Prime Primavera Shorty saddle

£119.99 Full-carbon unisex short perch at a great price

PRIME IS THE in-house component brand of online retail giant Wiggle/ CRC. Alongside great-value components and carbon wheels, it has added higher-end items too, such as this new saddle.

The Primavera Shorty, as the name suggests, is a short saddle, with compact 240mm x 143mm dimensions. The advantage of this now-popular shorter shape is that, when you’re riding in the drops, there’s less saddle nose putting undue pressure where you don’t want it. Plus, if you’re riding more challenging terrain on a gravel bike, there’s less saddle to get in the way as you move around. It’s just a shame this one only comes in one width as using a saddle with the right width can make your rides a lot more comfortable.

Prime’s Shorty includes tech usually found on saddles twice the price: you’ll get a carbon-fibre base and rails plus firm, highdensity polyurethane padding under its very tidily bonded cover. The angular shape and broad nose are reminiscent of Fizik saddles, while the broad, coffin-shaped, pressure-relieving cutout has a Specialized air about it.

The Shorty has a superb combination of stiff base through its centre and firm yet forgiving padding. Add in the wings of the saddle’s rear with just enough flex, and the slick up-kick at the back that adds stability to your ride position, and you’re onto a winner. Plus it weighs just 165g!

Similar-spec rivals such as Selle Italia’s Novus Boost Kit Carbonbonio Superflow (188g, £229.99); Specialized’s Power Pro (211g, £174.99) and ProLogo’s Dimension Nack 143 (158g; £169) are much pricier too.

Prime also produced the brilliant Orra Gravel Handlebar (see our March issue), so it’s one to watch…