Nimitz87

went on tonight's LBS hammer fest and test road the SMP evolution, was in a super rush and didn't get it dialed in and was leaning to far forward...BUT I had zero numbing, no pain, but could definitely feel that all 205lb of me was being supported by my sit bones.

the evolution is 266x129mm, I'm currently riding an Arione and it's great for shorter rides but 40+ mi and I start to go numb.

however this ride was to short (25mi) and the true test will be tom on a planned 40+ ride, might push for a metric depending on how the saddle feels.

does anyone have any tips on how to set this thing up?

also would I know immediately if it was to narrow for me? it is slightly more narrow than the Arione, but they didn't have the Stratos which is the same width...

one of the GREAT things about this saddle...the drops, I could ride in the drops all day with this saddle without any additional pressure...

Chad

ridethecliche

I think I might HAVE to go for one of these saddles if the next one doesn't work for me.

Nimitz87

definitely worth a shot...just need to get it dialed in, I'll update with the longer ride tom I'm predicting sit bone pain, but that is WAY better than soft tissue numbness...

I really think the Stratos is the one for me though instead of the evolution as it is a touch wider and a "bit" more padding.

Chad

ridethecliche

Did you try the toupe?

The cutout on it is actually very wide.

Nimitz87

I did try the Phenom (close enough) didn't work for me the sharp edges dug into the inside of my thigh and HURT. other than that small problem it was great

Chad

DonFrambach

OP asked for tips installing the SMP evolutoin saddle.

I recently installed an SMP glider saddle. It's been on a 10 then 20 then two 60 mile rides and has worked very well for me. I installed it as per the SMP instructions where I used a spirit level placed on the saddle to set it to zero angle. The instruction indicate that the angle can be adjusted from there but I haven't found that to be necessary.

Nimitz87

Thanks Don, didn't have the instructions at first but that is the way it is currently setup...we'll see how it goes tom. speaking of which I need to get some damn sleep.

Chad

wirelessness

Holy Crap, I learned two things from this post. 1) A level is actually a 'spirit level' and 2) You don't need a Spirit Guide to install an SMP saddle!!!

Seriously though, I did not know there was an installation manual for the SMP Evolution Saddle. I just adjusted mine to be level with the horizon is indicated by the manual for a starting point. Needless to say mine was not that close prior to doing this. Thanks!!!

Nimitz87

put another 40 miles on it, after setting it dead level, the first 20mi was done around 19-20mph with 2 other riders and was BRUTAL on the sit bones...felt like a rail road spike

one of the riders left and I took the time to adjust the saddle and raised the nose a tad a MILLION times better, we did the last 10.5 mi around 24-25 with 2 riders...I was hurting pretty bad, so maybe the saddle felt better because I was dying?

jury is still out...I really wanted to test ride the Stratos...

Chad

sstorkel

As others have suggested: start with it level then adjust as necessary. I find that tilting the nose down a slight bit helps to prevent pressure from the "beak" of the saddle while riding in the drops.

With the Selle SMP, I'll suggest it's better to go too wide rather than too narrow. I barely notice my Lite 209, but when I did a demo of the slightly more narrow Glider I felt a lot of pressure almost immediately. The size of the cut-out and the exact shape of the saddle varies from model to model, so I'd suggest trying one or two different models before making a final decision.

heresy

I have had the SMP Stratos for a couple years. I thought it was uncomfortable for the first few rides. I found myself trying to sit at the rear, near the widest part of the saddle. Once I got myself to move my contact forward, near the middle of the saddle, it clicked. No numbness. No unpleasant rubbing.

Maybe my negative experience with previous saddles was from user error, trying to sit at the wrong place. Regardless, I don't regret buying the Stratos and would not hesitate to buy another. Your butt may disagree.

