Charge Scoop saddle

Charge's new Scoop saddle has a lot to live up to, following Charge's Spoon seat which is a huge favourite across all genres of cycling. The Scoop is quite a different beast but still manages to be comfortable, light and pretty cheap.

Charge have used a one-piece nylon base for the Scoop, with everything other than the rails moulded in one go. On top of that sits a fairly generous section of padding, covered by a waterproof microfibre cover. There's no stitching on the top or staples holding the cover on to the base; the whole thing looks very sleek.

Shape-wise, the Scoop has a slightly raised rear section and the nose, which is fairly thin, is dropped a bit at the front too. This makes the saddle look like it's pointing down a touch, even when you've had your spirit level on the middle section to make sure it's level.

I like my saddle to actually point down a touch, so I was caught out by this when I first fitted the Scoop, and found I wasn't sitting on it quite as I like. That was soon fixed, and from then on I found the Scoop to be a very likeable saddle.

Death or glory

So what's it like to sit on? Well, in a death-or-glory moment I fitted the Scoop to my Audax bike immediately before the 400km Brevet Cymru. If it wasn't comfy, I'd soon know.

It is comfy. Phew. The padding is firmer than the Spoon it replaced, but there's plenty of it and it's not harsh. The base is designed to allow the whole saddle to flex for extra suspension and that seems to work pretty well.

With the softer Spoon I'd often ride to work and back in normal shorts, but the Scoop works better with Lycra and a decent pad. It's a firmer ride, but not uncomfortable; one for your road bike more than your commuter.

I didn't get on quite as well with the shape of the more contoured Scoop as I do with the flatter Spoon, but everyone's rear is different and this one might suit you just right.

In terms of weight (249g) and price (£40, or £60 for Ti rails) it's a reasonably light saddle for the money. It comes in eight colours which means matching to your bar tape should be a cinch, and the clean looks won't look out of place on your Sunday-best racer

Verdict

Good value road saddle with good looks and a firm, but comfortable, ride.