I think the thing that impressed me most was that, during the whole time testing it, I didn't really have to think about it much at all – surely the sign of an excellent saddle, one that doesn't give any niggles, or uncomfortable numb feeling during the ride whatsoever.

Scoop Shallow for a slightly more stretched out position such as CX, XC or Sportive/ GranFondo – can we say Gravel now too? This is great for those with bars just below the saddle or those who prefer to ride on the hoods/ flats on road bikes.The Shallow in the name denotes the type of riding this version of the Scoop is intended for. In this case it's sportive or endurance type-riding, where most of your time is spent on the hoods, with the odd blast on the drops. As a rider who spends probably 90-95 per cent of my time on the hoods, I found this to be a pretty spot-on description. However, I did try a one-hour flat-out training session entirely on the drops, and it didn't restrict my ability to do that at all. It was still really comfy. The Scoop has been around a fair few years now and has a well-deserved reputation for being a very comfortable saddle for smashing out the miles. This titanium-railed version continues the theme, impressing with its levels of comfort, build quality and value. The Shallow is slightly flatter than the Radius but still has a dip in the middle, this is more universal and can be used for many applications. The padding is between that of the Radius and Flat.

But… there are some out there who biologically have issues, have had operations or are going through treatment that requires clearance at the perineum which is where the Line will be best and now we have 2 widths to accommodate a larger spread of riders. Your GP or Doctor will best to advise when you need to choose a saddle with a channel. Value-wise, the Scoop stands up well against the opposition when you take into account the build quality.Something extra nice about this saddle is the extra nose width. Compared to other saddles, the nose is noticeably wide and that is a great attribute to have in a saddle. I especially appreciate that extra width when climbing and you’re on the forefront of the saddle.

Our state-of-the-art Line saddle design builds in comfort to every ride. Our unique three-part construction strips away the compression and tension found in traditional hard, stretched-cover saddles. We do this by bonding a waterproof microfiber straight onto a flexible base, allowing us to use a softer foam, giving you added comfort, wherever you're headed. Ti rails are offered on the Race range and only a little lighter than cromo but they are more flexible and provide the most comfort of all rails. Choose this for long periods of time in the saddle. Heavier riders (over 100kg) can buy this but it will feel a bit too soft for them Flat: The Flat profile has the flattest rear section and the lowest amount of padding, and is designed for the most aggressive riding position. It also has a thinner nose to allow better leg movement. Cromo is offered on the Elite range and is ideal for heavy and light duties. Also ideal for heavier riders.

As mountain bike saddles are concerned, the Scoop Race Shallow is about as versatile as they come. It is suitable for all types of riding, from XC to gravity oriented riding, with a nice shape that allows for great snag-free freedom of movement and a clean and powerful pedal stroke. This saddle isn't specific to mountain biking either. This is a great all-around option that is equally at home on the road or adventure bike too. Riders who like a pressure relief cutout or channel will be better off looking elsewhere, as this saddle has a relatively stiff shell and no real anatomical relief in its design. Weight Scoop Flat for a stretched out position on a road race bike. Although this shape is really popular for some on trail mtb also and the majority of our women road racers. Perfect for a big drop from the saddle to the bars and if you use the drops a lot. I wouldn't go so far as to say that it's going to be the out and out best choice of saddle for serious mile-munching, but for me it's ideal for my usual training distance of about 50-60 miles. At this mileage I suffered zero numbness in the perineum, and I didn't get soreness anywhere either.