Advice on carbon saddles please

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KCookie
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by KCookie

Hi guys, I've been looking at buying a new saddle and was wondering if any of you have owned these listed to give me your reviews on them please, ie strength, comfort. Or is it worth sacrificing a little weight and going for the padded and leather option.
AX Lightness Leaf Carbon 76g
Berk 3k Matt Carbon 69g
MCFK 3k Matt Carbon 76g
Selle italia C64 Carbon 88g

Cheers

kode54
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by kode54

i've had a few...
AX Lightness
Dash
Tune speedneedle

speedneedle fits me the best without discomfort...so i'm having Berk do a post saddle combo for me with this shape.

unfortunately, unless you know someone that has one...its difficult to find one that fits.getting the wrong one for you butt may leave you with not agreeing with carbon saddles.
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audiophilitis
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by audiophilitis

Currently use the AX Leaf on one bike, and the Berk 132mm on another bike. Although narrower than the Ax, the Berk seems to have more flex on the wings resulting in a bit of added "springiness." No discomfort experienced with either saddle.

xena
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by xena

I tend to think that the less friction in the way "padding" then the more chance you have of a comfy saddle.
Once you make that choice then its about shape. I have never had an issue with saddles.

Try http://www.aliexpress.com/premium/carbo ... =y&catId=0

Saddles are really cheap and you can get some under a 100grms very cheaply.
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5DII
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by 5DII

xena wrote:I tend to think that the less friction in the way "padding" then the more chance you have of a comfy saddle.
Once you make that choice then its about shape. I have never had an issue with saddles.

Try http://www.aliexpress.com/premium/carbo ... =y&catId=0

Saddles are really cheap and you can get some under a 100grms very cheaply.


are those all carbon saddle rails?

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tymon_tm
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by tymon_tm

I had C64 very briefly and swapped it for kit carbonio flow - 30g difference wasn't worth the sacrifice in comfort. Also tried the speedneedle by Tune but it just didn't suit me, although I know few master racers who absolutelly love theirs.
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xena
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by xena

5DII wrote:
xena wrote:I tend to think that the less friction in the way "padding" then the more chance you have of a comfy saddle.
Once you make that choice then its about shape. I have never had an issue with saddles.

Try http://www.aliexpress.com/premium/carbo ... =y&catId=0

Saddles are really cheap and you can get some under a 100grms very cheaply.


are those all carbon saddle rails?


I don't know which particular saddle you are talking about. You can send the sellers questions.
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mrlobber
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by mrlobber

Had AX Leaf in nude carbon, couldn't really sit on it. Had it "converted" to the leather version (added 30g), night and day difference (for me), 5 hour rides no problem.
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KCookie
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Location: Pom living in Australia

by KCookie

Thanks for the reviews guys, I know buying a saddle isn't easy, and can be costly, as pointed out we are all different shapes. Xena, checked out the website, might be the way to go buying a cheaper one at first.

Bogan
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by Bogan

I am using an MCFK padded saddle, fantastic. It is a keeper.
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dereksmalls
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by dereksmalls

Smud carbons are meant to be pretty good too, and not wallet busting either http://smud-carbon.eu/saddle.html

mr4fox
Posts: 276
Joined: Sat May 15, 2010 2:01 pm

by mr4fox

Ive been using an Axlightness Leaf nude for the last year. I can't say it's perfectly comfortable but it is the most comfortable saddle I've used. While i do find it a bit hard/ridgid for long lower intensity rides, especially multiple days in a row, I have done many 7-8hour rides and week long training camps on it without any major discomfort...for reference it's noticeably more rigid than my old SLR Kit Carbonio or SLR Flow saddles. But the shape of the Leaf works for me me. If I could be bothered I think I'd like to get it covered with some very thin padding. Reckon it would be close to perfect then. I'd also love try a Dash Saddle.

KCookie
Posts: 1963
Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2015 9:40 am
Location: Pom living in Australia

by KCookie

Ive been and sat on the gel pads and measured 134mm, does this mean I should buy a saddle that's under that size. Also does anyone know if the ax leaf plus is just a leather cover or is there a little padding to. Cheers.

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Benno
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by Benno

I have Tune KommVor on 2 bikes of mine. Love them. One is regular, one is the plus model.

markkk
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by markkk

I have tried Ax lightness Leaf. I found it reasonably comfy for up to 3 hours of riding but it tended to feel a little hard after that and was a bit of a pain for a 6 hour sportive.

I agree with a previous response regarding freedom of movement - naked carbon is quite slippery so no shear forces etc.

I also agree with a previous response regarding what works for one person wont necessarily for another. I know this could be applied in general to saddles but I think applies especially to carbon shell saddles as there is no padding to compensate for the shape not being exactly right.

Shape wise, I would say that the Leaf is somewhere between a 143mm Specialised Romin and Toupe.

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