Road Cycling - Need saddle - what to buy....

I am looking at buying a saddle. Confused on what to buy - selle italia or selle san marco or any other brands? Also need specific model of either of the 2 brands and of course need a light saddle and a comfortable one. I weigh about 150 lbs. Any recommendation is of help. Thanks.

It's like everything else in cycling, mostly depends on what feels right to you. Some swear by Brooks, others by Selle Italia or San Marco. But for those of us in the "know" ride Terry Fly Ti saddles:D I'd go to a store that has a decent exchange policy for the saddles and try each out for a few days before deciding.

I'm sure I won't be the first to recommend Brooks saddles. If you need it lightweight, the Swift w/ titanium rails would be a good choice. If you get one from Wallingford Bicycle Parts, you'll also get a 6 month unconditional guarantee where you can return it if it doesn't work for you (although you'll probably just keep it :) .) Here's the URL:

http://www.wallbike.com/Products2.html#guarantee

Personally after a few experiments I've found the Selle Italia Flite the best fit for me, but my backside might be different to yours...

But for those of us in the "know" ride Terry Fly Ti saddles:D
I just traded my 1-1/2 year old Terry Fly Ti for a Selle Italia SLK.
It's still kinda early for an accurate review but the SLK seems more comfortable. The extra padding in the Terry doesn't help.


I'd go to a store that has a decent exchange policy for the saddles and try each out for a few days before deciding.
The only store I've found that will let me do this is REI and they don't sell any saddles I'm interested in. :crash:

I agree with RonH. I had a Terry and the extra padding if anything made the saddle more uncomfortable. So far the perfect saddle for me is the Selle Italia Prolink trans Am. This saddle is a little heavier but is all day comfortable. One saddle that I've seen good reviews on that is lighter is the Fizik Aireon. When they hit the market I plan on trying one.

My all time favorite saddle is the Sella Italia Turbomatic 3 I have done several double centuries with the Turbo great and they last but I don't know if they are still made .

Selle Italie Pro-Link, not terribly light but comfortable.

I've used The San Marco Rolls for approx. 15 years now, and have tried a Flite, Terry Fly, Era, Etc. among others, but always go back to the Rolls. Saddles with the cut outs add no comfort for me... A close 2nd and similarly designed saddle (to the Rolls) was an Avocet 'Racing' saddle which I also like.

Hasn't been mentioned yet so I'll throw it out: Koobi AU Enduro. It's a bit wider in the back, I was specifically looking for that. Not terribly soft, but not rock hard either. Comfortable for century rides. Don't know that they're sold thru stores, but they come with a 30 day no-questions-asked return policy. Don't like it, send it back & ya get your dough back.

Sella Italia Prolink TA Gel.

san marco regal, comfort of a brooks (almost) but
more modern looking. Another good one soon to be
released Brooks B17 Swallow, Ti so its light and very
retro racing. Pictures Here, scroll down to 3rd pic.CR interbike pics- Brooks (http://www.cyclesdeoro.com/Interbike/2003/interbike_03_pics3.htm)

Love, LOVE my Fizik Aliante carbon. Shaped well. I've been on Selle Italia saddles and just can't find one that works. They have a ti railed version that's not as outrageously priced. I've read much hype about the Areone, too, but have yet to see one or talk to anyone that has ridden one.

And REI's saddle selection sucks. Only one of their stores that has any good bike stuff selection is the downtown Denver store, in my experience. Found some Castelli bibs on sale there once.

Love, LOVE my Fizik Aliante carbon

I LOVE my carbon Aliante. It's buttah for the booty and worth every penny.

Another good thing to look at is mtbreview (http://www.mtbreview.com/reviews/saddle/) and roadbikereview (http://roadbikereview.com/Saddles/PLS_2509crx.aspx) for saddles. I got a few ideas from there before testing each out. I find it pretty odd that no stores around you let you test a saddle out for a few days, everyone around here was pretty helpful.

There is only ONE saddle, the Brooks B.17. Anything else is a waste of money.

Thanks to all who posted their inputs. Will surely consider all the advices.

After I got my Koobi AU Enduro, I no longer think about the saddle. (too damn comfy)

I am looking at buying a saddle. Confused on what to buy - selle italia or selle san marco or any other brands? Also need specific model of either of the 2 brands and of course need a light saddle and a comfortable one. I weigh about 150 lbs. Any recommendation is of help. Thanks.

Saddles are really a BIG gamble. Who wants to lay out $60 to $100 for something that they can't try out first and most likely can't return once they've mounted it and used it? The first replacement saddle I picked up about four years ago is a Selle Italia Max Flite TransAm. It was purchased after asking for suggestions and comments on another cycling forum. Selle Italia craftsmanship is what I'd expect for a $75 bicycle seat. The Max Flite TransAm is an all day comfortable seat. When I'm on a MS150 or a club century, I ride my bike with the TransAm seat. On another road bike I have a Selle Italia Flite Genuine Gel. It is more comfortable than I thought it would be. But once I've been on it for 50 miles or more, I have to stand up more often. It's a beatiful seat, with all the fancy materials, but the TransAm is way more comfortable. I weigh around 163. I have about 7,800 on the TransAm and about 1000 miles on the Flite Gel.

