So according to Selle Italia, for my pelvis, the SLR or the Flite would be the optimal saddles for me. My saddle to bar drop is around 9cm as well, a standard race-y position
The Flite, testing both widths, was the worst saddle I have ever tried and the SLR was actually decent, but had some issues, felt I was sitting 'in' the saddle and not 'on' the saddle. For that reason, getting it setup was very difficult because in order to be comfortable i had to run a -4 deg saddle tilt, but because now I am sitting more on the nose i am getting saddle sores. With a -1 or -2 degree tilt I am sitting on more of the saddle in general, but the front of the saddle was holding me back from being able to rotate my pelvis forward and comfortably reach the handlebars. As a result regardless of what I tried I used the Novus just because it was 'good enough' compared to the other two.
Now comes the gen 4 SLR, while it is advertised as a refinement, but when you look at it side view compared to the gen 3 saddle it's shape is actually different, birds-eye view they look similar. I decided to give it a try and I will say, the saddle is quite incredible. The gen 3 saddle had a very contoured rear end, making you sit in the saddle more whereas the rear end of the saddle of the gen 4 saddle is much more flat, less contoured, so you don't sit in the saddle, but sit on the saddle. The center part of the saddle is a lot more flat, while the center part of the gen 3 saddle is more curved leading to the nose. It is as if they took the more flat nature of the Flite and mated it with the gen 3 SLR and created this new gen 4, and i love it.
When I was running the Novus Boost EVO, I had a overall saddle tilt of -6 degrees and with the gen 4 SLR, I can comfortably run this saddle at a -1 to -2 degree tilt. This does not seem to be a saddle to run with a lot of negative tilt, I think it's sweet spot will be somewhere between 0 to -2 degrees (this is across the entire saddle not the front half). I don't know why, but this saddle works incredibly well, especially given visually it looks like there is more cutout than saddle.
I went ahead and ordered another SLR carbon as well as an slr carbon 3d to try out. If you had issues with the gen 3 SLR and Selle Italia says for your pelvis the Flite or SLR would be best, I would give this a try. It is a significant improvement and I actually like the saddle rather than tolerate it.
I have put a few hundred miles on this saddle and far as comfort under the sit bones goes, I've never had a better saddle. For me it has a near perfect amount of cushioning and firmness and I have never felt any soreness, even on all day rides. I do wish it had a slightly deeper depression in the middle to give more relief to the perineal area. There is also some rubbing against the inner thighs along the lower edge of the nose area. But it only seems to occur on long climbs and goes away quickly.
I recently upgraded to the Selle Italia SLR TM Superflow Saddle. The saddle's design provides excellent support and comfort, even on long rides. The Superflow cutout is a great feature that helps reduce pressure and discomfort.
The saddle's construction is top-notch, with high-quality materials that feel durable and long-lasting. I've noticed a significant reduction in numbness and discomfort, even after hours in the saddle.
Overall, I'm thoroughly impressed with the Selle Italia SLR TM Superflow Saddle. It's a great investment for any serious cyclist looking to upgrade their ride.
I ride a gravel bike mostly on paved streets in the hilly parts of Portland. I tried several saddles (dozens over the years) and a friend suggested I take a look at the Brooks Cambium saddles. I got a C-17, and for my anatomy, it's a big flat area that accommodates my sitz bones just fine, but it just wasn't comfortable. I finally found a description of what makes the C15 different ' it's made for people riding in a more forward position (45'). Though I don't race or ride in a crouch, this saddle fits me well: it doesn't put my weight on my hamstrings. The weight rests to the inside of my hamstrings' attachment, so riding is far more comfortable, and my riding posture isn't tweaked by the saddle design. And the carved portion actually prevents pressure on those nerves. Finally!
