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SDG I-Fly Storm AW Saddle Review

Reviewed by: Essex Herts MTB - June 2013

"Testing the SDG I-Fly Storm saddle to see if it can stand some winter long Essex Herts MTB abuse. Is it a gimmick, or race bred innovation?"

The Specs

• I-Beam Technology - the original 'Mono Rail' seat to post connection system
• Micro injected traction for added grip in severe conditions
• 2x Versions: Extreme - Injected Strips, All Weather - Injected Knobs
• One piece, seamless, weather resistant gripper cover
• Super light weight EVA foam and glossy graphic base
• I-Beam Technology connection
• Dimensions: 260mm x 127mm
• Weight: 180g
• Recomended Retail Price: £74.99

Intro

Setup and performance

• This is not a saddle designed for comfort, but I didn’t actually find it that uncomfortable. Pedaling to and from runs was fine, even with the saddles nose in the air, DH racer style. However, I’m not sure I’d want to put it on my trail bike. There isn’t enough padding for that.
• You don’t feel the micro injected knobs when sitting on it.
• In the dry the 3mm high knobs do a great job of giving you a bit of extra grab, if that is what you want. They dont make it any harder to slip off the back of the saddle.
• The saddles cover even without the knobs is nice and grabby.
• The ribbing along each side of teh SDG I-Fly Storm adds to the saddle 'traction' even more.
• The SDG I-Fly Storm's slimline tapered shape, means Its easy to move around on top of. I never felt it getting in the way.
• The detailing and styling is great. Some bike kit looks fast standing still, and this is a good example of that.
• The I-Beam interface looks / feels stronger than normal rails.
• The SDG I-Fly Storm AW's single bolt mechanism makes it easy to see the appropriate position and tilt. It’s a faff free procedure getting the saddle in the right position.
• The I-Beam design offers a lot of fore and aft adjustment. More than normal rails.

• The SDG I-Fly Storm AW is expensive for a saddle. Saddles do generally get trashed on DH bikes, so its a lot to shell out for something that will take a beating.
• Unfortunately when the mud is sticky, and you don’t have a mechanic to clean your saddle after every run, the Micro injected knobs simply help the mud to adhere to the saddle. This turns the surface of the saddle into a giant slab of dirt. This is a crap as it’s exactly the opposite of what it’s supposed to do. So not only do you end up with a slippery saddle but you also have to cart round a few 100g's of wet mud as well. Getting the goop off is a nightmare as it sticks inside the knobs, and is impossible to get out. I can only presume that they didn’t test these saddles in British mud. In less sticky goop it was less of an issue. Maybe the Storm Extreme would clear better.

Durability

• The SDG I-Fly Storm saddle has remained in good condition. There is no suede or embroidery to get ruined, like a lot of SDGs other offerings.
• The saddle is well finished. The seamless cover does not have any exposed edges. These are usually the first areas to go in a crash. I think it helped with the saddle durabilty
• The I-Beam interface is a lot more secure than rails. I haven’t experienced any squeaking developing like I’ve had with pretty much every railed saddle I’ve ever owned.
• The SDG I-Fly Storm mico injected knobs dont come off. I thought I would loose a few, but they are stuck on with some kind of uber magic adhesive, and I havent managed to loose a single one.

• The gloss underside does look pimp, but as its gloss and plastic it has started to show scratches and wear. Nothing major, and its just cosmetic.

Test Info

• Tested - Late winter 2012/13 to Summer 2013.
• Tested on - DH bike.
• Riding - Local DH spots and welsh uplifts.
• Rider - 13 stone and rough on kit.
• Care level - sprayed with a hose if muddy and left to dry.
• Similar products tried - SDG Bel Air, Charge Spoon, Sella Italia, Nuke proof Ti.