Slackerprince

I have the SMP thread going and still trying to find a good position on it. I was in and out of the garage again today doing adjustments. I have a Park stand, so it's easy to pop it up and make adjustments.
Getting weary of it, though, and don't know if I'll be able to make it work. The SMP tends to put you in strange and unfamiliar riding positions and looks like it will take a lot of dialing-in to get it right. Don't really want to mess around with it and it seems like a flat saddle is way easier to dial-in.
Back story is, that I have a Toupe, but I get numb with after 25-30 miles. I've used a Topeak saddle bag fixer, which stiffened it up better than stock, but after so many miles, I sink into it and get numb.
All my riding is Florida/flat style, so on long rides I can be in the same position for the whole ride.

I'm currently interested in:
1) Selle Italia SLR Superflow. Looks like it's firm with plenty of cut-out, but expensive $$$.
2) Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow-My concern from some reviews, is that it may be a little soft.
I can get this one for ~$120 from a UK website.

Anyone have experience with either of these?
I've had people recommend a Koobi, but don't know if I'm keen on the tension inserts.
If anyone has flat/cut-out saddle recommendations, let me know.
I'm 6'2, 220 lbs. Skinny skeleton with some pounds to lose.
Thanks!

S

Fiery

Cobb saddle models V-Flow, SHC and HC170 fit the description but are also steep on the price. San Marco Mantra is quite popular and the new San Marco Aspide for 2014 also looks promising - it's not perfectly flat but is a lot flatter than any SMP model.

consultauto

Flat with a cut out, Selle Italia superflow slr 145, works for me.

Slackerprince

Looks nice. Any break-in or other details?
They're about $260 at Bike Tires Direct. Chunk of change, but I'll go there if it works.
The Max SLR is quite a bit less.

S

gc3

This is the 41, so I'll ignore the premise of your question, and ask....are you quite certain you need a cutout? I thought for years that I did, until I tried going without. Now...never again will I dangle freely...

Slackerprince

What did you try and what are you on now?

S

gc3

I rode Fizik Antares for a good long while...it's flat if that's your other criterion...now on Prologo Scratch Nack all of 2013, which is narrower and more rounded, and I'm sticking with it as I'm riding more and longer. The "hammocking" effect on both provides more comfort than cutouts ever did. In my experience, more important than cutout is getting the right length and width that allows finding the swwet spot as well as occasionally moving around on a ride. YMMV...

consultauto

No break in period, I felt instant comfort. Before I bought it I tried several saddles through my local bike shop that has a saddle test program. I suggest you find a shop that has similar service, it can get very expensive.

canam73

This one is very flat with a cut out:

https://www.terrybicycles.com/Saddles...s-FLX-Saddle_2

Silvercivic27

I tried one of these but the narrower one. It's sitting in a cabinet in my garage. I use koobi saddles, they're much more comfortable. You won't be making good power on the bike if you're thinking about how uncomfortable you are.

Slackerprince

I'm returning the SMP and going for this:

https://www.biketiresdirect.com/produ...el-flow-saddle

S

Slackerprince

Looks right, but too narrow.
Thanks for the post.

S

JohnJ80

Koobi Alpha PRS

https://www.koobi.com.

I've got about $1000 into saddle testing and this is where it ended.
Flat, right size cutout, no numbness or tingling even when riding the trainer for protracted periods.

J.

Silvercivic27

koobi saddles are made in Italy by selle italia if that makes you feel any better.

shoota 

I *definitely* feel better on a cutout but not a flat saddle. However the Specialized Toupe is flat and cutout. You should be able to find one cheap on ebay to try out.

Slackerprince

Better than what?

Reminds me of the line in Prizzi's Honor:
"The Japanese made them in England for the Arab market, it's a great California car."

S.

biciklanto

This is what I'm using, and love it. I can even go three+ hours on rollers (traditionally tough on the gentleman's tackle) without problems. Very firm, but a great saddle.

fuel0707

I've tried a couple of different Cobb saddles, the V-Flow Plus and the new Gen2. Both of those have been great.

That said, a friend/mechanic at my LBS recommended the Terry Fly to me. He used to race on it and thought it was very comfortable. I just installed one on my new bike but haven't been able to get any miles on it due to weather here.