Selle Italia Fluid

Price Paid:  $40.00 at LBS (going out of bu

Favorite Ride:
up hills. then down. repeat.

Bike Setup:
2002 Specialized Allez (8-spd triple)
Bontrager X-lite seatpost

Summary:
Harder than the stock Specialized saddle that came with my bike. But I found it to be reasonably comfortable anyway. Pretty durable on the top part. However the rails broke on me!

I started noticing a clicking noise when i'd stand or sit. It was a few rides later that I noticed some movement in the saddle when I grabbed it. One rail had sheared completely, and the other had a crack in it. Also the rails were bent.

Sent it to the US distrib for Selle Italia, and they fixed the rails. They also sent me a bill for $19.50, because it wasn't covered under warranty.

Upon receiving the literature for the repaired saddle, I see in the fine print that the saddles are not designed to work with a side-clamping seatpost. Well I'm using a Bontrager X-Lite seatpost, and it's a side-clamping model.

Strengths:
Looks nice, feels firm but comfortable.

Weaknesses:
Not compatible with side-clamping seatposts.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized stock saddle

Price Paid:  $35.00 at eBay

Favorite Ride:
Rolling hills of Scioto River Valley

Bike Setup:
Trek 5500 stock

Summary:
I put in 4000-5000 miles a year, usually in rides of 40 to 100 miles length. I've been looking for a saddle that will still be comfortable after the first 2 hours. The reviews I've read so far told me I was either going ot love or hate this saddle. So far all other saddles I've tried I found were okay the first 2 hours and really bad thereafter. I'm at 6' 215 lbs, not fat just a large build, so I needed more support than the average rider. First 2 rides I thought I had made yet another mistake. Saddle felt hard, and I didn't seem to be able to adjust to it. 3rd ride and I found I had forgotten about my ars for the first time in years. No pain. 4th ride, again no problem. Since then I have basically forgotten about my saddle comfort problem. So I guess I'm one of he lucky ones - saddle is perfect for me.

Strengths:
Firm, flat, easy to move back and forth on saddle at will. Comfortable after 2nd ride on l o n g rides.

Weaknesses:
On the heavy side

Similar Products Used:
Terry Fly Tri Gel, Selle San Marco Era Lux, Serfas

Price Paid:  $59.00 at Performance Bike

Favorite Ride:
Never had an unfavorite ride..

Bike Setup:
'02 Colnago Master X-Light, Campy Chorus/Record mix, Mavic OP's, Deda Newton stem/bars, Thomson seatpost.

Summary:
Saddles are a very personal thing. What one person likes another might consider an ass hachette. I bought this saddle on a whim. My old San Marco Regal was working fairly well but I was getting bored so I thought I would buy a new toy for my bike. I used my Team Performance points and got this saddle for around $51 (less tax and shipping). After I ordered it I checked the reviews on this site and wondered if I had made a mistake. When it arrived I first noticed that it was heavy and it appeared sort of stubby looking because of it's short rails (actually it's the same lenght as the Selle Italia Flite saddles). If I had seen what it looked like first I would not have bought it. That being said- this saddle was very easy for me to install on my Thomson non-setback seatpost. It dialed right in with my settings. On my first ride I had no impression when my butt first made contact. It was just there, which is what you want in a saddle. I found that this saddle really worked for me. It has a nice shape and I do not find it too firm. On a scale of 9 to 10 on firmness I'd give it a 7. The Hydrodynamic system works as they say and I found it to be far more comfortable than my San Marco Regal. The rails are short and set back so a person with an off-set seat post might have problems dialing it in with their bike. I think this saddle would work better if it had longer rails and not so much fluid. I don't know why Sella Italia constructed it the way they did. It won't work on most bikes, but I was able to get back further for my KOPS and I could not do this with other saddles unless I went to an off-set seatpost. I'm very pleased with this saddle. It shows that there is not one saddle that everyone can completely agree on. My worry is that Selle Italia will stop making them and when it comes time for replacement I'll be up the creek.

Strengths:
Nice shape, hydrodynamic system provides long comfi rides, rail position provides a good match if you have an non-setback seat post. Nice smooth black leather (not slippery as others stated).

Weaknesses:
Short rails, weight (375g), might be considered too firm for some tastes.

Similar Products Used:
Selle Italia Flite Gel, San Marco Era, Brooks Team Pro, Selle Italia Max Flite, Fizik Pave, San Marco Regal

Price Paid:  $72.00 at EBAY

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere with my Dog running along side me

Bike Setup:
Bike is going on 6 years and 12K miles. Just upgraded the wheels (Mavic MX3), Shimano 9 speed replaces seven speed. May do some limited self contained touring.

Summary:
Currently riding a Cannondale H300 that I purchased new in 1998. The saddle was getting old and worn so I decided to replace it with the Selle Italia Fluid. At first I thought I made a mistake. I looked at the saddle and said to myself that this thing is way to thin to be comfortable. I put it on the bike and took it for a spin. It felt a little too firm but after a few miles it felt very good. Would definitely recommend this seat as a replacement.

Strengths:
Smooth and comfortable

Weaknesses:
Maybe a bit to narrow for some

Similar Products Used:
Specialized

Price Paid:  $60.00 at PerformanceBike.com

Bike Setup:
Eddy Merckx Team SC, DuraAce, Ksyriums, Tufo tires, Deda stem & bar, Campy Ti seat post, Time Impact pedals.

Summary:
Note: "Not everyone likes the same type of saddle"... I have found this saddle to be uncomforable from the first time I sat on it. I have tried to break it in for a month now with 50 mile rides with no such luck. Just creates to many pressure points which become too much to take after an hour in the saddle.

Strengths:
Good shape.

Weaknesses:
Too firm in all the wrong ways; and,
creates hot spots and pressure points everywhere.

Similar Products Used:
selle italia and Specialized