Big, Bold Changes
When it comes to bike gear, I am a magpie. I love trying new stuff, and I have a garage full of junk to prove it. Always on the quest to make my bike lighter, faster, stronger and more comfortable — that’s not too much to ask, is it? — I have swapped out handlebars, seatposts, cranks, forks, wheels, tires, pedals shoes, and grips…all pretty much on a whim.
But, in the past 11 years, there is one thing I have not changed. One thing I have had on every single bike I own, whether it be geared, singlespeed, or fixed. Whether it be for road, track or mountain.
My saddle.
I have ridden a Selle Italia Flite Genuine Gel ever since I discovered it. This is the saddle that, more than a decade ago, I found I could sit on for more than ten hours without getting uncomfortable. I could sit on it for twenty hours without being miserable (Or, more truthfully, my butt wouldn’t be miserable — certainly other parts of me will be miserable after I’ve been on a bike for twenty hours).
You should not, however, misinterpret the above paragraph as a recommendation. While this saddle fits me just perfectly, it may not fit you at all.
Saddles are the one thing most experienced (i.e., know-it-all) cyclists clam up about when asked what to buy. We know what works for us, but also know that the way we found out was strictly through trial and error.
I think other long-time cyclists will agree with me: once you’ve found your saddle, you stick with it. Forever. Hey, it’s your main contact point with your bike; you don’t go getting all capricious about something like that.
Except I just did.
The New Thing
I don’t know why, but a couple weeks ago I bought a new saddle for my mountain bike. The Selle Italia SLR. Behold:
I don’t know why I did it. No, that’s not true. I know why: weight. Specifically, this new saddle weighs three ounces less than my old saddle.
And also, I love how shockingly tiny-looking the thing is. Scroll up and look at my old saddle and you’ll see what I mean.
Why I Waited to Announce I’m Riding a New Saddle
I actually bought an SLR for the Weapon of Choice (my geared Fisher Paragon 29er, which I’ll be riding at Leadville next month) as part of a desperate bid toward making my bike as light as possible.
Numerically, at least, I’ve succeeded: The Weapon of Choice now weighs 21.2 pounds. There’s not much else I could do to make the bike lighter without setting myself up for a serious reliability problem (i.e., a busticated bicycle). I will show it off once I’ve cleaned it up a bit (i.e., probably never).
But I actually felt embarrassed about buying a new saddle. Genuinely ashamed, like I had made a serious rookie mistake by switching saddles when I have a proven track record — eleven years, for crying out loud! — with the Flite.
So I decided not to say anything until I had ridden it a bit.
Verdict
You know what? I made a good call. The SLR fits me great. Maybe it’s because it’s from the same company and Selle Italia always designs for the same sitbones. I dunno. But I’ve been comfortable enough riding this saddle on my (fully rigid) mountain bike that I went ahead and got one for my road bike, too (which means, yes, that my road bike now weighs 15.0 pounds, when it’s clean — or 15.5 pounds right now).
So, yes: after 11 years, I have switched saddles. It’s a big move. A bold move.
I. Am. So. Brave.
Comment by mark | 07.18.2007 | 7:17 am
Fatty, congratulations on the new saddle. I’d love to say I’m as excited as you are, but I would be lying. I think those 3 ounces will save you a good 58 full seconds in Leadville. Just make sure not to carry any water, as every half cup extra is greater than the weight savings realized by the saddle switch.
Comment by spbarnes | 07.18.2007 | 7:28 am
I too have been riding the same saddle for years. Interesting that it is also
the Selle Italia Flite Genuine Gel!
I am NOT. So. Brave.
But you have set the new stuff demons loose in my head.
I suffer from am advanced case of STD. Not THAT kind of STD. I mean
Sparkly Thing Disorder. Attention span of zero when a shiny thing is within
my field of view. That saddle DOES look good. Visually it is about fifty pounds
lighter than the Flite. I am doomed.
And I was doing so well. You know what they say…
it cannot be cured, only treated.
