The Saddle Lineage Thread
03-12-08, 03:26 PM
#1
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The Saddle Lineage Thread
The Saddle Lineage thread:
Whereas, saddles are a component primarily seeking to provide comfort;
Whereas, saddles are highly specific pieces of equipment relying on the correct match of man and machine;
Whereas, talking of the intrinsic comfort of a saddle is illogical;
Whereas, there is an assumed relation among people who settle on a particular saddle;
The below posters provide, as a service to others, the lineage of their saddle usage. There is to be no arguments made for a saddle being intrinsically comfortable. List the saddles you used, preferably in order, on your quest to a comfortable gooch and the one you've settled on. Feel free to list what didn't work in your experience on the discarded saddles.
Mine: Specialized Toupe --> Fizik Arione --> ???
I have yet to find my perfect saddle, thus the thread. I think I need a cut out becuase there's too much pressure on my taint from the Arione. The Toupe just isn't working me, either. I'm thinking Selle Italia's Gel Flow SLR or Gel Flow Flite. But maybe someone with a similar lineage to mine settled on a Fizik Aliante - I'd like to have that info. See what I mean? I can't think of a better way to inform saddle choice short of test rides.
Whereas, saddles are a component primarily seeking to provide comfort;
Whereas, saddles are highly specific pieces of equipment relying on the correct match of man and machine;
Whereas, talking of the intrinsic comfort of a saddle is illogical;
Whereas, there is an assumed relation among people who settle on a particular saddle;
The below posters provide, as a service to others, the lineage of their saddle usage. There is to be no arguments made for a saddle being intrinsically comfortable. List the saddles you used, preferably in order, on your quest to a comfortable gooch and the one you've settled on. Feel free to list what didn't work in your experience on the discarded saddles.
Mine: Specialized Toupe --> Fizik Arione --> ???
I have yet to find my perfect saddle, thus the thread. I think I need a cut out becuase there's too much pressure on my taint from the Arione. The Toupe just isn't working me, either. I'm thinking Selle Italia's Gel Flow SLR or Gel Flow Flite. But maybe someone with a similar lineage to mine settled on a Fizik Aliante - I'd like to have that info. See what I mean? I can't think of a better way to inform saddle choice short of test rides.
03-12-08, 04:32 PM
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The Saddle Lineage thread:
Whereas, saddles are a component primarily seeking to provide comfort;
Whereas, saddles are highly specific pieces of equipment relying on the correct match of man and machine;
Whereas, talking of the intrinsic comfort of a saddle is illogical;
Whereas, there is an assumed relation among people who settle on a particular saddle;
The below posters provide, as a service to others, the lineage of their saddle usage. There is to be no arguments made for a saddle being intrinsically comfortable. List the saddles you used, preferably in order, on your quest to a comfortable gooch and the one you've settled on. Feel free to list what didn't work in your experience on the discarded saddles.
Mine: Specialized Toupe --> Fizik Arione --> ???
I have yet to find my perfect saddle, thus the thread. I think I need a cut out becuase there's too much pressure on my taint from the Arione. The Toupe just isn't working me, either. I'm thinking Selle Italia's Gel Flow SLR or Gel Flow Flite. But maybe someone with a similar lineage to mine settled on a Fizik Aliante - I'd like to have that info. See what I mean? I can't think of a better way to inform saddle choice short of test rides.
Whereas, saddles are a component primarily seeking to provide comfort;
Whereas, saddles are highly specific pieces of equipment relying on the correct match of man and machine;
Whereas, talking of the intrinsic comfort of a saddle is illogical;
Whereas, there is an assumed relation among people who settle on a particular saddle;
The below posters provide, as a service to others, the lineage of their saddle usage. There is to be no arguments made for a saddle being intrinsically comfortable. List the saddles you used, preferably in order, on your quest to a comfortable gooch and the one you've settled on. Feel free to list what didn't work in your experience on the discarded saddles.
Mine: Specialized Toupe --> Fizik Arione --> ???
