I have tried many saddles over the few years I have ridden, and the original flite is still the most comfortable one I've tried. I tried the 2nd generation shape and it did not work for me as it is more narrow/less rounded than the original. Is there anybody with experience with the newest flites that can compare vs. the original ("1990") shape? I'm looking to get a slightly more modern looking saddle on my bike.
(I tried searching for similar topics and was unable to come up with anything)
2014 Flite shape vs. original
Moderator: robbosmans
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mitchgixer6
- Posts: 225
- Joined: Sat Sep 22, 2012 2:22 pm
Sorry but I have never used the original shape Flite, but I do have the new shape on 2 bikes. It's very flat and going by pictures I've seen not as rounded as the older versions.
I came from a 143mm toupe and I find it much better than the toupe.
Good luck
I came from a 143mm toupe and I find it much better than the toupe.
Good luck
Stick with an original, I don't think they look out of place on a modern bike.
I have a few and don't mind them, they are a little narrow for my liking. I tried the toupe and found it too flat (143mm). Just this week I've fitted a specialized chicane (143mm) which has a traditional rounded shape and initial impressions are good.
If only I could get a few more avocet Air40r's.
I have a few and don't mind them, they are a little narrow for my liking. I tried the toupe and found it too flat (143mm). Just this week I've fitted a specialized chicane (143mm) which has a traditional rounded shape and initial impressions are good.
If only I could get a few more avocet Air40r's.
You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline. It helps if you have some kind of a football team, or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer.
-- Frank Zappa
-- Frank Zappa
Valbrona wrote:I can't answer your question, but like you I use an original Flite. It is very unusual to find any saddle these days with a scoop like the original Flite.
Hey? I have a Flite that was purchased new in 1991 or maybe 92. It is completely smooth and rounded. No scoop anywhere at all.
You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline. It helps if you have some kind of a football team, or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer.
-- Frank Zappa
-- Frank Zappa
The *thick* leather and lower and steeper angled rails, almost make the classic remakes a different saddle.
https://flic.kr/p/kUWzsx
https://flic.kr/p/kUWzsx
I bought all "original" Flite Kit Carbonio saddles I could find (I have now about 6 of them) as they are basically the only (light) saddle that "fits" me.
However, some started to make creaking noises and so I looked for something else and tried the Smud Carbon Saddle.
It's wider in the nose and has a big bent at the rear which makes sliding backwards difficult (e.g., on descents).
Nevertheless, it seems to work for me and it is really light. Maybe give it a try?
However, some started to make creaking noises and so I looked for something else and tried the Smud Carbon Saddle.
It's wider in the nose and has a big bent at the rear which makes sliding backwards difficult (e.g., on descents).
Nevertheless, it seems to work for me and it is really light. Maybe give it a try?
Thanks for all the replies. I have tried specialized saddles and they are WAY too wide at the nose for my beefcake legs. One of the main issues I have with saddles is chafing where my leg meets my torso. I am always on the lookout for the "original" carbonios, but it seems there aren't too many around. I have also considered trying to fit carbon rails from another saddle (old slr?) onto a flite to lighten it up a bit. I'll check out the smud.
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mitchgixer6
- Posts: 225
- Joined: Sat Sep 22, 2012 2:22 pm
Definitely stay away from the new Flite then if the Specialised is to wide at the nose for you. The new shape is slightly wider than the toupe, and is as wide as the Fizik Antares.
I am a long-time Flite rider. The new Flite works just fine for me. The only issue is that if younger running the saddle on an ISP, the rails are lower on the new saddle.
Other saddles that I have found that work and have a flattish shell are: Fizik Airone or Antares; Prologo Nago TR; and, Sanmarco Regal.
Other saddles that I have found that work and have a flattish shell are: Fizik Airone or Antares; Prologo Nago TR; and, Sanmarco Regal.
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I was actually going to ask about this and then found this thread. I'm a big fan of the Flite Gel Flow and have moved on to the Prologo Scratch Pro Plus (the one w/ an indentation like cut-out) due to the fact that it has a stiffer base than the Flite but overall a very similar shape. I've tried the Romin but that nose is way to wide for me, it's not just big legs but also if you have more of a knees-in style. I've also tried the Nago Pro Plus but the edge dig in to my thighs. Looks like I probably need to try the new Aliante VSX cause it has a lot of the same features as the saddle I'm on, but hopefully a bit lighter than this porker!
edit- anyone tried the San Marco Aspide + open models?
http://www.sellesanmarco.it/en/Collezio ... 0Open.html
edit- anyone tried the San Marco Aspide + open models?
http://www.sellesanmarco.it/en/Collezio ... 0Open.html
