Gusset S2 AM saddle review

With a history in dirt jump and BMX, Gusset has more recently evolved into a multi-discipline company making parts for a wide selection of mountain bikers. The latest S2 range looks to give people top performing products at relatively modest prices.

Designed with style in mind, Gusset is keen to point out that the S2 is its best-looking saddle to date. Standout features include carbon rails, a bonded hardwearing cover that has rubber anti-slide grippers located at your sit bones and custom shaped foam padding that, Gusset claims, helps to relieve unwanted pressure on long rides.

• How to choose the best saddle
• So I had my saddle nicked | Ned Boulting

The seat is designed to be multi-disciplinary, being just as at home on the downhill track as it is on an cross-country race course.

There’s a small pressure relief channel that’s 32x235mm and the saddle’s overall shape is slightly convex thanks to its wings that turn down at their edges.

It comes in at 282mm long and Gusset says that there’s built-in shock absorption taken care of by the hull and rail construction.

Gusset S2 AM saddle performance

Although the saddle’s shape is positively sleek, and I’d have to agree with Gusset that it’s a good-looking perch, this doesn’t translate to outright performance.

The minor convex of the saddle’s shape coupled with the small and shallow cutout does mean that comfort is compromised.

This is particularly apparent when climbing seated — I noticed that the perineum was put under direct and excessive pressure from the outset, especially compared to seats with bigger cutouts or flatter shapes.

Despite the pressure and saddle’s sleek design, the main sitting area was relatively comfortable and the long, thin nose didn’t interfere with the inside of my thighs when pedalling. The grippy rubber sections didn’t cause any problems either, but they also didn’t noticeably enhance seated grip.

That said, the carbon rails felt fairly tough and it would be interesting to try the cheaper chromo-railed version back-to-back.

Descending performance was great and the saddle did exactly what was required of it — there was no banging or chafing with the inside of my legs and it wasn’t so small that it was hard to find in a situation where it was required to help me manipulate the bike.