SQLab ClipOn Saddle in Review

Anyone familiar with SQlab's nomenclature has already recognized from the above listing: All variants feature the active technology, which allows for slight horizontal movement of the saddle during pedaling, thus relieving the intervertebral discs.
Included elastomers in three weight gradations (white/soft up to 70 kg, gray/medium up to 80 kg, black/hard from 80 kg) allow the saddle shell equipped with this technology to be adjusted to the rider's weight or individual preferences.

Tech Specs

So to speak, secretly, quietly, and silently, the ClipOn saddles come with another brand-new feature, in contrast to the pelvic swing introduced in 2010: The currently three available saddle covers belong to the recently presented Infinergy series, where the padding made in Germany is not made of classic PU foam, but of BASF Infinergy material, which is also known from running shoes. This material is supposed to be particularly robust and elevate comfort to a completely new level through faster recovery.

NoMan did not experience the comfort issue quite so radically. It simply felt good on the two saddle covers (610 and 6OX) tried so far. However, the tester, being thankfully very insensitive in this regard, also sits comfortably and without complaints on many other saddles from various manufacturers.

What can already be stated about Infinergy: Contrary to what its appearance might suggest, this material, which is covered only at the most important spots, is quite tough – so far there are no scratches or similar damages – and it is also easy to clean or no more prone to dirt than conventional saddle covers.

Back to the core specialty of the ClipOn system, the two-part construct. First, the 190 g shell is screwed on in a universal width. As always, the assembly starts with the more or less fiddly insertion of the two S-Tube struts into the designated slots, depending on the seat post model, followed by tightening the screws.
Unlike conventional saddles, this is only half the job. Even though the shell reminds one of Speedneedle & Co., the cover is still missing.

Basically, the second assembly step, clipping on the chosen cover, is not rocket science. However, it is not as easy and smooth as SQlab claims, at least not the first and second time.
Starting at the rear, the saddle cover is pulled over the shell. Press a little here, push a bit there, plop. Then, the overlapping rubber edge must be fully "pulled out" using a special lever (included in the package and - funnily enough - shaped like a saddle) so that it encloses the base all around. This can sometimes take a bit longer than in the demo video because it's a tight fit, but it's essential because only then do the two parts hold together firmly.

Removing the upper part is surprisingly easy, by the way. Basically, it is enough to push the nose up.
Whether you adjust the horizontal tilt of the saddle after complete assembly or already during the attachment of the shell is a matter of taste. Subjectively, NoMan found it easier to do this right away, as the sometimes strongly undulating Sqlab silhouettes can significantly deceive the eye regarding the actual chosen tilt.

The purpose of our trial should be less of a "saddle review" – there are already plenty of those on Bikeboard in abundance – and more of a "concept check".
Where there are two parts, there is potentially a risk of additional creaking noises, annoying squeaking, or even unwanted separation. However, there were no problems with any of the covers ridden so far in this regard. Once mounted, the modular seats remained pleasantly quiet and firmly connected.
The grip of the 610 and 6OX was also convincing. The padding of both felt surprisingly firm for the intended area of use, but ultimately turned out to be quite comfortable. In this respect, it will be interesting later in the year, when the down-country bike is used more frequently on the home trails, whether the 611, which NoMan intends to mount on it, will feel even more firmly padded or not.

To what extent the supplied widths, existing cutouts, wave shapes, etc., appealed to the tester or not is not the subject of these remarks – see above. However, it is important to mention that at the beginning of a honestly acquired ClipOn saddle, a sit bone measurement should definitely be conducted to determine the individually ideal saddle width.