Points of Contact: A Bontrager saddle and shoes review.

The points of contact involved in riding a bike are pretty critical elements in the enjoyment and performance of your ride.  Between a bike and rider you have the saddle, grips/bars and shoes/pedals and between a bike and the ground you have the tires.  Recently we had the chance to look at some Bontrager product that falls into two of those categories:  An Evoke RL saddle and a pair of RL mountain bike shoes.   

First, the RL saddle.  At Sea Otter 2010, I was being shown the new line of Evoke saddles and was listening to a Bontrager person talk about how these saddles were designed to alleviate discomfort through proper width, shape, etc.  They even had a nifty little device to measure your sit-bone width.  By being seated on this pressure pad, the liquid inside would be displaced and reveal the areas of greatest pressure, allowing the bike shop tech to choose a saddle that best fits your body.  I mentioned that I was a real fan of saddles with a deep channel in the saddle for the soft undercar parts, typically a WTB Pure V or a Specialized Phenom SL saddle.  I was told by Chris Clinton from Bontrager that this groove in a saddle was not needed if the saddle was built right to begin with.  I told him I was skeptical.  A gauntlet was tossed down right then and there.  In response, he measured me for a good fit and handed me an Evoke RL saddle.

OK...game on.  

From the website for Bontrager products:  

Features 

•  High-performance MTB saddle with more padding than the RXL for a more forgiving ride 
•  inForm Science of Comfort design based on pressure mapping and 3D motion capture data 
•  Available in three widths for proper fit and support 
•  Size Specific Curvature supports the skeletal structure in a way that's optimized for a performance-oriented riding position, resulting in greater comfort and proper blood flow 
•  Gender-specific Contour Relief Zone (CRZ) gives added pressure relief to sensitive soft-tissue 
•  Saddle shape is optimized for off-road riding, featuring a narrow rear profile that makes it easier to get off and on the back of the saddle and a wider nose that helps you "steer" through technical terrain using the inside of your thighs 
•  Zone Density foam provides superior cushioning without interfering with proper skeletal support 
•  Abrasion-resistant edges, carbon fiber-reinforced nylon base, and hollow titanium rails 

I weighed it at 228 grams, then mounted the saddle on the SS Jabberwocky test mule and went riding.  The first thing I noticed was the generous padding and the shape that did not seem to have any annoying edges or profiles to it.  This is comfy.  I think this makes a fine saddle for a hardtail with its compliant ride.   Now then, what about the lack of groove or cutout for the delicate parts of the anatomy?  I used to get a lot of numbness on long rides, but that completely went away with the saddles I use now.  Did the RL saddle make me numb? No.  Did it feel as good as the 'groovy' WTB Pure V or Specialized Phenom?  In a word...no.

I am not sure about the claim that a groove in the saddle is not needed if the saddle is built right.  What I found was a moderate pressure in areas I am not used to having any pressure at all and that feeling stayed with me, even after the ride.  So while the saddle never pained me at all, neither was it what I want in a saddle. Now, that said, if a relieved saddle like I typically use is not a big deal to you, then by all means give the saddle a try as it is not a bad platform to operate from otherwise. 

Since I am only one...ahhh...posterior...I asked Ed the Tall, one of our testers, and a very similar build to me, to try the RK.  Ed is a confirmed WTb saddle guy.  This is what he had to say. 

“This is a limited review of the Bontrager Evoke RL saddle, which GG asked me to take for a spin or two and get back to him with some comments.  I was only able to get one ride in on this saddle, and a roughly 40-mile road ride with lots of seated climbing at that.  Upon first glance, the saddle seemed to have a mix of pros (light weight, relatively short length, well padded) and cons (flat profile across the wide point of the saddle, a slight depression along the length), as compared to the narrow mix of WTB saddles that don all of my bikes.  Bontrager says the saddle is geared towards the MTB scene.  The saddle appears well made, and the impact-resistant nylon at the edges of the saddle testify to its off-road pedigree. 

At the end of this 2.5-3 hour ride my neither regions were complaining a bit.  Truthfully, this happens almost every time I get on a saddle that I’m not used to.  I’ll point the finger at both of the negative points I listed above.  It just seems like my sit bones sank into the saddle more than I’m used to, and I attribute that to the flat profile across the saddle.  Likewise, I, like many riders have become accustomed to some sort of a channel or cut-out, something we feel adds a bit more comfort in that most sensitive of areas.  The Evoke RL’s channel is minimal, at best.  

Perhaps I needed a different width saddle, along with a fitting which can be done at an authorized Trek or Bontrager dealer, to get the saddle to the point of nirvana.  Regardless, I like to think (and hope I get to try this idea) that the Evoke RL  would be perfect for my single speed MTB, where I spend a bit more time climbing out of the saddle and weight adjustments are regularly made to deal with obstacles.”    

Ed 

And, in the end, if it does not work out, you have this guarantee from Bontrager: 

You'll Love Your Saddle. We Guarantee It. 