Comment by UltraRob | 07.18.2007 | 7:34 am
Just so I. Am. So. Brave. doesn’t turn into I. Am. So. Stupid. I’ve also been using the Flite Gel for about the same amount of time. Before that I was using the original Flite. The only problem I have with the Gel is the stitching between the gel and non-gel parts on the side starts chaffing me after about 12 hours on the road bike. It doesn’t seem to be as much of an issue on my mountain bike and I think it’s because I move around more when mountain biking. For the Race Across America I used a thin neoprene cover over the Flite Gel.
Now I’m due for a new saddle on my mountain bike. I was just looking at it yesterday and noticing that the leather was worn through at the bottom of the sides. It’s also creaking pretty bad. Because my thighs are long compared to my lower legs, I always slide the saddle as far back as it will go. This puts extra stress on the rails and I’ve snapped a couple just as the leather was wearing out. I don’t want to repeat that. Maybe I too should be brave.
Comment by buckythedonkey | 07.18.2007 | 7:39 am
You. Are. So. Rash.
Comment by Jose | 07.18.2007 | 8:16 am
Fatty, I can’t believe you like that saddle. It looks like the 135 grams SLR right? I really admire you, I bought it three weeks ago, took it for a ride and went straight back to the store to return it. It was painful, I mean ouch! I could feel every bump in my spine; it’s probably, like you say, a matter of personal fitting. I don’t know, but I just could not stand that saddle, c’mon Selle Italia give me more cushion, that thing hurts.
Instead of that saddle I got the FiZik Arione and it’s more comfortable but I still don’t love it, it’s definitively a bold move to change your saddle.
Comment by LanterneRouge | 07.18.2007 | 8:42 am
I’ve been using a Selle San Marco Aspide Arrowhead for several years but this year when it came time to buy a new saddle I decided to take a chance on a flatter style. I bought a Selle Italia Gel Thoork and am not happy. I actually found myself making excuses not to ride because it was so uncomfortable. I guess I’ll keep searching.
Comment by Al Maviva | 07.18.2007 | 8:56 am
Eh, I’m a FiZik Arione / Gobi kind of guy. Wingflex is the patented saddle improvements of the gods. The guys at the local Specialized boutique can’t believe somebody with my wide sitbones (142 mm) is comfortable on a FiZik saddle that is 127mm wide – according to Serotta’s & Specialized’s math, that shouldn’t work. But it does work, really well. I have some problems with taint abrasion during very long sustained seated efforts – we’re talking time trials and such where you pedal HARD at threshold for an hour or more without standing up, and even then the pain is more in my legs and lungs and numb arms than in my butt – but other than that, normal riding is wonderful and I’ve gone as long as ten hours in the saddle with no numbness. Perhaps it’s like how most of us fat cyclists ride – there is some magic trick or illusion that allows us to ride better than we ought.
That, or we don’t know our @sses from a hole in the ground, and like the man said, ignorance is bliss.
Comment by TRW | 07.18.2007 | 9:19 am
ever since my doctor said that my prostate was in remarkably good shape for a guy who rides a bicycle as much as I do I have paid particular attention to seats. Want that deep channel and want lots of padding material where my cheek bones meet the seat.
Comment by TRW | 07.18.2007 | 9:19 am
ever since my doctor said that my prostate was in remarkably good shape for a guy who rides a bicycle as much as I do I have paid particular attention to seats. Want that deep channel and want lots of padding material where my cheek bones meet the seat.
Comment by Jorge | 07.18.2007 | 9:45 am
The Selle Italia SLR is all about sexy looks. I felt for it myself, so I fully understand. Once you ride a century on it, you will realize that the saddle is properly designed.
Comment by Bob | 07.18.2007 | 9:55 am
I think I have a Flight saddle.
Comment by traildiva | 07.18.2007 | 9:55 am
I’ve been riding the SLR for years and love it. I like that it doesn’t inappropriately touch the back of my thigh when I’ve been riding for hours and my form goes to heck. Even more than that, I like that it doesn’t feel like I’m straddling a hippopotamus when I pedal. It’s light, it’s comfortable for all day riding, and it’s sexy as heck.
