Are saddles with cutouts strong enough for heavy riders?
07-02-07, 12:23 AM
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Are saddles with cutouts strong enough for heavy riders?
I have an Avocet O2 Air 40 men's saddle that has a "camouflaged" cutout (the shell has a small cutout, but the top of the saddle does not). It seems that even with this design, I can still make the seat dip and flex in the middle. Granted, I weigh 205 pounds.
I grew up riding on old school saddles (I should have never sold my old bike with its Avocet Racing 1 saddle), and I find this flex annoying. Are all cutout saddles like this for heavy riders? Should I be looking to get a regular saddle? All of a sudden I have an urge to buy a San Marco Rolls or Regal saddle.
Thanks for your help!
I grew up riding on old school saddles (I should have never sold my old bike with its Avocet Racing 1 saddle), and I find this flex annoying. Are all cutout saddles like this for heavy riders? Should I be looking to get a regular saddle? All of a sudden I have an urge to buy a San Marco Rolls or Regal saddle.
Thanks for your help!
07-02-07, 12:47 AM
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Originally Posted by etd
All of a sudden I have an urge to buy a San Marco Rolls or Regal saddle.
Thanks for your help!
Thanks for your help!
By all means get the San Marco saddles.
but if you want a saddle to end all saddles, get a 'Brooks'.
07-02-07, 08:12 AM
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Flexing is what the saddle is designed to do. All saddles flex to some degree. If they didn't then you would just be riding a rock.
At only 200# you are not heavy enough to cause and saddle issues....with nearly any saddle out there - except the ultra weight weenie ones).
At only 200# you are not heavy enough to cause and saddle issues....with nearly any saddle out there - except the ultra weight weenie ones).
07-02-07, 10:07 AM
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Depends on the saddle. I had a Selle Italia Prolink that was extremely flexy in the center of the seat to the point of getting uncomfortable. I tried the San Marco Rever and Specialized Toupe (too narrow for me) that are only flexible on the wings to absorb shocks . My current Selle Italia Max Flite doesn't have flex I can now notice but it is still very new. I weight 185 lbs.
07-02-07, 10:13 AM
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I weigh 220 lbs, and ride a Selle SMP Strike Plus without any flex problems. And it has more cutout than any other saddle I've ever seen. Ever.
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07-02-07, 10:49 AM
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Originally Posted by volleybrad
I'm 210, and I ride in a Toupe without any issues.
Most comfortable saddle I've ever owned. I'm also 205-210 (varies).
Steve
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07-02-07, 12:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Dr_Robert
I weigh 220 lbs, and ride a Selle SMP Strike Plus without any flex problems. And it has more cutout than any other saddle I've ever seen. Ever.
What the hell is that nose supposed to do?
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07-02-07, 12:44 PM
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Originally Posted by ElJamoquio
What the hell is that nose supposed to do?
BTW - it's supposed to take the front pressur off your perineal (sp) area while still giving you a saddle nose that can be use by your legs to help control the bike.
I've seen one up close on Inputflangeman's bike. Nice. He loves it. He hated the Toupe. Me - I like the toupe, but am sure I'd like the SMP as well.
I just hate how it makes me feel all "limp" just looking at it....
07-02-07, 12:50 PM
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Psimet That's the great thing about these saddles. After spending 205 miles on one (I use the Evolution model) this weekend, there was no numbness & nothing 'limp' going on. 
07-02-07, 01:28 PM
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Originally Posted by etd
I have an Avocet O2 Air 40 men's saddle that has a "camouflaged" cutout (the shell has a small cutout, but the top of the saddle does not). It seems that even with this design, I can still make the seat dip and flex in the middle. Granted, I weigh 205 pounds.
I grew up riding on old school saddles (I should have never sold my old bike with its Avocet Racing 1 saddle), and I find this flex annoying. Are all cutout saddles like this for heavy riders? Should I be looking to get a regular saddle? All of a sudden I have an urge to buy a San Marco Rolls or Regal saddle.
Thanks for your help!
I grew up riding on old school saddles (I should have never sold my old bike with its Avocet Racing 1 saddle), and I find this flex annoying. Are all cutout saddles like this for heavy riders? Should I be looking to get a regular saddle? All of a sudden I have an urge to buy a San Marco Rolls or Regal saddle.
Thanks for your help!
Personally, I prefer the Avocet to the Regal, which I find is too wide through the middle and rubs my thighs wrong. AND with a Regal I had occasional "Numb Johnson", which I've NEVER had with the Avocets.
Your Butt May Vary, of course. Ride 'em and see.
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07-02-07, 01:47 PM
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Originally Posted by cheeseflavor
+1
Most comfortable saddle I've ever owned. I'm also 205-210 (varies).
Steve
Most comfortable saddle I've ever owned. I'm also 205-210 (varies).
Steve
