ClarkinHawaii

I recently bought the cheapest model--$40 for the TRK.

I'm impressed and want to buy another Selle SMP for my other bike.

Now that I know the Selle SMP is a good saddle for me, I feel free to spend more on a nicer model--but they all seem the same, except for covering.

We get a lot of showers here, so I'd just as soon avoid leather.

Do the other SMP non-leather models offer any durability advantages over the TRK model?

Thanks for your help.

sstorkel

All of the really nice models are covered in leather. They vary slightly in length and greatly in width and amount of padding.

If you don't want leather, you're probably stuck with either the TRK or the Extra. FWIW, my leather-covered Lite 209 is wearing quite a bit better than my Extra, though I'll admit that neither sees a whole lot of rain riding: the huge center cut-out means that without fenders your shorts always end up soaking wet in all the wrong places...

ClarkinHawaii

Cost of Lite 209 is 3x cost of Extra--I think I'm an Extra kinda guy. Thanks for info. I don't have to worry about being wet in the wrong places as I am now at age where nobody looks at me "down there"!

sstorkel

Looking at the specs, the TRK and the Extra appear to be very similar. If you like the TRK, you might be better of just buying another TRK...

Carbon Unit

Maybe you could consider treating the leather to waterproof it. I had a Selle Anatomica saddle before my SMP and it had waterproof leather on it. I tested it and it really is waterproof.

SMP makes carbon saddles with no material on them at all. I think they would be an ass hatchet, but maybe you just need good riding shorts.

ClarkinHawaii

Leather is less durable--it's only advantage is that it's supposed to "breathe". If you put stuff on it to make it waterproof, it's not going to breathe. So why bother with leather?

ClarkinHawaii

Great minds think alike.

go4gr8

Just like any other component on your bike, if you have a leather saddle, it needs periodic conditioning. That means using some Lexol to clean it, especially after it rains.

Carbon Unit

The Selle Anatomica saddle I had was as durable as any you will find. However, it didn't have just leather on it. It had a 1/4" thick piece of cow hide on it; plus it was waterproof. I didn't sweat any more or any less on that saddle than I do on my SMP. I don't why having leather breath would really make a big difference. I sweat every saddle I have tried.

Brooks Saddles are made in England where it rains a lot. They recommend a type of saddle soap to protect it from rain. A Brooks saddle will last a life time.

Or, you could just buy another TRK and save $100.

eddiepliers 

There's a place that lets you demo Selle SMP Saddles. go to https://www.theprosstuff.com/ and check it out.. The owner, I think, Chuck, is a really nice guy and will give you as much info as you want.

scirocco

They are not all the same. The whole range has different widths. The most expensive saddle in the world is not worth it if it doesn't fit your butt and is uncomfortable as a result.

ClarkinHawaii

Thanks, Guys!