The SDG Duster MTN is a tough, robust saddle for long days riding. It’s perfect for trail and enduro riding with Kevlar sides to increase its toughness, balanced with titanium rails for lower weight and extra comfort. A broad nose makes it easy to shift weight fore and aft, plus there's a deep canal down the middle to reduce pressure.
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Built on titanium rails with a micro fibre and Kevlar covered outer over mid-density foam core base, the Duster is a burly saddle, but not so heavy or overly padded to be unsuited for longer days in the saddle. It has a long and obvious scoop running full length to reduce pressure on your delicate bits and there is plenty of space to move back and forth on when climbing. The total length is 285mm - not far off a piece of A4 paper, which is pretty long. It weighs in at around 235g, which isn’t too bad for a tougher saddle.
The edges of the saddle where the thighs touch are more flexible to minimise chafe when pedalling seated and this is a welcome addition. With a quite wide nose, part of SDG's 'Flat Forward' design, is meant to allow movement on the saddle, and on longer rides, it's good to be able to shift a little at times, without having to feel like the saddle is too short or changes in fit drastically. The added length allows this area to move on, and the smoother finish to the saddle texture means it’s easier to do this. The nose is around 40mm on the nose and widens out 140mm at the widest point.
A combination of some good padding - not too much but just enough - combined with the flat shape and the slight flex in the Ti-Alloy rails makes for a good ride feel, and the saddle also is strong enough and well protected enough on the edges to take some knocks, scuffs and seat heavy loadings at times. The top coat is a cross hatch style pattern, that keeps you fairly planted, but not so much you can’t adjust your sitting.
In wet weather, the seat didn’t hold mud much, and out riding, it's easy to get off the back. The snubbed end means if you do clout the back of it, it isn’t too awful. It’s less and less an issue these days with dropper posts, but there are still times when the trail surpasses you, or if the saddle snags your shorts. I didn’t have this issue with the Duster, and the nose never snagged either; its fairly flat and rounded shape seems to reduce that.
The Duster is a capable, rugged trail saddle, and if the flat shape works for you, it’s worth a look. available in a heap of colours, including some Camo combos, so there is something to match everything.
