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MORGAW Builds Bicycle Suspension Into the Seat

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Looking to improve on the traditional saddle, MORGAW seats has focused on the bottom of the saddle – the rails specifically. As the product of longtime friends Martin Moravcik and Slawek Gawlik (MOR+GAW) the duo is hoping to improve rider comfort through shock absorption and the ability to rock with the pelvis, with the MORGAW sitting on two elastomers that connect the rails to the saddle cover. As former pro mountain bikers the team has been producing ultra light carbon saddles since 2008, and started development on the suspension saddle in 2011.

The final product is production ready – check out how it works plus how to get one…

MORGAW suspension railled seat saddle (1) MORGAW suspension railled seat saddle (2)

At the heart of the new MORGAW saddle are two shock absorbers that mate the rails to the rest of the saddle. The elastomers or whatever you want to call them will be offered in 3 densities based on the weight of the rider – Soft 40kg – 70kg (88-154lb), Medium 70kg – 85kg (154 to 187lb) and Hard 85kg -100kg (187-220lb). The elastomers can be changed out as well as the rails with both UD carbon and forged 2014 T6 aluminum each in 7x9mm oval rails. This obviously means if you damage the carbon rail on your saddle you can always replace it, or upgrade to the carbon later on. MORGAW will also offer a number of color choices with hardware available in 10 colors and the cover in black, white, or silver.

MORGAW suspension railled seat saddle (4)

On the scale, the carbon model prototype weighs in at 181g.

 

The saddle is ready for production, but the team is hoping to procure funding through and indiegogo campaign that ends on the 12th of December.

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Saddles will be available through the indiegogo for as low as $79 and up to $119 for the non early bird carbon model.

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35 Comments
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Androo
Androo
10 years ago

Not to be mean, but I’m not sure if the 5-10mm of travel achievable will make any difference except making your bike feel less solid. I might recommend that you save the $80 (which is quite reasonable, I must admit) and let a little air out of your tires, or put on a little bit more padding for your riding shorts…

Larry Falk
Larry Falk
10 years ago

What’s the colored thing at the rear of the saddle? A Minnie Pearl tea bag?

Mr. P
10 years ago

Very clever solution. Reasonable weight & cost.

Saddle shape, flex and match to ass are challenges, but looks to be good for those mega-miler roadies.

I wonder if it would allow riders to move up to a stiffer frame since the damping is done through the saddle?

P

Quickie
Quickie
10 years ago

As a frequent internet troll, I really wanted to hate this product, but it looks pretty awesome.

ChrisC
ChrisC
10 years ago

I’d be a *little* concerned about the hardware on the front mount causing extra wear on shorts. But overall looks like a great idea. You could mix and match hard-med-soft bumpers front and rear to further tune the ride.

Alex
Alex
10 years ago

Quickie, i’m with you. Looks like a really well thought out product.

Ajax
Ajax
10 years ago

License the technology to Specialized. They would be interested.

AlanM
AlanM
10 years ago

I could see this actually being nice on long road and gravel rides.

Chris
Chris
10 years ago

Hardly a new concept but still a good one. Given the differences from one rider to the next saddles are one of the few areas where more choice is always better. Hope they’re a success.

Slow Joe Crow
Slow Joe Crow
10 years ago

This seems a bit like a solution in search of a problem. Larger section tires at lower pressure seem like a better solution for road vibration and a bit of flex in the saddle shell like some of the Fizik “wing” designs would give you the side to side motion without extra parts.

AlanM
AlanM
10 years ago

@Slow Joe, I understand your point, but I feel like when people make that argument it’s a bit like saying “someone already makes an aero wheel, so why should anybody else?” Sure, there are other solutions out there, but what’s wrong with more options?

Laurens
10 years ago

Nice to see MorGaw is alive! I saw these guys’ saddles when they first were on display at Eurobike (in the large atrium area a couple of years back). They did not have the suspension feature back then, but colour customizing options for their saddles. Plus these things were super-lightweight (100g-ish) and modularly rebuilable. Did not hear of MorGaw after that, but now there’s this sign of life. Nice, I wish them well!

Eric@505
Eric@505
10 years ago

Coolio. I’m totally getting one. Nice idea and execution, guys.

bazookasean
10 years ago

I’m guessing that little bit in the back is a tool for adjustment.

Once it sags in a little, I can’t imagine that it will take out very much shock, especially on the bigger bumps that really hurt. Everything helps I guess.

nathan
nathan
10 years ago

I was getting ready to dismiss it along with suspension seat posts and stems, but that’s actually really cool. I’d get one!

Michael
Michael
10 years ago

I think this is a really, really… really great idea.
I was also dismissing it pretty quickly when I read the title, thinking it will either be; bouncy, ugly, heavy, Expensive, complicated, innefective marketing b.s.

But this makes a whole world of sense, and I am genuinely interested.
The lower tire pressure and increase tire volume works, but you may be sacrificing speed and increasing resistance in a lot of, but not all conditions. I think hardtail/rigid MTB’rs would welcome, and could benefit from some additional forgiveness in the saddle.
It looks like it uses a urethane barrel bushing from a skateboard truck to provide the suspension/dampening, as they come in a huge variety of durometers and would go very far to dampen vibration and provide some impact protection by seperating the post/rails from the saddle.

