"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Pick my next saddle...

1. I know saddles are very personal and everyone is different but there are better choices to stick to that obviously have way more success.

2. This is in the racing section because I want to hear from people who actually ride their bike.

Anyway I want to stick to the classic tried and true saddles so I don't waste my time and money. Here is what I am looking at.

Selle Italia SLR (or some variation like Genuine Gel, Gel Flow, ect..)
Selle Italia Flite (or some variation like Genuine Gel, Gel Flow, ect..)
Selle San Marco Concor Light
Selle San Marco Regal

I chose these four saddles because I would guess a majority of the peloton are on these or fizik (which I have tried). On Selle Italias site they list all the sponsored teams, all the riders, and every riders saddle. 95% choose either the SLR or Flite.

Any other suggestions feel free to add. I have already tried the Fizik Arione, Fizik Aliante, and Specialized Alias as well as some other non popular saddles. I am looking for something better. Where I can put in hours a day and be fine. Input on what you have tried relating to these will be great. Thanks

Selle San Marco Regal (in Ti if you want to spend more)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2181/2539994065_8589799d3f.jpg

I've got the Sella Italia Flite. After broken in, it is real comfy. No problems with circulation or deadness in the legs.

The new flite looks flatter than the old one.

I loved the SLR but started getting weird sores on one side for no 'real' reason (it was comfortable, but I just had sores after the ride). Since then, I've been unsuccessfully looking for a new saddle. I'm guessing it was something to do with the width of the saddle, which is weird because I used my old one for a year with 0 issues.

Here's something Selle Italia has to say:

http://pronetcycling.com/choosing_a_saddle.htm

I found it interesting that they say that you should raise the nose if you experience soft tissue pain and lower it if you experience sit bone pain. For some reason that sounded counter intuitive, but it makes sense and reminded me that I'd never quite thought about it. So that might help me out as well haha.

i've been on regals, flites, san marco titanio/strada, and aliantes.

in recent years the aliante was my main saddle, but i've recently gone back to the titanio/strada.

the only saddle i'm vaguely curious about, but have not tried, is the concor light.

Pick the one you like the looks of, or try to narrow down wat width you need. They're all tried and true like you say so our opinion doesn't matter

i've been on regals, flites, san marco titanio/strada, and aliantes.

in recent years the aliante was my main saddle, but i've recently gone back to the titanio/strada.

the only saddle i'm vaguely curious about, but have not tried, is the concor light.

I'm still hoping that the titanio/strada works out for me.

I'm trying the flite out right now.

I think I've been moving the saddle the wrong way when issues strike, i.e. moving nose down when soft tissue hurts instead of moving the nose up. I'll try what you suggested with having the saddles 'level' with the 'hammock' in the middle and see where that takes me.

Jynx, the advice above is for the 'classic' saddles which aren't completely flat. The new flite, however, seems to conserve the shape of flite but is flat instead of being slightly rounded.

I think that not taking the time to make small adjustments also leads to giving up on a saddle that's right for you. I think if you start with the saddle 'level' (in the old or new style) and then adjust nose up if you have soft tissue pain or nose down if you have sit bone pain, you can find something that works.

My issue with the titanio was that certain angles would cause it to rub into my left thigh (only the left) while the SLR would give me saddle sores on the right side (only the right). Looking for a happy medium with the titanio because I used to love it, but I ran much less drop earlier than now. Then again, pros run it with tons of drop so I figure that I'll find a sweet spot if I play with the angle. I feel like the winter's the best time for playing with saddles since you're not really racing or doing too much and you can stop along the way and make adjustments.

Thanks for all the responses so far. Another concern is also when looking at Selle Italia saddles is that they have so many versions of the one saddle. If I look at the SLR is it worth it to look at the SLR XP, gel flow, or kit carbonio or just look at the regular one?



i've been on regals, flites, san marco titanio/strada, and aliantes.

I am really liking the regal but how does it compare with a flite. They seem to have a similar shape besides the width. Even though the regal is 150mm wide I have heard that is misleading because of the width at the back and with the rivets and all you are really only sitting on the 130mm or so section in front of the rivets. Does it feel much wider then the flite?

I you are considering the SLR you might want to check out the Selle San Marco Aspide FX. I have the carbon FX on my bikes now and if you'd like to try one out I've got the one with the Ti rails for sale. 50 buck shipped. Carbon railed version weighs in at 119g and I found it (both the carbon and ti version) to be more comfortable than the SLR.

Here's the aspide FX:

http://www.wekeepyoucycling.com/en/pc-105-32-selle-san-marco-aspide-fx-saddle.aspx

EDR: What did you think that the difference was? I might also be interested.

Here's the aspide FX:

http://www.wekeepyoucycling.com/en/pc-105-32-selle-san-marco-aspide-fx-saddle.aspx

EDR: What did you think that the difference was? I might also be interested.

