SQ LAB 614 ERGOWAVE ACTIVE 2.1 Review
Today, we're talking once again about one of my favorite bike components—the saddle. More specifically, we're looking at the new saddle for your gravel bike from SQ Lab. I've had the chance to test it for over six months now. As always, please note that English is not my native language. There may be some grammatical errors here and there. Please excuse this, as I am working to improve my skills.
This article isn't just about the new 614 model but also my long-term experience with saddles from SQ Lab, as I've had one of their saddles on one of my bikes for the past two years.
Technical details:
Price: €159.95 (as of August 18, 2023, SQ Lab online shop, provided to me for free upon request)
Weight: 236g (weighed by me) in the 14cm size
Rails are hollow and made of aluminum
Length: approximately 27.5cm
Available widths: from 12cm to 16cm in 1cm increments
SQLAB 614 ACTIVE 2.1 REVIEW
Let's start with the 614! About two years ago, I first encountered an SQlab saddle through a bike fitting. Back then, it was the 612 model (you can find my review of that one), which was specifically designed for road bikes. My initial impression was, "Man, this thing is hard." My bike fitter reassured me that this was normal and actually beneficial. I'll explain why later. Once I found the right size (SQlab has a saddle for every sit bone width), I rode the 612 on my BMC URS over all sorts of terrain. Over the years, this saddle has become my benchmark for comfort and overall saddle performance, with a small "but." In really rough terrain, even though the saddle fit perfectly, its 7mm padding could be a bit too hard on the sit bones, leading to some discomfort on longer rides. But that's understandable since it was designed for road use. I always wished for a slightly more cushioned version to handle longer or rougher gravel rides without switching to an overly padded gel or foam saddle, which has caused me problems in the past. Apparently, SQlab thought the same, introducing the 614 model specifically for gravel bikes at the end of 2022. It's the best of both worlds: the shape of the 612 road saddle with the padding of the 611 MTB saddle. The padding has increased by about 42%, from 7mm to 10mm. That may not sound like much, but in practice, that extra 40% is exactly what you need for comfort in rougher terrain, while still being comfortable on the road. The rest of the saddle is the same as the 612: the rear is raised to give you more power on the pedals, and the front nose is narrower to prevent thigh chafing.
Now, here's a personal opinion. Don't get me wrong, the 614 is excellent and will help a lot of people ride without discomfort. The extra padding is great, but the saddle is otherwise unchanged from the 612, which I find a bit conservative. Personally, I would have preferred a fusion of the 611 and the 612 R. The 612 R is even more streamlined, with a narrower and shorter nose than the standard 612.
Why would you prefer that? One of the things I didn't like about the 612 was the length of the nose. Often, I'd catch my shorts on the saddle tip when mounting or feel the nose during a lower riding position. The second point was almost a deal-breaker for me, but since the nose on the SQlab 612 and 614 angles down slightly, it's just contact without much pressure. Still, I know that with shorter saddles (240-250mm), this wouldn't happen because there's nothing to press against. I also find the more pronounced contouring beneficial. The 614 (and the 612 and 611) aren't saddles for multiple riding positions (more on that below), so you could remove even more material.
I don't mean to sound negative or dismissive of the 614. The saddle is still on my bike after the test and will stay there in the future. But I think there's room in SQlab's lineup for a 614 R ;)
Here, the previously mentioned difference between the 612 and the 612 R is illustrated (Source: SQlab 612 Ergowave R).
General Experience with SQlab Saddles
Over the past few years, I've always had at least one SQlab saddle on my bikes. Through testing numerous other saddles as well, I believe I've developed a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of these saddles from Taufkirchen. Let's start with the basic design principle of these saddles. Most SQlab saddles follow the concept of the stepped saddle.
You can see this concept clearly in the illustration from SQlab below, where it is also explicitly explained.
Here, you can clearly see the step design of the 614 (Source: SQlab 614 Ergowave Active 2.1).
This design essentially eliminates pressure from the lower area of the step. The saddles also have a dip in the center to reduce pressure on the soft tissues. Why would you want all this? Pain and numbness in the genital area occur because the saddle's pressure reduces blood flow and/or nerve supply, which is obviously uncomfortable. SQlab saddles focus the pressure and contact point on your sit bones. That's why it's so important to accurately measure your personal sit bone width. I have to admit, it feels a bit strange at first to sit on your sit bones, especially if you're used to a softer saddle or one with gel pads.
On my first rides, I initially thought, “Damn, wrong saddle again,” because sitting on my sit bones felt very strange. It’s like sitting on a wooden bench or chair. But after about 30 minutes, I realized there was something to it. I simply forgot about the saddle and focused on riding. In my opinion, that’s the highest praise you can give a saddle. It took a few rides to get completely used to this new, unfamiliar feeling, but since then, I’ve had no more saddle problems.
Depending on the model, there are additional benefits, like the raised rear of the 614, which keeps you well-positioned while climbing, or the Active System that protects your back. There are even the new Infinergy models, which are entirely made in Germany and offer even more comfort than regular padding.
Are there any negatives? Honestly, the criticisms of SQlab saddles are minor, but there are a few. In my opinion, the saddles only have one “correct” riding position. This means they’re not suitable for someone who moves around a lot on the saddle or frequently changes positions. SQlab saddles are designed for a specific position, and you should stick to it. This might be a dealbreaker for some, but not for me, and I gladly embrace the excellent comfort of this position.
At first, the number of models might be overwhelming. However, I recommend trying and buying the saddle at a specialty store or through a bike fitter (e.g., Radlabor) since your sit bones need to be accurately measured and the setup isn’t easy.
All in all, I can highly recommend SQlab and am excited to see what they come up with in the future! I’m currently building a road bike and will probably choose SQlab products again.
The points below specifically apply to the SQlab 614:
POSITIVES
- The comfort is even better than the 612, with a bit more padding.
- As always, the variety of sizes means everyone can find a fit, making it very accessible.
- The saddle is pleasantly light.
- The price is totally reasonable.
NEUTRAL
- The saddle has no cutout in the center, so sweat can accumulate, which is a bit uncomfortable and makes mounting on some seat posts more difficult.
- For me, the saddle only has one correct position.
- The setup is not the easiest and should, if possible, be done by a specialist dealer or bike fitter.
NEGATIVES
- In my opinion, the nose is too long and occasionally gets in the way.
CONCLUSION
The conclusion is pretty much summed up in the points above. I get along great with the 614. I think there could have been more room for changes, but I’m sure many people wanted exactly this saddle, so I hope SQlab continues to expand the gravel sector.
Nonetheless, the SQlab 614 remains on my gravel bike, and I highly recommend this saddle and SQlab products in general. The team knows what they’re doing!
In the future, I’d like to test the 610 with Infinergy to see how this material performs!
