Prologo Scratch Pro Ti 1.4

The Prologo Scratch saddle is the most comfortable saddle I have ever tested. It has a traditional rounded profile that proves to be comfortable no matter how long the ride. And it's the same saddle that Sir Chris Hoy uses, too. If it's good enough for him, then it must be good enough for us, right?

Saddles are very much a personal thing though. What works for one person is another's torture device. Prologo recognise that with their range that splits into three key shapes. The Scratch is their 'round' saddle and is described as 'ideal for long-distance riding' and this claim I thoroughly agree with. There's also a semi-round and a flat saddle shape to choose from, if the round isn't your bag.

I've tested many dozens of saddles over the years and I've gone through phases of favouring one brand or shape or other. In the Scratch, I'm confident I've found it. After fitting it to my Evo I took an instant shine to it, and that shine hasn't diminished some few hundred miles later. The search is over.

The shape of the saddle is pretty traditional compared to some of the more interesting saddle shapes out there. Don't let that put you off. A slight rise at the rear, deep flanks and a flat middle section combine with the rounded shape to evenly distribute the pressure. Active density padding is softer only where it needs to be, firmer elsewhere. With your sit bones in the sweet spot it's an incredibly comfortable place to sit for hour after hour. It feels supportive and it's the perfect balance between not too firm but not too soft.

Like most saddle manufacturers, Prologo offer the Scratch in two widths, 134 and 143mm. I tested the latter and found it to be just right. The saddle is a generous 278mm long, which gives a little real estate for shifting about on, particularly on steep nose-of-the-saddle climbs or racing on the rivet.

This saddle has nickel-titanium alloy rails with 1.4mm walls – carbon 'Nack' rails are available – but I would pick titanium over carbon for the material's extra give. I've tested carbon rails on other saddles and always found them just too stiff. The titanium rails give a reasonable degree of flex which proves to be just enough to take the edge off harsher roads.

Underneath the saddle is a carbon fibre injection base. The turned over edges of the hard-wearing Lorica upper are neatly glued in place. It's impressively neat and very well manufactured. I've seen older Scratch saddles still pressed into service and, despite a little fading, look as good as new. And at the rear of the saddle is the U-Clip. Like Fizik's similar clip-on system, a range of accessories from saddle bags to lights can be clipped to the saddle.

Weight weenies will be put off by its relatively high weight of 244g, but my personal view is that the saddle really isn't where you want to save weight. There are better places to save weight and the saddle isn't one of them - it's there to provide a comfortable place to sit all day long.

Verdict

A classic shape but thoroughly modern saddle. I won't be taking it off for a long time, that's for sure.