Alternative to Selle SMP?

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liam7020
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by liam7020

Recently I had the opportunity to try a Selle SMP saddle and, whilst I found it uncomfortable on my sit bones, the shape allowed me to rotate my pelvis forward leading to better balance and a flatter back. However, this is WW and the decently priced SMP saddles are very heavy, the lightweight versions are horrendously priced and, to my eyes, the whole range is fugly!

So is there an alternative to Selle SMP that encourages pelvic rotation but is a tad easier on the eye? Ta
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istigatrice
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by istigatrice

I've found the Specialized Power very good in terms of encouraging hip rotation. Great for getting long and low. Pro Stealth seems to be an alternative if you don't like spesh
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kgt
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by kgt

I currently use the SMP Composit on my rides and I quite like it. I don't think you can find anything similar.
You may look for alternatives with a curved profile and an opening like San Marco aspide open or Astute skylite vt.

liam7020
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by liam7020

Thanks for those suggestions guys. The other one that caught my eye was the Prologo Nago Evo range which appear to have a slightly curved profile.
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Franklin
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by Franklin

I use SMP on my racing bikes, but Specialized om my mountainbikes. I'd certainly give Specialized a try if you like SMP.

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MJB
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by MJB

I began on Specialized Toupe Gel years ago and found it very good except that the flat/sharp saddle edge profile dug into my inner thighs after an hours or so riding.

I switched to SMP Glider and Dynamic saddles for many years and appreciated the pelvic rotation and contoured saddle edges but the sit bones never quite agreed with these saddles.

I've recently switched again to a Specialized Romin Evo and find it the best all round compromise so far and do not miss the curved shape of the SMP saddles - maybe my core muscles are a tad stronger now but I can't say the Romin Evo is a step backward in any way from either of the SMP's I rode with.

Everyone is different and saddles are an uber subjective topic.

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silvalis
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by silvalis

I did the reverse - went from a Romin Evo to a dynamic and drakon. I'd go back to a Romin Evo if I ever ditched my dynamic.
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TheKaiser
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by TheKaiser

liam7020 wrote:However, this is WW and the decently priced SMP saddles are very heavy, the lightweight versions are horrendously priced and, to my eyes, the whole range is fugly!


On the weight topic, it is quite easy to find full carbon SMP knockoffs (both with SMP branding and just plain matt carbon) on ebay or aliexpress. They are generally well under 200g, and are dirt cheap, so that could be a low risk option to try. I do have to warn you, however, that they have a quite a rigid shell with very little flex or give. I found this caused soreness, not on the sit bones, but on the rami. It may be with further angle adjustment or acclimation it could work, and I may go back and give it another shot soon, as the shape and low friction carbon shell are big pluses in my book.

Tango
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by Tango

How about the Fizik versus models?
They allow a lowered position of the upper body by the channel in the middle.

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Kjetil
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by Kjetil

I have two favourite saddles: Selle SMP Composit and Specialized Power Pro. I've never been comfortable on any padded SMP and I prefer the minimally padded Power Pro too it's more padded, cheaper, and heavier sisters.
Both of these saddles can be bought in carbon railed lighter (and more expensive) versions: Composite crb and S-Works Power.
Last edited by Kjetil on Thu Feb 08, 2018 1:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Boshk
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by Boshk

MJB wrote:
Sat May 06, 2017 1:26 pm
I began on Specialized Toupe Gel years ago and found it very good except that the flat/sharp saddle edge profile dug into my inner thighs after an hours or so riding.

I switched to SMP Glider and Dynamic saddles for many years and appreciated the pelvic rotation and contoured saddle edges but the sit bones never quite agreed with these saddles.

I've recently switched again to a Specialized Romin Evo and find it the best all round compromise so far and do not miss the curved shape of the SMP saddles - maybe my core muscles are a tad stronger now but I can't say the Romin Evo is a step backward in any way from either of the SMP's I rode with.

Everyone is different and saddles are an uber subjective topic.
thats the problems with saddles, they can be quite expensive and theres no way you can know how it would feel.
Good thing is SMP and Fizik do those 'Test' saddles in certain countries.

I just purchased a SMP Dynamic but a little reluctant to use it, £150!! Went from Fizik VS Antares £50 to Selle Italia SLR flow friction-free......both were ok but finding numb 'behind' after 60km....

maybe I'll go ask about the Specialized Romin saddles, a lot of people seem to find them good

robertbb
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by robertbb

The "old" San Marco mantra are the closest in shape to SMP's, and came in at excellent weights too.

https://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category ... -10-39841/

As I understand it, SMP came after San Marco and they were forced to discontinue that model. They can be found occasionally, but are becoming rare. I recently had a fit done and moved to more TT style saddle (specialized).

OT, but I also have two of these for sale (in Oz, but happy to ship anywhere). One is black with Carbon rails, the other white with ti rails. PM me for details if interested.

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silvalis
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by silvalis

The romin evo is more round than a regular romin. similar ish to an aliante
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Lemond75
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by Lemond75

I had the exact same experience with an SMP Dynamic and Blaster, and I didn’t get on at all with the Romin Evo. Even though the shape is nowhere near the same as the SMPs, the saddle which comes closest for me is the SLR superflow. It’s very flat, but the huge cutout enables me to rotate my pelvis really far forwards; would highly recommend it.

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shimmeD
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by shimmeD

With most new things I've tried, I always proceeded on the basis that I'd give it a decent go/time. If you can't get something on loan you need to just go ahead and buy one. This would especially be applicable to something as 'radical' as a SMP saddle. I went straight into an unpadded Composit, and yeah it was a little sore to start with. Now I also have a knock-off (yes, we don't recommend knock-offs on WW) Carbon. Carbon on my road and Composit on my track.
I also reckon that SMPs are so unforgiving (esp unpadded ones) that they will last longer than other normal saddles.
I moved from the Romin Evo to the SMP. This I have on my 2nd road which I may use more in a little while. I find the Romin a fair alternative but cannot definitively say so as it hasn't been used much since the SMP.
Less is more.

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