Anyone riding/ridden the Selle SMP Strike Extra? Opinions?

Kinda heavy at 395g, but at 225 I don't worry much about weight.


Funny thing, I don't see it (or any "Strike" model) on Selle SMP's site.

Never ridden one. The "Strike" might be an old model, which would explain why there are a lot in my performance's clearance room.

are you looking at it because you need that much padding, or because you're 220 pounds?

Way too much padding and width for me on the extra. I just got the evolution model and it's fantastic, like god made my ass just to fit that thing.

for me is's a great saddle
bout to each aas to to own

ps i got the eveloution about 160 gm

Really???
My Composit the next model up in the range, claimed 200g, actual 210g.
Your Evolution, claimed 230g, so how do you get 160g?

How much padding does it have?

I'm looking at the Extra because I want something with a large cutout, and I don't want to spend $230 for a saddle. Drooped nose might be nice, too.

I got the Stratos a couple months ago. I am 5'8", 150 lbs, and it seems to be the correct size for me (padding thickness, saddle width, etc.) The cutout is substantial. I have never had numbness with it (longest ride on it is a little over 70 miles, first ride was 65 miles). I did get minor saddle sores at first, but that stopped once I got the position set.

the same way BF members get most of their facts, just make it up.

I have a Strike Glider. It's wider than the Evolution, but just as padded (which is important for these types of saddles).
The extra has a lot of padding, this can lead to chafing after a long time, this is really low-use saddle. I think you will get better comfort elsewhere (look at Aspide SKN-$30).

The Strikes are really the only cutout design that works, because the channel goes all the way to the back and is wide and deep enough. I also like the long, steel rails, because they are springy enough, but do not bottom out at my 190lbs, and do not wear out quickly, unlike the Toupe or other Ti-railed saddles.

The saddles are well made, and leather covered, built to last, but they are wayy overpriced. The drop-nose is a gimmick, it doesn't change much. The saddle works as advertised, but I won't say, "go buy this saddle" because saddles are like shoes, and you can't blurt out, "I wear size 13 Vans, so you should all wear size 13 Vans".

Thanks for the clear-headed evaluation.

For shorter rides I'm happy with my SI ProLink TransAm but over 80 miles it takes its toll - not chafing, but pressure. I also have a tendency to get my chamois caught on the nose when sitting after standing climb when I'm tired.

I'll look at the Aspide and wonder what's wrong with it for only $30.

Anything similar to the ProLink system that you'd consider?

Heavy, steel rails, plastic cover. But this will last longer.

The chamois catching is interesting.
When I'm tired I have the same problem even with my Strike, but only on some shorts, mainly my Bikeforums.net shorts! Seems that the spandex is not welded/stitched in the middle of the pad just round the outside.
For me the Composit ( found on ebay for 1/3 of price of new one) with no padding has been a dream ride. But they are too expensive to try because of the relative high cost.

I fight the chamios catching too from time to time. I had my saddle a bit high I think and that did not help. Nor do my cheapo C'dale shorts.

Ad for composit:

The central channel of the saddle is an uncommon feature because of its size: almost a hand passes through it and allows anus, prostate, pubic veins, deep dorsal vein and artery to the penis, scrotum and testicles, as well small and big labia and clitoris (for women), not to be pressed.

Good thing they pointed out that the labia and clitoris was referring to women.

I've got the SMP Test and the Evolution.
I do have to say I like the Evolution more as it is more a race saddle then the Test.

I have a Strike Plus and love it. To me the padding is not to much, when you are big enough you pretty much crush it anyway and it is a non issue. The cutout is great and it grabbing shorts happened until I learned to position myself correctly the problem went away. The bent nose up front I have yet to make up my mind on whether it is a gimmick or actually has a purpose. The biggest reason I got this saddle in the first place was that it was the only one that was wide enough for me that I could find, expensive yea but what a ride.

No plastic on my butt!

I have a Strike Evolution on my Serotta. Last weekend, i swapped it out for my Fizik Arione and did a 50-milers. My but hated every mile after 30. Put the SMP back on and it was no contest.

I'm selling the Arione Ti if anyone wants it. Good price! <g>

I have a Strike Pro and really like it. The longest ride I have done on it was 216-miles / 11-hours, 10-minutes on the bike. It has just enough padding, and the Pro model is wider than the evolution, good for my big butt. I do find that the saddle rides sort of rough; the rails do not flex... I weigh 165, just FYI.

I hated this saddle the first few rides... it took time for my sit bones / butt to adapt to it.

+1 on the pro

FYI, I'm 6'3", 210 lbs.

I had an SMP Strike Plus for about a month. With or without cycling shorts, I found it incredibly comfortable for rides up to 1 hour, tolerable for rides up to 2 hours, and pretty miserable for rides longer than 2 hours.

I ditched it for a Specialized Toupe in 143mm, which has worked much better for me so far. It's the firmest saddle I've ever ridden, so it took a bit of getting used to, but I love it now. The only downside is that it's pretty uncomfortable without bike shorts, even for shorter rides.

-DR

$100 for a 400g saddle?

NEVER!!!


Try one of these instead. Mo' Betta, with years of good reviews.

https://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-TERRY-FLY-TI...QQcmdZViewItem

i hope you're joking! there is no SMP Test, basically you were sold a test specific saddle that was for people that wanted to try out (what looks like) the SMP Strike Pro saddle...

Those Toni’s did it again!…..
I have to say I have bought this saddle almost 2 years ago when SMP just started to sell their saddles.
There was only one model at that time and that was the test.
Last year they brought a wider scope of saddles which made me decide to buy the Evolution.

Cheers!