So I'm on a quest for the right saddle. The shape to fit seems to be Selle Italia as I've just had a lovely fling with a Yutaak Gel Flow. I'm after something a bit more 'XC' for long rides and a few events.
So what's the difference between the Selle Italias?
Flite? SLR? The Yutaak has a nice bit of gnar to it but the fabric might not be so chafe-free after 4 hours in the saddle.
Anyone have one I can borrow?
The thing is your Butt is unique and what might suit you won't suit others.
Seat italain are as good as any depending on which quality you buy etc.
I'm using spesh BG toupe-a plank of wood for others but nice for me.
The flites are nice but also consider a lycra inner with a pad?
Exactly, I'm just wondering if anyone know how much variation in shape there is between the Selle Italia models.
I have tried - Charge Spoon, Fizik Gobi, Spesh Phenom, SDG Bel-Air - and the Yutaak beats the lot for shape. I'm just hesitating on buying a SLR Flow in case the shape is v different.
I do use lycra shorts/leggings/longs with a pad.
The SLRs do seem highly praised on these forums (fora?).
I've snapped a couple of Selle Italia saddles, not good ime.
I was tempted to ask if you were fat, but I don't think I will 
I've used them for a long time as in 20 odd years and 24hr events too. If you find the 'standard' flite comfy you'll probably find the SLR nice too. Though they are getting a bit expensive lately 
Some of the Selle italia saddles come with a 30 day money back deal if you don't get on with it-worth a look.
I've got a flite gel flow on my road bike & love it, but just doesn't feel right on my xc bike, strange how that sometimes happens
Cheers mocha - I'm pretty skinny actually. they are expensive, hence my caution. I haven't tried an MTB Flite - are they the same shape, just the SLR is skinnied up?
Golden - different positions and body angle I guess. tried an old flite on the road bike but didn't like it there and then. The money back offer probably needs me to find a local shop that stocks them and pay full whack...
I have a SLR Kit Carbonio flow on one of my bikes. Despite it's meagre looks and alleged 125g weight I find it the most comfortable saddle I have. More so for example than a Gobi XM (which I did rate highly), and having just got off a Fizik Aliante there's no comparison. The only downside is they aren't cheap should you find you don't like it...but if you buy an SLR Flow Carbon I'd take it off your hands
I was tempted to ask if you were fat, but I don't think I will
About 90 kgs
have a look on ebay, there is someone selling new selle italia 'test' saddles for about £30, identical to normal saddle but 2/3 off list price because there is a gold test saddle graphic on it - surely worth a punt iff you're a serial saddle swapper?
I've got an SLR on one road bike and an SLR kit carbonio on another and I love them. Not sure how long they'd last off road though, the leather looks very thin. After years on Flites my current favourite saddle for off road is the Charge Spoon - very comfy and dirt cheap so no worries if it gets trashed in a crash.
Mine has and is serving me well after 10 years.
did puffer 24 on an SLR 135 - comfy - weigh 72kgs - tried several saddles for the distance stuff and ended up with a bloody bum more than once. Its funny how something feels comfy to start/in training with then rubs in all the wrong places come race day. The slr never does feel particularly comfy but it doesnt get any less comfy as time goes on during the event.
use flites on my road bike - doesnt work that well off road imo
got 2 x brooks on my training bikes - 1 mtb 1 fixed road comfy no matter what but fooking heavy !
+1 for the geezer on ebay...picked up a Flite XC gel flow for a third of the RRP 2weeks ago. Er jury is still out on it yet, not enough ride time yet first couple of rides left me tender
Been using Flites since day one. I try and buy up old style Flites for road racing. And I've got a flite on my XC bike, and that's done loads of 12 and 24 solos with ease.
Got an SLR on my race cross bike but comfort ain't an issue on that bike.
The Flite is a well proven and liked saddle.
I would highly recommend the SLR saddles, two SLR 135 and two SLR teknologika. Always used SLR 135 before but tried specialized toupe and Phenom which came with my race bikes but did not get on with them after an hour of riding, ended up riding out of the saddle. Tried a SLR teknologika as a joke really as it looks painfull (like a plank of carbon) and I was able to trial one, but it just fitted me and was very comfortable. I held on to it and did a 100 miler event. So ended up talking myself into buying two of them. 
Saddles are personal items, but Stelle Italia are getting expensive but they do last the distance. Try to get one on loan from your LBS....
I always used to use SLRs, then changed to Spesh Toupes, and find them more comfortable, with the added bonus that they're cheaper and there's medical research to show it's not killing my swimmers, unlike the SLR, which if you believe what you read will have you impotent within 20 seconds of looking at one!
nock - if you're not sure, I'll loan it from you as a test and then decide to let me keep it or I'll post back. I've had a look through the ebay shop, but I hadn't spotted them this time as I'm ken on one with a cut-out or 'flow' model.
stu - I asked my LBS if they could get one in but no joy.
I had a SLR 135 and it was very comfy for what it is, the shell has some flex which makes it comfortable without loads of padding or some fancy gel, my mates SLR gel flow seemed like a wooden bench and he was MTFUing for 2 months to get used to it. I now have BelAir ti on both bikes. But if You're looking for a light race saddle the 135 SLR was not only light but comfy and holds it value well. I had mine on a bike I bought and still sold it for £40 without any problems.
I have six bikes.
I have five SLRs.
Oldest one must be about 8 years old by now, last a lot longer than one would think from looking at them. Also, much comfier than appearences suggest. Not suitable for comuting in jeans, must have padded shorts for them!
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