Fabric ALM Shallow Ultimate Saddle
- ShowProduct Information Right from the outset, we wanted to push the boundaries of saddle design to deliver a beautiful, cut... read more
- Show Reviews & Q&As
- Show Performance Saddles Guide
- Show Finance
- Show Delivery & Guarantee
Product Description
The Shallow profile has a more rounded rear section and medium padding. This profile is for riders leaning forwards, in a more natural riding position; typically the handlebars will be slightly lower than the saddle with the rider’s weight being split between the saddle and handlebars more evenly, requiring less padding on the saddle.
- Carbon Rail
- Carbon Base
- Width: 142mm
- Length: 282mm
- Weight: 140g
Occasionally, without notice, manufacturers change product design and/or specifications.
Performance Saddles Guide
Performance Saddles Guide
Whether you cycle off-road or on tarmac, if you like long rides and pushing yourself on the bike then a performance saddle is what you need. Performance saddles come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. The best saddle for you will depend on the style of riding you do as well as your flexibility and the shape of your body.
There are lots of different saddles to choose from. Some are best for road cycling; others are best for mountain biking and some saddles will work well for either discipline. In this performance saddles guide we’ll look at body measurements, different types of saddle, and what to look for when you are choosing a new one.
Things to know before you choose a saddle
Before you buy a new saddle there are few things that you need to know about yourself, so you can choose one that’s right for you.
Body position on the bike
It’s good to know what your riding position is like when you are seated and pedalling as this will affect the type of saddle that will suit you best. When mountain biking, you will have a more upright position on the bike than when you are road riding. Road cyclists who are very flexible can achieve a very low tucked riding position while less flexible riders like to be more upright.
Sit bone width
Everyone’s body is different, and it’s the distance between your two sit bones that make the most difference to your comfort in the saddle. Women tend to have wider sit bones than men - which is why women’s specific saddles are wider – but there are a lot of individual differences too.
How to measure your sit bones
Finding your correct sit bone width is easy, and you can do it at home.
All you need is a flat bench or seat, something to rest your feet on, a piece of cardboard, some chalk and a tape measure. Check out our video to see what you need to do.
Your optimum saddle width will be 20 – 25mm wider than your sit bone width.
What saddle shape is right for you?
Once you know your riding position and your sit bone width you can consider the shape of performance saddle that suits you and your bike, so you can ride more comfortably.
Mountain bike or sports hybrid bike
When riding in a relatively upright position you’ll need a little more support, so a slightly wider saddle will be best. A curved saddle shape with an upturned rear and dropped nose is the most popular shape for mountain bikers.
Look for a saddle that is 20mm wider than your optimal saddle width.
Endurance road bike
On a road bike with relatively high handlebars - tall head tube and/or spacers under the stem - you will still need some support but less than on a mountain bike. A slightly wider saddle with a curved shape is ideal.
Look for a saddle that is 10mm wider than your optimal saddle width.
Road race bike
When you are riding in a flat backed race position, you’ll have less weight on your sit bones and more on your arms and legs. A narrow flat saddle shape is best for a race position.
Look for a saddle that’s the same width as your optimal saddle width measurement.
Saddle features to look for
As well as width and shape there are a few saddle features to look out for that can make a difference to your performance on the bike. There is a big difference in the price of saddles and while a more expensive model will be lighter it might not be more comfortable.
Rails
The rails are the part of the saddle that attaches to the seatpost. Most performance saddles use steel alloys like cromo which are reasonably lightweight and flex a little for comfort. More expensive saddles use titanium or carbon rails. Titanium is very lightweight and offers a similar comfortable flex to steel. Carbon is the lightest but is also very stiff, so some riders find them a bit harsh. Carbon railed saddles aren’t compatible with all seatposts as the rails are a different shape.
Most saddle bags are designed to attach to the twin rails of the saddle as well as the seatpost. Some saddles, like the SDG I-Beam, have a single rail. These tend to be very lightweight and stiff but require a matching brand specific seatpost.
Shell
The shell is the hard base that forms the basic shape of the saddle and how much it will flex. Most saddle shells are made from plastic or fibre-reinforced polymer while higher-end options have a carbon shell. The advantage of carbon is that it is lighter and will absorb some road vibrations.