Between the Aspide and the SLR? The SLR has slight crown to the top of the saddle while the Aspide doesn't. The SLR put pressure on the ol'e taint the Aspide doesn't and in Ti form is about the same weight. I've put in several 4-5 hour rides on the Aspide and felt great while the SLR was good for about 2 hours and I was done. So much of this is personal preference of course, I bought the Ti version to sure I liked it as the carbon version ain't cheap.

Between the Aspide and the SLR? The SLR has slight crown to the top of the saddle while the Aspide doesn't. The SLR put pressure on the ol'e taint the Aspide doesn't and in Ti form is about the same weight. I've put in several 4-5 hour rides on the Aspide and felt great while the SLR was good for about 2 hours and I was done. So much of this is personal preference of course, I bought the Ti version to sure I liked it as the carbon version ain't cheap.

Are the widths about the same?

I had a little bit of chafing/saddle sores from the side of the aspide. I'm trying an old school flite right now, so give me a couple of days and I'll let you know!

This is going to sound ridiculous, but I think I want to try one of these:

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1066774_-1_26500_20000_26503

I figure that there might be something to it, and since it's performance you can return without issue if it doesn't work for you.

Ever thought about these jynx?

The saddles on my two main road bikes are a 135g SLR and a Fizik Arione. I have ridden each saddle on 200 km rides and both are fine for me. I keep telling newbies that these things are saddles and not seats. Ride hard enough and it doesn't matter that much what is on the end of your seatpost.

I picked SLR, but really I think the SLC or SLK saddles are a better option. My opinion shouldn't matter F-all, though. You have to pick what works for you.

This is going to sound ridiculous, but I think I want to try one of these:

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1066774_-1_26500_20000_26503

I figure that there might be something to it, and since it's performance you can return without issue if it doesn't work for you.

Ever thought about these jynx?

My LBS has a demo program with all of those saddles. They charge you full price for the saddle and refund the full price when you bring it back. I have not tried it yet although maybe i'll give it a shot.

Anyway looks like I may be trying the SLR first.

The saddles on my two main road bikes are a 135g SLR and a Fizik Arione. I have ridden each saddle on 200 km rides and both are fine for me. I keep telling newbies that these things are saddles and not seats. Ride hard enough and it doesn't matter that much what is on the end of your seatpost.

Truth, but the coach makes me do silly things like recovery rides, and go at aerobic threshold while I'm not doing intensity. That's what hurts.

Honestly, the SLR is the most comfortable saddle I've ridden. I just had all these weird saddle sores at the end of the day to the point where it hurt to walk sometimes. I think it was a width issue. Funny because I'd never had that issue before with it...

Truth, but the coach makes me do silly things like recovery rides, and go at aerobic threshold while I'm not doing intensity. That's what hurts.

Honestly, the SLR is the most comfortable saddle I've ridden. I just had all these weird saddle sores at the end of the day to the point where it hurt to walk sometimes. I think it was a width issue. Funny because I'd never had that issue before with it...

did anything else change? seat height, shorts, ect?

did anything else change? seat height, shorts, ect?

Shorts maybe?

I played with saddle height/angle a bit, but I did that a TON on my old frame too and had no issues. I honestly had 0 numbness/taint issues with the SLR, just weird sores that happened out of the blue. I honestly didn't feel any pain on the bike, and then I discovered that it hurt to walk and then I found I had sores in the shower. Took a week off, sores went away, and then tried saddle again and back they came.

Swapped saddles, and other issues are there, but no sores.

/me=annoyed.

how old is the saddle? maybe it is worn out or has a crack. Honestly it is risky but i would try a new SLR and see.

It's brand new. It was a warranty replacement for one that cracked.

It's a team issue and looks hawt.

Not to hi-jack the thread, but there were a couple saddle threads in the 41 this week, especially Toupe vs. Arione. Seemed that the Toupe is for those who have pressure on the 'soft tissue,' which is why it has the cutout, and that the Arione was for those who needed relief for their sitbones. I am in the sitbone category. I have about 100 miles on this San Marco Ponza and it has gotten to the point where my sitbones get so sore I can barely sit on the bike, let alone head out for a long ride. I don't put any pressure on my soft-tissue, I sit totally on my sitbones, think I should go for the Arione? If it doesn't work out then I'll just sell it back on eBay.

Not to hi-jack the thread, but there were a couple saddle threads in the 41 this week, especially Toupe vs. Arione. Seemed that the Toupe is for those who have pressure on the 'soft tissue,' which is why it has the cutout, and that the Arione was for those who needed relief for their sitbones. I am in the sitbone category. I have about 100 miles on this San Marco Ponza and it has gotten to the point where my sitbones get so sore I can barely sit on the bike, let alone head out for a long ride. I don't put any pressure on my soft-tissue, I sit totally on my sitbones, think I should go for the Arione? If it doesn't work out then I'll just sell it back on eBay.

