Saddle manufacturers employ all kinds of tactics to make their saddles appear and function more ergonomically. We’re talking cutouts, grooves, gel padding, nose removal and more. And, all of those tactics are valid and helpful for many riders. But, for most things in life, simplicity is often best. This has proven true thus far with the Scoop Shallow Race saddle. Honestly, it can all get a bit much, and so I'm delighted to save you about an hour of wading through the entire range by telling you that the Fabric Race Line Shallow is a fantastic all-round saddle that will probably suit the majority of bottoms and riding styles; it's the saddle you should probably go out and buy right now. No, really. Fabric is a design house that has taken on bicycle components as their canvas. Improving saddles, re-thinking water bottle mounts and more are all fair game for these guys. Now a part of Dorel Sports (parent of Cannondale, etc.), Fabric is making bigger waves in the industry. After almost a year with the Scoop Shallow Race saddle, its unassuming looks have masked all kinds of magic on the inside. 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. 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.

Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it? According to my seat to bar drop, which is quite considerable (blame my long legs), I'd probably be more at home on the racier Flat type of saddle (though Fabric doesn't make the Line in this seating position), but in reality I found that the Race Line seemed to work as well sat as upright as possible on the tops as it did when I was down really low in the drops, without the nose getting in the way.

Nukeproof Vector Downhill Comp Cro-Mo Saddle

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. First of all, you can get the Scoop in the three shapes. Flat is for the performance rider as it has the flattest rear section and lowest amount of padding, which suits an aggressive position with a high saddle-to-handlebar drop. A thinner nose allows for better leg movement. Many saddle manufacturers make overly stiff based/ padded saddles so the instant you get a channelled saddle, the difference is noticeable. However, the Scoop is very flexible and forgiving so for some riders used to channels in their old saddles, it will be an easy transition as the nose flexes enough to take pressure away. Choose the right shape to suit your position and those areas of discomfort will completely disappear.

There are three different types of saddle to choose from depending on how you want to sit – upright, normal, or low. Then, within each of these categories are different models depending on the seating style you want, as well as different seat widths, different seat rails and, naturally, different colours (though not on all models). Those with sit bones over 100mm to 135mm, choose the Scoop or Line wide (except the Scoop Women’s Gel) On the whole, the Scoop is a great saddle for pretty much every discipline as long as the shape suits you, and with the three options available that should be most people. Verdict Even after three years since it launched, Fabric's slightly updated Line Race Shallow is still the sweet spot of saddles in terms of price, comfort and looks, and the good thing is if you want to spend a little less and still get great performance, all you have to do is drop down a rung on the ladder. Verdict

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 Fabric Scoop has long been a favourite of many riders and this Sport model makes that level of performance and comfort available at a budget price. With three profile options, there is also plenty of scope for whatever type of riding you do. Cromo is offered on the Elite range and is ideal for heavy and light duties. Also ideal for heavier riders. By far the most common size sold by ourselves and others is 142mm and reflects the majority of people out there.

The Radius has the most padding, this is because all body weight is concentrated through the sit bones, this works in tandem with shape of the saddle which spreads your weight over the entire surface so there are no single points of pressure. The accentuated curve in the top prevents your body from sliding around too much using preventing expending more energy. The Fabric Line Race Shallow saddle is a bit of a classic. Though it's been around for a few years now, it's still one of the best all-round performing saddles out there: comfortable on long rides, suitable for a range of riding styles, with subtle styling that looks great on any bike. For some female riders, having flat topped saddles can be quite painful too, so we’d recommend the Line for these riders. What is the difference between saddle rail materials? Fabric does a complete range of Scoop saddles at other price points and widths, to suit different riding styles, including designs for racier or more relaxed riding positions.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. Yes and no. We’ve done our utmost to smooth the edges so they do not cut when behind the saddle but it is a thin/ blunt shape should you hit it hard during a dismount. For this reason, we recommend for road or gravel duties. What is the difference between grips? Scoop Radius for an upright position such as Urban riding or MTB (all-mtn and dh). Ideal for bars at the same height or above the saddle. ALM and Line saddles all use the Shallow shape – it’s the most universal of all saddle shapes to cover a broader range of ride positions. Maintenance is also super-easy: it's just an easy wipe down to get rid of dirt or mud to get it looking like new again. The base is simple and easy to clean, unlike some saddles that have more complex undercarriages.