Though it might be brand new, Bontrager's Serano saddle actually draws on a shape that has been around for many years, which is why they're calling it a 'classic shape' on their website.
The shape is indicative of a saddle like the popular Prologo Scratch, once favoured by Fabian Cancellara, and still favoured by me. A long flat and rounded middle section features with a raised tail and slightly dropped nose, with deep sides. It's the sort of shape that many cyclists will find comfortable.
I replaced the Scratch on my test bike with the Serano and I didn't even have to alter the saddle height, such is the similarity. Out on the road and it felt virtually identical. There's a subtle difference in padding, the Serano being a touch firmer along the middle, but not enough to negatively impact comfort. I've clocked several hundred kilometres so far and haven't thought twice about the saddle, and indeed not rushed back to my old saddle.
Of course saddle shapes are very personal and what works for one person won't necessarily work for another. I'm willing to bet this saddle shape will work for a lot of people though, it simply supports the bottom so well and provides adequate padding in the key areas.
It's available in three widths as well; 128, 138 and 144mm. I tested the 138mm width and found it spot on, but you might want to try before you buy if you're not sure which you need. A good Bontrager dealer should help you out here.. All three saddles are 270mm in length. That's a smidgen shorter than the Scratch, but not enough that I really noticed.
The saddle is a bit lighter, 220g on my scales, than the one it replaced. This RL model costs £90 with hollow titanium rails and a carbon composite shell. Spend £150 on the RXL and you get carbon rails with the weight dropping below 200g.
The fact the saddle was first spotted on Andy Schleck's bike at the Tour of California last year suggests it was developed at the request of the team riders. Professional riders can be very fussy about saddles, reasonable given the miles they clock up, and this isn't the first time a pro has been involved in the development of a new saddle. With riders less free to choose any saddle they want these days, it's becoming common to see manufacturers willing to cater for a rider's particular requirements.
Bontrager's also willing to try and cater for your particular requirements too. If you don't find you get on with a Bontrager saddle, you can exchange it for another within 30 days of purchase.
It wasn't that long ago that you would see a rider on a saddle with branding covered over, but as manufacturers like Bontrager catch up, the days of pros riding favoured saddles seem to be long gone. That's a good thing for the consumer, as it means more choice, and excellent saddles like the Serano are developed.
Verdict
Classic shape with smart looks and a good weight for the price.
road.cc test report
Make and model: Bontrager Serano RL saddle
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?
With its classic curves and futuristic inForm BioDynamics technology, the new Serano RL saddle offers the optimal combination of fit and efficiency for the aggressive road rider or racer. With a turned up tail, the Serano RL promotes a low, forward position on the bike, with a power pocket for max wattage. Hollow Ti rails and a carbon-composite shell keep it light and supportive.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Posture 2 - Aggressive: Forward pelvic rotation for athletes with a high degree of flexibility
Size Specific Curvature - Curvature of each saddle is designed specific to its width
Zone Density Padding - Multi-density padding is strategically placed for optimal comfort and performance
Hollow Titanium rails deliver strength without added weight
Carbon Reinforced Shell - Compliant carbon fiber-reinforced shell strikes a balance between strength and light weight
inForm BioDynamics - Products designed to optimize your natural movement for sustained, higher performance
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
9/10
It's lighter and cheaper than the equivalent Prologo Scratch, not by much admittedly.
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
9/10
Rate the product for value:
8/10
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
It's as comfortable as the Prologo Scratch, which in my opinion places the saddle among the best currently available.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
The shape.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Nothing to dislike.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.
Would you consider buying the product? Yes.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
Superb comfort, if it's the sort of saddle shape that works for you.
Rate the product for performance:
9/10
Age: 31 Height: 180 Weight: 67
I usually ride: My best bike is:
I've been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, touring, mtb,
What is going on with the tyres on that Trench Tales bike?
Strictly speaking, the driver only has to provide details if asked - it's not clear if he was (but suspect so).
Typically speed limits are set at the 85% percentile of the speed that people drive at on the road - very little to do with safety or casualty...
I ordered 4 Tubolito tubes, fitted 2, no problem at all. The issue I had was air escaping when attempting to inflate with SKS track pump, also used...
I seem to recall one of those motorway programmes a few years back attended reported bikes on the motorway - turned out someone had got Halfords to...
Well aware this is comparing apples with wellington boots, but 10 years ago I got SRAM Force for not much more than this. And it came with a Canyon...
Did residents say the same about the M1 immediately after it was built? ATE is trying to turn around 60 years of driving centric culture.
Otherwise law-abiding?
I hadn't really noticed how the drivers of the cars alongside just drive off, no offer to witness, just go, not my problem mate.
Had a weird problem end of last summer, on the Getting to Work bike, 26inch latex tubed, while the Rohloff was getting seals replaced, and on...