Charge Spoon Saddle with Cromo Rails 2011

Who says comfort has to cost the earth? With the Spoon, British bike brand Charge, have created an underdog perch that adds up to much more than the sum of its parts while knocking the socks off other, significantly more expensive offerings...

"Comfortable and durable for very little cash? That'll be the Charge Spoon"

...this became the instant hit of the test. The understated features of light weight and padding, sleek profile and slight pressure relieving channel all combine to provide great all-round, cross country riding comfort. The Spoon felt great straight from the box, and whether we were climbing or dropping off the back, we really couldn't fault the feel. And even theough it's not women-specific, our female tester who 'borrowed' it for the day refuses to give it back - underlinig the fact that girls shouldn't confine themselves to trying female-only saddles to get the best fit.

An outstanding combination of both comfort and value.

Looking at the shape from the side alone, there appears to be something very familiar about this saddle. Yep, it looks just like the first-generation Selle Italia Flite. Viewed from the top it's a cross between a Fizik Aliante and a Bontrager Race X Lite. That's no bad thing because they're all held in high regard, especially the original Flite. Tubular cro-mo steel rails and just the right amount of padding underneath the synthetic leather covering keep the weight down, but the main areas in which the saddle scores are the quality(it's made by Velo, a huge saddle maker) and the performance. It's comfortable like an old, familiar armchair in a gentlemans club - you kind of sink into it and yet always find the same comfy spot in which to view the passing world around you. There's a Ti railed version with a proper leather cover for £51.99, but the weight saving is minimal and the leather will have to be looked after carefully.

Theres' not much to say about a fantastic saddle at a fantastic price.

The spoon mates to your nethers like the nocturnal hook-up that its name alludes to. Although fairly short, the pressure relief channel extending from the rear works well alongside a flat nose and padding that's sufficient to see off slimline XC arse aches. In indomitable Charge fashion, a perforated tan upper with embossed logo sets the Spoon apart from leagues of aftermarket alos-rans. Behind the scenes, finishing is about what you'd expect for a score - slightly haphazard medley of staples combined with plastic guard front and rear to anchor the carcass to the upper.

overall this is a cracking saddle for all-day trail action at a great price.