Buy one on ebay, if it doesn't work, then sell it back.

Thanks for all the responses so far. Another concern is also when looking at Selle Italia saddles is that they have so many versions of the one saddle. If I look at the SLR is it worth it to look at the SLR XP, gel flow, or kit carbonio or just look at the regular one?




I am really liking the regal but how does it compare with a flite. They seem to have a similar shape besides the width. Even though the regal is 150mm wide I have heard that is misleading because of the width at the back and with the rivets and all you are really only sitting on the 130mm or so section in front of the rivets. Does it feel much wider then the flite?

it's been so long that i can't remember.

http://sheldonbrown.com/images/stonesaddle.jpeg

real men ride the real man saddle. (http://sheldonbrown.com/real-man.html)

Seriously though, why would you buy something like a saddle based on what any of us tell you? Go try them and choose for yourself.

Seriously though, why would you buy something like a saddle based on what any of us tell you? Go try them and choose for yourself.

http://jizundel.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/facepalm.jpeg

Did you even read my original post? I am not an idiot when it comes to saddle questions. I know it is very personal and there are many factors contributing to saddle comfort. I even hesitated making this post and have been searching the site for weeks now because I know there is only so much information I can get from word of mouth. However there are still better choices out there. Some saddles just don't work, period. I am looking to try the saddles that have higher success rates. Yes, they may not work for me but I would rather try the saddles that 40% of people have had success with then a saddle that only 3% of people like. At >$100 a saddle I would like to narrow it down to tried and true saddles. That is why I am asking. To try out even just 4 saddles will run more then $500. That is money I don't have to just throw around. At this point I figure I have gotten it down to the 4 most popular saddles out there. Now it is a matter of seeing which of them is most liked which is why I made the poll. Anyway I got my answer. I am going to try the SLR first and see what happens.

http://jizundel.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/facepalm.jpeg

Did you even read my original post? I am not an idiot when it comes to saddle questions. I know it is very personal and there are many factors contributing to saddle comfort. I even hesitated making this post and have been searching the site for weeks now because I know there is only so much information I can get from word of mouth. However there are still better choices out there. Some saddles just don't work, period. I am looking to try the saddles that have higher success rates. Yes, they may not work for me but I would rather try the saddles that 40% of people have had success with then a saddle that only 3% of people like. At >$100 a saddle I would like to narrow it down to tried and true saddles. That is why I am asking. To try out even just 4 saddles will run more then $500. That is money I don't have to just throw around. At this point I figure I have gotten it down to the 4 most popular saddles out there. Now it is a matter of seeing which of them is most liked which is why I made the poll. Anyway I got my answer. I am going to try the SLR first and see what happens.

Talk with your LBS. They'd probably be willing to take a saddle back for credit towards another if you don't like it.

going for a ride

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii141/Jynx0406/saddle.jpg?t=1244311407

going for a ride

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii141/Jynx0406/saddle.jpg?t=1244311407

Woah, they changed the design a lot. The old one has a bit of a 'hammock' to it. I'll take a side view picture when I get back from my ride. Haha.

Methinks you'll want to nose it up a little on your ride ;)

Just walked in the door now. Went for about an hour (about 15 miles). I rode slow so I could get a feel for the saddle (It seems like an hour riding slow feels the same as 2 hours in the saddle at a faster pace).

Anyway the saddle feels pretty good right off the bat. I also didnt want to go out for too long of a ride since I am not used to the saddle and need to dial in the position still.

First Impressions:

I was VERY hesitant getting the Flite because it is listed as 130mm wide. My Arione is a little bit narrow and this is 2mm narrower. When I saw it in person it is pretty wide. I would guess it is measured differently then fizik. Definately not narrower then the arione.

I have ridden the alias which chafed/bothered me at the crease of my leg from the sharp edge on the side. The best part of the flite is the really rounded sides. At full extension there is no pinching like the specialized saddles. I liked the arione because of this (wing flex) but it was too soft and a little too narrow.


Woah, they changed the design a lot. The old one has a bit of a 'hammock' to it. I'll take a side view picture when I get back from my ride. Haha.

Methinks you'll want to nose it up a little on your ride ;)

It is funny you mention that. Since I just got back I was about to post this:

I started the saddle at level. When on the ride I found every now and then I would have to scoot back on the saddle. When I scooted back it was super comfortable. About 10 minutes later I found myself forward and needing to scoot back again. My question is that seems like I should nose up a little bit right? Thanks

I switched from Arione to Toupe 130 and took my first ride on it today. I was having numbness issues with the Arione, and those are completely gone. The only problem is I'm not sure if my sit bones can handle the Toupe. After about 2 1/2 hours of somewhat easy (low tempo/aerobic) riding, my sit bones were screaming at me. I'm assuming that it'll get better and it's just becuase I haven't ridden on my site bones in a while.

