anotherbrian

So far so good. I was interested in the Diverge before they got to the stores, however I never found one in carbon in my size, and was told the Roubaix would ride similarly ... which I decided was an absolute dog, and bought a disc Tarmac instead.

I rode the Diverge on a 200K ride today, and so far so good. I swapped the stock tires for a used set of 28mm 4000S's with latex tubes I already had (that was worth close to a pound!; stock tubes are very heavy) and enjoyed the ride. The stack height plus stem flipped up makes it feel like a beach cruiser compared to the Tarmac, but I'll leave it as is for now. The top tube with an older Revelate "gas tank" bag is annoyingly high and rubs my knees when rocking the bike even a little out of the saddle, and I'm not sure what to do about that. Also I need a 0-offset seatpost, so the CG-R post will need to be replaced (and the BikeRadar article on the five soft-riding seatposts didn't think very highly of the CG-R either, so may not be a loss).

wpwoodjr

I'm riding the Conti GP4000S II 28's too, they are fast and fat at 31mm measured - I love them! Also planning to try Compass Bon Jon Pass 35 ultralights soon.

anotherbrian

I'm waiting on a set of Hutchinson tubeless Sector 32s (due in next week?), though do want to wear the Conti's out. I put a set of Challenge Gravel Grinder 38mm's on today from my CX bike and they fit well. I'm not fond of switching tires back-and-forth though so plan to buy another Axis 4.0 wheelset and keep a light/fast tire set, and something a little more burly.

nesdog

I posted about this a couple of years ago and following up now. I've been on a 209 for 4 or 5 years. It has been mostly okay, but I suspect the saddle is breaking down....getting saddle sores and now hearing squeaks coming from beneath the padding. In any event, before replacing it, I'm also considering the Drakon to see if I can get slightly more comfort. At 5'9 and 145, I don't need a giant saddle but do like my comfort while on the Domane. I do have some concerns about less padding on the Drakon.

Anyone have experience on both of these? I suspect the differences may not be that big.

Thanks....

Bumnah

Selle SMP has places all over to test out their saddles. I would recommend trying several different saddles for long rides before choosing one.

wpwoodjr

I ended up with the Dynamic. It is flatter than the Drakon and doesn't have the "bunch up" feeling. I'm 195 pounds, would think at 145 you should be OK.

nesdog

Follow up: I got another SMP 209 and it's fine so far. Too much overthinking on my part on this. Meantime, I'm going to sell off my older 209 as it's still in decent shape.

Voodoo76

Interesting read. I've been riding the Dynamic for a little over a year. Zero issues but on occasion I feel just a little unstable. May try out the Drakon just to see how it feels.

83cannondale

Old thread I know- Just a quick mention that I had an open dialog with the local LBS where I discussed online vs LBS pricing. I don't need to beat the LBS down to the lowest price but I tell them what I'm buying and what price I'm finding online and if they move in that direction I buy from them. I also call them to see if they care to order in whatever item I'm buying at what price. It is a little ackward I admit but it keeps them in the game if they care to be.

jsaunders

Sorry to bump this old thread but have a question for those who have tested a few of the SMP saddles.

I currently have a dynamic and have been on it for about 2 years. I've always been pretty comfortable on it but at around the 3 hour mark into a ride I begin to get a little bit of perineum pain.

I am going to demo a few different SMP models and I'm wondering if I should set them up (fore/aft on the rail placement) like the dynamic I currently have. Is that the best practice?

83cannondale

I've been riding the lite 209 for several years. It's good for perineum and I like the padding. For me though I'd like it a little wider in the back. My sit bones are about 100mm. I've done full days on it many times. I have the drakon too but it seems more narrow.
I hope that helps a bit.
T

George

The Drakon has worked for, for 4 years. I’ve read so much about the power saddle, I’m giving it a try. I also read other riders did the same thing that I’m trying to do and they end up back on the SMP. Lol