Saddles with holes

[AyBee]

No, not quite as extreme as stumpy67's "grate" I cracked my saddle in a crash the other week as well as popping one of the rails out so am looking for a replacement now. I'm currently looking at the Selle Italia SLR XP, however, I've just seen their "Flow" version too, which has a cut-out in the centre like the picture, which is supposedly to improve blood flow in the perineal area:


I know we're all have different backsides, but does anyone use these saddles and notice a worthwhile difference? They're very similar price wise.

[Markp13]

It had a gel flow flite xc on my old caad and it was amazingly comfy. 3-4 hour rides were no problem.

I may end up back there if my new slr max isn't up to it.

[agent006]

I use one similar (a Selle SMP TRK). There's a huge difference for me. The pressure is on the bones like it's meant to be, not on the err.. soft bits.

Worth reading up on saddle fitting and how to measure your "sit bones" width and find a saddle to match.

[Teebs]

AyBee said:

No, not quite as extreme as stumpy67's "grate" I cracked my saddle in a crash the other week as well as popping one of the rails out so am looking for a replacement now. I'm currently looking at the Selle Italia SLR XP, however, I've just seen their "Flow" version too, which has a cut-out in the centre like the picture, which is supposedly to improve blood flow in the perineal area:


I know we're all have different backsides, but does anyone use these saddles and notice a worthwhile difference? They're very similar price wise.

I have the saddle pictured above. No complaints here in nearly 2,500 miles on my Scott.

[Rouleur]

A word of caution - I managed to break a Spec Toupe Expert as the side pieces are pretty thin, admittedly thinner than in the one pictured. I'm not heavy and it was used on a road bike, and I'm far from the only person to have the same problem as it turns out, so you might want to bear this in mind.

The cut out certainly did the job though.

[Magic919]

I use a Selle SMP. Proper cutaway design. Worth testing to see which model suits.

[darkyoung1000]

I have a C2 Gel-flow which does a wonderful job of protecting the barse on long rides, much more so than the saddle I have on my commuting bike if I take that on the same distance.
Cheers,
Tom

[Antony Moxey]

I told my mum that the hole in the saddle was so you could go for a pee while you were out on a ride without having to stop. She believed me. Bless!

[Markp13]

Antony Moxey said:

I told my mum that the hole in the saddle was so you could go for a pee while you were out on a ride without having to stop. She believed me. Bless!

That's ridiculous! I use mine for taking a dump! My massive powerfully built director weener wouldn't fit through. If it did it would rattle off the back wheel though.

;-)

[AyBee]

Magic919 said:

I use a Selle SMP. Proper cutaway design. Worth testing to see which model suits.

The saddle that cracked (at the back) was the same shape so I'm happy in that respect, was just wondering whether the hole creates a weak spot on the saddle although a web search hasn't thrown up any issues with cracking/snapping and whether the hole actually works (i.e. prevents numbness on long rides) - looks like it might be worth a try for £60.

[Magic919]

I guess you get what you pay for. The Selle SMP looks better made than my old Selle Italiia, albeit for 3 times the price.

[Allblackdup]

My road bike came with a prologo kappa pas saddle which has a hole and no matter how often I try to get used to if I still get saddle sore.

The newer models use a Prologo kappa Evo which is flat and smooth with no hole, likewise some of the others in the range that use the bikes own brand saddles.

Needless to say I'm looking at changing mine for something more comfortable with no hole.

[budgie smuggler]

I have one similar to that, it's comfy but I think that's more down to the shape than the hole in it.

What I would say though is that you might be surprised about how much water gets flicked up from the back wheel...

[toastybase]

I thought it was so you could poo in them?

[ChrisMCoupe]

I have an SLR and find it perfect for me. Was getting problems with the saddle that came with my Cannondale due to restricted blood flow and the SLR has been perfect in that respect.

[Allblackdup]

ChrisMCoupe said:

I have an SLR and find it perfect for me. Was getting problems with the saddle that came with my Cannondale due to restricted blood flow and the SLR has been perfect in that respect.

Chris, in my post above I'm commenting on the saddle on my Cannondale. Do you know what saddle you had?

Is your SLR like the one Maddad has just bought in this thread?

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=...

[ChrisMCoupe]

Allblackdup said:

Chris, in my post above I'm commenting on the saddle on my Cannondale. Do you know what saddle you had?

Is your SLR like the one Maddad has just bought in this thread?

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=...

Sorry I realise just saying SLR wasn't very helpful It's an SLR Flow the same as this one...

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/selle-italia-slr-flow-team...

The saddle on my Cannondale was Prologo Scratch Pro, i don't know how similar this is to the one on yours, but I found it very uncomfortable.

[AyBee]

budgie smuggler said:

I have one similar to that, it's comfy but I think that's more down to the shape than the hole in it.

What I would say though is that you might be surprised about how much water gets flicked up from the back wheel...

I'm sure a bit of tape could be positioned on the underside to prevent that

[stumpy67]

PUSSIES !!!!

[AyBee]

stumpy67 said:

PUSSIES !!!!

I actually looked at some reviews for the Tioga Spyder and it gets some decent comments which surprised me. Interesting that a lot of people say it needs replacing yearly though. Would quite like to give one a go at some point