The SDG Bel-Air V3 Overland is an updated and tweaked design of the famous Bel-Air model to make it more suitable for the Gravel, XC and Trail market. It's a comfortable place to sit on long rides with its large pressure relief channel and low profile padding. At £90, it represents good value but how does it fair against the best gravel bike saddles?
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SDG Bel-Air V3 Overland Lux Alloy saddle - Technical details
SDG has been making one version or another of the Bel-Air for over 20 years so it's likely that you will have seen one or owned one, especially if you hail from an off-road background. SDG has been synonymous with a lot of great mountain biking names and was rarely out of the pages of mountain bike media during much of this time.
This Bel-Air V3 Overland is not that saddle. It’s not designed to land 40-foot drops or ride skinnies somewhere in Washington State, this V3 Overland version has been remodelled to be more suitable for a long-distance aggressive seated position for gravel adventure, XC or Trail riding.
The Bel-Air V3 Overland has simple hollow Lux-Alloy round rails and a nylon glass base that very neatly covers the edge of the smooth microfibre cover. Unlike its harder-working mountain bike-specific versions, the Overland has no protective strips around the nose or rear, which is designed to make it smoother for strenuous pedalling action and lycra shorts.
The V3 Overland has a long pressure relief channel starting almost immediately from the nose and finishing 3cm from the rear and is designed for maximum comfort by relieving your soft tissue on long rides. That nose is fat and offers a solid supportive place to sit should you require a super forward position at any time.
SDG has tuned the base of the Bel-Air V3 Overland to offer what it calls a Free Float Comfort Flex which is designed to offer enhanced pedalling efficiency with increased flex and a new lowered rear to allow for better power transfer in a seated position and to deliver more overall comfort for the rider in a more prolonged aggressive position. A layer of lightweight injection moulded EVA padding sits between the smooth microfibre top and the nylon base to provide shock absorption and relief for the rider from the trail.
The Bel-Air V3 Overland costs £90 and weighs in at 230g (1g less than claimed). It is available in just one width which is 260mm long and 140mm wide and features a slightly concave profile. The contrasting tan nylon base of the saddle gives the Overland a very clean appearance but you can also have it in black for the same money or a more flamboyant oil-slick version is available for an extra £20
SDG Bel-Air V3 Overland Lux Alloy saddle - Performance
I’ve mentioned saddle width before in my reviews and how some companies put a lot of science behind your pelvic bone width and flexibility and offer a range of saddles or a single saddle to choose from. Not so with SDG, the Bel-Air V3 Overland is available in just this one size (140mm). So with only one option, it's a simple fit and try selection with no need to consult a chart.
The Bel-Air V3 Overland saddle likes to go long distances where its large pressure relief channel can really start to shine. Hop on it for a quick 10km loop and I found it felt firm compared to the Fizik Argo X3 I took off to test it. Sure that saddle is almost double the price but it’s a useful comparison in terms of overall comfort. It’s less cossetting from the off with the edges of the pressure relief channel especially making themselves known for the first 20-30 minutes.
But, the longer I rode on the saddle the less I noticed those initial firm edges and the more my soft tissue thanked me for it and I didn’t get hammered by the terrain so it was softer than it first felt. That firm feeling is not a question of breaking it in as it appears I have to go through this initial firm feeling every time I get on the Overland which is a shame.
So the V3 Overland saddle takes a while to deliver its best by creeping up on you by stealth and disappearing into the background as the scenery goes by and my undercarriage had no complaints on 100km gravel adventures.
The smooth microfibre cover is just that, and more, It's easy to grip when you want it or when the conditions turn unpleasant filthy, or steep, or both, but at the same time, it is still easy to move around on and not get caught up on. That wide nose is a comfortable perch for nasty uphill sections and due to that long pressure relief channel, it still offers some comfort to your soft tissue even in that position.
Unlike some saddles with large pressure relief holes, the Bel-Air V3 Overland does not offer any protection from the elements flung up from the rear tyre. This resulted in a wet pair of shorts which is undesirable for sure but somehow only a small amount of crud made it through and the soaking I was expecting never occurred. Looking at the underside afterwards, there is a distinct mud splatter all around the hole, I didn’t notice it when I was riding. Clearly, in wetter conditions, this would have been different.
The nylon base protrudes ever so slightly at the rear of the saddle to provide a minimum amount of wall leaning or on-the-ground protection but it’s not enough to feel when pedalling. The combination of that Free Float Comfort Flex design and the compliance from the alloy rails offers enough flex to aid your pedalling stroke. Overall, there's decent shock adsorption from the slim EVA padding which is pretty impressive for its price point.
With only one size to choose from this saddle is unlikely to suit everyone which is a shame if you don't get on with its scooped profile, nose length, or width. It's a saddle that a demo would be advisable. I’d recommend giving it a go especially if you are looking for long-distance comfort, on a medium budget, and have been running something similar in profile. If you want to lose weight there is a £190 V3 Overland Carbon Fibre Saddle with a claimed weight of 175g with ovalised carbon rails and a nylon base but then you’re up into much more serious money.
SDG Bel-Air V3 Overland Lux Alloy saddle - Verdict
The SDG Bel-Air V3 Overland offers decent comfort for a relatively small amount of cash. It's not super-cheap but long-distance comfort rarely is and the Overland delivers the further you ride it. It's only available in one size and one option so what else should you consider before you buy one?
Pushing the boat out but still less than the Carbon version the Fizik Terra Argo X3 saddle review £150.00 is outstandingly comfortable mile after mile, day after day. Its short fat nose and wider rear design might take a while to adjust for some (it didn't for me) but the overall performance is excellent. Plus it has a little rubber mudguard in its channel. Bonus.
WTB Volt Fusion Form Titanium Saddle sells for £125.00 and is available in multiple widths and with different rail materials at different prices but above all it offers a supportive and comfortable platform
DMR Stage 2 saddle costs just £40.00 and is also available in just one size, 278mm in length and 147mm in width, but it offers great support and is not that heavy at 260g
Specialized Romin Evo Comp Mimic saddle costs £95.00 and is very supportive with pressure relief technology that works. It is available in three widths: 143mm, 155mm, and 168mm and the weights range from 241g to 257g
The SDG Bel-Air V3 Overland is a great long-distance off-road saddle for riders wanting an aggressive seated position performance-orientated design. Its firm slimline padding and large relief channel deliver comfort deep into the ride although it’s not plushest on short spins. Restricted by the single size option but available in three colours starting at £90 makes it a good option.
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