Comment by cheapie | 07.18.2007 | 10:18 am
while i applaud the seat change, i don’t quite believe your opening paragraph where you claim to be “always on the quest to make my bike lighter, faster, stronger and more comfortable.” how exactly is a SS w/no suspension faster or more comfortable? i can accept lighter and perhaps stronger…but tell the truth. you like your cave of pain and shun those things which try to take you away from it.
(you do ride a non-susp SS don’t you? i’d hate to have called you out for something that you don’t do. )
Comment by msk | 07.18.2007 | 10:22 am
ever since an extremely disturbing but fortunately short lived bout of perineal numbness following an 8 hour, or so, road ride i have been using the selle italia max flite trans am
love this saddle and am so attached to it – in a metaphorical not literal sense
it’s on my commuter, mountain and road bikes
it’s the bees knees for guys with big arses
cheers
msk
Comment by FliesOnly | 07.18.2007 | 10:30 am
At the beginning of the season, I too was looking for a new saddle. After five years on the same Selle San Marco Aspide, I decided it was time. I looked and looked. I asked around. I tried one or two…Fizik…Sella Italia. What did I end up with, you’re wondering? Well a Selle San Marco Aspide SE of course (like my old saddle, but with the ergonomic cut out). I was relatively certain that my butt had morphed into the shape of my saddle, so I decided “why risk it?” Some things are best NOT left to chance. A saddle is one of those things.
Besides, those tiny saddles make you look tough.
“You ride on that!”, I am constantly asked.
“Wow, I am impressed”, they continue.
Comment by Mike Roadie | 07.18.2007 | 11:13 am
Isn’t that a road saddle?? As long as it works for you………but that’s the whole premise, isn’t it. I just did the same thing, changing to a Specialized Toupe ultra thin because it looks so fly on my lighter than air Cervelo Carbon. The dude at the shop swore by it, so I tried it, skeptically. But it is heaven, so ride on!!!
Comment by Stephanie | 07.18.2007 | 11:18 am
im jealous of your new saddle. I HATE mine… and have been going back and forth about getting a new one for months now. I’m doing the MS 150 in Washington in September, so i know i need to succumb to purchassing one soon. Your post though has ignited a fire inside of me to march down the bike shop and finally shell out the cash for a new one.
p.s. – if anyone feels like sponsoring me for the MS ride, that would be awesome http://www.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?px=3823306&pg=personal&fr_id=2030
Comment by BotchedExperiment | 07.18.2007 | 11:45 am
Your geared 29er weighs 3 pounds less than my ss 29er. I resent that.
I’m deeply afraid of your new saddle. DEEPLY.
Is that thing disposeable?
P.S. I’ve imbibed two 6-packs of Dr. Pepper in the last couple days (I fell off the wagon). I thought you’d want to know.
Comment by Tripp | 07.18.2007 | 12:33 pm
I’ve been riding an SLR for years now. It’s the saddle on my primary road bike. I’ve got a similar shaped FSA saddle on my time trial bike, a saddle with a lot more padding, and it isn’t as comfortable. About five years ago I came to realize that the more minimalist I went with my saddle, the more comfortable I was. The SLR is about as minimalist as you can get…
Comment by MAJ Mike | 07.18.2007 | 12:50 pm
If you were really hardcore you would just skip the seat. That would make you super light AND fast as you would be powering in the “dancing on the pedals” position for the entirity of your rides. Ultimately you would also develop thighs the size of a grown man’s torso.
Comment by Mrs. Coach | 07.18.2007 | 12:51 pm
Wanna know how to prevent discomfort due to your saddle? I swear this works every time.
Lean you bike against the nearest wall and slowly walk away.
Relax. I’m just kidding. I don’t see how any of you can sit on anything for 12 hours, geez!
Totally off subject- Fatty, when fall comes are you going to resort to your primitive self and start storing up calories for winter? Because I’ve tried all your posted recipes and I need some new ones.
