Selle SMP discussion

To be fair, they do have a cheap base model that allow those who wise to experiment with that shape, despite being big, heavy, soft and wide (TRK/Extra)

I check their trade price, profit margin is fairly narrow, probably explain why not many shop sell them compare to the cheapo (Fizik have a massive profit margin).

SMP are a small family business.

That explain why there's not many Speedplay moment.

My cycling pains are precisely where this saddle isnt, so I fancy giving it a try. Has anyone tried any of the cheaper, but genuine versions?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/selle-smp-extra-saddle/
or
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/selle-smp-trk-saddle/
for example

If they're a small family business maybe they can't afford to make cheaper options?

They seem to be in the same range as carbon Selle Italia saddles.

Actually the TRK is £36 and SMP £54 at Wiggle so who are you kidding about them being too expensive?

The Extra would be worth trying out first, I have a TRK which is great for a town bike, but not idea on a road bike where the non-padded is much more comfortable (oddly feel well cushioned).

My understanding from the Steve Hogg article was that the cheaper ones were very different to the "proper" SMP's

The cheapest I found was £125 @hippy . I didn't even consider the trk thing, I assumed it was for hybrids and no chamois.

I have a dynamic and I find it really comfortable on the racing bike, less so on the mtb. Just like the other person I have mine about 2 degree downward but as further back as my other saddles

Just bought one of the copies, will see how I get on!

SMP Extra, £40 if you look around;

Very padded, but as @JWestland's experience, she can tell the benefit enough to warrant dropping a large sum of cash for a carbon bling bling version with no padding (or little).

edit - found comparison photo of the two cheapest saddle;

Do the cheap ones share the same hull as any of the more expensive saddles?

Strip a cheap one?

PS @edscoble, does this mean you've given up on a Cambium?

The cheap ones also have much shorter rails, which could limit the ability to actually fit them in the right place

I asked around and picked my forma up for £80. You can et them 'cheap' if you don't mind 2nd hand.

And at that price, you can resell for no loss if no good.

So on ChainReaction some people moved from the TRK to the EXTRA due to overwide nose, and they were happy with an EXTRA.

I think it depends on how your skin reacts to cushiony saddles, in my cases it seems to press in which then creates rubbing/bacteria heaven. But some people can't abide hard saddles. The pro/plus are quite padded, but the pro is not so soft you sink in.

I've felt up (sorry) some other models and these felt very hard, and probably require padded shorts or "Sheldon Mansaddle" sitbones.

Second hand is indeed a good way to go, you may lose some postage but that's all, as EdScoble said beware for fake on the 'bay.

PS, does this mean you've given up on a Cambium?

Yup, traditional saddle that squash everything doesn't work for me, the Cambium is extremely comfortable due to it's rubber shell absorbing shock like a fat tyres, but only reduced pressure from the soft tissues, whether the SMP with it's gigantic cut-out removed the pressure completely.

The pro/plus are quite padded, but the pro is not so soft you sink in.

This is the main disadvantage with big soft saddle, they feel comfortable but once you sink in, it deform the shape too much that it actually put more pressure on your soft tissues, rather than reducing it.

I've felt up (sorry) some other models and these felt very hard, and probably require padded shorts or "Sheldon Mansaddle" sitbones.

My model have no padding whatsoever, which really does make it felt more comfortable, the carbon shell allow a bit more cushioning, once your bones sit perfectly on it, it can take a surprisingly amount of abuse without any pain whatsoever, I tried without bibs short, and was actually o.k. if I were to ride without, I'd gone for the Evolution model with medium amount of padding.

Did you ever get to try a Carved version, or was that just with the regular one?

I cut mine up with a bigger cut out than the carved one, it's cut out is identical to the shape of the Selle Anatomica, but it's a mere cut out, might help for those who only need a little bit of a cut out to completely removed the pressure.

OK, thanks.

PS What did you do with it: could be interested if for sellz.

Good point, let me find it, and I'll PM (conversate?) you.

those cheap genuine ones are like 400 grams.

if i wanted brooks level weight I would...

Unless you're racing and losing by small margins, surely the value of the Bits of Pleasure (tm) not being numb/sore is greater than a small weight penalty? ;)

I don't really want to spend time with a 'bargain' £40 saddle, to decide I like it to then upgrade to the £175 version. I know @edscoble can't get enough of the buying/selling and general bike tinkering but it's not for everyone. I'm too busy..

racing and losing by ... margins.

It's all about the #buyer

Just bought one of the "all carbon fiber bicycle seat pad" off of eBay...

Tried a Romin Pro (130mm) out the other night, which I loved (compared to Fizik Antares). Will see how this compares.

Used on eBay the good models are more £80-100 mark.

I agree messing about with saddles ain't fun, but if you're not 100% comfy like I was its worth it.

after reading 2 pages do you even specialized test saddle

also none of you can never ever post a single photo of your bike with an smp because it's an ugly saddle.

thirdly if they sell a copy it probably isn't the same as original (materials) so you'll end up bying chinese stuff that'll last maybe a tenth the normal smp would.

but of course, hey it's cheap so why not.