Bontrager’s Aeolus Elite is exceptionally good entry into the snub-nosed channeled saddle market

Words and Images: James Raison

Snub-nosed cutout saddles have exploded in popularity since they first began market ascendancy in 2015 with the Specialized Power Saddle. Bontrager took their time with the concept, waiting until 2019 to launch their Aeolus Saddle range. I’ve been spending some time with the mid-tier $169.99 Aeolus Elite to see what the Waterloo-based component giant has done with the concept.

I’ve done a comparison review of the Bontrager Aeolus and Specialized Power Arc if you want to read more.

Specs:

Length: 250 mm
Width: 145 mm
Rails: Austenite, round 7x7mm
Weight: 219 g

There’s good reason why this style of saddle has become so popular; they let riders get into a more aggressive position in greater comfort. The cut-out channel reduces pressure on the perineum’s soft tissue and the snub-nose lets riders slide further forward and perch close to the tip. A wide rear platform then supports the sit bones. It’s one of the saddle designs that can be used by all genders. The legendary Specialized Power Saddle was initially designed for women before men began testing and enjoying it. The concept has evolved rapidly over the recent years with most saddle makers developing their own versions.

My butt gets along well with saddles of this type. I’ve used them for many thousands of kilometers across road, gravel, and MTB. So, can Bontrager relegate any of my trusty seats?

FITTING

Getting the Aolus Elite fitted to the bike is a cinch. As a guide, you fit snub-nosed saddles about 20-30 mm further back than full length models. I replaced a Specialized Power Arc with the Aeolus and matched the position exactly. I did have to tweak the height when I moved it to my gravel Grove R.A.D because the Fabric saddle it replaced had a taller stack to it.

Personal preference usually leads me to nose-down the saddle a couple of degrees. The flatness of the Aeolus took some fine adjustments to make it comfortable on the nose and the meat of the seat.

THE RIDE

The Aeolus Elite was immediately comfortable once fitted to my Curve Belgie Spirit. So comfortable that after hundreds of kilometers of happy riding that included some long days in the saddle, I decided to give it a challenge. I dropped it onto the aluminium Grove R.A.D gravel rig and took it out for some proper bumps, vibrations, and even a lengthy fondo. It was even more impressive on the Grove. So, what makes this so good?

Bontrager have favoured a wider, flatter design for the Aeolus than other short saddles I’ve used. It falls closer to the PRO Stealth in that respect. There’s scant padding too, which I’m fine with because minimalist saddles are my preference.

Sliding forwards onto the front of the Aeolus is sustainable for long periods because of that added width and vast channel that runs through the saddle. It concentrates the pressure away from the softer parts of your perineum. My main gripe with Specialized’s Gen 1 power saddle was the padding on the nose was raised and narrow, which concentrated pressure. The Specialized Power Arc flattened out the saddle nose which improved comfort but the Aeolus’s shape improves even further. To date, the Aeolus is the most comfortable saddle I’ve ridden when you get into an aggressive position.

Slide back onto your sit bones and you’ll find the channel has widened and there’s a subtle upward sweep at the back. You settle around the widest part of the Aeolus where, again, the wide channel effectively reduces soft tissue pressure. It’s a supportive platform where I could comfortably sit for lengthy periods. I did find some rub on my inner thigh when sat far back because the nose width. It wasn’t frequent enough to bother me because I tend to shift positions regularly.

The rails and shell team up for impressive comfort

The Aestenite rails and saddle shell have been designed with comfort in mind and allow some welcome flex. The rails have an elongated flat section in front of the clamp measurement markers which lets it flex more freely. I spent some time focusing on the austenite rails - as much as one can try to do that - to understand what effect the the steel/carbon material mix has on the ride. There’s certainly more flex in the shell than the rails, and slightly more than bounce overall than I’ve experienced with direct competitor saddles that tend to have Cr-Mo or stainless steel rails. Austenite is not particularly different to stainless steel, and neither is the feeling when riding. It seems that a small gain in comfort and shaving off a few grams is the tangible difference of the metal blend.

THE GRIPES

It’s rare that I have so little to criticise a product for. Saddles are such a personal item, and the Bontrager Aeolus suits me darn well. As mentioned above, an occasional and minor rub on the inside of my right leg is all I can complain about from a comfort perspective. For prospective buyers, its flatness could be a problem for those who prefer a more dramatic curve on the wings of the saddle. Anyone who likes a rock-hard and rigid saddle will be better served elsewhere.

For me, it just fit.

Some could find the $169.99 price a little steep, but the good news for them is the Aeolus Comp is a mere $99.99. That’s a bargain if the cheaper model maintains the same comfort.

True all-day comfort, even on gravel rides

WRAPPING UP

The Aeolus Elite is appropriately priced, light, aesthetically pleasing, and (most importantly) very comfortable. Bontrager took their time getting into the snub-nosed saddle market but they’ve done an excellent job for their first generation. The only issue for me now is deciding which of my other saddles is getting demoted for this one!

Buy: You can purchase a Bontrager Aeolus Elite saddle directly from Trek’s website.

Disclosure statement: This saddle was sent by Trek Australia for review. It’s not a paid review and we don’t get any proceeds from the sale of Trek/Bontrager products