Comment by Jorge | 07.18.2007 | 12:52 pm
The Selle Italia SLR is all about sexy looks. I felt for it myself, so I fully understand. Once you ride a century on it, you will realize that the saddle is *NOT* properly designed.
Comment by Maggi | 07.18.2007 | 1:13 pm
Jorge, I think you’re missing the whole “not every seat works for every rider” thing that Fatty mentioned. Seats that my sister raves about are seats that I am most likely to find incredibly uncomfortable– I learned this when we traded bikes for a couple days. We ride very similar bikes, but our seat preferences vary widely.
Comment by fatty | 07.18.2007 | 2:23 pm
jorge – i rode the nebo loop on this saddle last weekend. That’s not just a century, it’s a hard century. no butt discomfort whatsoever. so while i understand that the saddle may not be properly designed for you, i think you may want to reconsider the blanketness of your statement.
Comment by Alaskan Dave Down Under | 07.18.2007 | 2:42 pm
Selle Italia Flite for me, both road and mountain. Been over 15 years and I ain’t changin’ to them fantzy-schmatzy lookin’ new contraptions.
Comment by barry1021 | 07.18.2007 | 3:14 pm
MAJ Mike
I seem to recall from a Fatty post from some time ago that he can actually say “been there, done that”–an unfortunate and untimely death of a seatpost left him dancing in the pedals to get home. I guess duct tape goes only so far.
FC I am somewhat stunned that folks actually ride seats like that on MTB. Are you like down to 124 pounds or something? I have personally struggled to find the right seat for this aging butt- I am considering a custom made job—by La-z-boy, perhaps.
b21
Comment by MAJ Mike | 07.18.2007 | 6:52 pm
Barry, I was suggesting he try it for a whole season, perhaps. Is he “man enough”…?
Comment by ibisss | 07.18.2007 | 9:35 pm
I am afraid to change from my trusted Selle Italia Turbo, for fear that I spend a day’s wage on something that will damage the, er, undercarriage. Not every store carries no-longer-produced 25 year old saddles with steel rails.
M Burdge
Comment by buckythedonkey | 07.18.2007 | 11:22 pm
Jorge:
> you will realize that the saddle is properly designed.
Jorge:
> you will realize that the saddle is *NOT* properly designed.
Wow! Way to hedge those bets! ;-)
I have a friend (a Brooks accolite, FWIW) who observes that one man’s super-plush seat is another man’s arse hatchet. There’s wisdom in that, I think.
Comment by buckythedonkey | 07.18.2007 | 11:30 pm
We’re travelling/offline for the next two weeks so I want you to know that the four of us are rooting for Susan, you and your family. We are so very much hoping for a tick in the third box. Good luck Mate and…
…WIN!
Comment by Big Mike In Oz | 07.19.2007 | 12:10 am
11 years… you’re just getting started. I’ve been racing at varying levels of quality and enthusiasm for 25 years (May 1982 was my first club race). I started with 1 bike and some crappy saddle. Then I added a track bike in 1985 with some other crappy saddle. It took me about 4 years and probably 8 or 9 saddles “the” saddle. A Selle Italia Turbo to be precise. Since then both bikes (and now that there’s a dedicated fixie, all 3) carry the same saddle.
That was until last year when the saddle on the fixie broke… after several years of inactivity I got back on the bikes big time. I was starting out at 128kg (282lb) and pedalling the roughest squares you could imagine. Couple that with a Saturday morning group ride and you can probably work out the rest (maxxing out at 57.2km/h (35.5mph) rpm on a 42×17 was always going to end in tears).
I limped straight to the bike shop and bought a Selle Italia (there’s still some loyalty) Gel Flow Ti. It’s bright red to match all 3 bikes. When I got home I decided that it was comfortable in a firm and purposeful kind of way. Not the kind of way an acutely overweight person is looking for so I shuffled the deck so the road bike and fixie had the old Turbos and the track bike (with its shorter duration rides) got the 21st century treatment.
