LIV SYLVIA SADDLE REVIEW

Words by Emma Wooldridge | Photos by Cole Gregg

Liv is commonly known as the brand that delivers women’s-specific bikes, but it also spends plenty of time tweaking the less glamorous products to better fit women. The Sylvia saddle sits on many of Liv’s mountain bikes, and was built with one purpose in mind: aggressive mountain biking. I installed the Sylvia on my personal bike after riding two Liv bikes which came equipped with this high-performance saddle. After getting a feeling for the Sylvia on three different bikes, I’ve gathered my thoughts below.

ABOUT THE LIV SYLVIA SADDLE

The Liv Sylvia saddle weighs in at 335 grams, so certainly not in the lightweight category. It’s slightly heavier than Giant’s Romero saddle, due to its extended width to comfortably accommodate the anatomy of average women. Stretching this saddle to 150 mm across, maintaining the 277 mm length, and lowering the stack height to 43 mm allows a larger spectrum of women to feel comfortable on it, given that many women have wider sit bones than men.

Boasting padded edges, and high-elastic Particle Flow Technology; the saddle is designed to bring comfort to your riding and mold to your shape. The free-flowing particles injected into two areas of the saddle make the fit of the saddle more fluid and it adjusts to a rider’s unique contact points, reducing pressure by over 20% according to Liv. Extra-soft foam has been strategically placed throughout the saddle to optimize comfort and strong steel 7mm rails attach to the seatpost clamp. The saddle has a downward tilt to the nose to promote aggressive climbing, along with a longer nose to provide more contact. The rear is slightly scooped to aid in staying seated on steeper sections of climb. It is finished with a smooth surface on its microfiber cover designed to make for an easier transition on and off of the saddle when riding.

Liv offers two options of the Sylvia, with the base model tested retailing for a very reasonable $51, and the lighter Sylvia SL coming in at $105.

THE DIRT

This isn’t the lightest saddle on the market, and as such it’s offered at a reasonable price point. But if you’re like me and ride everything as it comes because you’re too cheap to shell out for something as simple as a saddle, then you’ve experienced the trials and tribulations of numb or painful nether regions while climbing. Let me point out how foolish this is – saddles can be upgraded affordably, much the same as other contact points, and they can make a significant difference.

My first experience on a Liv Sylvia was aboard the Intrigue LT Advanced Pro 0. This bike and all of its components were a serious upgrade from my personal bike so climbing would’ve been a breeze regardless of the seat. I moved onto the Intrigue X Advanced E+ Elite 1 and spent more time descending than sitting due to having battery-powered legs. But once I set up my personal Norco Sight with the Sylvia, it was confirmed. This saddle has been a significant player in making climbs more enjoyable for me. It took away at least half of the mental battle of climbing and has been wildly more comfortable.

While climbing, I feel firmly set in the saddle and don’t experience any numbness or pain. The small lip in the back helps keep me planted on steep sections. And even though it’s slightly bulkier, it didn’t hinder me on the descents, and I stopped noticing its presence fairly quickly. The Sylvia is supportive, flexible in the right areas, and saves me loads of energy. I’m pretty sure even my lovely climbing partner, Cole, appreciates this saddle, as I can now eek out complete sentences on the tough uphills rather than grunts of hatred. Now, this isn’t a cure-all if you haven’t built up your climbing legs, but it’s been my absolute favorite upgrade I’ve made in the last year.

I honestly don’t have any cons to list out for this saddle (no, I am not sponsored by Liv, I promise). The tradeoff of having a technically heavier and bulkier saddle was worth it for me. I really don’t believe there’s a world in which I can feel the difference of 100 grams on a bike. Also, “bulky” is totally relative – it’s not as if it’s a saddle you’d find on a Schwinn. We’re talking millimeters here. If you’re a rider that likes a very low-profile saddle, this may not be the one for you. If you’re just looking to cut down on weight, you can check out the Liv Sylvia SL saddle that weighs 70 grams less and is priced at $105. Saddles are also very personal, so my needs and therefore my experience won’t be the same as someone else’s – it pays to try these things out.

Many riders have more common sense than I do and have already gotten themselves fitted with a proper saddle, so if you haven’t already then move along and get on it. The difference has been night and day for me!

The Wolf’s Last Word

Saddles are a personal affair and the best saddle is the one that fits you. The Liv Sylvia is for riders with a wider pelvis than the average saddle accommodates, and provides support in all the right areas. The Sylvia doesn’t skimp when it comes to comfort and makes for a more enjoyable climbing experience. For its reasonable price, this is an upgrade I can highly recommend if it fits your anatomy.

Price: $51
Website: Liv-cycling.com