Originally Posted by
George
I use the same saddle and I've been thinking the same thing.
I got a Fizik Aliante vsx and held it next to the regale and the profile just about matches . Hard to believe, but it does. I didn't care for the vsx, so I just ordered the Aliante R3 from Amazon to see how that works. The Aliante felt good but, the edges of the channel started digging in after 40 miles, so I sent it back. I think the profile on the new Aliante is a little different, so I'll have to wait and see.
The older style Aliante came with my new bike last year, and I assumed I would hate it and have to swap for another saddle at the LBS. And it was terrible for a few rides, then acceptable after a couple more, then great. It's at a slight upward tilt, so that the back part is pretty much level.
It's this Aliante
Gamma--it's still on Fizik's web site. I really like that there's no seams. Why do they make saddles with seams on the surface? (I think the new R3 has welded seams, so it's smooth, no ridge line.)
It seems that this style, with a sweeping curve down the sides and a rise toward the back, is coming back in style. The Romin seems to be somewhat similar.
The VSX
After liking the Aliante so much, for a different bike, I tried the Aliante VSX that has the big center channel, and it's pretty annoying (although it's kind of okay for 1-2 hour rides now). The channel is just too wide, so I'm sort of sitting on the edge of the cutout, which is starting to soften a bit. But I usually rode a fairly narrow saddle, and this cutout is wide!
This VSX model that I'm trying has been redesigned. I guess that's why it was on sale...
Saddles are hard to predict. No good answer for everybody.
If you find one you really like, get another as a replacement saddle!