Born out from close collaboration with professionals of leading MTB teams technical supported by Prologo, the Scratch NDR is the off-road evolution of the already established Scratch M5. A new saddle with racing DNA, designed specifically to compete and win in Cross Country and Marathon races at the highest level.
Starting with the design of the Scratch M5, a multi-disciplinary saddle already widely used by professionals on and off-road, Prologo took requests from the supported MTB teams to jointly develop a new ergonomic saddle, still high performance, but with specific features for off-road.
The Scratch NDR was born thanks to the valuable feedback from the champions of 8 teams (Cannondale Factory Racing, Team BMC Racing, Lapierre Mavic Unity, Wilier-Pirelli Factory Team, DMT Racing Team, BH Coloma Team, BH - Wallonie MTB and Cannondale MTB Professional Team), who collaborated with Prologo to improve the new saddle model, testing in race the solutions specifically designed to overcome the steepest climbs of XC circuits and the long climbs of Marathon courses.
Designed to face all kinds of climbs
The Scratch NDR inherits from the Scratch family the compact dimensions (250mm x 140mm) and the Multi Sector System technology: different mapped and separated zones that work autonomously adapting to all phases of pedaling and different positions of the rider. There are 3 zones in the new model, with specific features and functions for XC and Marathon disciplines.
The two lateral-posterior sections, are designed to provide more stability and comfort when pedaling in a backward position on long climbs. The variable-density EVA foam padding is 3mm thicker in the rear section to provide maximum support. The cover of these sections is completely smooth, making it easier to move out of the saddle.
The innovative center-front section, on the other hand, is specially designed to tackle the steepest and most technical uphill passages, thanks to a large flat surface that provides a comfortable base of support even when it is necessary to pedal on the nose of the saddle. The cover features a horizontally textured Grip Cover in this section to maximize grip and help maintain a forward position on the saddle.
Anatomical shape for off-road disciplines
The anatomical shape of the new Scratch NDR has been redesigned to suit off-road disciplines, setting back the "anatomical center" by 5mm to emphasize the T-shape of the Scratch models. This solution increases the biker's freedom of movement, allowing him or her to easily vary the position in the saddle according to the type of trail being tackled.
Shifting the anatomical center also makes pedaling in the rearward position, typical when tackling long climbs, more comfortable and performant. In fact, the biker's weight is discharged toward the rear of the saddle, right on the two sections with increased padding where the ischial bones rest.
Closed saddle with Active Base System
In order to provide a more coveted, flatter bearing surface in the center-front section, the Scratch NDR does not have a central drain channel. A solution that makes the saddle more comfortable when pedaling on the toe and offers more protection against any dirt and mud from the rear wheel.
The base of the new saddle is made of long-fiber carbon, a material that provides the right compression between stiffness and vibration absorption. In the center of the base, there is Prologo's characteristic Active Base System: a hole, underneath the padding, that allows for additional pressure relief and thus increases comfort while pedaling; thus combining the advantages of a saddle with a relief channel with the benefits of a closed saddle.
Different rails for different needs
For more performance-oriented bikers who seek a stiff saddle and the ultimate in lightness, the Scratch NDR is available in a version with Nack (Nano Carbon Fiber) rail composed of carbon fiber, Kevlar and aluminum filaments. A rail already widely adopted by Prologo for all top-of-the-line models, which reduces the saddle's overall weight to 166 g.
For those looking for more comfort, however, a second version is available, weighing 217gr, with TiroX rail made of light alloy steel, a material with an excellent balance between weight and strength, giving the saddle less stiffness and superior vibration absorption.
The new Prologo Flying F15H will be available, for download, exclusively on Saturday, April 01, 2023.