DMR’s Stage 2 saddle takes everything we know and love about Ben Deakin’s signature saddle, the OiOi, and adds a microfibre cover. It keeps the robustness and shape of the saddle it's based on but eliminates its tendency to absorb water. Furthermore, it's offered at an accessible price, making it a solid contender as one of the best mountain bike saddles currently available.
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DMR Stage 2 saddle - Technical details
The DMR Stage 2 borrows much of OiOi sibling's underpinnings, including its overall shape, which is low profile in order to aid the distribution of weight. The blunt nose is for comfort when shifting weight forwards.
The Chromoly rails and a Super Light foam base have been picked to marry lightweight and comfort, and there’s also a flexy spined base that should offer a bit of give when pedalling and under impact. The saddle benefits from dynamic profiling to further boost comfort.
The Stage 2 features a subtle scooped design with a ramp towards the rear and there’s a semi-cut-out that claimed to relieve pressure.
Setting itself apart from the OiOi is a much subtler black microfibre cover that results in a smoother finish. There are reinforced sections around the rear panels to fend off any damage caused during a crash.
It weighs 260g which is 10g lighter than claimed. As for dimensions, this saddle measures 278mm in length and 147mm in width.
DMR Stage 2 saddle - Performance
The Stage 2 directly addresses the OiOi saddle's issue with water absorption and the fabric cover developing a bit of pulling during use. This saddle’s microfibre outer solves both of those issues by being waterproof and incredibly abrasion resistant, which proved useful during my test period.
The cover not only keeps it looking sharp mile after mile but also helps free some positional movement while pedalling. That’s because it’s well shaped with its sides bending gradually down to the rails, resulting in a rounder profile. This gives loads of freedom of movement without hindering saddle traction thanks to the flat and supportive top.
I am a fan of its profile but I would prefer it to be even flatter in order to offer more support. However, the flat and wider nose of the saddle is really helpful as it’s comfortable when weight is shifted forwards. It rustles up more support for those efforts up steeper sections, which is much appreciated.
Often, I find even the slightest of cut-outs to be noticeable and uncomfortable but this wasn’t the case with the Stage 2 saddle. Combined with the bit of flex built into the base, it relieves pressure and, overall, remains comfortable even on longer rides.
DMR Stage 2 saddle - Verdict
If its width suits your sit bones, £40 is not a bad price for a good mountain bike saddle.
Nukeproof’s Neutron saddle comes in at £22 but its profile is very round and is weightier too at a claimed 290g.
Cannondale’s (formerly Fabric) Scoop is a long-time high scorer that matches the Stage 2’s price. It’s also heavier at 310g and not as wide.
If its single size suits you and you’re not looking to spend an awful lot of money, DMR’s Stage 2 is an excellent choice. It makes improvements over the flashier OiOi with a waterproof and abrasion-resistant cover that boosts durability while offering a useful level of flex and support. It is a bit on the rounder side though.