The Manta Saddle
The Manta saddle looks very different to any other bicycle saddle I have seen. The manta saddle supports the rider with nine slightly springy plastic arms, of which the front four pivot and so move with the rider as they pedal. On a recent two week cycling tour in France I lost track of the number of people who stared at it, poked it or asked me about it ( unfortunately my French knowledge limited my replies to “très confortable!”) The Manta saddle certainly is very comfortable, which in my mind is the most important thing a saddle can be.
Just like with a conventional saddle, it takes a bit of time to get the set up right. The extra height of the Manta compared to a conventional saddle means to sit at the same height the seatpost needs to be around 8cm lower, so do you need to check this is possible with your bike. Adjusting the angle for me was key:, so that neither the front arms of the manta dug into the bottom of my thighs, nor was I slipping forward and hence putting more weight on my hands. I have mine set up as far back on the seatpost as it goes. I have only used it with flat pedals.
Riding the Manta, you immediately notice the lack of any pressure points, as your weight is spread over a much larger area than a conventional saddle. The arms are quite flexible and springy so they feel like they mould to your body and provide some shock absorption. At first, the fact that the Manta moves does feel somewhat strange and less stable, but you soon get used to it and it feels totally natural. After using it for a while I think I’m pretty much as stable on a manta compared to a conventional saddle, except for when riding with both hands off the handlebars which becomes significantly harder.
The gaps in between the arms means plenty of air flow and it gets a lot less sweaty down there. Not needing padded cycle shorts to be comfortable is a big plus for me- both for extended touring as it means less packing and washing, and for just cycling for around town when you want to wear normal clothes.
I have tried the Manta both on my relatively upright touring bike which has On-One Geoff Handlebars and a H handlebar Brompton, it works well on both. It’s not going to be for every rider or situation. It might not work so well on a road bike with a really aggressive riding position, and it is probably going to be heavier than your current saddle. I wouldn’t want to use it for mountain biking on more technical terrain.
I have used the Manta for several months on long and short journeys, and think it’s great. After using it for a few rides with the correct set up, it soon just becomes normal. For touring and utility cycling I would never go back to a conventional saddle.