I have yet to find my perfect saddle, thus the thread. I think I need a cut out becuase there's too much pressure on my taint from the Arione. The Toupe just isn't working me, either. I'm thinking Selle Italia's Gel Flow SLR or Gel Flow Flite. But maybe someone with a similar lineage to mine settled on a Fizik Aliante - I'd like to have that info. See what I mean? I can't think of a better way to inform saddle choice short of test rides.
In the present: Brooks B17
I'm finished looking for saddles, I have found the one that works for me. My next saddle(s) (for one or more of my other bicycles) will also be the Brooks B17.
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03-12-08, 04:41 PM
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turbo>flite>strada>aliante/strada/flite*
flite has probably received the most 'saddle time'
* 3 different saddles on 4 different bikes.
flite has probably received the most 'saddle time'
* 3 different saddles on 4 different bikes.
Last edited by botto; 03-12-08 at 05:12 PM.
03-12-08, 04:46 PM
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My Allez came with a saddle that appears to be basically a cheaper version of the Alias. It has a cutout. When I got my TCR, it came with an Aliante Sport, essentially a cheaper OEM version of the Aliante. I was initially concerned about the different shape and lack of cutout. Concern was unfounded, and Aliante was found to be at least as comfortable as Allez, and eventually moreso. Meanwhile I became curious about the Arione. It looked cool, people I knew had them, etc. But my saddle worked for me so I didn't do anything. I got in an accident (hit by car) and borrowed shop owners bike while mine was being taken care of. He had some funky wtb saddle. It felt kinda funny but I got used to it very quickly.
My conclusion was that my butt didn't really care too much about what was underneath it. Decided I would try the arrione but could never decide which model I wanted. I needed a new saddle after my accident and ended up getting a take-off aliante sport for not much money. Same thing I had before, but with red accents. Eventually the shop got an Arione in a color combination I liked (k:ium with red stripe) and I bought it on impulse. I liked the Arione better than the Aliante, mostly because of the extended shape. There was lots of room to move around to adjust my position. I could get more forward and still be on the saddle and I could go further back and still have plenty of support.
Then I got a tarmac. It has as Toupe Team. I don't care for it much, I liked the Arione much better. I still have the Arione on the TCR. It is much more comfortable over longer distances, and tolerable in casual clothes (whereas whenever I ride the tarmac in casual clothes I end up standing most of the time). I am going to replace it with an Arione, trying to decide between the k:1 or cx. The Toupe doesn't bother me enough that I feel like I have to ditch it immediately. I've put 1200 miles on the Toupe so I don't think its a matter of "getting used to it".
I also had a a few other saddles on my Allez. After I got the TCR I turned it into a TT bike and got a Serfas tri/tt saddle, until I backed the car into an overhang with the bike on top and sheared it off (doh). I got an Arione Tri to replace it and was very happy with that.
Arione CX (carbon):
My conclusion was that my butt didn't really care too much about what was underneath it. Decided I would try the arrione but could never decide which model I wanted. I needed a new saddle after my accident and ended up getting a take-off aliante sport for not much money. Same thing I had before, but with red accents. Eventually the shop got an Arione in a color combination I liked (k:ium with red stripe) and I bought it on impulse. I liked the Arione better than the Aliante, mostly because of the extended shape. There was lots of room to move around to adjust my position. I could get more forward and still be on the saddle and I could go further back and still have plenty of support.
Then I got a tarmac. It has as Toupe Team. I don't care for it much, I liked the Arione much better. I still have the Arione on the TCR. It is much more comfortable over longer distances, and tolerable in casual clothes (whereas whenever I ride the tarmac in casual clothes I end up standing most of the time). I am going to replace it with an Arione, trying to decide between the k:1 or cx. The Toupe doesn't bother me enough that I feel like I have to ditch it immediately. I've put 1200 miles on the Toupe so I don't think its a matter of "getting used to it".
I also had a a few other saddles on my Allez. After I got the TCR I turned it into a TT bike and got a Serfas tri/tt saddle, until I backed the car into an overhang with the bike on top and sheared it off (doh). I got an Arione Tri to replace it and was very happy with that.