PurpleFender

I just got a SMP Pro (because I wanted the widest cutout). After a while of trying to sit at the back of the saddle and getting some sharp pains occasionally, I accidentally sat kindof in the middle of it and it was like I was just hovering over the bike with no seat under me at all. it was the strangest feeling, as in NO pain, no numbness, no anything. I would suggest possibly playing with the fore-aft adjustment until you can automatically sit on the middle of it in all situations. The money is right in the middle on those saddles. It's the most expensive and also most comfortable saddle I own. I switched to this from a Selle Italia Gel flow SLR, which was murder on me bum on long rides.

Just level the middle part of the saddle, and adjust it fore-aft until it's right for you. It's a fabulous saddle.

for reference, I'm 6' 0'' and weigh around 190. So i'm not that far off your weight.

mrbUSA

I changed out a toupe for a SMP Pro and all, I mean all numbness, soreness and my resident purple meanie have disappeared. Gone gone gone. Plus, I've never read any saddle manuals that freely use the words' genitalia and labia with such enthusiasm.... And..... in the drops especially fixed.

mrbUSA

Ride more with it. Sit bone pain will go away. At least it did for me and my Pro.

Nimitz87

I adjusted the saddle to just a little nose high...almost perfect now

put another 40 miles in it today, with another 40 planned tom, little sore but MAN oh man I do believe I have found my new saddle, I may purchase the "Stratos" though its 2mm wider...but I'm not sure I need it.

Chad

Nimitz87

well went to the LBS, and sat on the "ass-o-meter" and it came out to 130mm, so I've been on the evolution at 129mm and ordered the Stratos @ 131mm and slightly more padding should be here in a week super stoked...

but damn are they $$$$ paid $251 w/ tax and all the goodies, also got rid of my "blackburn flea" light which was the biggest ***, it just stopped working, went in and exchanged it for a BNIB one and it didn't work...so put the money towards the cateye and came home with that, as well as 15% of

to bad the saddle will take a week to get here

Chad

asmallsol

I love my SMP Glider. So much so, I picked up another one for my mountain bike. Keep an eye on ebay, as many people try these saddles and end up not liking them. I picked up an almost new (claimed 60 miles) glider for $170. Pricey, but not nearly as pricey as the 250 I paid for my first one.

blindvelcro

Have had my Composit for over a year now, it took a some time getting used to it--but this is the first saddle that I have had with no padding (it is just carbon wrapped in leather). But now it feels so good, I would not ride another saddle.

Mounting from Selle

timeedgevxr

Blindvelcro nailed it IMO ...I have mine set up so the center of the saddle is flat. This allows me to scoot back and get a push off the rear of the saddle when I want ...and when I'm in the drops, the nose being down lets my junk roll over the nose without going numb.

I'm an SMP FREAK ...I spent over a grand on saddles in a 5 year period and this is the one. I started with a Composit on my Orca and I wore the leather off of it. Last year I bought an Evolution in favor of the slight padding, but I really can't tell much difference. I will say that I had a problem with saddle sores for the short term in the beginning, but I NEVER had a numbness issue again. Now I'm completely pain free on these things.

Ohhh ... something else cool about these. Remember the Compisit that I wore the leather off of? I was going to trash it, but instead, I took all the leather off, pulled out all the staples and sanded it down with 600 grit and shot it with a thin clear coat. Its a 140g carbon shell now that feels no different. Its a great project for a weight-weenie.

Nimitz87

got any pics of your "home made" carbon? sounds pretty cool.

Chad

timeedgevxr

I do - let me track them down. I'll probably repost as a new thread - not to hijack, of course

khatfull

I ride an SMP Stratos, although I'm currently doing an experiment with a ControlTech Carbon Comp saddle (bare carbon, 124g) right now just for fun. Love the SMP...great stuff and worth the price. They're perhaps not for everyone but if you ever get the chance to test ride one do...

Vinci

I have the Evolution. It set it up "level" like the instructions suggested, and it's been great. I had to make a couple minor angle tweaks during the first long ride, but it didn't take much. I was sort of hoping that it wouldn't work out, because now I have to buy more to cover the rest of my bikes...

davesax36

So what do you SMP junkies recommend if I measure at 143-146 on the butt-o-meter?