Setting up my first 100% Tri bike - Cervelo p2k with campy chorus 10. Trying to determine the correct saddle to complete the project. Options under consideration are Selle tri, FSA tri, or Fizik arione tri. Is the padded nose on these saddles essential for 5 + hour rides in aero positions, or will a comfortable traditional saddle work just as well? I know saddles are one of the most subjective items on the bike but I hate to drop $100+ on something that after a couple of long rides could end up in the bin.
I have the Selle San Marco triathlon gel on my tri bike and the regular Fizik Arione on my road bike. They’re the two best saddles I’ve ever owned and I had a big box full of failures in my basement before flogging them all off on ebay.
If anything I’d give the edge to the Fizik Arione. I rode a century a couple of weeks ago on the Arione and for the first time didn’t have to think about my butt. If the tri version is as good as the road version it should likely work well for you.
The only advice I will offer is that saddles are a very personal thing. I became victim to the hype of the Fizik Arione only to come right back to my tried and true Selle Italia Flite. If the Flite is ever discontinued I am screwed. By the way I use the same saddle on both my tri and road bikes.
love my fizik arione. from my experience more padding is not better. it’s about fit + saddle.
Thats what has me wondering. I currently use a Selle San Marco - Concor Lite on the road bike. It has to be the plainest no frills saddle on the planet, but it works. If not mistaken it is the same saddle that Lance uses. I figure he could get paid to ride any saddle made but continues to use the Concor. Not sure what saddle he uses on his TT bike. In any event I will try sitting on the arione to see if the extra padding in the nose will keep things happy. Otherwise i might stick with the old relaible.
I second the concor lite ti -rails , there are a few in the same style, in that line. The best features are its a bit flat on top ,and curves up at the back , so it kinda contours to your rear end. Its harder than some ,but with more contact area. So you don’t feel like your sitting on a 3 inch piece of pipe.
If the Flite is ever discontinued I am screwed.
That makes the two of us 
I’m going to bump this because I too am looking for a new saddle. As I’ve quickly discovered, the stock saddle on my new Cervelo (I think it’s the Selle “Impaler” model) is hardly worthy of a ride in excess of 10 minutes.
My road bike has a Selle Flite Gel saddle, which I’ve never had to complain about. But considering that my new tri bike has me in a bit more forward position, and that I don’t want to pass up the opportunity to shop around, I was wondering what anyone thought of either the Selle SLR triathlon saddle (looks like a SLR with a beefed-up nose), and the Aspide Tri.
Hi…over the past 2 years I’ve used just about every saddle on the market including Aspide, Aspide Tri, SLR, SLR tri, SLR-XP, Azoto, Flite, Flite gel, Flite TT, the best one of this bunch for me is the SLR-XP but then I found the Arione…it is an amazing saddle and my first ride using it was a 150 miler on my road bike and it was my first ride in a long time that I never had any ‘issues’. I went ahead and put the Tri version on my P3 TT bike as well and will never consider another saddle again! They are bigger and a little heavier than some other saddles (but still quite light) but the comfort is amazing, I may even buy another one of each just to have as backup!
Cheers
My vote - if you ride steep angle, get the Azoto. If you ride slacker, stay with your fav rode saddle. In my case, I use a Selle Italia SLR tri and it works great…
Any opinions on the Arione vs. the Aliante?
Not sure about the Arione v Aliante but I would be interested in the Arione v Gobi. I know the latter is supposed to be a mtb model but all those who complained of the bizarre shape of the rear of the Arione had that answered with the Gobi. Same base saddle…no weird shaped tail end. Anyone seen both first hand? Think this is going to be my choice
I have both in front of me. I would say the Gobi is ‘curvier’ vertically, it has more of a pocket mid-saddle. With reference to the opening question, I had an Azoto (on a QR Ti-phoon w/inline post) but found it uncomfortable, so I managed to lay my hands on an Aspide triathgel, one word, Blinding! a saddle which suits me great. I also have in front of me, an arione tri - quite tempting!! but why change? Standard arione and Flite (standard and TT) both work great for me on a road bike (74deg and setback post)
I have mounted the Arione on my bike, but have only ridden a few miles to get things lined up. I went a quick 15 miles last night before the lightning scared back to the house. After the first 5 minutes the saddle just kind of disappeared, in that I know longer felt it was there. With the saddle’s long narrow shape my legs are able to spin circles without a rub. I am looking foreword to 100+ mile ride this weekend to see if this saddle remains invisible.
I’m very happy with the SLK Gelflow. It’s similar to the SLR but slightly more padding and a large cutout in the center. About 100 bux and I’ve been riding on it for over a year now, and up to 150 mile rides.
http://www.supergo.com/Profile.cfm?lprod_id=22611&siteid=CJcVQO5HaKE-Znw_BB_jeqYN79lctirt4g
Very comfy for my 78ish degree bike.
Koobi Tri
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