Tioga has introduced the Undercover Stratum Max saddle, which combines a SpyderWeb base with deep and soft padding on top. This combination might make it a comfortable saddle for some riders but there is some movement between the guides on the saddle rails (which might leave some fit issues) and the titanium rails put it at a premium price. Read on to see how it compares to other options in the competitive best gravel bike saddle space.

 

Tioga Undercover Stratum Max saddle – Technical details

The Tioga Undercover Stratum Max is available in three models, each with a different saddle rail material. The steel rail is the cheapest (£69.99) followed by the chromoly (£79.99) and then the titanium alloy rail (£119.99) pictured here. All models have a single width and the saddle dimensions are pegged at 285 x 145mm. The titanium version has a claimed weight of 270g – 23g more than our test saddle which weighed 247g. Still, at nearly 250g, it’s nowhere near as light as some of the featheriest options on the market.

Tioga Undercover Stratum Max saddle – Performance

It was disappointing to see how little fore/aft movement there is on the saddle rails when installing, with only 55mm between the recommended spacing. This seems odd given there is roughly 20mm of flat rail even before the bends begin – have a look at the picture below. There are likely to be some seatpost designs with clamps that exceed the maximum recommended spacing, which will pose a serious issue for some users.

Tioga_Undercover_Stratum_Max_rails.jpg
Tioga_Undercover_Stratum_Max_rails (Image Credit: Matthew Page)
Tioga_Undercover_Stratum_Max_rails.jpg, by Matthew Page

The base of the saddle features the Tioga SpyderWeb design, which has become a standout attribute. The base is quite flexible, as seen by holding and moving the saddle in your hand, particularly in the places furthest away from the saddle rail connection points.

The EVA foam top is quite deep and soft with a slow rebound, which caused some small problems for me. The main challenge is figuring out the correct saddle height, as the foam top is so deep and soft that it is difficult to match the saddle height with a tape measure. If you’re less picky and simply go by feel, you might be able to ride and adjust the height a little easier than me but I found that with so much movement, I needed to add a couple of millimetres to my recommended saddle height measurement.

While riding, the soft foam top is very noticeable and there is a lot of movement both up and down as well as side to side. This can work well while riding off-road on a gravel bike, subsequently bolstering comfort and potentially improving seated pedalling.

The open channel section worked well for me. It is well-positioned, providing enough rearward saddle real estate to support your weight while curbing pressure and discomfort. I wasn’t sure how the SpyderWeb base area would affect comfort but it has so much flex that I didn’t notice it – which is a good thing.

Tioga_Undercover_Stratum_Max_Under.jpg
Tioga_Undercover_Stratum_Max_Under (Image Credit: Matthew Page)
Tioga_Undercover_Stratum_Max_Under.jpg, by Matthew Page

Tioga Undercover Stratum Max saddle – Verdict

The Tioga Undercover Stratum Max differs from most other performance saddles on the market, featuring very soft cushioning similar to what you’d get on a city or touring bike. The EVA foam is soft and the slow-release compression gives it a memory foam effect. Saddles are very personal items with width, length, cut-outs and padding all playing important roles. Issues that may cause fit problems are the one-width sizing philosophy available and very limited saddle rail adjustment.

Tioga_Undercover_Stratum_Max_Back.jpg
Tioga_Undercover_Stratum_Max_Back (Image Credit: Matthew Page)
Tioga_Undercover_Stratum_Max_Back.jpg, by Matthew Page

Compared to other titanium railed saddles, the £120 may appear reasonable but I believe the £80 10g heavier Chromoly version is a better alternative. At almost the same price, the WTB Gravelier titanium version is one of my personal favourites. Pat recently tested the Ergon SR Allroad that comes in two widths and one he found to be very comfortable.

The Tioga Undercover Stratum Max saddle stands out from the crowd due to its unique design. It’s flexible and the pressure-relieving cut-out section will find favour with those who prioritise comfort over outright performance. 

