What does Selle SMP have in common with the lead up to the 2013 Tour de France? Absolutely nothing, seeing as possibly no riders are on them in the Tour. It’s a long three weeks of Tour ahead, let’s think about our own asses for a brief moment. As a disclaimer: this is not a Reverence article, yet, maybe after a few centuries and pavé parties it could be. I paid retail from a LBS for this and have no connection to SMP. I’m not even advocating anyone should get one, like I do advocate everyone owning Speedplay pedals. I am just shedding a little light on these unconventional and messed-up looking saddles.
Two years back I stared at one of these saddles on a bike whose owner was a big fella. The saddle was a thin slip of a thing, more space than saddle and it looked unridable. He made a lasting impression when he said it was great. Great? That looks highly uncomfortable, it was nearly devoid of padding and there just wasn’t much to sit on.
We all have our own limit for what we will put on our steeds but eventually a 160 km ride will sort out if form follows function. Those shoes may be the same ones Boonen wears but if they are killing your feet at 80 km, every time, they have to go.
And speaking of Specialized, they have a gizmo for measuring sit bones so one can get a good fitting saddle. I’ve owned two of their saddles and like them enough. Upon restarting long rides after my haitus this winter I re-remembered how much my lower back would hurt, especially on long climbing rides. Also while on haitus, also known as: my position must be wrong, I’ll never ride again, do I need insoles, how high should my saddle be, do I need wedges under my cleats…hell. I read up on Steve Hogg, fitting master, looking for salvation. Steve is an advocate of SMP saddles and makes the point we don’t sit on our sit bones unless on, gasp, a recumbent or bigger gasp, a Harley. Maui’s aforementioned LBS has a nice selection of test saddles, many SMPs in the mix. I went right for the Dynamic model, for my fat ass. It took at least a week before I could even figure out where to sit on it, it’s that different a design.
There are two great things about these saddles: they have a massive cut-out section in the front so nothing gets mashed and the curved profile means one is sitting on the bones forward of the sit bones. That means your hips rotate forward, your lower back can straighten and relax. Do you want to ride the phantom aero bars while staring at your reflection in store front windows, it’s much easier with a relaxed, flatter back and uncrushed bits. I’m using that technical/medical English term to cover everything “down there”.
In summary, if your lower back is fine and you have never experienced torchmen’s taint, keep doing what you are doing. Shoes and saddles fit differently for every body. Comfort and weird looks don’t come cheap. Mine cost $230 US with steel rails but it is made in Italy, so that is a wash. They do come in celeste green if one wants to ruin the look of their Bianchi. Since one is sitting differently on it, the initial set up takes longer. It’s much harder to figure out the correct saddle height with this new position. I do think they have come up with a well researched design, especially for us riders who aim to be cyclists for the long haul.
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@frank
That's stunning, it's a shame that I was unable to sell my soul to the devil and had to buy Mrs Chris a new a new kitchen instead to secure the necessary approval to attend the KT. I doubt I'll ever buy another bike again. Maybe repainting the current stead is an option.
I'm new to this road bashin crack,( being a mountain biker in the lake district, UK ) BUT ! Agree with The Rules and currently looking to purchase a racing snake of a bike to join in with some mile munchin mates I've got, surely aesthetics matter BUT, the seat will be hidden a good majority of the time and only visible whilst initiating rule "V" and if said saddle enables great results then whilst visible on après ride cafe / boozer events, one can claim greatness and declare fore ridden results then the true form and function make it aesthetically compliant?
Yeah, I've got one on ma specialized hard tail and a fi'zi:k gobi on my lapierre zesty 514. Bit weird going between bikes and does get some getting used to!
Just my opinion that's all.
I was on an Arione, but after being numb in my man giblets for 24 hours after a 200km ride, I knew I needed to change. The real clincher came when I saw a photo of myself in the drops with an almighty Pharmyesque hump.
One wee bit of advice for those making the switch to SMP - take care of your hammies as you adjust to your new riding position. I didn't realise how much of a difference the hip rotation would make to my magnificent stroke, and wound up having to pay a few visits to the physio.
Ugh, SMP? What next, Adamo saddles? There should be a rule against these.
God bless Fizik. Next bike gets a Selle Italia SLR, though.
@ten B The problem with numbness and Arione may have been the saddle width. Try Antares if you are willing. I eventually found perfection with the latest Selle Italia Flite at 145mm.
I live in a spot where the only flat ground is the three meters at the bottom and top of steep grades, and my lower back pain goes away once I have the saddle angle right. As far as I can tell, the lower back suffers from using strength to keep from sliding off the back of the saddle while climbing. The angle needs to be pointed a degree or two lower than the rules recommend, but it works. The SMP might be using this effect with the "hook" at the rear. The WTB on my mountain bike seems to work this way.
Been riding an SMP since '06 or '07 after going through several saddles - including a Toupe'. Nothing better than my Strike! And if your lady friend has an ample share of crushable delicacy, a lady SMP is the only way to go.
Gianni, I bet if you shorten your stem by 5 or 10 mm (don't go higher, go narrower in your reach) your back problems may gain additional relief.
Cheers!
@Gianni
Same here - curse of the tall folks. Thanks for the info, I'll definitely see if there is a dealer in my area.
@tessar
Strong work, Pedalwan.
@Barracuda
Yes, straightish anyway.
@Steampunk
I suggest matching that SMP to the rubbish bin.