San Marco Ponza

Price Paid:  $0.00 at N/A

Favorite Ride:
90's Cannondale

Bike Setup:
Mid 90's Cannondale R200, Ponza saddle, Continental tires. Dual pivot RSX brakes, RSX components, down tube 7 speed indexed shifters.

Summary:
I have used two of these on two different bikes. They just fit me better than any of the other modern saddles I've tried. I truly believe if you're getting numbness from this saddle you're either sitting too far forward, or your frame may be too small. Both situations will put pressure on the wrong areas IMHO. I feel no pressure at all? I sit far back, and have the saddle tilted ever so slightly nose down.

Strengths:
Very solid feel, not too much padding or too little. Hits my sit bones perfectly. Nice finish.

Weaknesses:
Might be a little on the heavy side, but who cares unless you're racing professionally, and need a feather light saddle.

Similar Products Used:
E-3 Form Gel(ouch) Specialized Toupe.

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Cycle City

Favorite Ride:
Any

Bike Setup:
Cannondale Six13

Summary:
Saddle came with the purchase of my Cannondale Synapse and Cannondale Six13. In both cases the saddle works fine but does have me shifting around after a few hours. But since I tend to do a lot of climbing out of the saddle it still works out sell. But watch out on rollers. Being planted in the same position allows for numbness to set in after only a short time. I do plan on testing new saddles to see if there is anything out there that I like better.

Strengths:
overall good value
good balance between softness and firmness
still looks good after 3,000 miles

Weaknesses:
a little on the heavy side
numbness sets in if unable to get out of the saddle every now and then (rollers

Price Paid:  $0.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Bridge To Bridge

Bike Setup:
2009 BMC Road Racer w/ Full SRAM Rival/Force mix.

Summary:
Over 8,000 miles on this saddle in just about 18 months and I have been very pleased with it. Considering it came with my original road bike and I have since transferred it to two upgraded frame purchases, I am very happy with it. This was even more evident recently when my race bike was destroyed in an auto accident while on the rear rack of my Jeep. I borrowed a team mate's extra bike to race until the Insurance company covered my new bike. His saddle was the Fizik Arione. While also a good saddle for crits and short road races, it sets in with pain after about 70 miles. I would give it my third choice behind the Ponza and Fizik Antares.

Strengths:
Solid feel and confidience in position. Easy to maneuver about on and you can sit "in" the saddle; rather than feeling like you will slide off the back.

Weaknesses:
A bit on the heavy side, but not drastically. Could use better materials and lighter components/rails.

Similar Products Used:
Fizik Pave', Arione, Aliante, Antares

Selle Italia SLR, Flite, Aspide

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at Vos Fietsen

Favorite Ride:
Cervelo Soloist Team (S1 nowadays)

Summary:
The San Marco Ponza came standard with my Cervelo bike. I have used the saddle for more than a month. Conclusion: this saddle was not meant for men! The major problem with this saddle is that is constantly delivers high pressure on the pereneum. Numbness is what you get after a while. I am using an ISM Adamo Racing seat now. Seriously, a difference between being very poor or extremely rich!

Strengths:
- Looks great.

Weaknesses:
- Very hard if you looking for softness.
- Makes Willy go numb.

Price Paid:  $50.00 at Local retailer

Favorite Ride:
Steep mountains

Bike Setup:
Custom steel Kirkbride/Dura Ace/Rol

Summary:
Ouch. This saddle has a hard, flat elevated center, perfectly positioned to smash your perineum. Thought it would offer more forward positioning options for springing and power than my WTB Rocket. It does, at a the price of anatomical damage. The true saddle litmus test: riding the rollers. It didn't pass.

Strengths:
Lightweight, sleek, flat nose for saddle position options.

Weaknesses:
Raised center smooshes sensitive nerves and makes your junk go numb.

Similar Products Used:
WTB rocket(grade: A), WTB Silverado(C), Flite (B), Flite TransAm (D).