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Test report Tioga Undercover Stratum Max saddle review £120.00

Saddles

Product purpose: 

Tioga says:

UNDERCOVER STRATUM MAX

A FLEXILE FOUNDATION FOR UNPARALLELED SHOCK ABSORPTION.
Unique cutouts on the base are designed to compress upon impact and quickly rebound for continuous shock absorption. The spring-like structure stays active throughout the ride, soaking up bumps more efficiently than foam padding alone. The SpyderWeb base, made from proprietary material formulated for high resiliency and impact resistance, is a finely tuned suspension component designed to cushion impacts at higher frequency with minimal padding.

BIO Pad
The BioPad is a padding system shaped to complement the body’s from extra cushioning and others with less just as it is with the human body. Proper cushioning is essential for the perineal region, the area between our sit bones packed with sensitive tissues, nerves, and blood vessels that cannot endure pressure. Applied pressure in this fragile zone over time can reduce blood flow, cause numbness, and the possibility of nerve damage. Less padding underneath our sit bones is ideal. Covered by mostly fat and muscles, the sit bones are naturally capable of sustaining the full body weight when seated. Thick padding in this area ends up adding pressure to the perineal from excess padding pushing up against the sensitive areas when seated. The areas above the rail receptacles, generally the most rigid points on the saddle, will benefit from extra cushioning. Though these are not typical seating surfaces, proper cushioning becomes indispensable should riding manoeuvres shift to sitting over these points, even for brief moments. The unique sculpting of the Bio-Pad shape adds extra cushioning in the idsection that better insulates the sensitive areas, thinner padding underneath the sit bones to prevent excess padding from bunching up against places it shouldn’t, and thicker over the rail receptacles to cushion potential impacts. pushing up against the sensitive areas when seated.

Build extra: 

Tioga list:

STRATUM MAX
SPYDERWEB FLEXILE BASE
STRATUM MAX Ti
+ Bio-Pad ReActiv
+ 285 x 145mm
+ ThermoForm Cover
+ Ti – 270g

Product construction 


Product construction extra: 

The SpyderWeb construction makes the base very flexible, and this helps add comfort. The EVA foam may be too deep and soft for some.

Product performance 


Product performance extra: 

Depending on the saddle rail clamp used the guidelines give very little movement possible between the guides. For me personally I prefer less padding, but the extra depth did make for a soft ride, and this was felt on certain rougher sections where are still riding while sat down.

Product durability 


Product durability extra: 

No problems at all.

Product weight 


Product weight extra: 

I doubt anyone will choose this saddle purely for weight reasons.

Product comfort 


Product comfort extra: 

Comfort for saddles will be personal. I found it fine, and did not suffer any discomfort, but the tall and soft upper didn’t suit me personally.

product value 


Product value extra: 

Priced at a similar level to some other saddles with titanium alloy rails, but the overall specification can’t match the best at this price point.

Overall performance: 

The amount of flex and padding makes the Undercover Stratum Max a very soft place to be sat down, and for some that could be welcome. I found the amount of padding made it hard to set the height of the saddle correctly, and there is very little adjustment possible on the saddle rails based on the recommended guides.

Product likes: 

Very soft and flexible base, with cut out design in the padding making it comfortable when sat down for extended periods.

Product dislikes: 

It was difficult to get the saddle height correct because of the amount of padding it has, and there is very little adjustment on the rails possible.

Enjoy: 

It was fine, and comfortable to use.

Buy: 

No, but only because of personal saddle preferences

Recommend: 

For riders who like to stay sat down, and looking to get more bump absorption it could be suitable.

Conclusion: 

The Tioga Undercover Stratum Max may be a very comfortable place for some people, especially for those who already know they prefer a soft saddle. The deep, soft padding might make it tricky to set up when switching from a different saddle, however, and there is very little saddle rail adjustment possible between the guides.

Purely for comfort, the flexible SpyderWeb base, and deep, soft padding in addition to the cut-away section will work for riders who prefer a softer padded style, but the titanium rails are probably not worth the extra £40 over the Chromoly version.

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