Coppi51

Gearing up for some spring riding...and after hearing earful's of "you don't wanna become impotent" from older family members (haha)...I've decided to look into a more ergonomic saddle. A little background...I'm 25, 6'1, 160...and ride about 3000 mi/year...all road. Been in a Trek 5900 for two years and love it.

Before I ask this question of saddles...I did do a lengthy search on this forum for saddle opinions. Found some...but still inquire more.

With my 5900 came a San Marco ERA K (I think its a "K")...I've read reviews from the past on how this is an uncomfy saddle for some...its been decent for me. The only time it does provide some discomfort is during some solo 80+ mile rides...not all the time...but once in a while around the 75+ mile mark...where I feel a very small small amount of pressure in the "area".

The two choices I have been looking at are:

1) San Marco Aspide Arrowhead Saddle

2) Selle Italia SLK

Both seem moderately priced...still keep that flat, race-like profile I like...but have the cut-out to provide some relief. Unfortunately there aren't any "hip" LBS's that carry these saddles to try out. I am kind of leaning towards the Aspide due to the shape being similar to the ERA.

If anyone can help me out with their opinions on either saddle that would be awesome. Whether you have experience each saddle or could possibly direct me to another review resource online I would really appreciate it.

Thanks for any help!

Drayko

I have an Aspide and I like it a lot. Unlike other race saddles I've tried I found that their arrowhead cut out thing is perfect for me. The saddle contacts and supports my sit bones greatly while not inflicting pressure on my soft areas. Anyway, have you checked the bikes at your local LBS. You might find either one of those saddles on some of the bikes to try even if they don't carry it.

fight or flight

I've got an Aspide Arrowhead Gelaround like new in the box if you're interested... PM me, I'll make ya deal!

Grasschopper

I have a minty SLK I would sell you. PM if interested.

Fugazi Dave

If you're considering those, you might want to think about the Performance Forté Pro SLX. Same sort of saddle, lower cost (a good thing if you find you don't like it), nice and light, and I've found it to be very comfortable.

pinky

I rode an SLK for a while, good saddle though it ended up bending so that one side was actually about a centimeter above the other (I weighed about 145 at that time so I'll blame crashing). Might want to check out a SLR

Corsaire

Couldn't agree more. I got the Forte Pro SLX for $ 39.00, it fitted me perfectly, what a deal!

The quality has nothing to envy those italian makers, you're just paying for the brand.

Corsaire

allgoo19

I have noticed it's getting pretty good reviews in roadbikereview.com.

Edit: (To the topic starter)Whatever you decide, play around with all the adjustment available. Sometimes little change in adjustment makes a big difference. I found the tilt adjustment works very effective.

pjbaz

If you haven't had a problem yet why do you feel you will in the future? Just because a relative said you will become impotent doesn't make it so...unless your relative is God...or Vishnu or whichever power you believe in.

Haven't there been studies done on this subject? I believe many of them came back with the same conclusion- if your saddle fits you well your boys will be fine.

I don't know all the answers and/or studies so do a little search and see what you find.

PJ
I have a 6-month-old son so I guess riding didn't affect me.

03FinestAL

Me "three".

I have the Forte saddle as well and it has been quite comfortable (read- no pain!) on 70+ mile rides.

Coppi51

Thanks for all the replies! I'll definiately check out the Forte!

About my own conclusions for looking into a new saddle...The relative comment was more thrown in there as a joke...although I do hear it a lot, hehe. I do admit that I haven't had any "serious" pain in that area. I'm a young guy...don't weigh too much...and usually find myself standing a lot due to some of the steep climbs in my area.

But there have been a few key instances where I do feel the "area" being sore when hitting the extended mile mark in a ride. Once in a while I do find myself elevating my ass on a descent just to save some seat time where it doesn't have to touch the saddle. Most of my rides consist of a daily 35, 45, or 55 mile loop. But usually on the nice Sat or Sunday I head out on an 80 mi...its during those last 5 miles or so that it usually starts to bother me.

I have an active sex life...and no troubles so far ...but just want to address that little bit of pain while I can.

pjbaz

Ok, so you have some issues. Then I'd suggest riding a ton and seeing what's best.

I'm in the saddle shopping mode myself. I'm on the trainer on saddle #3 this winter. Still haven't found the right one, but I'm going to order a Forte...can't go wrong for that $

Also, see the related Saddle exchange thread on the road forums. I was one of the first to make a swap and although it wasn't a great fit it allowed two of us to try different saddles without shelling out more $.

Good luck.

PJ

Serpico

My bike came with a San Marco Era, I didn't like it --at all. I went in for a professional fitting today and tried two saddles, a Terry Fly and a Fizik Arione. I ended up getting the Arione.

The Terry was more padded, and more comfortable in a general sense, but it caused some, uhh, problems up front --felt like I got kicked in them.

The Arione was less plush, but the shape felt MUCH better. Seems like this is the kinda saddle that will take a bit longer to break in / get used to, but will be better in the long run. It was much narrower also, and provided more positions. I just tried it and liked it right away.

Fox Farm

This is like saying, "I'm looking at some slacks from Banana Republic and they come with shoes made by bla bla, will they be comfortable?"

Every one has a differernt butt and pelvis. Some will do fine on the saddle that came on your bike, others no way! I have found that it's not the width of the nose, it's with width of the rear. Colorado Cyclist use to post the widths of all their saddles. Some where recently, I read about this saddle fit kit made by Specialized. Look for that and check it out. I ride a Sella Italia Pro Link with the Trans Am cut out. It has a flexible nose too and I like it. I have also riden an Avocet Air02 for years and that was a great saddle. I have tired some others with narrow-er rear profiles and found that I had more uncomfortable pressure on my nither because my sit bones were sliding down the side of the rear of the saddle. Hense, a wider rear profile is better for me because it supports me on my sit bones and not my center section. Perhaps your LBS will let you try out sitting on different bikes with different saddles. There sales price may be a bit more than a web or catalog price. If you choose one that they sell, ask if the owner is willing to match the nationally advertized price and buy it locally.

gcasillo

I like my Aspide Arrowhead so much on my bike, I put one on my commuter/tourer. Light, comfortable, gorgeous. Have all three.

Lectron

I’ve got the ASPide Night Train, among ERA k, ERA composite and SLR(SelleItalia)
Must say I prefer the ASPide. The ERA composite was really a bummer. An expensive
one too. I use the ERA on the CX and loves it there, but the less padded ERA Comp
did not fit me at all for racing.
For racing it’s ASPide (very nice for longer rides) and SLR.

MacMan

Take a peek at koobi sadles (www.koobi.com). Extremely comfortable ... for me anyway!