Selle SMP Composit

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Upgraded from my stock saddle, needless to say there is no comparison. on top of dropping almost 150g (this is essentially the carbon model with leather stitching), this saddle is incredibly comfortable. the thin carbon actually allows the saddle to flex in a way many others dont, especially in places of critcal contact. Instead of sitting on top of a cushion or a seat, i feel like im planted and supported by this saddle. Even though a ton of my riding is in the city, bumps and train tracks are taken in stride. It does take some tweaking to find that dialed in fit, but when youve found it you know. Benefits for my boys are the bonus. Great design, great saddle.

Strengths:
Light
unique, ergonomic fit

Weaknesses:
as noted in another review, titanium rails should be there. SMP emphasizes weight with this product...

Price Paid:  $180.00 at ebay

Favorite Ride:
Kitchen Creek Pine Valley

Bike Setup:
2007 Tarmac Pro Dura ace on Ksyrium Elite SL.

Summary:
I have tried many many saddles before this and could never get comfortable. I either experienced numbness upfront or sore sit bones or a combination of the both. I followed the directions on fitting this seat different than most and was comfortable INSTANTLY. I only messed with nose height 2 or 3 times before I found the perfect spot. The only concern I have is with the stitching of the logo which seems to be eating my very expensive shorts. I'm not sure if it's the width or the non sliding material but sometimes my inner thighs hurt. I'm a very narrow and thing guy so many my hip width isn't as wide as most. I do have a 32 waist though. For the price paid I would of liked titanium rails.

Strengths:
Comfort and rail length.

Weaknesses:
Embroidering eats shorts, heavy steel rails instead of titanium for cost.

Similar Products Used:
None but I tried every saddle on the market.

Price Paid:  $130.00 at ebay

Favorite Ride:
Trader's Point

Bike Setup:
Marinoni Delta Xtra, 1st gen. HED Bastognes, Campy Daytona/Mirage gruppo, Race Face Cadence crank, Orbea Zeus carbon post, Deda open tubulars.

Summary:
I've always been intrigued by the Selle SMP line and when my San Marco Magma cracked in half, the search was on. I tried a couple generic saddles I had lying around until I happened across an Buy It Now price I could not pass up. It was even in yellow to match my Marinoni frameset. It took a bit to get it positioned right but once I did, it feels great. Had it out on rides up to 40 miles and have been comfortable and fresh all the way. The Composit saddle is padded only by the leather covering but once you've got it set, padding won't matter as much as position. I found I like mine a bit more forward and angled very slightly downward. Nice and light, the construction seems quite good and durable. I'd definitely recommend.

Strengths:
Good construction, light and sturdy, comfortable different look than any other saddle.

Weaknesses:
Generally more expensive than other saddles - I got lucky on my deal - a bit tough to fine tune the position due to the saddle being generally different than others on the market.

Similar Products Used:
San Marco Magma, Fizik Arione, Selle Bassano, Gipiemme Pluma, San Marco Aero and Genuine Gel.

Price Paid:  $200.00 at Clarence Street Cycl

Favorite Ride:
Akatarawas

Bike Setup:
Addict R1, record 08, cosmic carbones, smp4bike composit, cinnelli ram,

Summary:
I have the composit (on my training bike) and the evolution (on my racebike) and I love them both. The composit is a damn hard saddle to feel but the ride is phenomenal. I was having problems with my specialized toupe, numb parts, and just needed something else. After some research I got the evolution, and then later the composit. This is the ferarri of saddles, great for the health of the boys. I did a longer review on my website http://www.roadcycling.co.nz/Reviews/smp-strike-saddle-review.html

Strengths:
Cool looking, awesome comfort,

Weaknesses:
price! but then again its worth it

Similar Products Used:
toupe

Price Paid:  $180.00 at ebay

Bike Setup:
Ridley. Dura Ace. Ksyrium

Summary:
The Composite has a sophisticated anatomically correct ergonomic design that sets it apart from other saddles, and to some extent, from other SMP models. The lack of padding means a smaller area of contact with your body, but also less friction. It has a stiffer, more responsive, athletic feel than it's softer siblings. The saddle has indentations for the 'sitbones', which makes it unique among the SMP family - the others have padding stretched over the dimples, so the benefit of the dimples is somewhat nullified.

For longer rides, I can slide onto the back ridge of the saddle, or onto the beak for a completely different feel. I ride for 2-3 hrs, so I can't say if the saddle holds up to longer rides.

The saddle gives plenty of control with your thighs, imparting an extra bit of confidence for those rapid weight shifts needed for swift descents.

Strengths:
Weight resting on muscle, rather than soft tissue. Ergonomic design. Quality construction.

Weaknesses:
Expensive. On the heavy side.
The stitched logo on the newer models tend to wear out your bibs. That brings it down one notch in the overall rating. The older model with the stamped logo gets a 5.

Similar Products Used:
Evolution. SMP Pro. Taupe. Arione.