My current saddle is the absolute worst for triathlon - Selle SMP Stratos. Those rails are comfortable for sitting straight up, but when I get down into the bars it’s like a saw on my anatomy - it’s truly torture. Can anyone recommend a saddle that they have experience with? What about the Fizik Arione or the Selle Italia SLR T1?
It’s hard to recommend saddles to anyone as everyone seems to like something different. It’s like dating, sometimes it’s just a matter of trying a bunch until you find the right one.
However, if you’re looking for models to try, I think you’ll find that the Fizik Arione Tri and the Profile Design Tri Stryke seem to make a lot of people’s short list. I personally ride the Arione.
Also, I’d recommend that you not discount a saddle based on one or two rides. I’ve had saddles that I thought I hated but I found that tilting them just a hair up or down (even by just a degree or two), and they were great. The Azoto tri gel was like that for me - it absolutely sucked until I found just the right angle and then I thought it was great; sometimes it takes some playing around with to find the sweet spot.
My current saddle is the absolute worst for triathlon - Selle SMP Stratos. Those rails are comfortable for sitting straight up, but when I get down into the bars it’s like a saw on my anatomy - it’s truly torture.
That's disappointing to read....I hope it works for me. After reading the reviews I have a Selle SMP Evolution on order. The stock Felt saddle was a killer for me last year. My legs were fine but the 'boys' were in real trouble.
I thought about doing a demo saddle program but couldn’t find one for TT. Something like;
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/road-bikes/demo-saddle
Indeed, saddles are a very personal choice. I’ve tried a bunch of them and I have a box full of them. It’s taken three years, but I’ve finally settled on one that seems to be working quite well for both short and long events. It’s the Profile Tri Stryke. It’s wide in the nose so that you can nose ride and have something beneath you. But it’s also channeled all the way through the nose so you don’t go numb. And it’s padded enough to be comfortable.
It’s not one of those little minimalist saddles. It’s pretty substantial. But it’s worth it for the relative comfort.
Indeed, saddles are a very personal choice. I’ve tried a bunch of them and I have a box full of them. It’s taken three years, but I’ve finally settled on one that seems to be working quite well for both short and long events. It’s the Profile Tri Stryke. It’s wide in the nose so that you can nose ride and have something beneath you. But it’s also channeled all the way through the nose so you don’t go numb. And it’s padded enough to be comfortable.
It’s not one of those little minimalist saddles. It’s pretty substantial. But it’s worth it for the relative comfort.
To confirm that sentiment of “individuality”, I personally found the nose of the TriStryke, although relatively “comfortable”, to be just a bit too wide which caused some chafing…I’ve now settled on the Arione Tri, which is slightly narrower. A lot of this also depends on how “rotated forward” you are on the saddle…
Take a close look at John Cobb’s designs. I’m doing a fitting right now (in a break while the mechs change crank length) for a client using a Cobb saddle with excellent results. The new versions of the V-Flow and the V-Flow Plus are nice. Worth a look. Check 'em out:
John is a fine guy and a pioneer in our sport as well as an excellent practical problem solver. As a result, his designs are often elegantly simple, subtley sophisticated and highly effective- the hallmark of good design.
I’ve got an SLR T-1 I’ll sell you. Its only got a couple of rides on it. Its the 2009 model.
Just doesn’t work for me…but worth a try.
Tom, do you know the difference between the V-Flow and the V-Flow plus? Also, I had a saddle from a 2008 Felt S22 that looks quite similar to the SLR T1 - are they the same saddle?
I used to use a Profile Design Tri-Stryke, but recently switched to a Specialized Phenom Gel. It’s actually a MTB saddle, but is PERFECT for my TT bike, at least for me. It has a very soft, padded nose. Make sure you check out the Gel version, as the regular Phenom is different. Good luck!
The V-Flow Plus has a dropped nose that is distinctly different from the V-Flow. I like the V-Flow Plus a lot as a “go to” saddle for people who have trouble with the nose of their saddle. The V-Flow Plus’ dropped nose relieves contact with the tip of the saddle and reduces a need to angle the nose of the saddle downward, a common fit mistake that shifts weight too far forward on the bike sometimes affecting bike handling and bike stability.
Basically, the V-Flow simply gets the nose out of the way, curving off substantially to provide relieve. It is a good saddle for males and females and we sell about 75/25 of the V-Flow Plus over the more conventionally configured V-Flow.
The Cobb saddles are excellent. If you try one, I think you’ll be impressed. Your local dealer can order them from their popular wholesale distributor, Quality Bicycle Parts- If you mention that to them, they’ll know where to go.
I’ve been noticing that about my current saddle - when I’m in the aerobars it’s only comfortable up front when the nose is dropped far too steep, leaving my weight distribution so far off target it feels like I’m going to tumble forward. Conversely, when it’s positioned correctly, I can’t get down in the bars for the life of me without it feeling like I’m sitting on two chopsticks. I’ll definitely add the V-Flow plus to my list to try. I appreciate the advice.
Part of that problem can be saddle height. If you’re too high (as most triathletes seem to be), you’ll rock more across that area and that adds to discomfort.
Lower the saddle and level it out.