Saddles with channel’s, what are u using ??

Thinking of getting a saddle with a channel, been tipping my saddle down at the front a bit more lately to get a comfy sitting position.  Running charge spoon across multiple bikes which have been fairly comfy but wondering if I can get more !!.

So anyone with any info please tell me more.

Thanks Si

I personally can’t tell the difference. I’ve one bike with a cut out, a Selle Italia SLR from a few years back, with cut out, and another with a FSA saddle with a ‘hidden’ cut out – the shell is cut out underneath, but the cover/padding is ‘full’. I’ve spoons on two bikes.

Specialized Power saddles on my drop bar bikes (full cut out), Specialized Bridge on my eeb (channel but no cut out), and Ergon on my enduro (channel and small cut out).

All of them are comfy, though I’d look at non full cut out on the mtb due to spray from back wheel (I use mudguards on my non best (dry weather only) drop bar bike).

EDIT: I also had a WTB Volt on a bike with a comfort zone like on a post further down, this was also comfortable.

The saddles that I have not got on with are SDG Bel Air (one of the older versions) and a Fabric Scoop (one ride and sold).

Selle SMP Extra, after trying so many saddles since ’16. Combo of cutout plus less concentrated load points on the quirky “beak” shape really helps.

Rear peak ~14mm higher than front peak on saddle.

I’ve moved from a Fabric Scoop, which was a good saddle but giving me some numbness on climbs, to a WTB SL8 in Wide (it has a covered cutout), which solved the problems. As always though, saddle preferences are notoriously individual.

https://www.wtb.com/products/sl8

Ergon saddles for me, measurable sizes and reasonably priced

I’ve been through a few recently!

Fizik Antares Open (more just a hole than a channel), Selle Italia Flite Boost Superflow (channel), Specialized Power Arc, and now trying a Fizik Terra Argo on the gravel bike (huge cut-out and a rubber spray guard underneath).

The Terra Argo is working well so far, first saddle I could genuinely relax into for a long day out without any discomfort.

I did some big days on the Power Arc and it was ‘OK’ but I think the general shape was too curved for me, the kicked up tail was forcing my weight forward on to the nose. No doubt I could have persevered with adjustments.

I have a new Fizik Vento Argo on the winter road bike, am hoping it’s similar to the Terra Argo i.e. suitable for plonking down on for long miles.

All that being said, I’ve been gradually lowering saddle more than I thought sensible but it has improved comfort no end, I’m down to 750mm from BB centre from 780mm! I think that should always be your first check?

Selle Italia Novus Boost for me. The cut out is very noticeable – you sit entirely on your sit bones with none of your undercarriage on the saddle. I’ve also dropped the saddle on my gravel bike which seems to have helped.

The Flite Boost is similar (though with a longer nose).

>Selle SMP Extra

Yup. found the selle SMP saddles to be the most comfortable saddle i’ve ever had. I went to the distrbutor with 2 bikes and tried out a few of them. I settlted on the 209. It looks weird is very comfy

Mark beaumont used selle smp saddle to  cycle around the world
https://road.cc/content/tech-news/229473-mark-beaumonts-record-breaking-koga-kimera-bike-and-equipment-used-79-day

Ergon SR for the road bike. Very comfy. Keep meaning to add an SM to the MTB.

Singletrack review of Ergon SM

(That review also has a useful guide to DIY sit bone measurement).

SQlab 614 and 611 and 60x, I think. Bontrager Aeolus on the road.

Running charge spoon across multiple bikes which have been fairly comfy

i never got on with charge spoons. The middle of the saddle (front) is quite convex which I found really uncomfortable. Most saddles tend to be more flat .

Another Selle SMP user here. Got a Dynamic on my road bike and a hybrid on my CX commuter bike.

They’re quite pricey though so you might want to try and find a dealer that has some demo models, either that or see if you can find second hand. There is a cheaper model the TRK which is quite heavily padded and quite wide.

I switched to cutout saddles a few years ago. As a result of trying to find the right one I’ve had quite a few. I find they make a big difference, no numbness and can sit comfortably more upright.

Bontrager Verse has the biggest cutout and best shape. It’s on the firmer side though.

Nukeproof Horizon has a slightly less effective cutout but softer padding. They essentially copied a Specialized Power for shape, but the Specialized is very stiff.

Selle Italia X-bow Superflow has a big cutout. Very thick padding but oddly firm.

Didn’t get on with Ergon at all. They were either huge or I was slipping off either side. Ineffective cutout with pronounced ridges either side.

Currently perched on a WTB Koda which has a nice cut out but it extends all the way to the back of the saddle.

Does become a bit of a water lake in wet conditions though, kinda wish it had a hole.

Selle SMPs do tend to be pricey, but around Nov ’21 I somehow got mine for £37 from Amazon!

SQ Lab 610 on my eBike

Spesh Romin Evo Pro Mirror (3D printed) on my road bike

Fizik Aidon on new full sus I’m building up.

Other bikes all on a variety of Spesh Romin’s, Genetic STV (it’s Ison’s own brand, basically a Spesh Romin copy, but with more padding and a more flexy shell) and Spesh Bridge comp’s on other bikes… All have relief channels (I can’t sit on a bike saddle without one!)…

These all work for me in their varying degrees.

But I’d suggest getting a proper fit… And though not cheap, I really can’t recommend SQ Lab’s enough if you’re having genuine troubles getting fitted on a saddle. Go to one of their dedicated fit centres and get fitted!

Well thank you very much , that’s  quite a lot of researching I can get stuck into. I realise saddles are very personal but it’s good to have a bit of direction tp start off with.

?

+ 1 for the Ergon SM Pro

@fossy

I personally can’t tell the difference. I’ve one bike with a cut out, a Selle Italia SLR

That’s surprising. I ride an SLR on all my bikes. My partner was riding a SI women saddle with a cutout and it turned out. It was exactly the same as an SLR with a cut out which is what she’s riding now.  I tried using one of her saddles on the wattbike and get on with it at all.

Saddle shape is more important to individuals. I had one Selle saddle that had a cut out, but it was too padded on top, and very uncomfortable.