Trail One Components continues to expand its mountain bike component lineup. The brand was formed in 2021 to sell “top-tier level, unique components” while also “supporting the amazing trails that we all love and ride.” Recently, Trail One added two short nose saddles to the line. The Saxon Hill uses traditional foam padding and chromoly rails, while the Sheep Thrills features a 3D-printed upper and carbon fiber rails.
Both caught my attention when they were announced thanks to their distinct, compact, race-inspired shape. Trail One sent both saddles for testing, and I spent about three months with them on my Santa Cruz Tallboy and State 4130 steel hardtail riding local trails.
Though the overall design is very similar between the two saddles, the difference in ride feel is noticeable. The Saxon Hill delivers a firmer, sportier experience, while the Sheep Thrills offers better long ride comfort for my riding style.
Saxon Hill Specs
- Price: $89
- Weight: 235 g
- Dimensions: 242 × 141 mm
- Padding: Atmos Light foam
- Rails: Chromoly
- Base: Nylon fiber-injected
- Buy from: Trail One Components
Sheep Thrills Specs
- Price: $249
- Weight: 211 g
- Dimensions: 242 × 141 mm
- Padding: Multi-density 3D-printed upper
- Rails: Carbon fiber
- Base: Nylon fiber-injected
- Buy from: Trail One Components
Two saddles, one design
One important consideration applies to both saddles: Trail One currently offers them in just one size, 141mm wide. My saddle width preference is around 155mm, and that difference affected my experience, particularly on the Saxon Hill. The Sheep Thrills’ padding helped make the narrower fit less noticeable, but it didn’t eliminate the difference entirely. I’d love to see Trail One offer a wider option, because I think it could make both saddles appealing to a broader range of riders.
Most of my testing was done without a chamois. Padded shorts can provide additional cushioning with either saddle, so individual results will vary. Both saddles have a relief channel that I found useful, particularly on steep climbs, where seated pressure becomes more apparent. I didn’t experience noticeable heat buildup, and both kept things feeling cool throughout my rides.
One thing I learned about Trail One, co-founded by Worldwide Cyclery founder Jeff Cayley, is its commitment to giving back to the trails that make mountain biking possible. The company sets aside $1 from every product sold to support trail stewardship organizations and mountain bike clubs. When a product is named for a particular trail system, that contribution goes to the associated system; otherwise, the money goes into the Trail One Treasury to be awarded to another trail system in need.
Sales from both saddles benefit Fellowship of the Wheel in Vermont. In case you’re wondering, Saxon Hill is named for a trail system in Vermont, and Sheep Thrills is a DH trail in Vermont that’s maintained by Fellowship of the Wheel.
It’s a small contribution per product, but it connects the purchase to the people doing the work to maintain the places we ride. For riders who care about supporting trail stewardship, that’s a welcome addition.
Trail One Saxon Hill: A firm, sporty feel
The Saxon Hill is Trail One’s more affordable option, retailing for $89. It uses a nylon fiber-injected base, Atmos Light foam padding, and chromoly rails. At 242mm long and 141mm wide, it follows the compact, short nose design found on many modern mountain bike saddles. Trail One lists its weight at 235g and backs it with a lifetime warranty. On my ParkTool scale, it weighs 238g.
My first impression was that the Saxon Hill felt sporty and noticeably firm. There’s cushioning beneath you, but the stiffness is apparent through the sit bones. Based on its appearance, I initially expected a little more cushion. Instead, the Saxon Hill provides a firmer platform that I can see appealing to riders who prefer a connected, performance-oriented feel. When I try saddles like this, I think of enduro racing and NICA youth bike setups.
On the trail, it performs just as well as any saddle in this category. Its short nose makes it suitable for modern trail bike riding positions. The smooth, matte surface makes micro adjustments easy while also keeping me in place when pedaling. My shorts never got caught on the material. When pedaling up steep climbs, the stiffness was the most noticeable. Trail One states this saddle was designed for bikes with steep seat tube angles. While I can agree that the shape can bring your body slightly forward, I will say that it’s the thickness or possibly the foam type that took away from my riding experience.
The biggest drawback surfaced on longer, seated climbs. While the saddle felt supportive initially, I began noticing a lack of support beneath my sit bones as time in the saddle increased. The 141mm width is narrower than my preferred fit, and unfortunately the Saxon Hill only comes in one size.
That said, the Saxon Hill wasn’t uncomfortable in every situation. Its overall design made up for the thin foam padding. It’s as if the saddle invites the rider to get out of the saddle to be in a sprinting position. Its firm, sporty character may appeal to riders who prioritize freedom of movement and a supportive platform over extra cushioning. Its slightly narrower-feeling, concave profile also made it feel more restrictive beneath my sit bones than the Sheep Thrills, despite their nearly identical dimensions.
