wave-like 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, which 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 as usual in various 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 comes with a thicker padding (the 612 has only 6 mm and the 611 9 mm).
There are no separate models for men and women, so the saddle is unisex.
The SQLAB 60x Ergo in test
We were allowed to test a 60X Ergowave Active for a while, here you can 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 builds up 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 slightly further forward on the saddle. Normally, the saddles at SQlab are aligned largely horizontally, but can be fine-tuned individually as desired.
SQLAB 60X Active 2.1 – our test report
The new 60X saddle from SQlab supposedly contains the best of both worlds, referring to the strengths of the Ergolux- and Ergowave concepts.
- Many mountain bikers now sit on the Ergowave saddles from SQlab . This line is mainly for a sporty posture on the MTB has been designed.
- The Ergolux saddle is particularly suitable for an upright body posture and is intended to provide especially high comfort on 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 robust 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's 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 didn't 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 upgrade to the 60X is noticeable in a positive way. From experience, one tends to slide nervously back and forth on other saddles after a while to relieve the buttocks or to compensate for a twinge 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 equips its 60X Ergowave active with 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 can't really make a judgment on significantly noticeable (and better) power transmission, but we gladly confirm a very pleasant riding behavior, especially uphill. Too much pinpoint pressure, which over time leads to numb legs, numbness, or an unpleasant tingling in the pubic 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 outer material is still holding up very well. The saddle also features 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 truly good ergonomics, which positively affect riding performance, this price is absolutely justified and a worthwhile investment, especially if you struggle with problems on other saddles. For mountain bikers who are no strangers to pain, numbness, tingling, or worse, this saddle offers significant relief and thus more riding fun at a fair price.
