I'll be honest - I've never been a huge fan of Bontrager's mountain bike saddles. Their road saddles have always hovered somewhere between adequate and excellent, but when it comes to what's stocked on their mountain bikes, you'll want to bring along some ice for your rear-end on your ride.
Then a year or so ago, Dan McConnell of Trek Factory Racing started riding Bontrager's newest XC race saddle, the Montrose.
Then a year or so ago, Dan McConnell of Trek Factory Racing started riding Bontrager's newest XC race saddle, the Montrose.
I got pretty excited about this saddle, for a few reasons. One, it looks pretty cool; pretty fast, pretty professional. More importantly though, Bontrager was finally featuring the gap in the middle that's become pretty popular across all saddles, and (in my opinion) with good reason. The idea behind the gap is that it allows the saddle to flex and also relieves pressure points; whatever the marketing department says, it works. It's pretty light, too - 216 grams for medium width isn't bad, so no need to worry about removing your valve caps to compensate.
Despite its lightweight and thin form, the Montrose seems very durable and well made. The outside is a synthetic and water repellent material, so it should hold up fine.
One of the things that Bontrager has always been good about with their saddles is being conservative and thoughtful about where they place their padding, and this is no exception. What makes a good saddle great isn't the amount of padding, but where it is to counteract those rear-end pressure points. In fact, the Montrose Elite even has a segment of the saddle's core exposed at the rear since padding in that particular area doesn't really benefit anyone with a normal behind, but I digress...
One of the things that Bontrager has always been good about with their saddles is being conservative and thoughtful about where they place their padding, and this is no exception. What makes a good saddle great isn't the amount of padding, but where it is to counteract those rear-end pressure points. In fact, the Montrose Elite even has a segment of the saddle's core exposed at the rear since padding in that particular area doesn't really benefit anyone with a normal behind, but I digress...
The point is, whether from padding placement or saddle flex or just the shape of the saddle, this thing is comfy. More than that, it's completely unnoticeable, which is exactly what you want in a saddle. There are other things you can worry about on a mountain bike ride.
And the Montrose makes those things easier to deal with. Not just because it's comfy and you can sit down every once in a while, but because of its shape.
If you've put time into trying to improve your mountain bike skills, one of the things you may have heard is that your saddle can be a tool to move the bike around as much or even more than the handlebars. Put simply, the Montrose is the right shape for you to get groovy. It doesn't get in the way, but it's there for you to use when you need it.
And the Montrose makes those things easier to deal with. Not just because it's comfy and you can sit down every once in a while, but because of its shape.
If you've put time into trying to improve your mountain bike skills, one of the things you may have heard is that your saddle can be a tool to move the bike around as much or even more than the handlebars. Put simply, the Montrose is the right shape for you to get groovy. It doesn't get in the way, but it's there for you to use when you need it.
The Montrose lineup is made up of three saddles; the entry level Comp Gel for $75, the mid-range Elite for $130, and pro-level hyper-light Pro Carbon for $200. I'm suspicious of the Comp Gel because, well, it's all gelled and padded up, but it is more affordable and shares the well-performing shape of the Elite. The big difference between the Elite and Pro Carbon is, again reflected in the name, the carbon fiber rails. Is it worth the extra $70? Unfortunately, none but your wallet can tell you that.
In the end, I have to give Bontrager props on this one - I've been waiting and hoping for some time that they'd produce a great mountain bike saddle, and while they're late to the game, they've certainly made up for the delay.
Bontrager Montrose Elite - 5/5
In the end, I have to give Bontrager props on this one - I've been waiting and hoping for some time that they'd produce a great mountain bike saddle, and while they're late to the game, they've certainly made up for the delay.
Bontrager Montrose Elite - 5/5