Anybody using a Selle SMP saddle?

[UncleTrail]

This one, click here.

Just wondering before I plop down $250 for a saddle.... most of the reviews I've seen were from roadies. Wondering how they work for MTB'ng.

[nomit]

for $250, i'd expect it to have a built in taint massager made out of 50 kitten paws.

[SkaredShtles]

for $250, i'd expect it to have a built in taint massager made out of 50 kitten paws.

I'd expect even more for $250.

[UncleTrail]

If it means I can still keep riding I'll pay $250... although I think most of the problem is from switching my riding position last year when I went to the 29'er. I put my skinny WTB saddle on the BigTop and I probably should have gone with the stock wider saddle since I'm sitting more upright now. It was too soft for long rides though.

Good position for the back but bad for the junk. More weight on my tubes than I'm used to, not enough on the bones.

Although I have never had any issues with my privates, I started using the WTB's a few years back thinking the "love channel" was going to prevent any future issues. I think they're junk now(WTB). The cutout isn't large enough, and they aren't very comfortable. Never really liked the WTB's.

And now after taking a hard hit down "there" and being injured, I guess I need the SMP, if I'm going to ride again. Still got about 4 weeks until I can get back on the bike though. I may not need it at all, but I won't know until I start riding again.

Steve Hogg recommends them , but he's a tri-geek. Just don't know which one to get for MTB, and I still need to get my sit bone width measured. The roadies/tri-geeks think they're great.

[PBR me!]

I think there is a couple here:
eurobike7.jpg

[UncleTrail]

I think there is a couple here:
eurobike7.jpg

Thanks I needed that!

[JSD303]

The most comfortable saddles I've ridden have been leather. The Brooks Swift is super comfortable and my current saddle on the SS and the snow bike. The Selle Anatomica Titanico watershed is the most comfortable saddle I've ever ridden - right up until the point where I crashed and bent the rails. I put the Brooks on and haven't looked back. Brooks makes several other saddles, so that you could find one that fits yer body better. I've got a narrow arse, so the Swift is where it's at for me.

Both of those saddles have tension adjustment, so you can make it feel the way you want. Once broken in, both saddles are great for long days on the bike.

[mountaingoatepics]

Tried any of the demo programs out there? Both Selle and WTB have them at shops around town.

I never could get the Silverado to fit me right and ended up going to the Pure V and am now demoing the Rocket V on the MTB. May go back to a Pure as I like the longer nose but I am still comsidering a Rocket as I like its narrower tail.

I've had a 98-99' Selle Italia Flite Gel Flow for over 12 years that floats between my road bike and occasional singlespeed and I've always liked it and though it shows some pretty good wear by now, it still is comfortable.

[UncleTrail]

Tried any of the demo programs out there? Both Selle and WTB have them at shops around town.

I never could get the Silverado to fit me right and ended up going to the Pure V and am now demoing the Rocket V on the MTB. May go back to a Pure as I like the longer nose but I am still comsidering a Rocket as I like its narrower tail.

I've had a 98-99' Selle Italia Flite Gel Flow for over 12 years that floats between my road bike and occasional singlespeed and I've always liked it and though it shows some pretty good wear by now, it still is comfortable.

I saw the demo yesterday at Bicycle Village. Was kind of interested in the Silverado... I've been using the Rocket V and liked it on my 26, but not so much on the 29, just not enough cutout and a little narrow for an upright riding position. That's the one I got injured with. It has that square edge on the tail and caught me wrong while sitting maybe 2" off the saddle. Bounced up and really nailed that bone under my prostate. Blunt force trauma to my prostate.

I love my old Flite saddles also, tried one on the 29'er also but I think I need one with a cutout now. Probably my 1st choice for road riding though.

The SMP's are leather. Probably why they are so expensive. Leather from Italy. I've owned a Brooks maybe 30 years ago. I was only 140lbs back then and never could get it broken in. I was a noob back then though. I may have to hunt another one down and give it a shot.

