What’s your favorite saddle?
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I realize this is a super old thread but it seemed easier to bump this than make an entirely new one for a similar question.
I recently got a new build put together with a 143mm Specialized Power Mirror, but I'm really not liking the saddle so far. It rubs on my inner thigh and I've got somewhat of a bruise there from the couple rides I've done. I think I need to return it and get something else, but I'm not quite sure what saddle to get. My last bike had a 143mm Specialized Toupe from like 2012 and that worked great, so I'm thinking something a bit more narrow than the short Specialized mirror saddle.
It seems odd to me that the Toupe would be just fine and the Power saddle would not work given they're the same width, but I guess in this case the shape just doesn't agree with me. I'm thinking I'll get a narrower saddle this time around, not sure if anyone has any suggestions. I was thinking about something full carbon like the Berk Lupina, but they only have 132mm and I'm not sure how it would fit, and I'm hesitant to buy one without knowing if it would work. Any suggestions/recommendations would be super helpful.
I recently got a new build put together with a 143mm Specialized Power Mirror, but I'm really not liking the saddle so far. It rubs on my inner thigh and I've got somewhat of a bruise there from the couple rides I've done. I think I need to return it and get something else, but I'm not quite sure what saddle to get. My last bike had a 143mm Specialized Toupe from like 2012 and that worked great, so I'm thinking something a bit more narrow than the short Specialized mirror saddle.
It seems odd to me that the Toupe would be just fine and the Power saddle would not work given they're the same width, but I guess in this case the shape just doesn't agree with me. I'm thinking I'll get a narrower saddle this time around, not sure if anyone has any suggestions. I was thinking about something full carbon like the Berk Lupina, but they only have 132mm and I'm not sure how it would fit, and I'm hesitant to buy one without knowing if it would work. Any suggestions/recommendations would be super helpful.
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SMP Full Carbon. Unbelievably comfortable.
Rikulau V9 DB Custom < BMC TM02 < Litespeed T1sl Disc < Giant Propel Advanced SL Disc 1 < Propel Adv < TCR Adv SL Disc < KTM Revelator Sky < CAAD 12 Disc < Domane S Disc < Alize < CAAD 10
That makes it even more magical, doesn't it? It does not rely on flex to provide comfort. The shape just work, no matter the density of chamois. I finished the festive 500 on it and expect it to carry me further. But of course, there is no single saddle to fit all as you can see the unlimited saddle variety here.
Rikulau V9 DB Custom < BMC TM02 < Litespeed T1sl Disc < Giant Propel Advanced SL Disc 1 < Propel Adv < TCR Adv SL Disc < KTM Revelator Sky < CAAD 12 Disc < Domane S Disc < Alize < CAAD 10
I've done 600k rides in a forma, this is on fixed. Can't do 20miles in comfort on a full carbon. Glad you found a good saddle for you though!jlok wrote: ↑Sun Apr 24, 2022 3:28 pmThat makes it even more magical, doesn't it? It does not rely on flex to provide comfort. The shape just work, no matter the density of chamois. I finished the festive 500 on it and expect it to carry me further. But of course, there is no single saddle to fit all as you can see the unlimited saddle variety here.
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I have a few SMP and one is the full carbon which I find is a little ridgid on my road bike but it seems to work okay on my CX bike. I found the Composit works better for my road bike and it has had the cover removed so its just the shell. It does have something to do with the shape and these saddles are 129mm wide and I am 183cm tall and 80kg. I am not sold on the width of saddles according to your sit bones.
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2018 Colnago V2R Rim Brake
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smeady wrote: ↑Sat Apr 23, 2022 3:23 amI realize this is a super old thread but it seemed easier to bump this than make an entirely new one for a similar question.
I recently got a new build put together with a 143mm Specialized Power Mirror, but I'm really not liking the saddle so far.
Any suggestions/recommendations would be super helpful.
Have you thought about the Specialized Romin Mirror? Defintiely has a more traditional shape than the stubby short nosed Power.
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Selle SMP Blaster Carbon Rails.
I recently rewarded myself with this saddle. In hindsight it is one of those things where you think to yourself: why on earth haven't I done this earlier?
I have rather narrow sitbones (ca 11cm) so I pulled the trigger on the Blaster which is based on the Composite shell with minimal padding. SMPs are very senstive regarding the correct position as the line between awesome and awful is very thin.
Coming from a Selle Italia SLR Boost Kit Carbonio Superflow (what a name!) I followed the instructions from Steve Hogg for changing seats. As many other SMP useres here reported I moved the SMP quite a bit forward compared to my previous saddle as your sitting relativley further towards the rear of the saddle. Regarding saddle tilt I followed Neill Stanbury's guidance (as featured in Cam Nicholls YT channel) to level the saddle by putting about one finger's width (i.e. a 12-14mm gap) between the spirit level and the front of the seat and then tweak it from there. In my case I ended up having a saddle tilt of 6.5 degree nose down. It is hard to describe the sensations unless you experience it yourself, the rise at the rear of the SMP saddle very evenly supports your sitbones while you rotate your pelivis forward to maintain a low position on the bike.
I recently rewarded myself with this saddle. In hindsight it is one of those things where you think to yourself: why on earth haven't I done this earlier?
I have rather narrow sitbones (ca 11cm) so I pulled the trigger on the Blaster which is based on the Composite shell with minimal padding. SMPs are very senstive regarding the correct position as the line between awesome and awful is very thin.
Coming from a Selle Italia SLR Boost Kit Carbonio Superflow (what a name!) I followed the instructions from Steve Hogg for changing seats. As many other SMP useres here reported I moved the SMP quite a bit forward compared to my previous saddle as your sitting relativley further towards the rear of the saddle. Regarding saddle tilt I followed Neill Stanbury's guidance (as featured in Cam Nicholls YT channel) to level the saddle by putting about one finger's width (i.e. a 12-14mm gap) between the spirit level and the front of the seat and then tweak it from there. In my case I ended up having a saddle tilt of 6.5 degree nose down. It is hard to describe the sensations unless you experience it yourself, the rise at the rear of the SMP saddle very evenly supports your sitbones while you rotate your pelivis forward to maintain a low position on the bike.
Last edited by edchristoph on Wed Apr 27, 2022 9:02 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Specialized power arc expert, love the saddle. Pretty heavy but it just works. The SWAT mount is also lovely for my Garmin Varia RTL515
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Sworks power for me. However I have t tried the mirror version yet so that might be even better (I have one coming on a bike).
Allegra- Steel Lugs TBC
Aurelia- Stainless All Road 8.5kg
Bertha- TT 9.8kg
Perdita- Ti Turbo bike 8kg
Serenity- Ti Gravel 9.5kg/8.9kg
Verity- Ti Aero 8.2kg
Alya- Ti Climbing TBC
All weights with pedals,cages & garmin mount
Aurelia- Stainless All Road 8.5kg
Bertha- TT 9.8kg
Perdita- Ti Turbo bike 8kg
Serenity- Ti Gravel 9.5kg/8.9kg
Verity- Ti Aero 8.2kg
Alya- Ti Climbing TBC
All weights with pedals,cages & garmin mount
Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
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