Brooks B-17 - Simply the best saddle I have ever encountered. Amazingly comfortable, and looks great.

If weight is a serious issue, check out the other saddles in the Brooks line like the swift.

I LOVE my Brooks! I even got a B-17 for my grocery getter bike, though it may be used on my fixed gear project instead... eventually I will probably get a swift for the fixie and the B-17 will finally find it's way onto the grocery getter.

Oh yea, and if you get a Brooks you will never need to replace it.

You will easily get 20 or 30 years out of it if you take care of it. If it starts to get too loose, it can be re-tensioned with a bolt on the bottom.

No plastic, Jell, or any other space aged crap on these things. Just Leather and Metal.

The best saddle in the workd?

The one that fits my bum.

Take your saddle and stuff it. Mine is the only one I want to talk about because only mine is the best (for me).

Selle Italie Pro-Link, not terribly light but comfortable.

Ditto. Get the Trans Am style.

I went to the LBS, and we played musical chairs with about 5 saddles. I liked the Fizik Aliante the best. Granted, it's expensive, but it feels great. The seat is made of carbon fiber, so it is supportive and flexes. It's not hard, not soft, just supportive.
Runner up was the Selle Italia pro link.

Since saddles are such a personal thing, you really gotta go out and try them for yourself. Show up with your bike and bike-shorts, and hop on the trainer and play musical chairs yourself.

i started riding when i was 40 and the thing that almost made me stop was the saddle. gel for comfort? split for my boys? i have a box of very good very expensive old ones; selle flight gel, and specialized ergo butt number, which ill gladly sell to any of you shaved legged pervo boys.
i highly, highly reccommend the selle slr. form follows fuction. the damn thing just makes so much sense. no bells or whistles, just a simple place to park it. cool colors too!!!!!

i have a box of very good very expensive old ones; selle flight gel, and specialized ergo butt number, which ill gladly sell to any of you shaved legged pervo boys.

:roflmao:

Need to borrow this thread.

i weigh approx 150lb and using a Selle italia Flite Genuine Gel for almost half year already. Hurts like no tomorrow after 30miles and i guess it's time to make a change for something more comfy. Any suggestions? I'm considering selle italia SLR, or a Flite Trans Am, are these comfy enough?

Love, LOVE my Fizik Aliante carbon.

I agree, worth every penny!

Anyone try the new Fizik Arione or Gobi? It looks pretty comfortable, but I haven't found anyone that has tried one.

Saddle Company FLOW saddle is a fairly new outfit. It's made out of a kind of mesh, is light and conforms to the shape of your body much like a broken-in Brooks. Only there is no break-in time. It ain't cheap though. But anything that saves my arse is worth the money.

Need to borrow this thread.

i weigh approx 150lb and using a Selle italia Flite Genuine Gel for almost half year already. Hurts like no tomorrow after 30miles and i guess it's time to make a change for something more comfy. Any suggestions? I'm considering selle italia SLR, or a Flite Trans Am, are these comfy enough?

w417h3r- how many miles do you have on your flite gel? the reason i ask is i'm on a selle italia octavia trans am, and for the 1st 300mi it also hurt after 30miles or so. then after about 500mi or so i could go 70-80mi with no problem. you might just need some more miles on it to either get the seat broken in, or your rear used to the seat. if you've got plenty of miles already on it and it's just not getting any better, you might try the si prolink gel, or the tubomatic 4. i've ridden the prolink gel with the carbon rails and they're nice. also check out roadbikereview.com for their review of saddles for more comments if you haven't already. good luck :) . btw, how's the riding in singapore?

w417h3r- how many miles do you have on your flite gel? the reason i ask is i'm on a selle italia octavia trans am, and for the 1st 300mi it also hurt after 30miles or so. then after about 500mi or so i could go 70-80mi with no problem. you might just need some more miles on it to either get the seat broken in, or your rear used to the seat. if you've got plenty of miles already on it and it's just not getting any better, you might try the si prolink gel, or the tubomatic 4. i've ridden the prolink gel with the carbon rails and they're nice. also check out roadbikereview.com for their review of saddles for more comments if you haven't already. good luck :) . btw, how's the riding in singapore?

Approximately 190 miles on my Flite genuine gel, i guess i still hav some ways to go compared to your 300. =) Riding in singapore is pretty fun, but not flat - we have lots hilly areas, though not that high to begin with, is no good for cyclists. Besides the hot and humid climate here isn't making things easier, day cycling can be pretty demanding as constant hydration is key. But i find it rather nice to cycle in light rain, cool and less need for water. =P

Approximately 190 miles on my Flite genuine gel, i guess i still hav some ways to go compared to your 300. =) Riding in singapore is pretty fun, but not flat - we have lots hilly areas, though not that high to begin with, is no good for cyclists. Besides the hot and humid climate here isn't making things easier, day cycling can be pretty demanding as constant hydration is key. But i find it rather nice to cycle in light rain, cool and less need for water. =P


FOr my wet weather boike--a selle italia transam--the slightly wider model. Plastic fantastic. Cut-a-way nad sector. Pretty comfy. OK.

