My saddle search ended with the Selle Italia SLR Superflow. I first tried the Specialized Power 155mm but felt I needed a rounder shape. The Specialized Power Arc 155mm provided this but I wished it had a larger cutout. Next was the Shimano Pro Stealth 152mm which had a nice cutout but the nose was too wide. The Selle Italia SLR Superflow L 142mm was the sweet spot. It's firm so it supports my sitbones well. The surface texture keeps me planted in place. The curvature is just right so it doesn't dig into my thighs. The cutout provides pressure relief when in the drops. While the latest rage is snubnose, the length of this saddle doesn't bother me. Casey of BikeTiresDirect was great to work with!
Light weight. Surprisingly comfy for as little padding as there is. But, this damn thing creeks at the front and back attachment points -- where the tubing enters the base of the saddle. This is the single noisiest component I've ever put on a bicycle. Very disappointed. Love Selle seats -- but, this one not so much.
I must have measured my sit-bones incorrectly, because most of the reviews tell me that it is a seat that works for most, and I tried and tried...I ride 150 miles per week and rode on this saddle for three weeks. At the end of each ride I think my sit-bones were bruised. It hurt, and it never got any better.
I called Customer Service, and they allowed me to exchange the saddle, no problem.
I ordered a Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow, and this seat is terrific. Comfortable even in distance, etc.
I've used this saddle for about 1000 miles and find it very comfortable. My only complaint is that it can be very noisy. After about 150 miles I would always hear a grinding noise much like we used to get with friction shifters when slightly between gears. Spent a lot of time adjusting cables, etc. to try to eliminate noise. Finally found that the rails, where they meet at the nose, are allowed to slide on a type of polymer which was creating the noise with each pedal stroke. A little Tri-Flow there quieted it for about another 100 miles, but the problem returns. Otherwise, it's a great saddle and I'll try to live with the audible feedback.
Cycling comfortably for 6-8 hours, sleeping in tent, hopping on again the following morning for another 8 hours with no lube. Magical. Just finished a long weekend bikepacking on my hardtail and this seat rocked it. 110 miles, 13,000 feet of vertical push. Originally, I had it on my road bike, was so good now have it on cross bike, hardtail and considering forking out the bucks for my XC fs rig. I'm 5'11, 165 el beez. The hole is gaping...seriously. Like my son's training toilet seat. You could easily pee through it while riding if you were naked. The important thing is that it's buttery gentle on my area, and causes no numbness. Especially for long epics, it's dope. Now only complaint is hands that go numb, so I have to keep shaking them out. Until I turn 65 and can get a recumbent bike without my cycling buddies deleting my contact info from their phones, may have to deal with the numb hands.
I am very sensitive to peritoneal pressure from bike saddles. So I've sort of been on the leading edge of this since saddles started to have cut outs in earnest about 10 years ago. I had been using another saddle from an independent saddle mfg that worked, but it was heavy and had some gimmicks that I didn't think worked (elastomers to absorb shock). When I built a new bike this year, and being sort of a weight weenie, I thought I'd give this saddle a try because of it's low weight, it's flat profile and it's generous cutout with chamfered edges to prevent that extruded feeling.
This saddle delivers comfort for conditioned riders who like firm saddles. If you haven't built up the necessary muscle to from riding to support yourself, this saddle will be uncomfortable because it is lightly padded. For larger riders (of which I'm one), this is a great saddle since larger riders should have less padding because they tend to smash it flat anyhow. I'd say that if you are doing, or aspire to do, 100 miles per week, this saddle could be a winner for you.
This saddle has a great shell that flexes with you as you peddle. The flat top profile allows a multitude of riding positions that the profiled saddles like the Selle SMP do not (they sort of require you to sit in one position due to the sway back design).
I switched to this on my road bike, I've got almost 1000 miles on it and it's the best saddle I've ever had. With this, the saddle almost disappears beneath me - I don't even notice it anymore while riding. For me, and your mileage may vary, this saddle is a winner.
