Coming from Shimano's touchpoint component arm, Pro, the MSN 1.3 Enduro saddle is the brand's flagship model, designed to offer top performance for enduro and trail riders alike. I found it super comfortable, and the compact size ensures it's never a hindrance on steep and techy descents. Only the high asking price and the fact that it should be lighter for that price stop it from getting a perfect score.
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Pro MSN 1.3 Enduro saddle - Technical details
The Pro MSN 1.3 Enduro saddle has been designed with enduro racing and technical trail riding in mind but would fare well for all types of riding.
The saddle features a lightweight carbon-reinforced base with plush PU padding and a durable PU cover free of stitching for a sleek, modern look. Pro has opted for super tough 7mm stainless steel rails with clear adjustment marks for easy set-up. They are a little longer than most, too, offering an increased range of fore and aft adjustability to accommodate steeper/slacker seat angles.
There's also provision for a bolt-on accessory mount underneath the rear of the saddle, although one isn't included.
Pro offers the saddle in two widths to suit different sit bones – a relatively broad 152mm, and the 142mm version pictured here. Both feature a short rear end and a compact 260mm overall length. Another point of note is that the saddle rails sit a little closer to the saddle body, giving it a nice low profile and reducing the saddle stack height a touch. Overall, this should make for better tyre and crotch clearance, especially with the saddle dropped in the steep stuff.
However, as anyone who's dragged their way up multiple transitions will attest, enduro isn't just about the descents! Thankfully, it's clear to see the designers at Pro have given thought to climbing performance, too. The anatomically shaped hull has been designed to provide a ‘neutral riding position’ and boosts comfort and support on long seated climbs by placing you in a natural centred position.
Additionally, there's a raised rear section to give riders something to push against on steeper sections of the trail.
Also present is Pro's ‘anatomic fit recess’ to alleviate pressure on the perineal area. Interestingly, the brand has also incorporated a small drainage port in the channel to improve functionality in wet and mucky conditions, although the effectiveness of this is questionable – more on that later.
Speaking of comfort, the nose of the saddle, while shorter than most, is wide and well-padded with a flattish profile for increased comfort on those steeper pitches where it's necessary to slide forward on the saddle to keep the power down.
In terms of weight, 255g is reasonable for an enduro-tough steel-railed saddle, but at £120, the price is rather high considering the lack of exotic materials.
The saddle appears to be very solidly put together, with a bonded rather than stapled construction giving it a nice clean finish. The angular styling looks cool, too, endowing it with a muscular Bugatti Veyron vibe, and the understated black-on-black embossed branding looks classy and, as a bonus, shouldn't rub off so easily. Anyone hoping to add a splash of colour to their bike will be left disappointed, though, as no other colour options are available.
Pro MSN 1.3 Enduro saddle - Performance
While saddle comfort is very much a personal thing - everyone's rear is different, after all - for mine, the shape was pretty much spot on. The PU padding is nicely damped without being bulky and, combined with the flexible base and longer-than-average saddle rails, does a great job of taking the sting out of bumpy terrain. Add in the well-designed pressure relief channel, and I found it a very pleasant place to park my bum, with no pain or numbness even after a big day in the saddle.
That upward kick at the rear was noticeable, too, giving me some additional support on extended seated climbs by giving me something to push back against. Speaking of climbing performance, I was initially worried the shorter nose might feel restrictive on steeper pitches where you need to shift forward on the saddle to keep the front end weighted. Thankfully, I needn't have worried; the long rails meant I could shunt it forward more, and the wide and well-padded nose is super comfortable and supportive even on extended climbs, making it a top performer in this scenario.
Where the Pro MSN 1.3 shines though is the descents. Its compact proportions meant it was never in the way with the seat slammed, and the well-shaped, stubby nose ensured it never hooked up on my shorts. This increased crotch and tyre clearance boosts freedom of movement on the bike, allowing maximum fun times on jumps and rowdy tech trails.
Overall, I'm rather impressed with Pro's Enduro saddle. It's a versatile and comfy place to sit, and the quality of construction appears to be high, with no creaking or delamination of the bonding. The PU cover has shown itself to be tough and durable, too, surviving a few tumbles without sustaining any damage, and the graphics are still looking good after several months of hard use. Impressive.
My only minor gripe with it is that the little drainage hole in the base of the channel, while proving effective at filtering water away from my rear end, is easily blocked by mud or trail debris when riding.
Pro MSN 1.3 Enduro saddle - Verdict
My main issue with the Pro MSN 1.3 Enduro saddle is the price. At a penny under 120 quid, it's expensive for a relatively frill-free, steel-railed saddle. For this kind of money, I'd like to see titanium rails, which would drop a good chunk of weight and perhaps boost comfort further, thanks to the increased rail flex.
When it comes to alternative options, there are plenty of excellent choices when it comes to saddles these days. WTB's well-proven Volt Fusion Form Titanium saddle is one of them. Again, at £125, it's quite the investment, but for that price, you do get titanium rails. Saying that, at 230g, it isn't a huge weight saving compared to Pro’s 255g steel-railed offering. Additionally, although WTB offers a choice of three widths to suit most riders' sit bones, the nose is more traditionally shaped and may be a little less comfortable than the Pro when you're fully perched on those nadgery tech climbs.
Alternatively, if you're looking to save cash but still want a good quality, sorted seat, the SDG Bel Air 3.0 Luxe - Alloy offers top performance and great value for money at just £80. This is the brand's latest iteration of a long-term rider favourite, and SDG has tweaked the shape considerably, making it shorter and slimmer to bring it more in line with modern saddles. The dimensions are very similar to the Pro MSN 1.3. The luxe-alloy railed version Liam tested weighs a smidge lighter than the Pro saddle at 236g, too.
The team at Pro has done a great job with the MSN 1.3 Enduro, it's a fantastic saddle that ticks all the boxes – not only does it look great, it's also comfortable and durable, while the compact shape allows you to throw shapes to your heart's content without fear of it getting in the way. The only real obstacle is that price. If it was under £100, it'd be a top pick, but as it is, there are lighter and better specced options for the money from other brands.