I also am loving how it is so modular. Think about having the ability to buy an extra set of rails, and use one seat on a few different bikes without having to adjust the position. Just unbolt the saddle from the rails, and quickly/easily move to the other bike. Or having multiple saddle shapes without having to pay the extra cost for the rails. Cool unintended benefit.

a
a
10 years ago

nice job looks great.

bbb
bbb
10 years ago

It’s a nice product but if your tyres can’t offer you enough comfort, you’re doing something wrong.

Tim
Tim
10 years ago

Why not have additional comfort on top of better/ less inflated tires? You can do both.
It does look like there is no vertical travel on these, just an ability to twist a bit. Or maybe I am wrong.
The elastomers will need to be changed out to get the same effect at different temperatures. Remember what it was like to ride a Manitou 4, Quadra, or early Judy at below freezing? Hopefully there will be a cold weather elastomer kit; it looks easy enough to swap out the bumpers.

ve
ve
10 years ago

It’s like those elastomer cruiser seats, except lighter and thinner.

Willis24
Willis24
10 years ago

Would it even work on a really cold day? I always thought the bike industry stopped using elastomers in forks and rear suspension because they were inconsistent in temperature and had no rebound control. There was a time when I used a Cane Creek Thudbuster and that was why I didn’t like it, no rebound control. Probably apples to oranges, but as others have mentioned, a good set of tires and a Fizik saddle is all you really need.

Jeff
Jeff
10 years ago

You mean I can now have matching anodized bolts in my seat too?!

Star
Star
10 years ago

Are the coming in widths? At 6’3″, I love me some 153mm width. Can’t imagine a carbon rail vs aluminum rail saddle weighing much different, if all other parts are the same?

MB
MB
10 years ago

Like many have said so far, I wanted to hate it, but it’s really pretty decent. Replaceable rails are nice as I bend them often. I do wonder how much more noise you’re going to get from a another bunch of parts meshing in an area that collects dust and dirt constantly.

I also second the need for a wide option. 6’2″ and wide sit bones mean 155mm at least on all my saddles.

Ventruck
Ventruck
10 years ago

Looking like a steal for the carbon setup if the shape works. I’m mainly drawn by the side tilt. Like mentioned, Fizik’s wing flex kinda does the same thing but this one’s adjustable. 9 combos. The purple bolt option also turns me on. Will have to follow up one this once it’s released.

Yuki
Yuki
10 years ago

Looks good and I want it, but I can’t wait until March 2014. Too late.

Ripnshread
Ripnshread
10 years ago

WTF is wrong with everyone here? This is not a new idea by a long shot and has been tried numerous times by many many manufactures. I feel like I just walked into the twilight zone reading these posts.

sonic
sonic
10 years ago

Well if it worked for my skateboard…

It looks a lovely saddle I have to admit.

Actually I cracked the shell of my Specialized Ronin Evo Pro carbon railed saddle. Perhaps these elastomers could take the sting out of a unexpected hole in the road.

sonic
sonic
10 years ago

Also, now I think about it, perhaps this will be good on my turbo trainer. i can see my carbon frame flexing when I use it in the turbo trainer. I suppose it is suppose to do that, but when you’re on the road the wheels/tires help in this, but not so much on the turbo trainer.

The other this is I tend to get a bit numb after 2 hours on the turbo trainer where as it’d take 3 or 4 hours out on the road.

So perhaps this could help.

Granfondo Grandad
Granfondo Grandad
10 years ago

I’d get one of these. C’mon guys, if these were marketed by Spec or Fiz, people will be willing to pay 3x the price. Lowering air pressure does not always guarantee comfort, even increases chances of flats . Give these guys a chance . It’s like shaving yer legs for that double century … 😉

Moff
Moff
10 years ago

Watching the video you don’t seem to be able to change the elastomers with the saddle in position on the seatpost.

It looks like the rail has to be removed from the elastomer, not the other way round.

An oversight on the design, which is otherwise an interesting taken on comfort.

Murdoch
Murdoch
10 years ago

Putting aside the arguments about ‘correct’ seat height, there is certainly a need to set personal optimal seat height, especially on the road. A 10mm lowering of seat height from accepted optimal norm sorted out my back and neuro problems. Why have a saddle that alters leg extension and pelvic angle as you ride? On a mtb you have tyre size and pressure plus suspension to play with. On a road bike get 25c and drop pressure to 100psi if you want to reduce road buzz. Both retain correct distance and angle relationships between pelvis and pedal.

K11
K11
10 years ago

my first thought was Koobi.

Bert
Bert
9 years ago

I bought a saddle in february and still waiting for!! Very angry after no item or answers

Bulent Sisman
3 years ago

The spring is not even 5 mm. If it were functional, it would be 100 million bicycles in 8 years. (2012 ~~ 2020),.BulentSisman.Bulsis., MuratliTekirdagThrace.

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