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review

SQlab 612 Ergowave R Carbon saddle

8
£199.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Lightweight saddle with minimal padding, but cleverly shaped shell delivers plenty of support and comfort
Great for pressure relief
Light
Pricey
Padding will be too firm for some
Weight: 
130g
Contact: 

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The SQlab 612 Ergowave R Carbon is a very good pressure-relieving saddle at an extremely low weight. It might feel firm in use but that doesn't detract from its long-ride comfort.

If firmness doesn't especially appeal, check out other options in our guide to the best bike saddles.

This saddle is built to SQlab's distinctive Ergowave design, meaning that although it's distinctly flat from side to side – there's no arch to it – there's a distinct hump towards the rear. It really ramps up back there! What's the point of that? SQlab reckons that it helps provide more grip, improves power transmission, and prevents energy-consuming bad posture. It has loads of science to back up its claims if you want to get into the nitty-gritty.

It certainly feels different from any other saddle I've used (and doing this job, I've used a lot). After dropping my seatpost slightly and moving the saddle a little further forward than usual, I found a really good position that worked well for me. I wouldn't say I was getting more power out but I did find a really stable position.

> How to set up your saddle

It's hard to describe – more something that you need to experience – but the shape makes you feel a little more supported than usual rather than just being perched on top of the saddle. The non-slip microfibre cover helps here too, although let's not overstate that. You can still move around easily enough when you want to, it's just not quite as slippery as some.

One of the other distinctive features of this saddle is the dip in the middle. SQlab calls this a 'slight depression' but it's actually pretty deep with a complete absence of padding here. You can feel that it's just the upper fixed directly to the shell in the centre, with the padding around the edge like a ring doughnut. An oddly shaped ring doughnut, admittedly, but you get the picture.

2022 SQlab 612 Ergowave R saddle - top

As with many other saddles, the idea is to reduce pressure on the soft tissue in the perineal area and it works really well. The nose is flat and lower than the rest of the saddle too, so you're probably going to be putting a little less pressure than normal here. That's what it felt like to me. This all means that if you ever suffer from numbness or discomfort in the perineal area as a result of riding your bike, this saddle could be well worth a shot.

The narrow nose gives you plenty of space for pedalling without any chafing on the inside of your thighs. After about three months of almost daily use, there's very little polishing of the upper in that area, showing just how little rubbing has been going on and suggesting that durability isn't going to be an issue there.

2022 SQlab 612 Ergowave R saddle - nose

The closed-cell foam padding is dense and pretty thin throughout so there's very little give to it when you climb aboard. In fact, it feels decidedly firm, but don't let that put you off. The base, which is carbon fibre-reinforced polyamide, flexes a little and I always find comfort to be far more about saddle shape than squishy padding. As ever with saddles, it's a case of individual preference – what I find comfortable might, to you, feel like sitting on a bed of nails, or what is uncomfortable for me might make you feel like you're floating on a cushion of air – but my experience is that soft saddles might feel nice and welcoming to start with but a firmer saddle that fits well is the better option in the long run.

2022 SQlab 612 Ergowave R saddle - underside

Like other Ergowave saddles, the 612 Ergowave R Carbon comes in four widths and you need to get the right one for your anatomy. The sizes are 12cm to 15cm, but that's what SQlab calls the 'useable width' rather than measured edge to edge, so there's no point setting about your current saddle with a tape measure.

How do you know which size is right? You need a very quick and simple-to-perform sit-bone measurement. You sit on a piece of measuring paper on a stool, pull yourself down to increase the pressure, and then the distance between the centre of your sit-bone marks is measured.

The idea is that your sit bones 'lie completely flat on the saddle [because] this is the only way in which pressure is relieved on the sensitive area in men and on the pubic arch in women and ensures more efficiency', according to SQlab.

2022 SQlab 612 Ergowave R saddle - back

The SQlab system takes your riding position into account too – the amount you bend forward on your bike, essentially. The 612 Ergowave R Carbon is designed for those who ride in a stretched or aggressive position rather than those who bend only moderately forward or who sit upright in the saddle.

Various saddles are available in this shape, including the 612 Ergowave Active that Mike reviewed. This one features an elastomer at the rear (different degrees of hardness are available) which allows the saddle to tilt from side to side as you pedal, the idea being to minimise pressure on the sit bones and improve comfort.

The 612 Ergowave R Carbon that I've been using is the top-level model with the carbon fibre-reinforced polyamide base I mentioned earlier and solid carbon rails. Bear in mind that these rails are ovalised – 7mm x 9.6mm – so they won't fit all seatposts. Some clamps will only accept round rails so check with your seatpost manufacturer if you're in any doubt.

2022 SQlab 612 Ergowave R saddle - rails

Value

Of course, £200 is a lot to spend on a saddle but it's not outlandish these days, and the SQlab 612 Ergowave R Carbon does offer a lot, particularly for those who struggle to find a perch that's comfortable and doesn't cause numbness.

Even putting that to one side, we don't review many padded saddles that weigh as little as this one. There are certainly many more important factors than weight when it comes to saddles, but, for reference, the £255 Selle Italia Novus Boost Evo Kit Carbonio Superflow saddle we reviewed was 169g. If you're not weight-obsessed, the SQlab 612 Ergowave R with hollow alloy rails is cheaper (£134.99) and weighs a claimed 190g (12cm).

Overall, the lightweight SQlab 612 Ergowave R Carbon is a supportive saddle that provides effective soft tissue pressure relief. The padding is firm, but many people will love the Ergowave shape.

