BikeYoke SAGMA 3D Review – a Saddle Mixing Elastomers, 3D Printing and Uphill Fun
Who is BikeYoke?
BikeYoke is based in Bamberg, Germany, and is basically a small workshop for clever bike parts. They started out making special “yokes” – aftermarket links that bypassed stock suspension limitations on certain frames. Today their line-up includes dropper posts (with an extremely easy-to-bleed system), handlebars, stems, and now saddles.
They’re best known for thoughtful details and the philosophy of making one product properly – built to last and fully serviceable – instead of chasing fast-moving trends. That same approach is built into the SAGMA 3D.
There are saddles you just ride, and saddles you ride because you really want to know if the concept works. For me, the BikeYoke SAGMA 3D clearly belongs to the second category.
It combines things that hardly any other brand has put together before:
an elastomer damping system integrated into the rails,
a very distinctive shape you either like or you don’t,
and a 3D-printed top – but at a price far lower than the big names in the segment.
In short: it looks like an intriguing mix of engineering idea, comfort promise, and “let’s see if it actually works.”
Tech & Concept – why elastomers in a saddle make sense
3D printing is almost standard in the premium saddle world by now. It allows different zones to be tuned harder or softer, giving a much finer pressure distribution than foam. In theory you can simulate multiple firmness levels in a single structure – and in practice, it’s more than just marketing fluff.
But the real party trick of the SAGMA is the damping in the rails. The shell is decoupled from the rails by elastomers. Think Redshift suspension posts or ShockStop stems – small vibrations and impacts are filtered before they reach you, without needing a full suspension system. (If you’ve read my other reviews you’ll know: I’m a big fan of elastomers.)
And the system is modular:
You can swap soft, medium or hard elastomers.
You can even mix front and rear.
And if the rail structure ever breaks, you can just replace that.
That’s not only clever, it’s also sustainable. A saddle you can repair rather than binning completely. Once you’ve seen that, you start missing it on other saddles.
Setup – why it isn’t always plug & play
Mounting the SAGMA makes it clear right away: it’s primarily an MTB saddle. The rails are 7x10 mm – not every seatpost clamp will take them.
I had to do a bit of research to find a “normal” post that worked and ended up with a Zipp SL Service Course. From aluminium options, there’s the Thomson post which can be fitted with a 7x10 clamp kit. I went with the Zipp, since I found one second-hand for a good price.
On most MTB dropper posts, however, the saddle mounts without a problem.
So: no issue for mountain bikers – but something to consider for gravel and road riders. And that’s the point: BikeYoke designed the SAGMA first and foremost for MTBs.
First Rides – takes some adjusting, but worth it
The shape was unusual for me at first. I tweaked the position several times and needed a few rides until it felt right. It currently comes in 130 and 142 mm. For me, the 142 was borderline – a 150 mm version would likely be more comfortable.
The nose is slightly raised, which pushes you gently onto the sitting area – but not so much that you get pressure in the soft tissue. There’s no direct cutout, but a deep central channel that does the job perfectly.
The surface really surprised me. Many 3D saddles are overly grippy. Sounds good on paper, but in reality it shreds bib shorts. My Fizik Antares has killed 1.5 pairs already. The SAGMA is much calmer: smooth surface, enough freedom to move, no destroyed bibs.
Ride Feel – where the SAGMA shines (and where it doesn’t)
After a few evening loops in the woods it was obvious: uphill the SAGMA is a beast. The broad nose holds you in place, you can really drive into the saddle, and it feels absolutely at home on climbs. That’s its natural habitat.
Downhill, even without a dropper, I also liked it. Sitting down briefly in technical terrain, the elastomers did their job. No miracle suspension, but sharp hits were clearly muted.
On long, flat road sections, however, you notice that the SAGMA isn’t made for road riding. Other saddles handle this scenario better. The slightly raised nose that I loved on climbs made it harder to slide forward into an aggressive position when I wanted to put the power down.
What it does very well, though, is move subtly with your pedaling – similar to SQlab’s Active saddles. To sum it up: if you climb a lot or ride off-road, there’s real value here. If your gravel rig lives 95% on tarmac, you’ll probably find better options.
Comparing the SAGMA – custom vs stock
To put things into perspective, here’s how the SAGMA stacks up against other saddles I ride:
Posedla Custom 3D: A tailor-made dream, tuned exactly to my weight. Of course it’s fantastic – but it’s also €500. The SAGMA isn’t custom, yet I never felt it was uncomfortable because of that. That’s impressive.
Fizik Antares Adaptive: My road saddle. Open honeycomb structure, technically cool, but overly grippy and dirt-prone. Plus, it’s destroyed bibs. The SAGMA is way more practical day-to-day, though for pure road rides I still prefer the Antares’ form.
SQlab 614: My current long-distance benchmark. Classic design, less innovation, but proven. Still my go-to for road and touring. The SAGMA is more innovative, more comfortable off-road – and its climbing position is much better.
Bottom line of the comparisons: BikeYoke’s 3D material easily competes at the top. Probably the best tuned of all the saddles I’ve tested so far, combining comfort, support and everyday usability.
Long-Term Impressions & Bikepacking
After about 800 km the SAGMA still looks brand new.
That common complaint that 3D saddles collect dirt and start creaking? Didn’t happen here. A quick rinse with the garden hose and it’s good to go. No noise, no fuss.
For bikepacking I’d recommend it without hesitation – especially for routes with plenty of climbing and rough ground. On endless flat road miles, other saddles will be better. But that’s not the SAGMA’s job. It’s clearly specialized: MTB and off-road hammering.
Aesthetics & Style – the MTB DNA is visible
Besides function, there’s always the style component. And while that’s subjective, it does matter. The elastomer version looks a bit “MTB-bulky.” On a mountain bike it fits perfectly. On a gravel bike, it can polarize – similar to a Vecnum stem. If you prefer it clean, there’s a version without elastomers.
Truth is: a saddle with elastomers will never look sleek. Same goes for SQlab Active saddles. That’s just part of the package.
My selfbuilt ATB-rig
Who is it for?
MTB riders: the clear target group. This is where it excels.
Gravel riders: possible, if the width fits and you really ride a lot of off-road. I’m still hoping for a 150 mm version.
Roadies: not really. There are much better saddles for that use case.
Price & Verdict – a lot of saddle for the money
€199 for the 3D-printed top including the elastomer system and modular replaceability? That’s a strong deal. Even the ~€150 non-elastomer version is almost unbeatable compared to other 3D saddles.
My verdict:
The SAGMA 3D is a bold concept – and it works. For me, one of the best climbing saddles I’ve ever ridden. With a 150 mm version it could appeal to even more riders, especially in the gravel segment. The shape is, as far as I know (and I admittedly spend way too much time geeking out on bikes), fairly unique – but it works brilliantly off-road. The damping system works well and is adjustable, even if the looks take a slight hit. All in all, it’s a well thought-out saddle with a clearly defined target audience – and in that niche, it really delivers.
If I build up a mountain bike next year, this would be the first saddle I’d bolt on. That’s probably the clearest recommendation I can give.
Outlook
I’m currently testing a few more 3D saddles, including custom models – expect reviews around Christmas. So the SAGMA isn’t the end, but more like the beginning of a broader comparison. But one thing is already clear: in terms of price-performance, it’s right up there at the top.
