I don't ride every day. I am an adventure racer, and when I get busy I don't ride for weeks. In races I can be cycling for hours, including in wet clothes and with a pack. Comfort matters to me. A lot. This saddle was comfortable. However, despite limited mileage, mostly on non technical roads/trails, light weight (I am under 150) the padding separated from the saddle and cracked/ripped. Had the saddle held up better I would have given it 5 stars.
The day after dach long ride, it took special effort to go out on the bike again because I knew my sit bones were going to hurt. After 3 other saddles I decided to try my first Selle SMP TRK cutout. What a difference. I cannot tell you. There was even a bumpy section of road I always have to stand up for but not with this saddle. I have ridden dozens of 35-50 mile rides since and am just as happy with it as my first day. I ride a Madone and spend the majority of the time on the hoods or bars so I thought that the upright sitting saddle might work to also helped with my sore shoulders which it has. I can easily spend 2 miles in the drops though and feel just as comfortable. This saddle saved my relationship with biking.
You might look at the specs and think that this saddle is pretty heavy and you would be right. However, when it comes to effectiveness in providing a comfortable ride, you can start with this saddle while you're looking for the three bears "just right" one because you'll get a comfy ride with this one for a decent price. This is the preferred saddle that my wife likes for her bikes. If she's happy, so am I.
This is the first saddle I've bought in years and needed to trade out of my reliable Brooks saddles I've been using for decades. This is far and away the most comfortable saddle I've ridden and beats Brooks hands down. I typically ride 30 miles or less 4-6 times per week and don't experience any pressure of soreness on this saddle. I'd strongly recommend it for anyone needing to relieve pressure and who prefers some padding (gel). Good value for money. Continues to sell out for a reason.
This saddle feels so comfortable that I have fitted it to six of my bikes and if I expect to ride another bike, with a different saddle, I often switch a SMP TRK to it.
It was the first change I made to a recent 2000 Cannondale Jekyll I bought and when I took it by my excellent local bike shop, several of the folks working there had high compliments for the saddle. I have many saddles and saddle choice is one of the most personal possible options, but this is the one for me.
I use this for a stationary bike. works well and is comfortable
I bought this saddle to change from the Selle Royal Lookin Singel saddle that was on my Bulls Lacuba E-Bike. That saddle was flat, stiff, and hot. This new SMP TRK has flex, padding where you need it, and the ventilation keeps it cool. I do a lot of touring and that is it's intended purpose to keep me going for long days in the saddle. I haven't seen anything better and I'm totally satisfied with my purchase.
Opening the box it looked bulky and seemed heavy, but I saw some good reviews and was hopeful. Felt good at first, but didn't take long for the bulkiness and width to dig into the inner portion of my legs. Too uncomfortable after 20 miles, I can't imagine going long with this saddle. Should have saved my money on this one.
The Selle Italia Extra was recommended to me by my local bike shop manager based on his experience. It was a great recommendation because I had no raw spots or aches from it after my normal 20 mile route. Before, I could hardly sit down after 20 miles with my old saddle. I bought this Selle Italia TRK to put on my road touring bike. Same results after my normal 20 mile route - no raw spots or aches! The design ergonomics are similar for both of these saddles with the center cut relief and the eagle-beak nose. I am an older male rider so comfort and padding are more important to me than weight and speed. They were each under $100 after shipping, and worth the money! Looking forward to pushing my normal 20 mile route further! I highly recommend either of these two Selle Italia saddles!
Gave this saddle a go after reading the reviews while recovering from a specifically male surgery. 6 weeks off the road bike and gave it a try. After getting the saddle in the sweet spot for me, it is exactly what I was looking for....just about disappears under me. Bought a second to put on my errand bike and I am one very happy customer. These are a bargain. Gel is the right consistency. I'm 5'9, 160 lbs., approaching 70 years.....but who's counting?
I am using this saddle on my trainer and noticed the difference right off. Very comfortable, with padding in all the right spots. Am able to ride longer and easier. Great saddle.
Update on the saddle that I bought from bikes direct in May for my 5 ft 11 inches, 170 lbs frame and sit bone width of about 130 mm. I ride a gravel bike in a more moderate sitting position so not completely upright and not stretched out either. The saddle was delivered in perfect condition. I now have about 1300 miles on the saddle and it is showing some signs of wear on the surface. . The saddle is a bit wide and the edges in the front are sharp. It is comfortable for 2-3 hour rides but at the end of the ride, my sit bones start getting achy. The large cut out and saddle design (drop away nose) makes it very comfortable in the groin area. Not perfect but good value for the money. I just ordered the Selle Italia man flow gel saddle from bikes direct to see how it compares.
I finally have no discomfort when riding, did the Cancer fund raiser from Phila. to Atlantic city, no problems, I would recommend this seat to any guy
Bought this for my new trek and I've put about 140 miles a week on it for the last 3 months. It's very comfortable and makes a world of difference on long rides.
I ride approx. 50-miles a week, and usually my rump is hurting within the first few miles. After just a couple of rides with this Selle SMP TRK Gel, I found that this seat is the best I have ever had. And it seems to get better with each ride!
I'm going to have a really hard time riding any other saddle after spending some quality time with this one. This is the saddle to have when the trail has a tantrum and starts throwing punches. Long distance comfort and low profile.
I like hard, hilly, long-distance riding about 4000 miles per year. Other saddles I've used have been OK, but I decided to try Selle SMP to avoid potential prostate and urinary duct problems. I liked the comfort of the SMP after one ride and loved it so much after 100 miles that I bought a second one. A touch pricy and a touch heavy, but definitely worth it.
This is certainly more expensive than a stock saddle, but it's the 3rd saddle I've purchased and so far I'm very happy with it. I was planning on riding a century and I had gotten to 60mi in my training before I was like "I definitely need a new saddle." I pulled my groin on mile 25 of my first training ride on this saddle but I've ridden multiple times 20+ miles since and had zero discomfort.
The Selle SMP TRk Gel Saddle Medium is just what the doctor ordered. It's a great sit. I go on long bike rides without any trouble. It is very comfortable and it doesn't cause any butt pain. I can go on 3 to 4 hour bike rides without any difficulty. This is the Best saddle I've ever bought. I liked it so much I bought another for my other bike.
I mounted this new seat on a REI Novara "Big Buzz" hybrid bicycle (commuter). It makes the commute a lot more comfortable. I have a similar seat by the same manufacturer mounted on my canondale road bike. Both seats are awesome.
