Has anyone had any success with the Selle SMP on your Tri/TT bike? I’m looking at one of the minimalist versions (not the full carbon) to put on my TTX. I like the idea of the channel and the sloping beak front but like alot of saddles application is alot different than presentation so to speak. I don’t get along with the traditional tri saddles and am not completely satisfied with the road saddles that I’ve got and have tried. I need something with the cutout as it appears that numbness is much more of an issue on the TT bike than my road bike…I’m assuming because of the amount of time stuck in the aero bars vs the more positions available on the road bike.
Thanks,
James
I have ridden up to a Century on my SMP Strike with no problem. Took a little while to get used to the saddle but (no pun intended) now I am very happy with much less numbing.
It’s a bit of an investment, but if you have persistent numbness or discomfort I would recommend it. I’ve tried the specialized, ISM adamo, and finally the SMP.
The specialized didn’t really help at all, the ISM adamo relieved all my perineal discomfort and foot numbness, but was too wide in in the back and rubbed my hamstrings considerably.
The SMP has been great. No problems at all from the start and relieved all discomfort and numbness.
That said, this is only my personal observation which may apply to others, but unlikely applies to everyone.
Very difficult to get a rear bottle cage holder to work well because of the wide rails.
Jeff
It just doesn’t seem like there is alot of information available out there on this line of saddles and I have to believe that the pricing is an issue…especially when saddles can be so user specific. Might just have to bite the bullet and see what happens.
James
I have one on all three or my tri/road bikes… Well actually two i let my friend borrow one for collegiate nationals in april and i still haven’t got it back if that gives you an idea abotu how much he likes it.
They are more expensive then regular saddles but my nuts are worth it so its ok.
Grant
This is one of the few items I have purchased at retail (no pro deal). Buy it through performance bikes and use their 100% guarantee if you don’t like it.
I have the “Evolution” version and love it. One thing to note is that you will NOT be riding this saddle on the nose. It is built to cradle you in the center section of the saddle. To get it to fit comfortably you must have it angled properly- which puts the nose at a very uncomfortable angle to ride on. If you point the saddle down in order to make nose riding a bit more bearable then the rest of the saddle becomes difficult to ride on. But once the saddle angle is properly dialed in it is an incredibly comfortable saddle for long rides. YRMV
Fantastic saddle, but as someone else noted, hard to get behind the saddle bottle holders. I also think the pro is a little wide for my liking (but I am 5’7’').
One thing I have noticed though w/ my saddle is that the water from my tri shorts (during tri’s) has ruined the leather a little bit, which has created some roughage, which started to eat my tri shorts.
Anyone have the same problem or fix for this?
Steve,
Does this mean that you can’t creep up forward on the saddle when you are really hammering?
James
James,
In my experience with this saddle is that if you have the saddle tilted at the angle that is recommended by the manufacturer (which was the same angle I came across on my own through trial and error) you can’t creep forward AT ALL comfortably. You have the ability to adjust your position back a bit to give your sit bones a bit of a change, but the relative hardness, narrowness, and the fact that the front end of the saddle is actually sitting higher than the mid section of the saddle makes it very uncomfortable to put your body weight just on the nose section. For lack of a better description- the saddle fits like a hammock- dipping lower in the center than in the front or the back. I can sit for hours in the aero position (living in flat South Florida means Always staying in the aero position) and still come off the bike happy. I’ve only done 1/2 and full IM’s- and it’s by far the most comfortable saddle I’ve ridden for long rides- and would recommend it highly for that use. But as for riding on the nose (for hammering or help in closing the gap to your aero bars) it is IMHO completely useless. My previous saddle was a Sella San Marco, which was well padded and fairly comfortable riding on the nose (especially with the DeSoto gel saddle cover that Dan recommended for use on that saddle). But in long rides I found the San Marco, even with all the padding, painful towards the end of long rides. The San Marco is probably a better choice if you have the need to ride on the nose- although it is wider on the nose and I’ve seen posts there that has been an issue with some riders.
Hope this helps.
I’ve never had problems creeping forward while hammering. At the same time, I keep my SMP flat (center section flat, nose curved down, back curved up) as I’ve found that to be the most comfortable position for me.
In regards to my TT bike - it’s the only saddle I’ve ridden where I have no numbness/discomfort.