After a few rides and minor fore-and-aft adjustments, I was able to dial in the position. Installation was straightforward on both a rigid seatpost and a dropper post, and I experienced no rail creaking throughout testing.
Trail One Sheep Thrills: The more comfortable (and more expensive) option
At $249, the Sheep Thrills occupies a more premium position in Trail One’s lineup. It shares the Saxon Hill’s 242mm length, 141mm width, and nylon fiber-injected base, but replaces the foam upper with a multi-density 3D-printed design and uses carbon fiber rails. Its listed weight drops to 211g (214g on my scale), making it about 24 grams less than the Saxon Hill. This saddle also carries a lifetime warranty.
On the Sheep Thrills, the 3D-printed material feels surprisingly firm to the touch. However, that initial impression doesn’t tell the whole story. The material seems to soften up with body heat. The increased comfort can be felt immediately compared to the Saxon Hill saddle.
I noticed a better pressure distribution with the Sheep Thrills than on Saxon Hill. The thicker rear section conformed more to my sit bones, giving me a more supportive feeling, especially with lateral movement when pedaling. It doesn’t deliver quite the same level of conformity or plushness as the Specialized Power Pro with Mirror saddle I previously tested, though to be fair, the Power Mirror costs $100 more.
I definitely found I could ride longer and farther on the Sheep Thrills than on the Saxon Hill before the saddle’s narrower dimensions became noticeable.
Although the 141mm width is narrower than my ideal 155mm fit, the 3D-printed upper on the Sheep Thrills compensates for the difference. I also noticed a slight forward-leaning sensation compared to the Specialized Pro with Mirror tech saddle.
Like the Saxon Hill, the Sheep Thrills stayed out of the way when descending. Its compact shape let me move freely around the bike, and the slightly slicker surface made quick adjustments easy without feeling like I was sliding around. The saddle felt supportive when seated and unobtrusive when standing.
After a few rides and some minor fore-and-aft adjustments, I was able to dial in the position. Installation was just as easy as with the Saxon Hill, and there were no creaks or other issues throughout my testing. The rails on the Sheep Thrills are ovalized and taller than most standard rails, which requires a seat post clamp that grips from top and bottom (vertical two-bolt clamps) or a side-clamp like the one this SeekRun wireless dropper post uses.
The Sheep Thrills has a premium look and feel. The carbon rails, 3D-printed upper, and overall finish give it a more refined appearance. Over three months of testing, the upper showed no visible signs of wear or damage, and neither saddle developed any noticeable problems.
The $160 price difference is significant, but the Sheep Thrills isn’t simply a lighter version of the Saxon Hill. The 3D-printed upper allowed me to ride comfortably longer, which is the big win. The carbon rails and more refined finish also add to the premium feel, but in the end, comfort is what makes the difference worthwhile for me.
Compared with the Specialized saddle featuring Mirror technology, the Sheep Thrills felt firmer and less plush. The Specialized feels softer and more cushioned at first ride while the Sheep Thrills offers a slightly firmer platform. For riders considering a 3D-printed saddle, the Sheep Thrills is competitively positioned among premium options, though the right choice will ultimately depend on fit and preferred ride feel.
Pros and Cons
Trail One Saxon Hill
Pros
- Sporty, firm feel that suits riders who prefer a more direct connection to the bike
- Short-nose shape allows plenty of freedom of movement on descents
- Quality construction with chromoly rails
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Firm padding may not suit riders who prefer more cushioning
- 141mm width is the only size option
- Less comfortable than the Sheep Thrills on longer seated climbs
Trail One Sheep Thrills
Pros
- 3D-printed upper offers improved pressure distribution and long-ride comfort
- Stiff rigid carbon rails
- Premium construction, finish, and appearance
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Costs $160 more than the Saxon Hill
- 141mm width may not suit every rider
- Firmer 3D-printed material than some competing saddles
Bottom Line
The Trail One Saxon Hill and Sheep Thrills offer nearly identical shapes and dimensions in a performance-oriented design, but their different constructions produce noticeably different ride experiences. At $89, the Saxon Hill is a solid choice for riders who prefer a firm, sporty saddle, while the $249 Sheep Thrills is my pick for its improved pressure distribution, better long-ride comfort, premium construction, and lighter weight.
See the Trail One Components Sheep Thrills product page and the Saxon Hill product page for more information or to purchase.
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