Liv Women’s Contact SLR Forward Saddle

The Liv Contact SLR Forward Carbon Saddle is a lightweight, high-performance design for women who ride with a more aggressive position. Although its lack of padding or cutout might not be for everyone, it will undoubtedly suit riders who favour short, punchy training rides as well as active road racers.

• Pros: Lightweight, very reasonable price for spec
• Cons: Some may find it too firm and miss a cutout

The Contact SLR Forward sits at the very top of Liv's range of saddles. The range is extensive; Liv has considered every type of rider, from the competitive racer to the recreational rider and commuter. Many of the models are available in two versions, Forward and Upright.

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Liv offers the Contact SLR in these two different models; Forward and Upright basically refer to your position on the bike. The Forward model has a channel running right through to the tip, while the channel on the Upright stops halfway down.

The Contact SLR Forward is 15mm longer than my 'normal' saddle – a Specialized Oura. However, Liv takes the guesswork out of getting the set-back/position right by incorporating a measuring device within the packaging. It fits over your current saddle and you measure the set-back and height from a width of 80mm and then use these dimensions to fit the new saddle. It makes more sense than measuring the set-back from the tip of the saddle given how much saddles can vary in length. I was a little sceptical, but when I jumped on the bike the position felt spot on. It clearly worked for me and meant there were no initial rides spoiled with regular 'adjustment stops'.

I don't normally tolerate saddles without a cutout; I've yet to find one that doesn't cause discomfort within a couple of hours. I was pleasantly surprised that the first few rides of 2-2.5 hours were pretty comfortable. I didn't find myself shifting excessively in the saddle, trying to relieve pressure from any one single spot. When I stepped up the duration, however, I began to experience some mild irritation on the more sensitive parts. After 4 hours I was not really comfortable. It wasn't so bad that I couldn't ride again the next day, but it certainly wasn't what I would want on a permanent basis. I have persisted throughout the test period but still don't feel right on the saddle during rides in excess of 3.5 hours. The discomfort is nothing excruciating, but I won't be making any swaps with my regular saddle.

The saddle is very firm; on rough, bumpy roads it's not very forgiving. The Particle Flow Technology might be doing something but it certainly doesn't have much give, even along its channel. The lower my position and the harder I was riding, the more comfortable the saddle. The very gradual downward slope at the nose of the saddle really lends it to an 'on-the-drops' position and high-intensity riding.

Longer rides clearly mean you are in a more upright position. The Upright model would perhaps be preferable then. The concept of having a saddle for your specific riding style is great, so long as you are not mixing it up on a regular basis, then it all goes out of the window. While I was more than happy on the Contact Forward for my short, intense rides, it certainly wouldn't be my choice for endurance rides.

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The carbon base and rails mean that the saddle is very light – a fraction over 190g by our scales. Identical to Specialized's Pro Arc, which is £45 more. If weight is not important to you but the saddle shape and style appeal, you can drop down two levels to Liv's Forward or Upright Contact Saddle and save yourself £95 while only gaining 100g. Not a bad compromise I'd say.

The vacuum-formed microfiber cover gives the saddle an understated look. There are no tiny holes present that can be prone to collecting grit during filthy, rainy, winter rides. Overall, the saddle is well made and looks like it should be on a racing bike.

For its specification, the SLR Contact Forward is competitively priced. Fizik's Luce is a similar composition and dips under 200g. Although its shape is not really comparable to the Contact, it will set you back £164.99. If you are looking to compare a similar shaped saddle, the Bontrager Yatra Pro Carbon Women's Saddle is not so different. It ranges from 165g-175g (depending upon size) and has an RRP of £149.99.

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The Liv SLR Forward Contact has certainly reduced my levels of scepticism about saddles without cutouts. It suited me for those shorter, more intense rides but, given I'm no longer racing, it isn't quite the saddle for me. There is no escaping that it is a well-made, competitively priced option for those who love to 'race' their bike all year round.

Verdict

One for the 'racers'; a firm saddle that's really good for short, punchy rides when you are putting down the power