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saddle choice

Posted: 20 May 2014, 6:21am
by henrik
Hi folks,
Going touring soon on my road bike (ultra light credit card stuff) and thinking about a new saddle that'll give me comfort. Hoping to be on it at least 80 kilometres a day.
Considering this one, Selle Italia Flite Gel Flow Saddle.
Any thoughts

Re: saddle choice

Posted: 20 May 2014, 12:48pm
by mjr
I've spent a lot of time looking at saddles over the last couple of years and the Flite came up quite a few times. It has its fans and I think it now comes in quite a few variations with/without various size cutouts, with different rails, regular or slimline and so on... it also has quite a few people who can't stand its shape or new styling or who just don't think it's worth the premium price. It's a premium saddle so can you get a decent test ride from somewhere perhaps? I didn't find an obvious answer so I've asked for you at https://mobile.twitter.com/mjray/status ... 6362956800

I never really considered the Flite myself because after trying a long-rail saddle that just wasn't quite comfy enough, I decided I wanted springs: I settled on a Selle Royal Trekking elastomer-spring saddle for the folding bike (more upright position) and a Brooks Flyer for the workhorse/tourer which so far is working out OK (and Norfolk's rough roads seem to be helping break it in double-quick, but the springs are noisy when I hit the lumps and dents).

Re: saddle choice

Posted: 23 May 2014, 11:24am
by hamster
It's really hard to advise, as it's all about fit. Ones that seem to be particularly recommended as appealing to most people:
Brooks B17, Rolls, Flite, San Marco Regal, San Marco Concor, Charge Spoon.

Personally the B17 is too wide but a B17 narrow was great, also the San Marco Bontrager was brilliant. I found the Concor and Flite all wrong.

Re: saddle choice

Posted: 23 May 2014, 12:06pm
by Vorpal
henrik wrote:Hi folks,
Going touring soon on my road bike (ultra light credit card stuff) and thinking about a new saddle that'll give me comfort. Hoping to be on it at least 80 kilometres a day.
Considering this one, Selle Italia Flite Gel Flow Saddle.
Any thoughts

Saddle fit is personal. What *you* think matters far more than what the rest of us think.

But +1 on trying it. I would just ask at a bike shop that carries them. The last time I bought a new saddle (Serfas Rx) it had a two week trial period.

Re: saddle choice

Posted: 23 May 2014, 12:12pm
by foxyrider
Why do you need to change the existing saddle? If you are comfortable with that i'd suggest getting something similar in shape/dimensions. Consider the merits of the materials - i prefer Ti rails as they give more 'spring', my newest saddle has a carbon base for the same reasons. :D

Give yourself a reasonable chance to acclimatise to any new saddle before any trip.

Re: saddle choice

Posted: 23 May 2014, 2:51pm
by Audax67
Chum of mine rides serious Audax with a gel saddle cover from Decathlon. Worth a go before shelling out the shekels.

Re: saddle choice

Posted: 27 May 2014, 8:07pm
by djoptix
I used to love my Flite Ti but I'm finding a Brooks more comfortable now. Will probably be selling the Flite soon if you're interested!

Re: saddle choice

Posted: 27 May 2014, 10:31pm
by mercalia
you have chosen the wrong time to get a new saddle....

Re: saddle choice

Posted: 28 May 2014, 8:35pm
by henrik
may have to go with my b17.......
trouble is i'm hiring a carbon bike, would a b17 rails attach to any seat post?

Re: saddle choice

Posted: 29 May 2014, 6:39am
by British Eagle
'They' say a stiff leather saddle is much better for long distance cycling than a gel saddle which can induce sores. My 2nd hand B17 gave me no problems on a 1200m ride. My husband's new B17 style Spa leather saddle worked for him too and he'd only ridden it 150 miles before the longer trip.

Re: saddle choice

Posted: 29 May 2014, 10:40am
by Vorpal
henrik wrote:may have to go with my b17.......
trouble is i'm hiring a carbon bike, would a b17 rails attach to any seat post?

I'm sure that the rails will attach. However, the B17 has relatively short rails and if the geometry of your hire bike is very different than your normal bike, this may give you difficulty. Also, if the hire bike requires a different position for your body (e.g. lower handle bars or smaller seat tube angle), the saddle may not be as comfortable.

That said, a saddle that you are used to, in a new position, is probably better than a saddle that you aren't used to. If your usual bike is similar or can try it on one that is beforehand, it will give you an idea whether it will work for you.