Cadex Boost saddle review
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Cadex Boost saddle review

Feather-light short saddle contender

Our rating

4

250.00
300.00
250.00
400.00

Immediate Media

Published: August 8, 2020 at 5:00 am

Our review
Clever design and superbly padded short saddle

Pros:

Fantastic comfort; super lightweight

Cons:

Jaw-dropping price tag

Cadex's Boost saddle follows the format of short-nosed saddles originally made popular by Specialized’s ground-breaking Power design, and is now a saddle staple from many brands.

The idea behind short saddles is that by shortening the nose you remove the part of the saddle that puts pressure on your soft tissue when holding a more aggressive riding position.

The dimensions of 246mm long and 149mm wide will suit a range of riders, but where it really scores is in the weight stakes: at just 139g it’s one of the lightest saddles around. Certainly, it’s one of the lightest saddles with such a generous amount of padding in place.

That padding was developed by Cadex (a subsidiary of the Giant Bikes brand) with input from bio-mechanical engineering experts and lots of real-world rider testing.

The result is the use of two different types of padding: a traditional EVA foam enhanced by an ETPU (expanded thermoplastic polyurethane) as used in high-end marathon running shoes. This material is the most elastic available on the market and it can spring back after extended and continuous loading. It’s certainly one of the most comfortable short saddles I've ever tested.

The weight of the saddle is kept to a minimum by another clever piece of technical design and manufacture. The saddle rails are mounted at the edges of the saddle base and forged in a single piece that’s bonded to a carbon-fibre base. By anchoring the rails at the edges of the base it allows for a little more give and the rail form is designed to dissipate road vibrations too.

The Boost is quite simply a wonderful saddle to use. It’s a huge achievement by Cadex/Giant as a first foray into high-end saddle manufacture, particularly because, in the past, I have been underwhelmed by Giant’s offerings.

Frankly, a saddle this light has no business being so goddamn comfortable. It truly is a high-performer that’s absolutely cutting-edge in its construction. The only downside is the premium price you have to pay to experience its considerable charms.

Product

Brand cadex
Price 400.00 AUD,250.00 EUR,250.00 GBP,300.00 USD
Weight 139.0000, GRAM () -

Features

br_rails carbon
br_cutOut yes
br_gender mens
br_length 246mm
br_availableWidths 149mm
Features Shell: Advanced Forged Composite Technology

Cover: Microfiber

Padding: EVA+ETPU Particle Flow