What problem were you having with your old saddle? Did you have sit bone pain, or too much pressure and numbness somewhere?

What problem were you having with your old saddle? Did you have sit bone pain, or too much pressure and numbness somewhere?

Any problem I have with saddles is always to much pressure on the perenium and soft tissues up front. I can take the pain on sitbones no problem as after a couple of months you build up an ability to not be bothered by it. The arione was good but to soft for me and would cause problems after 30 - 40 miles.

Yeah Jynx, nose it up a little. I think you'll like that more. It'll put a little more weight on your sit bones, and you won't slide around as much.

An hour of slow riding feels like 2 of fast riding on a saddle because you lift yourself off less. I know a saddle probably won't work for me if I'm sitting up with my hands on the tops and pedaling easy, and it starts to kill me. Especially if I'm hurting in places I've never felt before on a saddle haha.

I've been riding mine for over a week now, and it still hurts like hell for the first 15 or so minutes. But only on the sitbones. I think I'm going to stick to this saddle till at least the winter when I might try a bontrager RL saddle or a toupe. Probably not though, I don't find the need to anymore!

I'm using the old school flites. I'm a little curious about the new one because it's flatter and more rounded. I like the saddle a lot but I'm finding that I'm getting a little bit of thigh rub/muscle annoyance from the edges. No deal breaker for me though, I'm happy.

Yeah Jynx, nose it up a little. I think you'll like that more. It'll put a little more weight on your sit bones, and you won't slide around as much.

I'm using the old school flites. I'm a little curious about the new one because it's flatter and more rounded. I like the saddle a lot but I'm finding that I'm getting a little bit of thigh rub/muscle annoyance from the edges. No deal breaker for me though, I'm happy.

I nosed up a little bit (about 2* according to the seatpost markings) so it is just slightly nose up from level. Not sure if its enough but ill go out for another ride tomorow and see if its better.

Definately check out the new flites. I really think I found the best of all worlds for me. I am still curious about the SLR and will probably eventually try it but the flite is great. It has round sides for no chaffing and sharp edges, narrow for max movement but also wide enough for sit bone support. The flites are common for a reason and I really love this picture:

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/mike9903/RABOBANKSUFFERS.jpg

From what I've been told (by botto and others) the old ones were better, or the people who liked the old ones don't really like the new ones, or something like that...

I think the lack of a rounded profile on the SLR is what caused my eventual issues. I'm also guessing that the titanio saddle had just a hair too much padding for me, especially after I put on a little weight.

going for another ride

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii141/Jynx0406/SLRXP1.jpg?t=1244585936

It's an SLR XP. New, but a 2005 model judging by the stamp on the bottom. I talked to selle italia a bunch about their saddles (they have great customer support if you can get by the broken english lol). I wanted to know all about the team edition saddle since i know the pros are riding different saddles then the regular people. You can also tell because the SLR is 135g, team is 150g with carbon rails and the XP is 180g (mine is an older 165g model). So they said the team edition has the same thickness of padding as the XP but they use a more dense foam. Then they shave the weight back down with carbon rails. I figured I'd try the XP and see what happens since i dont like the carbon rails on the team edition.

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii141/Jynx0406/SLRXP3.jpg

I actually went back to the LBS were I bought the flite and exchanged it. I put in a bunch more rides and figured I should keep looking. It was good and I can see why people like it but I think there can be better for me. It was a little too flat from front to back. It was literally a straight line. After 40 miles I could feel it. I like something with a slight curve from front to back and flat from side to side. I did a quick ride on the SLR already and it seems better then the flite (more pressure on the sit bones). Ill give it a long ride later today and throughout the week. Plus the SLR was $50+ cheaper than the flight.

The new flite looks flatter than the old one.

I loved the SLR but started getting weird sores on one side for no 'real' reason (it was comfortable, but I just had sores after the ride). Since then, I've been unsuccessfully looking for a new saddle. I'm guessing it was something to do with the width of the saddle, which is weird because I used my old one for a year with 0 issues.


Interesting. I used to have this very same problem, sores on one side and all with the SLR gel flow saddle. I did two things. I switched to the flite and I move the cleat backwards about 3-4mm on the shoe on the side with the sores. I figured it was a leg length issue with me; the leg on the side with the sores was longer than the other side, and I was tilting my pelvis and sliding to one side of the saddle to compensate, giving me the sores. I moved the cleat on the long leg backwards to compensate.

Now the sores are healing, finally (I had them for over a year).