Strengths: Solid ti rails (the new ones have X-Lite tubular rails), narrow nose than the Flite and SLR, minimal padding because the base flexes some, Lorica cover.
Weaknesses: Weight advertised is NOT correct (170g when it's more like 180-187g), about a year when the Lorica loses its shine, looks kind of ratty or grotty, thinnish Lorica cover.
Bottom Line:
I used to have an old Flite, I like the Aspide because it has a narrow nose, minimal padding (helps to have decent bibs), and it's covered in Lorica (same as most road shoes). I bought the old Aspide (w/out the cutout) with solid titanium rails. This saddle never disappoints me - short rides, intervals, paceline, long distance, on the hoods or in the drops. I like it better than the SLR and the Flite because it has a narrower nose, the SLR is still covered in thin leather, and the SLR has tubular titanium rails (the Flite has solid ti rails). One thing about the Flite - it has too much padding on the inside of my uppper thighs. Now the Flite Trans Am doesn't have that much padding, but it's too heavy (over 250g).
I rode this saddle for an extended period of time. It just didn't seem to fit my anatomy. There are shops which will take an impression of your butt which then determines the proper measurements for a saddle for your individual anatomy. This saddle just didn't fit me. I rode it on RAGBRAI [450+ miles in 7 days] and it was terrible uncomfortable for me. I have the US Postal Service version of this saddle still in my garage.
Similar Products Used: Fizik Arione and the Fizik Pave both fit me well and I can ride century rides with no problem. The Arione i rode for years and it fell apart recently. Fizik saddles fit my anatomy.
Bike Setup: Merlin Extra Lite [titanium], Ksyrium ES wheels, Shimano Ultegra, Speedplay X pedals, Fizik Pave saddle, ....
Strengths: Puts the pressure where it should be, on the sit bones. No chafing, flat and padded nose works well when "on the rivet." Your mileage may vary, but this is the only saddle I'll ride. If they stop making them I'm buying a closetfull.
Weaknesses: It is firm; can take a bit of getting used to. But if you ride it regularly, it will treat you well.
Bottom Line:
GREAT saddle. It's firm, and you might need a week or 2 to get the sit bones in shape, but once you do it just works. Puts the pressure on the sit bones where it belongs, keeps it off the soft tissue. I've tried a LOT of saddles over the last couple of years (Flite, SLR, SLR Gel Flow, Arione, Antares...) and this is by far the best. I've done multiple centuries, and ride 150-200 miles/week on this saddle; it's the only one that will do! Bonus: it looks great and is plenty light! Double Bonus: Relatively cheap, compared to many top-end saddles out there now.
Strengths: Minimalist saddle with slick looks
Excellent comfort/weight ratio
No numbness
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
This review is for the San Marco Aspide Glamour 190 gram version w/o cut out. It is no longer in the SSM line up, but some shops still have stock.
I was looking for a saddle not giving any pressure in the middle. I wanted to solve the numbness I sometimes experienced with my previous saddle, a Selle Italia C2 Genuine Gel. I tried a few saddles with large cut-out like the Selle Italia SLC Gel Flow (quite OK, but not perfect because of some pressure of the edges around the cut out) and Selle SMP Stratos and Glider (heavy torture in the seat bone area).
I finally settled for the San Marco Aspide Glamour. This woman’s saddle (155 mm width) was discharged by my wife because of the too thin padding and lack of a cut out. Since my C2 was worn out and needed replacement and the experiments with the SMP and SLC had no satisfactory result, I fitted the discharged saddle as a temporary solution on my bike.
Surprise!
This wider saddle turned out to support my seat bones over a much larger area than the SMP’s and the SLC, thus more than compensating the quite thin padding. The Aspide Glamour has no cut out, but it has a sort of groove in the middle. The combination of the well supported seat bones and the groove brings comfort and reduces the pressure in the middle enough to fully eliminate numbness.
Similar Products Used: San Marco Rolls **, Selle Italia Flite Ti version 1 ***, Selle Italia C2 Genuine Gel (version 1) ***, Selle Italia SLR 135 gram version **, Selle Italia SLC Gel Flow ***, Selle SMP Stratos * en Glider *
Bike Setup: Principia Gaia, Ultegra 9-speed, Shimano WH-R561 road wheels.
Don’t let the other reviews fool you, I rode a flite for years, great saddle, I wanted to try a lighter and different saddle and tried this for about a year and it sucxs.
Never got comfortable on it, Yeh, I know everyone else rides 5,000 to 50,000 miles a year on there bike can do every climb and can do it all (don’t know how anyone can find that much time if they are not pro??) I’m about 2500-5000 a year and I work nights 3 days a week so I can ride all winter, Anyway I tried it unless you have $300 bib shorts it is hard on the butt really fatiguing on long rides. You want to be comfortable for the ride not look cool when you take all your breaks for coffee and doughnuts. I got the new SMP Pro and it is great.
Anyone have any comments on this saddle - good or bad? Does the cutout help eliminate numbness? Looking for a training saddle 30 -50 mile usually. Is the Nanoflex good? Stock s Read More »
The picture that goes with the Aspide Glamour has much to recommend it. The calves are a matter of taste. Strange choice though.
[url]http://www.sellesanmarco.com/index.asp?la Read More »
I am looking at getting either the Selle San Marco Aspide Arrowhead or the Selle Italia SLK Gel Flow Saddle. Anyone here own one of these that would recommend or dissuade me from Read More »
Anyone running an Aspide with the Xsilite rails, looks like ti to me but I'm no metallurgist, with a USE Alien post? Just bought three Aspide saddles and the bikes I plan on instal Read More »
