New from saddle manufacturer Fizik is an updated version of the Gobi, which now gets a scuff guard to stop your new saddle looking tatty after a few trail spills.

The Fizik Gobi XM Muzzle has long been a popular choice with many mountain bikers; we like the shape finding it more than agreeable for long distance rides with a good width and long nose for perching on during steep climbs. And the novel Wing Flex, a flexible mid-section along the side of the saddle, allows for less restricted pedalling.

But no matter how careful you are, saddles tend to quickly show the knocks and scrapes of mountain biking, especially if you have a tendency to make unplanned dismounts when riding. Not that we ever do. Much. Fizik has obviously taken notice and added a thick rubber scuff guard that affixes to the rear of the saddle.

The removable rubber protector, a sort of bumper for the rear section of the saddle, wraps around the back and is fixed in place on the base of the saddle. Unfortunately it doesn’t appear that the bumper is available separately so existing Gobi XM owners can’t add it to their current saddle. Maybe this will change with time?

Elsewhere, the saddle features a nylon carbon reinforced shell with a microtex cover and Manganese rails keep the weight to a respectable 255g.

For now, the Gobi XM Muzzle is available for £95.

More at www.fizik.it and available from www.extrauk.co.uk