We're so confident your Bontrager saddle will be the most comfortable saddle you've ever owned we're backing it with our exclusive Unconditional Comfort Guarantee. If for any reason you're not satisfied with your saddle, return it (along with the original sales receipt) to the place of purchase within 30 days of purchase date for exchange. It's that easy. 

Along with the saddle, I was very keen on trying a set of the very sharp looking RL Mountain shoes.  My old zapatos were getting a bit worn although they had served me well.  Besides that, Guitar Ted has a set of the Bonty shoes and raved about them.  I arranged for a set and soon enough I had a pair of size 45s to try.  Here is a little bit of info from the Bontrager website. 

Features 

•  Mid-level mountain shoe offers rugged all-day performance in an affordable package 
•  Bronze Series Carbon sole for stiffness and excellent power transfer 
•  Simple and intuitive two straps plus buckle design for ease of use 
•  Reinforced toe box for protection and durability 
•  External molded heel cup prevents heel-slip and provides ventilation 
•  Direct-inject TPU lugs feature a durometer optimized for superior off-bike traction 
•  Built using Bontrager's standard volume inForm Pro SV last 
•  eSoles premium insole for optimal fit and support 
• 
  

I weighed the RLs in at 754 grams w/o cleats for the pair.  The shoes I am using now are a 2 year old Specialized (Comp, I think?) and the Bontys were nearly 200 grams lighter.  They feel pretty light to me, though I am not used to a high end racing shoe.  The RL lists at around $140 dollars, so it is in the price range that most serious riders, but not full on racer types, will be shopping for and it compares in price to the Specialized shoes I have been thrashing.  Looking over the RLs, they are pretty pleasing to my eyes.  The buckle and strap seem a bit flimsy, but are also very flexible and possibly more likely to move out of the way if caught up on something rather than break off.  In any case, the ratchet mechanism and release button always were smooth and easy to use although I never had the shoes in muck and mire. 

Hike-a-bike is OK although I had to crank them down to prevent heel slippage, much tighter than I would set them for pedaling.  The sole was decent and grippy and the shoe, although stiff enough to pedal with, was flexible enough for the occasional walking/session on dirt trails.  It does seem that the more the shoe is tuned for pedaling, the less it is suited for hiking.  No surprise.  Getting into and out of the SPD pedal I use was flawless. Overall fit for me was a bit of a 90% thing.  They seemed to be a bit too wide for my foot although the toe box was about right in the size 45 (US size 11) I had.  I am normally a 10.5 size in a regular shoe but I don't think I could have gone down a 1/2 size without losing too much toe room.  I nearly had the ratchet strap to the last notch if I was running them tight.  Since everyone's feet are quite different, these may be exactly what you need, so, while the fit was very acceptable, the Specialized shoes felt like custom fit loafers in comparison, hugging the sides of my foot better.  The best scenario is to try before you buy for the best fit. 

I really liked the eSoles insert although if I cranked the straps down real tight, the metatarsal button did annoy me.  Normal pedaling with a looser fit was fine. Man, I hate a shoe with poor arch support and the RLs are good to go here.  The system allows for various levels of insole support, so you can adjust to what feels good for you.  I liked this a lot. 

The shoes seem to be ready to get beat on as far as the toe box and heel area.  They look rugged enough to me and so far they have shown no real signs of wear and tear, but the best show of this is a year down the road, not a month or two. 

I did have some knee issues at first (with the right knee) and it could be from the cleat placement on the first long ride in them.  Compared to my old shoes, the RLs seemed to put my feet closer to the crank arm, even with the SPD cleat centered in the sole of the shoe.  I slid the cleats inward a bit (placing my foot outward) and I have had no issues since then over many hours of riding. 

I have seen a few riders wearing this shoe on group rides and have asked them how they liked them.  Every one of them has said good things and there were no complaints.  The Bontrager line of MTB shoes deserves a look-see, especially with the Trek Corp and the local dealers behind them.  The RL seems to be a contender in the war for the weekend warrior's dollars.  Shuffle on down to your local Trek/Bontrager dealer in those busted old things you call shoes and slip on a set of RLs.  Your feet will thank you. 

Comments

[CJ]

I have a pair of the Bonty RL shoes and I love them!! I have worn them riding everything from single track to gravel to commuting. I don't feel they are appropriate for commuting, and I have recently converted my commuter to a flat pedal bike anyways. But for trail riding single track and group rides on or off pavement I like them just fine. The fit is great for me. I am currently using the stock e-soles, but I may change the e-soles in the future because I have very high arches. I also like the extra room in the toe box that is advertised by Bonty. I don't have excessively wide feet, but I find that some brands of cycling shoes really compromise the toe box and cause numbness related to poor circulation.

Finally, I would really love to own a full leather grained Italian shoe someday, but for now (and for this weeend warrior) these Bonty RL's are working just fine. Especially considering their retail is less than half that of the leather Italian jobbies!