Arione CX (carbon):
03-12-08, 04:57 PM
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Selle Royal Shark (horrible ass hatchet) > Specialized BG Comp (too heavy, too soft, too ugly) > Selle Italia Flite Ti (ahhhh!) > Selle Italia Flite Ti > Selle Italia Flite Ti
03-12-08, 04:59 PM
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Sorry I didn't realize the format you wanted:
Specialized Alias-like --> Fizik Aliante Sport/WTB --> Fizik Arione k:ium
|
|
V
Serfas Tri -> Fizik Arione Tri
Specialized Toupe -> Arione CX Carbon*
* Likely replacement
Specialized Alias-like --> Fizik Aliante Sport/WTB --> Fizik Arione k:ium
|
|
V
Serfas Tri -> Fizik Arione Tri
Specialized Toupe -> Arione CX Carbon*
* Likely replacement
03-12-08, 07:51 PM
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Specialized Alias -> Arione -> Toupe Team -> Selle Italia Flite Gel Flow -> Selle Italia Signo Gel Flow -> Selle Italia SLC Gel Flow -> Toupe Team
Now I swap out the SLC and the Toupe as necessary
Now I swap out the SLC and the Toupe as necessary
03-12-08, 08:16 PM
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selle italia aspide -> toupe 130 -> toupe 143 -> Arione
03-12-08, 09:17 PM
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Kashimax Sport>No Name Saddle>Specialized Avatar 130>Selle Italia X2 Trans Am>Selle SMP Strike Evolution
03-12-08, 09:23 PM
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03-12-08, 09:42 PM
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03-13-08, 10:08 AM
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We are talking long-term memory here...
Brooks Professional -> 1st gen Flite -> San Marco Aspide Arrowhead -> SLR Gel Flow
The Aspide was my first attempt last summer to find a saddle with a cutaway that was shaped like my first-generation Flite. It didn't work for me (I gave it 1000 miles). The SLR Gel Flow fits like the old Flite and it doesn't weigh much more (around 15 grams, for the weight weenies
).
-soma5
Brooks Professional -> 1st gen Flite -> San Marco Aspide Arrowhead -> SLR Gel Flow
The Aspide was my first attempt last summer to find a saddle with a cutaway that was shaped like my first-generation Flite. It didn't work for me (I gave it 1000 miles). The SLR Gel Flow fits like the old Flite and it doesn't weigh much more (around 15 grams, for the weight weenies
).-soma5
03-13-08, 11:04 AM
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flite > slk > slk and slr
Anything with a flat top form factor is fine by me (SLK, SLR)
Anything with a flat top form factor is fine by me (SLK, SLR)
03-13-08, 12:25 PM
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Flite>Flite Trans Am>Flite Gel Flow>Fizik aliente>Fizik Arione>San Marco Aspide>SMP Pro>SMP Glider>SMP Composit>SMP Evolution>SMP Glider> SMP Stratos> SMP Glider
03-13-08, 12:55 PM
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Random Saddle that was on my first "borrowed" road bike -> Bontrager Race-Lux -> Specialized Gel Avatar -> Arione -> Back to Avatar. I'm currently trying to find a 143 toupe to trade my arione for.
I really liked the narrow profile of the Arione but I apparently need a cutout because after a week or so on the Arione I had yet to ride without going numb at least once per ride. The Avatar is a comfortable saddle and I don't go numb on it, but I'd love to give the toupe a try.
I also ride an old white Turbo on my daily commuter.
-Jeremy
I really liked the narrow profile of the Arione but I apparently need a cutout because after a week or so on the Arione I had yet to ride without going numb at least once per ride. The Avatar is a comfortable saddle and I don't go numb on it, but I'd love to give the toupe a try.
I also ride an old white Turbo on my daily commuter.
-Jeremy
03-13-08, 02:15 PM
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Random Serfas saddle w. ti rails -> Specialized Alias 143 (the old model) -> ???
The Alias is getting old. This is the one with stitching and it kind of wears on my shorts a bit. Not serious enough for me to care about it. I'd like to try a different saddle, because I'm not sure this one is right for me. After about 30 miles my ass starts hating it. But it's not a huge deal really.
The Alias is getting old. This is the one with stitching and it kind of wears on my shorts a bit. Not serious enough for me to care about it. I'd like to try a different saddle, because I'm not sure this one is right for me. After about 30 miles my ass starts hating it. But it's not a huge deal really.