After 1300 miles on my new Cannondale Super Six EVO, I knew the flat top saddle was not going to get better-the need to stand too often, numbness. I researched the replacements, and choose the largest cutout saddle. The day after purchase, I did a 200 KM, 8000' vertical ride in hot weather. No comfort issues, no numbness. Same for daily rides, Cycle Oregon. Don't put up with numbness, discomfort. This added 10 grams of weight, but well wort it. Also no surface issues with the white saddle. I am 5'9, 175lb.
For me, the huge hole did not work. I could feel the edges of the cutout, and there never seemed to be enough saddle there to support my sit bones. The SLR shape, though, works well for me. The regular SLR Flow (i.e., not Super) has a smaller cutout, weighs less and costs less which, for me, has been an unbeatable combination.
I don't mind paying for comfort so I gave this saddle a try based on the reviews and the idea behind it. The bonus is this saddle is light too. As an avid rider/racer for last 20 years, I have about 1.5 years on the Superflow now and it's my favorite of all the saddles i've ever owned.
I have 900 miles on this saddle so far. I got this for my new Colnago given that my old SLK is no longer available.
I like that this saddle comes in two different widths. I use the 145. This saddle is much lighter than my old SLK but is just as comfortable. If you like a flat saddle this one is for you. Some people complain that they slide on the saddle. I haven't had this problem.
The only complaint I would have is that it is very expensive.
I have this saddle and do enjoy it. It is comfortable and easy to setup with the measurements in the rails. And the opening in the middle provides comfort and is aesthetically pleasing.
My only negative is for some reason it is not so comfy after 20 minutes or so when on my trainer. On the road - no issue, just on my trainer..
I would recommend this saddle. I purchased mine as an upgrade from a several FiZik saddles.
I have used this saddle now for two years and 10K miles. I crashed and had to replace my older SLR Superflow. The cut out works great for me and the flat saddle is my preferred shape. I use the 145mm size. I am 510 and weigh 170 lbs.
I have ridden several centuries with no numbness and have never had a saddle sore. If you like a flat saddle, this is definitely one of the best.
Despite my high rating, the Superflow didn't work for me. However, it has great materials and workmanship and my preferred, flat shape, narrow nose, and my other, workable saddles have been 145mm. However the hole is too big for me. Let me explain Works great for time trials for me, down on the drops. No pressure. Also works for me sitting full upright on the bars, just cruising. However, when working in between, 45 degrees, down on the brake levers, the side of the hole cuts into me. Could just be me, perhaps I have a bone spur there. Tried to make it work, shifting positions on the saddle, etc. Finally bought a Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle ... and as Goldilocks said, Just right. I didn't even ask Bike Tires Direct to take back the Superflow (I know they would have ... BTD is great.) because I used it through the Nebraska Senior Games trying to make it work. Finding a saddle that works can be an expensive proposition. Suggest try the Max SLR Gel Flow.
The only thing I would add to it would be a tiny bit more padding. My butt hurt the first week or so but I quickly toughened up to it. Its a very good saddle.
This is the third saddle I have been through looking for the right fit. I got this for a C'dale Synapse that I tend to use for longer, hillier, rides often with some dirt road portion. Build tries to find a balance between weight, comfort, and safety.
I have been really happy with this saddle so far. When it first arrived I thought I may have gone too far in the direction of weight saving and maybe should have gone with the Gel version. However, about 500 miles in I have found it very comfortable, including for one century ride and a half dozen 50 - 60 mile fast group rides.
This saddle ain't cheap, but it feels good and looks good. Though its got a large channel, its pretty light. The workmanship is great. Its pretty flat, so its easy to slide to different positions and I like that (but not everybody will). Not a lot of padding, but there is some.
After reading the Selle Italia ads about this saddle, I was expecting this to be the best of all worlds-a quality product which would relieve pressure and provide comfort for long rides. It was also a daily special which made the price more reasonable. After trying it for a few weeks, I have come away disappointed. It is well-made and the large opening does relieve pressure but cushioning is minimal. However, the worst feature was the leather surface which is so slick that it made for unpleasant riding as I was constantly struggling just to stay in place on it. Perhaps treating the leather with something to give it a little tackiness would improve it dramatically so I may try that next summer. In the meantime, I'll just continue my search for that elusive ideal saddle.
