Best / Light saddle Value

[scottz123]

Looking at some upgrades over the offf-season form 2012 Trek Superfly AL Elite

Saddle will probably be my #1 change. Stocker weighs 270gr on my scale

Looking for best weight / $ / comfort combination (I realize saddle comfort is a personal preference).

[phlegm]

Would be tough to beat a carbon saddle from eBay. 110g for $50.

[icsloppl]

Selle Italia SLR XP Flow Saddle - Closeout - Bike Saddles / Seats / Seatposts

Not particularly cheap, but a great saddle and a great deal at this price. Perhaps the most commfortable at this weight range IMO.

[doccoraje]

Not particularly cheap, but a great saddle and a great deal at this price. Perhaps the most commfortable at this weight range IMO.

And that would be......?????

My choice, Tune KomVor.

[scottz123]

Review: eBay Full Carbon Saddle (SD-005)

It looks like a great value - I just would have a hard time feeling confident on it. I realize if you put a "name brand" label on it - I would feel totally different about it. I know a lot of items are made in and then different manufacturers put their "name" on it.

I would really be kickin' my-self if I DNF'd during a race because of it.

110 gr is very tempting vs. my stockers 270 gr. Especially @ $50 vs what I would spend on comparable Selle San Marco Aspide Carbon @ 125gr ...$200

[phlegm]

You make a fair point - I can't speak to the long-term durability of that saddle.

[SpringsRubicon]

I've come to love the Specialized saddles. If you hit their site, there's a saddle outlet sale going on. Just got a Romin Pro for $135, which came in at 180g on my (cheap) scale and is very comfortable. There were some less expensive options there too that would still save you weight.

[zippinveedub]

I'm running the older bonty evoke rxl, with ti rails, light enough and comfy. The new version (carbon rails only) is 135g and seemed nice when I checked it out today.

[scottz123]

I'm running the older bonty evoke rxl, with ti rails, light enough and comfy. The new version (carbon rails only) is 135g and seemed nice when I checked it out today.

I will look into Bonty. I get a good deal thru LBS on Bonty. Thks

[scottz123]

I bought a demo Selle Italia SLR XC Saddle (170g) of ebay for $66. It's like new

[roaringboy]

I have a selle italia slr xp and its the most uncomfortable ****ing thing ever. No channel down the middle so I find it cuts off the blood to your legs. I'm trialling a spesh phenom at the mo which is much more comfortable but about 65g heavier. I'm seriously considering either a spesh toupe or selle san marco apside tourer. Both a bit pricey though as untested by my arse!

[JeffL]

I've been really happy with a Forte Carbon Pro SLX saddle bought used 3 years ago. Weighs 217g and it's quite comfortable despite its very minimal profile. I've worn it out and want another one, but it's no longer available. Performance of course doesn't manufacture their own Forte components, I imagine, so I'm wondering if anyone here knows who the original OEM of this saddle might have been and if it's available under different branding?

I don't intend for this to be a thread hijack - if this saddle is still available under different branding I recommend it to the OP as a great weight/comfort/value option. The original Forte price was fairly low...

[scottz123]

I've been really happy with a Forte Carbon Pro SLX saddle bought used 3 years ago. Weighs 217g and it's quite comfortable despite its very minimal profile. I've worn it out and want another one, but it's no longer available. Performance of course doesn't manufacture their own Forte components, I imagine, so I'm wondering if anyone here knows who the original OEM of this saddle might have been and if it's available under different branding?

I don't intend for this to be a thread hijack - if this saddle is still available under different branding I recommend it to the OP as a great weight/comfort/value option. The original Forte price was fairly low...

I bought a demo Selle Italia SLR XC Saddle (170g) of ebay for $66. It's like new

[scottz123]

I have a selle italia slr xp and its the most uncomfortable ****ing thing ever. No channel down the middle so I find it cuts off the blood to your legs. I'm trialling a spesh phenom at the mo which is much more comfortable but about 65g heavier. I'm seriously considering either a spesh toupe or selle san marco apside tourer. Both a bit pricey though as untested by my arse!

Goes to prove that saddles are an individual thing...

[roaringboy]

Goes to prove that saddles are an individual thing...

Indeed they are. We need some sort of saddle sharing/loan scheme to try before you buy!

[scottz123]

Indeed they are. We need some sort of saddle sharing/loan scheme to try before you buy!

Looks like that is what the one I bought off ebay was - a "test saddle" (see emblem on seat) No, I do not know if "emblem" is permanent or not. It could be though - I thought it was a sticker.

Selle Italia SLR XC Saddle | eBay

From what I have been reading about Selle Italia SLR XC Gel Flows, they do take some 'breaking in', and comfort also depends on quality of padding in bike shorts.

