Selle SMP Strike TRK Saddle experience?
 

Anyone have experience with this saddle? Please share your experiences.

A lot of roadies like the SMPs. Will your LBS let you test ride it?

No they won't. This will have to be a leap of faith which is why I'm looking for feedback.

I would find another bike shop. Saddle fit is a very personal thing, hard to gauge from one person to another. I would not buy a saddle from a bike shop unless they had a reasonable return policy.

Lots of used saddles out there on ebay by the way.

bill

Sometimes you just have to take that leap. You can always ebay it if it doesn't suit you.

I think the SMPs are worth the risk. I kind of wish I'd have tried one before I took the leap on my Specialized Toupe. They seem nicer.

I used the SMP TRK for about a year and liked it. I found that on longer rides though (30 miles early in the year, 50 miles later in the year) the saddle would suddenly become painful. I let a couple of much lighter friends try it (one of each gender) and they both went out and immediately bought their own.

Now I'm riding a Selle An-Atomica saddle with the Clyde-strength leather and a reduced cut-out and that's worked much better. I was disappointed that the rails on it bent, and I was about to send it back, when I thought "it's working great--why mess with it?" It's pricey but so far this is the best saddle I've found.

This has to be the source of Selle SMP's greatest marketing angst: constanly being confused with Selle Italia.
Google 'Selle SMP' to see what the OP is referring to.

And I disagree that an LBS should be expected to let you ride a $230 leather saddle with a return priviledge. Why? Take some responsibility for your own satisfaction.
As a reasonable customer, I bought the Glider and Pro online intending to mount one and return one after giving them a look over.
I kept both, mounting the Glider on my Road bike and the Pro on my Mtn Bike.

See my post below for comments comparing them.

That was my experience with the SMP. Extremely comfy for rides under 20 miles, and almost unbearable for anything longer than that.

I switched to the Specialized Toupe and have ridden it for up to 60 miles without discomfort.

With either saddle, you will NEED a good pair of bike shorts. They're not really designed to be used with street clothes (though you can get away with it if you're only going for a short ride - I used to do a 10 mile round trip commute on my Toupe in normal slacks).

-DR

Thanks for the feedback. I'm also looking at a Selle Italia SLC Carbino but I am worried about Carbon Rails, any thoughts? I'm 210 lbs and it's for my Road Bike.

I purchased a Selle Smp Stryke Extra from Performance so I could return it. ($100).

I am back on my bike after a 2 1/2 years. I have ridden the Selle Italia Flite for years, but between my belly and the nose of the seat, there wasn't much room left for the 'boys'.

It required some deviation from my normal seat measurement (1/8 lower, 1/4 more forward), but it made an immediate impression. So far, after only 4 rides, I don't notice the seat, which is the best compliment I can give.