For the dry...a be-yoo-ti-ful Brooks (pre-sellout) Ti Swift. in that nice brown color. Really sweet unit. Hammered copper pegs. Real nice.

FOr my wet weather boike--a selle italia transam--the slightly wider model. Plastic fantastic. Cut-a-way nad sector. Pretty comfy. OK.

For the dry...a be-yoo-ti-ful Brooks (pre-sellout) Ti Swift. in that nice brown color. Really sweet unit. Hammered copper pegs. Real nice.

Brooks saddles don't hold up well in wet weather? My friend is intereted in the B17 but with the wet season just coming around he may have to wait I guess.

Brooks saddles don't hold up well in wet weather? Yes that's the one disadvantange of a brooks. If you ride it soaking wet you will stretch the leather and it won't last as long. All it takes is Proofide on the bottom and a saddle cover for most conditions, though. I carry a saddle cover tucked underneath my Ti B17 (best saddle ever) just in case. When I know I'm in for serious rain or doing cross, I switch it out for a Ti Flight.

-s

Saddle Company FLOW saddle is a fairly new outfit. It's made out of a kind of mesh, is light and conforms to the shape of your body much like a broken-in Brooks. Only there is no break-in time. It ain't cheap though. But anything that saves my arse is worth the money.


Dittos to what ljbike said.

Here's the web site. Saddleco (http://www.saddleco.com)

I am looking at buying a saddle. Confused on what to buy - selle italia or selle san marco or any other brands? Also need specific model of either of the 2 brands and of course need a light saddle and a comfortable one. I weigh about 150 lbs. Any recommendation is of help. Thanks.

There is no "best" bicycle saddle as I'm sure each of us is aware. That being said, there are probably a number of bike saddles that have pleased their owners by a combination of value, comfort, durability, appearance etc.

Two seats that have pleased me are the Selle Italia Max Flite TransAm and the Selle Italia Flite Genuine Gel. I've clocked about 7,800 miles on the TransAm and about 1,000 on the Flite Genuine Gel. The TransAm is an all day seat. When I do a century or a MS150, I always take the bike with the TransAm seat. I won't say the seat is actually comfortable. But, the discomfort is minimal and doesn't leave you in pain. The Flite Genuine Gel was purchased because it came in red and black. I older bike I just restored was refinished in a red & black scheme. For me it is good for 60-70 miles or so, before the posterior discomfort makes me wish I were on the TransAm. Good luck!!

Just finished my third ride on the new Fizik Airone Saddle. Longest so far was just over 2 hours. Very comfortable and two of the hype items really work. The flex sides do in fact flex and the saddle allows more than one position which I like. I have been riding a Terry Fly Gel which after a few hours the gel got uncomfortable so decided to try a carbon saddle. Plug for my LBS, after going on line to most catalog services and finding out that the Arione was not in stock I went to my LBS. They said they could order from the same distributor as the catalog co.s. In fact, I got my saddle one day before I received an e-mail from 2 catalog services that the product was now in stock. As a bonus, he beat the best price by $15. considering tax vs. shipping as cancelling out.

Someone already said it - Selle Italia Rolls and the Turbo/tubomatic from the 1980's were great saddles. You can find them as New Old Stock now and then on Ebay or in classified listings. The old San Marco Concors from the 80's were also nice.

Has anyone ridden the new San Marco Concor Lite? I was thinking about trying it - but saddles are so expensive to just try.

I've been riding on KOOBI for about 3 years now & wouldn't trade for any other saddle out there. However, I'll agree it is all about personal preference.

i have a box of very good very expensive old ones; selle flight gel, and specialized ergo butt number, which ill gladly sell to any of you shaved legged pervo boys.

:roflmao:

whats the lightest saddle you have, and how much would you let it go for?

to be honest, i could give a damn how hard a seat is when i'm in "the zone" aka during a hard ride or a race. i just want something close to non-existant to rest my bum on. I can always swap it out in 5 minutes time for long rides where comfort is key.

Anyone try the new Fizik Arione or Gobi? It looks pretty comfortable, but I haven't found anyone that has tried one.

I have tried the Arione during the 24 hour ride I did. No problems, none, no soreness or anything. Looking for the Limited Edition Yellow now. The LBS here does this: Try the saddle, ride it for a month, if you don't like it we will buy it back, for the Arione only. Owner says he has never had one returned, and I know why.

The seat flexs to fit your body style in that region. Also the wings flex in so that you creat a custom seatbed that is supportive and allows for free movement.

http://www.fizik.it/arione/Arione.aspx