I’ve since wised up to my future needs and have eBay’d a stockpile of new and barely used ’80s model Selle Italia Turbo saddles. The count currently sits at 4 (spares plus the 2 on bikes). I just search “turbo” in eBay once a week and bid ridiculously low on every one I see. I’m planning on stopping at 10. At the ripe old age of 40 I think I’ll then have enough to get me past my 80th birthday. As long as I keep pedalling smooth and losing weight.
But like Al Maviva said, us fat guys probably don’t know our hat from a hamburger.
Comment by Born 4 Lycra | 07.19.2007 | 1:00 am
So saddles are important then?
Big Mike Ripe Old Age = 40 what do you call 50?
Now I’m scared of the answer.
Comment by Yukirin Boy | 07.19.2007 | 2:10 am
FC, does your courage know no bounds ?
Changing the “user interface” of your weapon of choice surely is verging on reckless (or perhaps that should be wreckless? )
Comment by Big Boned | 07.19.2007 | 3:30 am
Fatty,
I wish you would have posted this last week and one of the new employees at the LBS I work at part time would have read it! The other day, I was selling a $3500 woman’s road bike when one of the new employees came up and interrupted me and starting talking about how she doesn’t like the saddle that comes on the bike, how the saddle really sucks. Okay….and your point is? You may not like the saddle, this woman may love it. In any case, anyone who buys a $3500 road bike isn’t going to make the buy/no buy decision based on what saddle comes on it. Arghhhh! The woman bought the bike, but I’m going to have a conversation with the employee about her case of “butt-in-itis”
BB
Comment by hades | 07.19.2007 | 4:07 am
I have to say, and I can’t believe that no one has done this with more fervor yet: BROOKS BROOKS BROOKS BROOKS! There, I’ve said it, someone had to.
cheapie: unless you ride a full rigid 9er you have no room to make judgments on comfort or speed. Really. I ride one as well and between the White Brothers fork (butter smooth and laser accurate) and the 29 inch wheels (roll over anything) and the single gear 34×19 (I’m too dumb to shift, and this gear is a perfect all arounder) – I’ve never been faster or more comfortable.
Fatty: 15 lb road bike? Really? My fixie weighs about 17 and it has no gears or derailleurs, only one brake and a carbon fork. Then again maybe it is overbuilt, especially since it’s my commuter as well…
Comment by Al Maviva | 07.19.2007 | 4:22 am
Man, Hades is so right. Brooks saddles. There’s your solution, Fatty. I think the light one weighs only about a pounds, although for mountain biking you probably want the three pounder that comes with springs. It looks very well engineered, in a ‘34 Shoebox Ford / steel trestle bridge kind of way and it’s kind of wide – maybe not super efficient but one of your skinny friends could probably sit beside you on the seat as you hammer through Leadville. It breaks in within three or four months of heavy use, so that won’t be an issue for you, plus the oozing from the blisters will help soften the leather up faster. Now, you’ll need to get the waxed cotton bag that goes over the seat if it rains or if you are sweating profusely – wouldn’t want to turn that nice leather into mush. And, if it starts to sag in the middle, you just use the wrench to tighten it back up. Don’t overtighten or you wreck the last! And every so often you can put on some proofride, which will help preserve the leather from rot, sweat damage, rain damage, and leather fatigue.
Dang, no doubt about it. A Brooks saddle would definitely be the answer to your troubles. And while we’re at it, let me explain to you why the original Campagnolo Double Parallelogram rear derailer is better than SRAM Red…
Comment by Nick | 07.19.2007 | 5:41 am
I am going to tell you what the very hot, but not so elegant with words woman, told me when I was bragging about how much weight I dropped when I bought a new frame. “Why don’t you just go on a diet and drop 5 lbs. Not only is it good for you, but you save money as well” Trading in the tried and true for a three ouce weight savings. I think your asking for trouble.
Comment by barry1021 | 07.19.2007 | 6:32 am
reminder: Friday is Pink day, wear your WIN jersey in support of Susan and FC (and everyone else that can use our support). Let’s get a wave of positive vibes circling the globe…..
