Cadex Boost
£249.99 Feather-light short saddle contender
The Boost saddle follows the format of short-nosed saddles that was originally made popular by Specialized’s ground-breaking Power design, and is now a saddle staple from many brands.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 biomechanical 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 we’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 as, in the past, we have been underwhelmed by Giant’s offerings.
Frankly, a saddle this light has no business being so goddamn comfortable. It truly is a highperformer that’s absolutely cutting-edge in its construction. The only downside is the premium price you have to pay to experience its considerable charms.