[NH Mtbiker]

Picked up a TIOGA Spyder TwinTail Saddle on Ebay for $45!
Size: 285mm x 135mm
Weight: 142g
Rail: Hollow Composite Alloy

Not sure how well it will hold up but wanted something lighter as I will be adding an adj seatpost which will add weight. Good reviews on this newer version and its supposed to have good flexibility...I know it does look like a cheese grader for your ass, but should be fine with padded shorts.

[roobydoo]

Tioga spyder (142g), or WTB shadow v PSL(180g)
Both going for ~$50 on Ebay.

but I still prefer my Selle SL, and the price on the SLR closeout is tempting

[BruceBrown]

Picked up a TIOGA Spyder TwinTail Saddle on Ebay for $45!
Size: 285mm x 135mm
Weight: 142g
Rail: Hollow Composite Alloy

Not sure how well it will hold up but wanted something lighter as I will be adding an adj seatpost which will add weight. Good reviews on this newer version and its supposed to have good flexibility...I know it does look like a cheese grader for your ass, but should be fine with padded shorts.

It's a cheese grater - no matter how nice your chamois is. I'd say it is much better for road riding and at durations not too long. Even on a full suspension, the Spyder is not a pleasure to sit on. When there are excellent WTB Saddles available such as the Silverado with carbon rails (170g), with Ti rails (200g) or the Devo SLT at 215g or the Rocket V SLT at 215g - all of which you can sit on for hours at a time with no wincing in pain - why save a mere 28 - 73g to ride a cheese grater?

Their D Spyder model is the only one recommended for off road use and it is short, uncomfy and well....if you don't sit very much on your rides it's not too bad.



MInd over matter aside, your "matter" will hurt and not enjoy the ride.

Been there, tried that. Contact points: saddle, grips, pedals. Why suffer on those 3?

BB

[RSAmerica]

I have this Saddle for sale:

Selle San Marco Racing Team Aspide Xsilite Saddle

Dimensions: 277mm x 131mm
Rails: Xsilite Rails, Lighter & Stronger than titanium rails. Xsilite is an Alloy with high percentage of Silicon with Titanium & Carbon Particles.
Actual Weight: 192 gr
Excellent Condition only on bike for 1 month

$50.00

[drz400sm]

I've been really happy with a Forte Carbon Pro SLX saddle bought used 3 years ago. Weighs 217g and it's quite comfortable despite its very minimal profile. I've worn it out and want another one, but it's no longer available. Performance of course doesn't manufacture their own Forte components, I imagine, so I'm wondering if anyone here knows who the original OEM of this saddle might have been and if it's available under different branding?

I don't intend for this to be a thread hijack - if this saddle is still available under different branding I recommend it to the OP as a great weight/comfort/value option. The original Forte price was fairly low...

The new forte seats are from a company called velo..but not sure if they wer using the same company for your particular model. I actually just grabbed a newer model on sale called the Pro SL...supposedly has titanium alloy rails. Claimed weight on package was 225g but my actual weight was 212g...not bad for 40 bucks. Looks nice and very comfortable. Only have a few rides on it, and happy so far. I definitely would like to try one of these sub 180 gram saddles. Not sure if I'd feel comfortable with those eBay carbon ones...but heck, I'd give it the old college try...

[NOCSUCOW]

Has anyone tried the San Marco SKN? They look really attractive.

[1SPD]

I picked up a used SLR XP off the bay for $45. I then stripped the leather off it and cut the rails off. I then took my 2.5 yr old Ebay special (Merek) full carbon saddle and cut the rails out of it. Lastly, I bonded them to the SLR with some JB Weld.

SLR XP stock weight was about 184g.
Stripped of leather/padding = 148g
New rails installed = 113g!

Now, I would have been happy with the 148g on my mtb and just kept the Vanox rails on it. But since this was going on my road bike, the carbon rail swap was a must (as well as an oportunity to give myself a learning experience of tuning and using epoxy). I have no plans on riding this saddle on my mtb at this point as I honestly don't trust the epoxy on the rails and on the trail is the last place I want to snap my saddle!

I had no problems with my old SLR carbonio saddle or any of the full carbon saddles I have ridden on my mtb however. But those all had rails installed at the factory and I definitely trust their abilities more than my own for something like this.

[ryguy135]

I love my Spyder Twin Tail. I can ride on that thing longer than any other saddle I've tried, with or without a chaomis. I often do 1-1.5 hours on the bike at a local park doing hill reps just wearing athletic shorts. Works fine for my rear.

[Sheepo5669]

eBay a used SLR.
They are heavier than the claimed 130g or whatever, but they are pretty light for the money.