The specific model of a saddle will have the same shape whether it has a plastic or carbon shell – a basic Specialized Power saddle will have the same shape as the S-Works Power model.
Padding
The padding sits on top of the shell to provide comfort. While thick, soft padding may seem like the most comfortable option, too much padding will compress under your sit bones as you ride and can end up putting more pressure on surrounding soft tissue areas. Many saddle manufacturers use pressure mapping to get the right amount of padding in the right places.
Generally speaking, a more upright riding position will benefit from a little more padding while a more tucked riding position requires a little less. Some road riders are even happy with bare carbon saddles. While these are certainly not for everyone, they highlight the importance of finding a saddle that’s the correct size and shape.
Cover
The cover is the outermost layer of the saddle. Traditionally this would be leather but synthetic covers are more common. Covers need to be hard wearing but should also be smooth enough to avoid rubbing, seams should be away from the areas where your legs may rub.
Mountain bike specific saddles may have a textured surface for extra grip in muddy conditions and reinforced side panels to resist damage if you lay the bike down in a crash.
Grooves, channels and cutouts
Many saddles have pressure relieving grooves, channels or cut out sections in the middle of the seat. This is to relieve soft tissue pressure and to improve blood flow in that region. If you are experiencing numbness while riding a saddle with a cutout or groove in the centre is worth considering.
The width of the cutout will make a difference and is another area that will be informed by your sit bone measurement. Lady’s specific saddles often have a wider cutout or a deeper channel but the ideal for both men and women is a personal thing.
Extra features
Some saddles have extra features like reinforced corners to prevent damage when you lay the bike down or stand it up against a wall. Other features include elastomers between the rails and shell, and mounting points for rear lights and saddle bags. These features may be useful but only if the size and shape of the saddle is right for you.
Women’s Specific Saddles
As we’ve mentioned before women tend to have wider sit bones to men, the average difference is about 10mm. Women also tend to sit a little further back on the saddle. This is why women’s specific saddles are wider at the rear and a little shorter at the front compared to a unisex saddle. As well as personal experience your sit bone measurement will help you decide if a unisex or women’s specific saddle is best for you.
Finance
Delivery & Guarantee
UK Delivery Information
International Deliveries – Temporarily Suspended 11/11/20
Note: We are still offering deliveries to the Isle of Man, Scottish Highlands, Scottish Islands, Channel Islands, Isle of Wight, Jersey and Guernsey. We are no longer delivering to Northern Ireland.
Courier Delivery update: Due to the COVID19 situation, we are currently experiencing some delays with deliveries. Our couriers are working around the clock to get your order to you as soon as possible but there is a potential delay of up to 48 hours . Please check your tracking on track your order here.
Please download the TNT Track and Trace App for iOS here and Android here so you can keep an eye on your delivery and any further updates.
Please note on the TNT tracking app it may show your delivery status as ‘Collecting’ (as per image below). This means your delivery has left our warehouse and is currently held at TNT main depot and there could be up to a 48 hour delay.
Please keep checking the TNT tracking for further updates. On behalf of TNT we apologise for any delay and inconvenience this may cause.
We are committed to offering fast and free delivery, whether you're ordering bikes, accessories or clothing. Our standard delivery service is FREE in the UK, regardless of the size and on all orders over £20.
Please note that bulky products and bikes shipped to outlying UK regions are excluded from free shipping.
Please note that Pre-Order dates can sometimes change due to updated stock information.
Click here for more UK and international delivery information.
Returns & Warranty
It's easy to return a product with our 365 day, hassle free returns.
We will give you a full refund or exchange on any item that is returned to us unused/unfitted, in a resaleable condition and in its original packaging (where possible).
Please note: For hygiene reasons, we cannot accept returns of facemasks, undershorts or underwear if the item has been removed/unsealed from its original packaging.
If your item develops a fault or arrives damaged, please contact us first so we can resolve the issue for you as quickly as possible.
For more information please visit our Returns & Warranty page.
You may also like...
Show finance options for:
Available finance options:
Finance provider options available