Verdict

Lightweight saddle with minimal padding, but cleverly shaped shell delivers plenty of support and comfort

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road.cc test report

Make and model: SQlab 612 Ergowave R Carbon saddle

Size tested: 14

Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

The SQlab 612 Ergowave R Carbon saddle is designed for performance-orientated road bike and cross-country mountain bike riders who like a very sporty position.

SQlab describes it like this:

More performance-based ergonomics from 125g.

The raised rear gives more grip and better power transmission.

A big advantage is on straight roads and especially uphill.

The stronger narrower mid-section and the narrow saddle nose gives more legroom.

The proven SQlab ERGOWAVE form relieves the soft tissue area and prevents energy-consuming bad posture.

The saddle shell is weight and flex-optimised down to the last detail.

More longitudinal stiffness and perfectly coordinated material flex to the side mean more comfort with less weight at the same time.

The cover is extremely light but also abrasion-resistant and non-slip. The padding is closed-cell and strongly minimised.

The comfort comes from the shape and the flex behaviour between rail - shell - foam, which is coordinated as an overall system.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

The saddle is available in 12-15cm widths. I took the 14cm version.

SQlab lists these features:

Sleek rear

The raised rear gives more grip and better power transmission. A big advantage is on straight roads and especially uphill.

Narrower

The stronger narrower mid-section and the narrow saddle nose give more legroom.

Extended Dip

The slight depression in the middle of the saddle has been lengthened for a very sporty sitting position to reduce the pressure on the sensitive structures of the perineal area.

Weight and flex optimised

More longitudinal stiffness and perfectly coordinated material flex to the side mean more comfort with less weight at the same time. 125g.

SIZE(S) IN CM (EFFECTIVE SADDLE WIDTH): 12 / 13 / 14 / 15cm

LENGTH IN MM: APPROX. 252

MATERIAL RAILS: CARBON (HIGH OVAL 7MM X 9,6MM - SOLID)

MATERIAL BASE: CARBON FIBRE REINFORCED POLYAMIDE COMPOUND (PA12 + CF)

MATERIAL PADDING: SUPERLIGHT FOAM

MATERIAL COVER: MICROFIBRE

HARDNESS IN SQ-SHORE: 60

RELIEF OF PERINEAL AREA IN %: 63

MAXIMUM LOAD IN KG: 90

MAXIMUM TORQUE IN NM: 18

E-BIKE READY: NO

GENDER: UNISEX

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

After three months of almost daily use, the upper looks in great condition. After a quick wipe, so does the base.

Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
9/10

Our 14cm-wide model hit the scales at just 130g, SQlab's exact claimed weight, so I've no doubt that the 12cm version will hit SQlab's claimed weight of 125g.

Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
 
8/10

Despite the firm padding and lack of weight, I've found this saddle to offer a very high level of comfort. You have to get measured up in advance to ensure you have the correct width. I can certainly imagine some people wanting deeper, more forgiving padding, but it worked well for me.

Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

£200 is a lot to spend on a saddle, but there's a lot of tech involved here. It's worth the money if you stay comfortable.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

It performs really well. A super-low weight and a high level of comfort don't necessarily go hand in hand but SQlab delivers both here.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The combination of low weight and comfort.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

Of course, £200 is a lot to spend on a saddle but it's not outlandish these days and the SQlab 612 Ergowave R Carbon does offer a lot, particularly for those who struggle to find a perch that's comfortable and doesn't cause numbness.

Even putting that to one side, we don't review many padded saddles that weigh as little as this one. There are certainly many more important factors than weight when it comes to saddles but, for reference, the £260 Selle Italia Novus Boost Evo Kit Carbonio Superflow saddle we reviewed was 169g. https://road.cc/content/review/selle-italia-novus-boost-evo-kit-carbonio... If you're not weight-obsessed, the SQlab 612 Ergowave with hollow alloy rails is much cheaper. https://www.sq-lab.com/en/products/saddles/sqlab-saddle-612-ergowave.html

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

Although it's not cheap, you get an excellent level of performance here so I think it's a very good offering overall.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 48  Height: 190cm  Weight: 80kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding,

Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. We send him off around the world to get all the news from launches and shows too. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

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2 comments

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KentRider | 9 months ago
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I have the titanium-railed version of this saddle. It works for me. I was a little sceptical prior to acquiring it – my undercarriage is ridiculously sensitive to pressure, and I thought I would never get on with a saddle without a full cut-out. But I had read lots of positive reviews about how effective it is at avoiding pressure, so when my last saddle wore out I thought I may as well give it a try, given that the titanium model is very reasonably priced compared with other saddles I’ve bought in the past.  

I’ve had it 18 months now and have been very pleased. I've found the pressure-relief is actually superior to the Sella Italia Superflow, which has an enormous cut-out. And its effectiveness is on a par with the Dash Stage (a noseless saddle), but achieved in a very different way. The 612R has been plenty comfortable enough for century rides. I’ve since bought the related 611 Ergowave for my MTB, and I would buy another 612R for my road bike if ever the current one wears out or breaks.

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Surreyrider | 9 months ago
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Spooky - I've just got the standard 612 Ergowave with titanium rails (longer than the short nosed R) weighing in at 185g. It cost £105 but I've seen the R carbon version much cheaper than the price quoted here. I got it on the strength of a lot of feedback saying it had been recommended by bike fitters. And I have really narrow sit bones and this is one of the few saddles to suit them! I have only ridden it once and I'll need to go out a few more times to comment on its comfort levels because as Mat says they're different to 'normal' saddles. 

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