JBBOOKS

OK, I got my Team Pro saddle Friday from Sheldon's place. Here are some impressions which may help those who are still searching. By the way, I ride with my bars lower than the seat, and I'm in the drops or on the hoods. I ride about 2,000 miles each season as aggressively as I can. I only ride in cycling shorts with either a gel or a chamois pad.

1. The Team Pro in black is not easy to find right now. Harris Cyclery had one and got it right to me. Kudos to them. It's a very well made piece - top quality by the looks of things. Price, just under $100.00.

2. The seat is more than wide enough to accommodate the back of my butt. This is no easy task (5'11, 220). Anyone wrestling with the reduced width between the Team Pro and the B-17 may be interested in that. I'm glad I didn't go with the wider B-17.

3. The nose of the saddle is narrow enough that there is no rubbing or chaffing and I am able to comfortably slide forward, "riding the rivet" when I need to sprint. This may be information the "fuller bodied" cyclists may wish to know.

4. I don't like a lot of padding on a saddle as it causes me friction problems. This one is rock hard and perfect for me. Why? Because it supports me all over my bottom. In the past I rode a Selle San Marco Aspide. I loved the width in the rear of the saddle and the fact it didn't have much padding. What killed me was the fact it was so "thin" that it drove deep against me and caused pinching. I had my first and only saddle sores in the "pinch spots" with this saddle. Too bad, because I did a full century in it with no discomfort in my sit bones. I then went to a Selle San Marco Concore light. I was attracted to the rounded contour and deeper sides. It eliminated the saddle sores, but it was too narrow. After about 50 miles, it was between my sit bones (a rather uncomfortable state of affairs) and I was bearing weight on the insides of these bones causing grand aches and pains.

5. I found, unlike most people, that I needed a slight downward tilt in the mount. When it was level, or slightly raised, the front sit bones bore too much pressure when I was in the drops. By dropping the nose just a tad, it fits me very well and supports me completely.

6. Overall impressions: I think this one will be "the saddle" for me. On my first ride (only 15 miles due to a bad cold) and after adjustments, it was very comfortable with no problem spots. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this saddle to anyone, especially bigger guys. The big question of how long before it breaks in really didn't apply to me. It was comfortable right out of the box and if it stays this comfortable, I don't care if it ever "breaks in".

I know it's still early to make a final determination but preliminarily, I have a very positive impression of this saddle. I'll try to get as many miles on it as I can this week, before the snow flies. If there are any changes in my impressions, I'll post them for you.

Hope this helps someone.

JBB

Scooby Snax

hey, fwiw, I was told that the "break in" is not what it used ot be, as they use a softer leather these days and the saddles aren't as hard. I didnt get the presoftened version either. Im being told by the shop I got it from that the Pre Softened are too soft.
It used to be that they took 200mi to break in, but not any more.
Is that the same experience that others have?

JBBROOKS, glad you like yours, I love mine, and like you, right out of the box, heaven!!

g8000

have you ever tried a fizik? is you have, how does it compare?

JBBOOKS

No, I haven't. I have heard very good things about them here, though.