UPDATE: Reviews section refreshed, redesigned, searchable: Go take a look
So after the best part of two decades riding almost exclusively Charge Spoons I've become saddle curious.
So first part of the question, has anyone moved from the faithful Spoon to a Selle Italia saddle and if so which model did you choose?
Second part of the question, SI saddles can be quite spendy, now I'm willing to go big for the right saddle but I don't want to buy without trying, and to this end there's a lot of knock offs available on Ali Express, has any one tried one of these and found them to be similar in fit and feel of the originals?
I'm even tempted by some of the 3D printed offerings available on AE has anyone tried those?
Thanks.
To be honest I'm not sure Selle Italia would be my first choice for a direct replacement for a Spoon, what are you trying to achieve?
I think the SLR might be the nearest equivalent but I found it too ergonomic (seems to be a distinct 'cup' to sit in) and there seemed to only be one position on it which worked, I move around too much for that.
The Flite is a classic and comes in loads of different padding levels etc. but again, because I move around a lot (I guess lack of low back flexibility means I rotate the pelvis more when I change positions on the handlebar) I found the transition from the wide rear to the narrow nose to be too abrupt, I was missing having some support in the middle.
I've got a Novus Boost to try which might be the best compromise, it's relatively flat side-to-side (I think the Spoon is quite 'round' side to side) but this means there's more support and comfort if you roll forward on the saddle to e.g. get in the drops or more aero. If you're on an MTB and typically sat more upright the whole time then this probably isn't as important and the Flite would be the better choice.
Specialized Phenom might be worth a look, probably a closer shape to the Spoon but more modern features e.g. cut-out etc.
Find a local bike shop that has saddles on various 'try and if you don't love it, return it'. Quite a few brands now do this, plus LBS is good for advice.
Unless you know what you want, then a saddle, like shoes, is best bought in store, imo.
Thanks for the replies, I forgot to add a couple of pieces of information in the first post, firstly this is for my gravel/road bike, so mostly looking for more comfort in 4+ hour rides, also I'm currently trying a Brooks C17, it's fine and a little comfier than the Spoon but not a revelation.
I'm looking at SI as they just seem to be everywhere to be honest.
Local bike shops are a little thin on the ground where I am and none seem to offer a try before you buy programme unfortunately.
The try before you buy programmes are a bit of a trap I found, better just buying and selling on rather than being committed to one brand/shop, sure you'll lose a bit of money but that's the 'tax' you pay to find the perfect saddle. I never could figure out what happens if you get the saddle dirty or (VERY common with Specialized saddles, suspiciously so in fact) the saddle rails get marked during your 30 days.
I've had good luck selling saddles on after trying, you'll recoup at least 50% of the cost and there's a healthy marketplace for second hand saddles.
I use Fizik Arione's and Aliante's from the olden days on my road bikes but can't get on with Selle Italia. Hence (by way of a blatant plug) I have a one ride old Flight TM medieval torture device (according to my arse) available if you fancy a cheap punt. PM me if interested.
I've a Spoon shaped bum, tried a fair few others, but keep coming back to the trusty ol' Spoon!
Brooks Cambium C15 comes close, and I have one on my gravel bike, done a few 100km + rides on it, but tbh I still think I prefer the Spoon!
This might be worth a look. He's not everyone's cup of tea, but he does talk sense.
The other thing you can do is put what you like/dislike about a saddle and which saddles you like/don't like into ChatGPT and ask for recommendations. It's clearly not fool proof but it might give you a start point.
This might be worth a look. He's not everyone's cup of tea, but he does talk sense.
Haha, funny you mention that, I tend to avoid that guy's videos just due to his presentation style. Neil Stanbury at Road Cycling Academy and Douglas Shaw at Edinburgh Bike Fitting both did/do Youtube videos on the same topic, it was a recent Douglas Shaw video describing the difference between 'endurance saddles' and 'race' saddles which helped me a bit.
Is that the overly shouty Scottish geezer.
Why is he so angry?
That's an interesting Youtube. As I've said on the comments there I've ridden the SLR without a cutout for years (while K rides the Superflow version he recommends) as I found the edges of the cutout to be a problem. But suddenly having some comfort issues and looking at alternatives.
It's annoying he only includes the top end versions of the Spec Ronin and Power Evo (that are 250+) as there are £95 'comp' versions too. Would be good to know how they compare.
Is that the overly shouty Scottish geezer.
Why is he so angry?
No, it's the cheeky London geezer. The shouty Scottish geezer is maybe Bulletproof Cycling?
I actually found that video more useful that I expected, wasn't aware of the Power Evo (and yes, there's a perfectly affordable Evo Comp already reduced in some shops to £85).
I had reached the same conclusions about 'flare angle' as he calls it (I called it 'taper' which I probably picked up from one of the other Youtube channels). The Power Evo looks like the Selle Italia Novus Boost, and also the WTB Gravelier (and to a less extent the Fizik Argo range although I find them a touch too wide and too curved from nose to tail).
Where are youOP? If you're near the Tweed Valley you're welcome to have a sit on my SLR.
If you like your Brooks you'll probably hate it though, I love my SLRs but hated the Brooks I tried
@Bazz Banana Cycling has some Selle Italia bargains - especially if you're not worried about colour/printing (theres some very cheap white test saddles). Buy a more aesthetically pleasing one when you've established it works for you. Theres no difference in most of the 'lady' saddles either
https://www.bananaindustries.co.uk/search?q=slr