Comment by brokemba | 07.19.2007 | 7:49 am
Hey FC, in the picture of your old saddle, I must note that your yard in the background is waaay to pristine. Where do you find time to ride AND to do yard work? Oh yeah, you have your grounded son (read slave labor) to do it for you… Is he un-grounded yet for surreptitiously showing us your top secret Goat Splorping techniques?
Positive vibes to Susan.
Comment by Lowrydr | 07.19.2007 | 8:06 am
Heavy Vibes wave being pushed west from Iowa for Susan. Go Susan!!!!!!!
Comment by mark | 07.19.2007 | 9:28 am
Fatty, turns out I need to retract my first comment. The 3 ounce weight savings will not save you 58 seconds after all. Assuming you actually weigh 148 pounds and your bike weighs 22 and everything else (clothing, water, etc) another 5, that gives you a total rider weight of 175 pounds. Reducing 3 ounces from this amount is 1/10 of 1%. Assuming you will take nine hours to ride leadville, it will take you 32,400 seconds to complete the course. Assuming that 70% of that time is climbing, where the weight benefit will be realized, you should expect to reduce the resulting 22,680 seconds of climbing by .11%, yielding a 24 second benefit from the saddle change, all other things being equal, including not carrying an extra half cup of water that you don’t need.
While we’re on this topic, your rigid fork saves you about a pound and a half over a Reba, which works out, by the same math, to about a 3 minute advantage. This assumes that the rigid fork does not slow you down by 3 minutes on the descents or cost you an additional 3 minutes in fatigue from absorbing the shock with your arms rather than with a spring and oil bath.
Now if these changes are the difference between finishing in 9 hours and 2 seconds versus 8 hours, 59 minutes, and 38 seconds, or in the case of the fork, 8 hours and 57 minutes, you’d probably say it was worthwhile. But I think it’s a pretty risky bet given the impact that butt and arm fatigue can have on your ability to keep cranking away at maximum wattage on a long ride.
Comment by Alberto | 07.19.2007 | 10:20 am
I have a Selle Italia thingy on my road bike but after looking desperately I find no additional redeeming name printed on it: No Turbo, Elite, Rammer or Stoic. Should I be depressed?
Comment by Big Mike In Oz | 07.19.2007 | 11:43 am
mark – I’m concerned about your interpretation of the contour of Leadville. Ergo… “Assuming that 70% of that time is climbing”. I’m guessing the hills aren’t too far off symetrical, therefore descending distance (because climbing is all about distance [vertical displacement], not time) equals climbing distance. By your approximations, after completing all the climbing and descending competitors will have done 140% of the race. And that’s before any flat ground is added to the parcours. Maybe it’s the Leadville 150 and that’s why Fatty has struggled in the past to crack the 10 hours.
Alternatively, they could be climbing an awful lot and at the top, base jumping into the valley to climb back up again. If that’s the case I’d definitely go with a Brooks.
Comment by Lyne | 07.19.2007 | 12:41 pm
Got my pink jersey! saweet….
okay back to your regular schedule
Comment by mark | 07.19.2007 | 12:52 pm
Big Mike, it’s all about time, not distance. In case you haven’t noticed, it takes a lot longer to get up a hill than to get down one.
If one were riding a fairly steep out and back with no flat sections, 50% of the distance would be spent climbing, and 50% of the distance would be descending. However, if to cover that distance required 2 hours, it would likely work out to 90 minutes up and 30 minutes down, or 75% of your time climbing.
Given the profile of Leadville, I stand by my estimate.
Comment by Yukirin Boy | 07.19.2007 | 1:26 pm
Best wishes to Susam for today
My pink Lemonade jersey arrived yesterday! It looks fantastic.
Comment by Yukirin Boy | 07.19.2007 | 1:38 pm
Sorry Susan with an “n”
Comment by dug | 07.19.2007 | 2:00 pm
rigid isn’t about time or weight (maybe it is for fatty, but it shouldn’t be) it’s about attitude and simplicity. rigid just feels right. er. yeah.
