Professional Cycling - Are pros allowed to choose their own saddles?

what else can they choose to use on their bikes?

their choice of computer? Brand of handle bars?

Where do the limits of sponsorships stop?

In theory they get to choose very little. However rebadging is not an uncommon procedure in pro cycling. Also Axle Merkx got special premission from Lottos bike sponsor to use his dad bikes.

It really depends on how big of a name you are. If you're a big name rider they usually can get wheels, frames, etc. "re-baged" (painted with the same paint scheme as the sponsor's stuff), but if you're a lowly domestic on a smaller team I imagine you're pretty much stuck with what you get for free.

You can ride any brand shoe you want, you can use any brand saddle you want, although the saddle may be reabadged at the teams sponsors request. No one is going to expect you to risk injury for appearence sakes..

Most riders won't put their shoes in there checked luggage when flying, they take them in the carry on, because getting spares, or some that are broken in is tough on such short notice, Indurain used to carry his saddle with him on all transfers..

You can ride any brand shoe you want, you can use any brand saddle you want, although the saddle may be reabadged at the teams sponsors request. No one is going to expect you to risk injury for appearence sakes..

Most riders won't put their shoes in there checked luggage when flying, they take them in the carry on, because getting spares, or some that are broken in is tough on such short notice, Indurain used to carry his saddle with him on all transfers..

Can you still have a saddle as "carry-on" or could that be used as a weapon? :rolleyes:

If I were a pro racer I probably would insist on a Brooks saddle, maybe a Swift, Swallow or Team Pro. I'm simply not comfortable with anything else on long-distance rides. Would racing teams allow that, even if I purchased it myself?

Can you still have a saddle as "carry-on" or could that be used as a weapon? :rolleyes:


As long as you left the seatpost on the bike, you'd be fine...
:D

thanks for the replies

If I were a pro racer I probably would insist on a Brooks saddle, maybe a Swift, Swallow or Team Pro. I'm simply not comfortable with anything else on long-distance rides. Would racing teams allow that, even if I purchased it myself?

I'm sure the Brooks saddles are too heavy by professional standards.

I'm sure the Brooks saddles are too heavy by professional standards.

When they have to drop chains in seat tubes, and put lead weights on bikes, I think you could get away with with a real comfy saddle instead!!

Quote from the July 2004 Edition of Mens Journal. Page 63 article about Lance armstrongs equipment.



"Saddle
Armstrong could save more than a quarter pund by installing a carbon-fiber saddle but he incongruosly prefers to perch on the classic leather Selle San Marco Concor Light, useing a carpenter's level to be sure it's parrallel to his top tube. "

hmmmm........I see


http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=photos/2004/tech/features/pinarello/CN-Giro-Pin_Espada_05

looks like he also liked the old Turbos


http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2004/features/pinarello

Miguelon LOVED the Selle Italia Turbo......

1. Look at the size of the big dog on that bike.
2. Look at the length of those cranks!

I wondered why you hadn't chimed in on this newbie thread of mine :)

That was '96 -- were there many other saddle choices back then?

What about my newbie question at the top of the page :p

He also had this one in '94. Looks the yellow tip "click click" version which gripped and twisted the knicks

he he!!

Actually have to do some work today!!

As for your query, shoes, pedals and saddles are molto personal for pros, so the team will generally accomodate them....up to a point. I guess the bigger the name, the more clout he has to do what he wants.

I know ITM still make bars on request for Brad McGee that aren't retailed....and Cipo used to ride only re-sprayed De Rosas up uintil Saeco teamed up with Cannondale.

Quote from the July 2004 Edition of Mens Journal. Page 63 article about Lance armstrongs equipment.


Lance was riding a bontrager saddle the other day if you noticed on the tv.

those pedals weigh more than Lance's bike

Lance was riding a bontrager saddle the other day if you noticed on the tv.

It has the exact same shape and notch under the nose as a concor light, and since the shape is probably patented, my guess is that its been recovered. I've seen Selle Italia Flite Saddles (easily recognizable) with selle san marco on the cover.

ISelle Italia Flite Saddles
:love: :love:

From Velonews:


Question: Are the saddles ridden by Discovery really Bontrager or just Bontrager covers - because no other Bontrager saddles made have a "B" logo on the nose.

Answer from Trek's Scott Daubert: This year the seats are Selle San Marco seats with a Bontrager cover. Selle San Marco is Bontrager's seat manufacturer. For 2006, the team will be on Bontrager-designed seats made by Selle San Marco.

do they still use rebadged Hutchinsons? :)