Thanks for the reply's. Good ideas.

[Curtis C]

BV charges for their demo saddles which is fine if thats the only place that has the ones you are looking at. Check Pro Cycling, they have a drawer full of demo saddles you can try for two weeks free of charge.


C

[UncleTrail]

BV charges for their demo saddles which is fine if thats the only place that has the ones you are looking at. Check Pro Cycling, they have a drawer full of demo saddles you can try for two weeks free of charge.


C

Awesome! Thx Curt!

How's the BT working out for you?

[coolhandluchs]

Have you tried Terry saddles? I've been riding a Fly Ti for about 10 years, haven't found a reason to switch yet. Seems like you're looking for a huge cutout area though.

Saddles and shoes are the hardest thing to recommend.
Everybody's butt is different, finding a great saddle can be a pain.

Good luck!

[Pau11y]

Have you tried Terry saddles? I've been riding a Fly Ti for about 10 years, haven't found a reason to switch yet. Seems like you're looking for a huge cutout area though.

Good luck!

I was a big Terry Fly fan, until I tried the Rocket V SLT. Now there are 1/2 dz Fly Ti and a couple of Fly Carbons floating around my apartment. I should Craiglist the things...

Edit: The Rocket V is 127mm width. For my DH bike, I picked up a SDG iBeam Bel Air ST cause I didn't want the Ti rail squeak from the Thomson post any more. The Bel Air measures 140mm width and it's like a friggin' sofa! Don't need the channel since now my sit bones are mo' betta supported.

[Curtis C]

How's the BT working out for you?

It has quickly become my favorite ride.

[UncleTrail]

Well, I broke down last weekend and bought the Selle SMP Glider at Colorado Cyclist.

I had tried a Specialized Toupe first, but way too hard, no padding at all, and
I have 3 different WTB's which I have never really liked, a couple of Flite's,
an SDG Bel-air I-beam, and a handful(5 or 6) of other knockoffs with various size
cut-outs. I was going to demo some other WTB's, but the cutouts just
look too small. Honestly I just don't care for the WTB's.

Back in the day I rode one of those old Bontragers till the leather fell off,
I loved that saddle, but they stopped making them.

I can say without a doubt, hands down my junk has never felt better
post-ride. I only have it mounted on my Revmaster right now while trying to get
it adjusted correctly and doing some rehab, but every day it
gets better. Hoping to be back on the bike by December.

Set-up is key. If you do get one, read the instructions carefully and do what
they say. I've ended up with about a 2 degree forward tilt, and maybe a
1 cm forward from my old saddles.

Parting with $250 hurt, now I'm scrounging to dig up some more cash to
replace all my saddles with these. Highly recommended.

[Curtis C]

Did they set one up so you could sit on it before you spent that kinda money? It does look comfy.


C

[UncleTrail]

Did they set one up so you could sit on it before you spent that kinda money? It does look comfy.


C

Unfortunately nobody would let me sit on one before buying and CC only
had 3 models to choose from. I went on the recommendations from Steve
Hogg's website and just figured I could sell it on Ebay if it didn't work out.
There aren't very many used SMP's for sale so they fetch a good price and
it also told me that people buying them must like them.

I also used this chart.

They have some cheaper versions too. I want a wider/softer version for
the Revmaster, looking at the TRK. Afraid it might be too wide though.
That seem to be the main thing. Make sure it isn't too wide, so that your
ischiopubic ramus isn't inside the channel. I thought the Glider would be too
narrow, but it's actually just about right. Just a different feeling sitting
on the ischiopubic ramus instead of your pubes. Took a couple of days to
get used to.

If you would like to borrow the Glider some time drop me a line.

[pastajet]

Could have checked the MTBR.com reviews? SMP Stratos Review | Mountain Bike Review

Been riding mine on and off for a long time, and I still find it pretty darn comfy.