Comment by Big Mike In Oz | 07.19.2007 | 2:18 pm
Mark… I’m don’t want to take the intellectual high ground with your but I’m currently teaching university physics. Without all the scientific symbols that aren’t available in this text only comments area it’s hard to explain, but in plain english weight loss is only benificial in situations that involve acceleration such as changing speed or making vertical gain (opposing gravitational acceleration). The vertical component is measured as distance not as time from a power perspective. The effects of the weight on power have an impact on time but only in so far as it relates to vertical distance.
Comment by Born4Lycra | 07.19.2007 | 2:51 pm
It’s pink time here in Oz. Because I’m the boss I’m wearing my top all day. Love you Susan best wishes.
Comment by dkirkavitch | 07.19.2007 | 3:02 pm
Tomorrow is pink day. I commute every day.
I’ve donated to many good causes over the years. I’ve never worn the colors or bracelets. Tomorrow it’s pink. It’s now personal.
Good luck tomorrow Susan, sending good vibes from Central Washington.
Comment by Born4Lycra | 07.19.2007 | 4:15 pm
dkirkavitch it’s already the 20th here. I decided to stick to our time zone as I will be up to my neck in rubbish (it’s a long story) tomorrow and at some point during the day we will overlap.
Go the Pink everybody. Good vibes have already started.
Comment by TG | 07.19.2007 | 5:10 pm
Extra prayers for you tonight, Susan. I look for the day when the FC will produce a Yellow Jersey for Susan to celebrate a victory against cancer!
Comment by walter | 07.19.2007 | 6:45 pm
Good luck tomorrow — sending our best vibes from Boston…
Comment by Caloi-Rider | 07.19.2007 | 9:41 pm
I ride an SLR XC on my road bike (freebie from a buddy whose rear couldn’t take it anymore). My longest ride this year was about three hours, but I need some serious padding between me and this butt hatchet.
Glad you found the saddle that works for you. Is there a less expensive way to find the right one than just buying a whole heckuvalot of saddles? No really, I’m curious.
Comment by mark | 07.20.2007 | 12:56 am
Alright, Big Mike, now I’m curious. I’m an English major, so I’ll gladly concede that you know more than me about physics. So please help me out by solving the following word problem: A certain emaciated cyclist has spent an entire season starving himself in order to improve his power to weight ratio for an important event that covers 100 miles and includes 14,000 feet of climbing. In an attempt to minimize his finishing time by reducing weight wherever possible, he changes saddles, reducing the weight of his bike by 3 ounces. If said rider weighs 148 pounds, his bike weighs 22 pounds, everything else he will carry weighs five pounds, and he can sustain 250 watts of power (this is just a guess), how much will his finish time be reduced by removing these three ounces from his bike?
I’m genuinely curious about this. I know the weight will only affect his speed when accelerating/going uphill, and I’d love to hear from a scientist rather than a liberal arts geek how much benefit is derived from reducing bike weight. If I left out any variables, please fill in the blanks and let me know what your assumptions were.
Dug, your point is well taken about riding rigid. Motivated by this blog, I built up a 29er hardtail this year and have not been on my full suspension bike since. But if you’re running rigid in order to be faster and not because you just like it, I have doubts about that.
Comment by Uncadan8 | 07.20.2007 | 2:50 am
Wow, I just bought a Selle Italia SLR yesterday, and didn’t even realize it was the same as fatty’s! This blog is really seeping into my subconsciousness. And yes, I’ll be wearing pink today. Go Susan! I’ll also be wearing the pink jersey for the Philadelphia Livestrong Challenge on August 26.
Comment by Neil Brennen | 07.23.2007 | 4:59 pm
Yes, Uncadan did wear the pink jersey. With both of us wearing pink FC jerseys, the testosterone in PA was so thick it could have been cut with a knife.
Pingback by Fat Cyclist » Blog Archive » Weapon of Choice, Mark II: This Time It’s Really, Really Personal | 08.6.2007 | 9:09 am
[...] And, as you can see, I’m sticking with the SLR saddle I talked about recently. [...]
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