Selle Italia Turbomatic 3

Price Paid:  $75.00 at Liberty Bike Shop

Favorite Ride:
MS150 Bike Tour

Bike Setup:
2008 Cannondale system six

Summary:
This is a great saddle. It took me long time to find a saddle I really like but when I sat on this I thought this is the BEST saddle I ever sat on. Its not to long and its not to wide. Some say it is a little on the heavy side but when I look at a saddle I look at the comfort not really the weight. 5* saddle

Strengths:
Really comfortable

Weaknesses:
A little heavy

Similar Products Used:
The selle Italia Flite

Price Paid:  $140.00 at Mikes Bikes, Miami,

Favorite Ride:
Nunimbah Valley, Gold Coast

Bike Setup:
Giant TCR1, full Campy Record carbon, G3 wheels, Ritchey bars and stem.
Moser Over, full Campy Chorus, Mavic wheels, Ritchey bars and stem.
Giant TCR Team, full Campy Chorus, Mavic wheels,Ritchey bars and stem.

Summary:
Been using Turbos of all types for almost twenty years, mu bum was made for them, tried San Marcos and even Flites but they didn't have that shape that works, and they have consistently been a fantastic saddle.

Strengths:
Comfort, durability, not too long or narrow, like a Flite.
200 km rides a breeze

Weaknesses:
Mine kinda groans and squawks when I really grunt down on it climbing. I have broken a rail on one, the magnesium..some say heavy, what kind of price can you put on comfort and no saddle sores??

Similar Products Used:
San Marcos Rolls, Ritchey WCS, Fizik Pave, Titanium Flite

Price Paid:  $50.00 at used on ebay

Favorite Ride:
Hunterdon County, NJ

Bike Setup:
1999 Litespeed Classic, LOOK fork, Dura Ace components, handbuilt tubulars

Summary:
This review is for the original Turbomatic with titanium rails. The basic saddle shape has remained the same throughout the four iterations of this design, until Selle Italia recently decided to stop producing it. A number of well-known pro riders have favored this saddle and still do. Obviously, the shape of the saddle is a personal choice, and what works for one rider will not necessarily be comfortable for another. I have been riding this saddle for about 15 years, having switched to it from the original Turbo model when it was introduced. The saddle is suspended on three rubber mounts which absorb a lot of the road vibration. Despite this feature, the basic feel of the saddle is firm and supportive, with no goofy cutouts, gel pads, or other gimmicks. It is a bit wider at the back than the Flite and most of the other Selle Italia minimalist designs. The nose could be a little narrower, but overall the shape fits me well. I rode 109 miles on this saddle last weekend, so I guess it is comfortable for this rider. The original Turbomatic model with titanium rails weighs in the 260-280 gram range, very reasonable for a suspension design. The steel rail versions are considerably heavier. So, if you are considering buying this saddle, look for the titanium rail version, which was also produced as the Turbomatic 2.

Strengths:
Firm, supportive padding
Suspension really works

Weaknesses:
steel rail model is on the heavy side

Similar Products Used:
Avocet Racing, Selle Italia Turbo

Price Paid:  $30.00 at rec.bicycles.marketp

Favorite Ride:
Empty Roads, Smooth Pavement

Bike Setup:
Bridgestone RB-2 Fixed Gear

Summary:
I have this on my Bridgestone RB-2 which I converted to Fixed Gear riding. I love this saddle. I always liked the Selle Italia Turbo shape and love the additional suspension under this saddle. I still need to be careful on big bumps, but the suspension really helps with washboard, road seams, and other minor road conditions.
I was very sad to hear that SI had killed the Turbomatic line, but we must all move on.

Strengths:
Classic Turbo Shape.
Suspension that actually works.
Good quality, durable leather.

Weaknesses:
Bit heavy by today's standards.

Similar Products Used:
Selle Italia Turbo, Selle Italia Flite, Selle Italia Max Flite

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Price Paid:  $45.00 at Price Point

Favorite Ride:
Long empty roads

Bike Setup:
Colorado Cyclist DOUGLAS Fusion Dura-Ace-9

Summary:
Saddles are one of the most (if not the most) personal components on a bike. I purchase the "Turbomatic 4" for two main reasons: price, and reviews/rating ratio. My other choices were "Koobi", and Fizik saddles. Both of them at least twice as expensive as this one. I figured that it would not "HURT" as much on your behind and wallet $45.00 than $90.00 or higher. Well, I think I made the right choice. For the first time in a very long time, I don't think about being sitting down on a bike, the saddle just disappears; my rides are usually 2-3 hours long.
However, just like the two reviewrs before me, what works for some people will not work for others. I guess it has to do with the shape/size of your behind, weight, height, riding position, etc... Again there are many variables here that could make your ride very comfortable or the complete opposite. Like anything in life you have to try it for yourself to find out if it is for you.

Strengths:
To me, the major strenghts are price and comfort.

Weaknesses:
Weight. I wish it were at least 100 grams lighter.

Similar Products Used:
Selle Marco Aspide (different versions)