Selle Italia Lady Gel Flow

Price Paid:  $50.00 at Performance

Favorite Ride:
Lake Mary, AZ

Bike Setup:
2005 Specialized Allez, dura-ace/ultegra/fsa components.

Summary:
As a lady rider it's difficult to find comfortable saddles made specifically for us. I took a chance with the Selle Lady for my road bike and have been using it pain free for about a year now. The saddle holds up well and feels good. Its very well made and the leather is holding up nicely, looks new even after a years worth of rides. It required no break in period for me. It feels firm, but not hard...not squishy either...just right.

My only complaint is many lady saddles are a lot heavier than mens, this one included. 290g. The lighter mens saddles are close to 200g. I guess its the extra padding our bums require, but I still hope to see more lighter selections in the future.

I wouldnt mind this saddle being a little longer in length too...but overall its very comfortable for road riding and excellent quality for the buck. I see this saddle lasting me a very very long time. I have yet to find one that matches its comfort.

Strengths:
Quality, fits good, just enough cushion without going overboard. Looks good.

Weaknesses:
Heavier at 290g. Could be a little longer for my taste.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized dolce

Price Paid:  $70.00

Favorite Ride:
Portola Valley to end of Sawyer's Creek Trail

Bike Setup:
Yokota ladies Ahwahnee from 1990s, straight handle bars, 21 speed gripshift Shimano gears, hybrid bike. Tires are the smoothest I could find for a hybrid bike - not too skinny - OK for rough trails, reasonable speeds on pavement. I don't have big springs like a mountain bike - so on a rough trail going downhill the bike can vibrate like crazy!

Summary:
I saw this saddle and the design looked interesting with its hole in the middle -When I bought it I thought holes only benefitted men - but was prepared to try it.

I have now done a 57 mile ride on this saddle plus a few shorter rides (6-13 miles). I have been on both rough fire roads in parks and on good smooth roads. I really like this saddle. It is not soft and squishy - which some may like, but it does fit you well and does not rub your soft tissues. My long ride I only had thin hiking shorts - not heavily padded bike shorts and I found it cool to sit on even though the day was hot as the air comes underneath you. My sit bones were very slightly stiff after 57 miles (I do 30+ mile rides about 3 times a year and lots of 15-20 mile rides), but not sore or bruised and I expect that is just because it is the first long ride on this saddle. I really found it amazingly comfortable and would recommend it to anyone that wants a light, firm saddle for a range of biking conditions. I am a 50-year old woman who is reasonably fit.

Strengths:
Good firm saddle.
Has air underneath the crotch - less sweaty - does not rub.
Sit bones area is reasonably well padded and has holes in plastic for ventilation.

Weaknesses:
No springs under rear like my previous saddles - it may be a good idea to have a "sprung version" for the casual cyclist who occasionally goes on mountain bike trails.

Similar Products Used:
I've had many bike saddles in my lifetime - this is one of the best. Not quite as soft as my previous gel saddle, but much less sticky. Won't conform to me as much as a soft leather saddle.