Title MS1 Saddle Review
Your saddle is probably one of the most overlooked components on your bike. Most riders will brag about their new handlebars and grips, their new set of wheels with fancy hubs, they may even brag about new tyres. But no-one ever really mentions there saddle.
Why is that?
After all the saddle is the most intimate connection that you have to your bike. Whether you are a man, woman, amateur, pro, or a complete newbie, the saddle can make or break your enjoyment on a ride, especially when it comes to comfort.
For this review I’ve spent the past 3 months riding with the Title MS1 saddle on my Slash. A direct replacement for the Bontrager Arvada that came as stock on the bike.
Who are Title?
Canadian pro freerider and all round mountain bike legend Brett Rheeder is the founder of Title.
The component line-up currently on offer includes wheel sets, handlebars, stems, seat posts, saddles, and even a gyro. They have been tested and proven at the biggest mountain bike competitions in the world, and are built to be tough enough to withstand Bretts brutal riding style at Crankworx and Rampage. That’s a good enough reason for me to warrant looking at the saddles they have in their lineup.
The MS1 saddle as opposed to their JS1 saddle, is what I would describe as more like a traditional mountain bike saddle. The intended use is for enduro, downhill or XC disciplines, and comes with chromoly rails for added strength to help maintain its flexible platform. Weighing in at 232g, it’s not the lightest saddle on the market but it’s certainly not the heaviest.
Before I discuss how the saddle performs I have to mention the packaging that it arrives in. It is honestly one of the best packaged products I’ve ever bought, and not just for bike components. The simple and striking design has a magnetised flip open lid that sets the initial impression you have purchased a quality item.
If you’re lucky you may even find a few Title stickers in there, and everyone loves a good sticker.
The saddle itself is a sleek and relatively flat design that slopes forward towards quite a long nose. The peri canal groove, which doesn’t appear to be as deep as some other saddles, certainly not the Bontrager Arvada, starts relatively wide and tapers nicely towards the nose, which so far seems to providing more than adequate pressure relief regardless of my position on the saddle. There is also a very slight cutout on the rear, which should allow for a little bit more tyre clearance for a 29er when the suspension is at full compression. All this should lend itself too aggressive riding positions, which is probably to be expected for a product coming from Brett Rheeder.
The build of the MS1 is a simple 3-piece design, with the side panels stitched to the top panel that runs the length of the saddle. The position of the stitching is a concern as that may start to fray from the friction of shorts and pants rubbing against it, which leads to a slight irritation; on most of my rides so far the MS1 is squeaky on each pedal stroke, though it does eventually stop, and may be something to do with moisture and the material used for the cover of the saddle. Even so the material is particularly nice. It feels soft to touch, allows you to move around, yet at the same time is grippy enough to keep you in place. There is however a very slight fading in colour, and the rail paint started to wear off quite quickly. However, it’s purely cosmetic and I’m nitpicking really. In reality the MS1 is showing no signs of general wear and tear to the saddle itself, and is holding up well to some pretty terrible weather conditions.
The only real downside of the MS1 is that it is currently only available in one size (279mm x 133m) which may limit its attraction for some riders. But having had some long rides on the saddle, I’m yet to experience any numbness or rubbing which indicates how well the saddle supports me. I don’t recall ever having to squirm around trying to find a more comfortable position. From my first ride I immediately felt comfortable, and it’s a significant comfort upgrade from the stock Bontrager Arvada that I just couldn’t get along with.
The Title MS1 saddle is available direct from Title themselves, or if you are in the UK it’s currently available through Freeride UK for £65 including tax.
VERDICT
Not the cheapest saddle you can buy, but it is competitively priced and good value for a high performance saddle that offers excellent support, comfort and style. The only real downside is that it’s only available in one size which won’t suit all.
