Selle SMP discussion

Yeah I've just been having a read around and a gander at my seatpost; it's a top/bottom clamp, so should be fine! Gonna check the clamp for any nicks or sharp bits before I fit it too.

Thanks for the help!

Rails are the wrong distance apart. Lack of established standards is my least favourite thing about bikes.

I was able to get mine in by spreading them a bit, you'll be surprised by how springy it is.

I didn't really want to force it, 26.4mm is suddenly quite a lot when it's rammed up your arse because your chinese saddle with a huge cutout cracked!
Have you ridden it for long like that?

Really good read, which a pretty in-depth guide to the silly amount of different smp saddles available near the end.
http://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/bikefit/2011/09/all-about-smps/

Did a short ride on the china carbon today. Shape is definitely nice and good for the man parts but it kinda felt like the cutout sides were kind off 'slicing' into my inner thighs. Not too nice but I guess it's because of the lack of padding?

I couldn't get my Pro on a vintage Miche supertype seatpost for some reason...been fine on any other post.

firstworldcyclingproblems

Probably a sign to get rid of that horrible seapost

Oh SNAP!

I prefer the thomson style ones as it allows a more precise angle adjustment, similar to this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Zoom-Matt-Black-Seatpost-Seatpin-350mm-Length-For-Road-Mountain-Bike/111191294117?_trksid=p2054897.c100204.m3164&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140407115239%26meid%3D9e9f3d706a964cdcb71e0edd18a55b9c%26pid%3D100204%26rk%3D27%26rkt%3D30%26sd%3D161053764619

It came with a Miche kitted out bike I've no Miche hate.

But it it doesn't fit...a Nitto 65 will do rightly ;)

Had the same thing, i lowered it a touch, seemed to help a little bit but im still getting mine set up. Very good shape, love it.

I bit the bullet last night and spread the rails, it fit fine when I'd done that to be honest.
This morning's commute (with 2kg of Surly Cross-Check strapped to my back, so this might have been a factor) wasn't comfortable at all on the saddle though. Similarly to Heldring, I found the cutout sides to be digging into my legs, but the most discomfort was in my sit bones. Obviously I'm still setting it up, and it's my first time on a completely unpadded saddle too, but I was hoping for more!

Perhaps its a little wide, or you are a little upright?

I had the cutouts dig into my leg on the TRK one (as it's very fat) but the Pro was instantly ok. The more forward you sit, the narrower the saddle needs to be.

I'm sure the TRK is fine though for an uprighter. Hope it works out for you ^_^

Ive accepted I'm in it for the long haul with smps. With my birthday coming up i had to treat my ass to something nice. They kinda clash with my bikes a bit or at least i think they will, anxious to fit em when they arrive to c tho. If no good i will build a bike or 2 around them at some point :)

Have you set it up right?

You've ridden it once @alialias?

If that's the case that's not even close to the time needed to test a saddle.

Read this:

Initial adaptation: Supporting the weight of the trunk on the ischium does require a small adaptation, as the nerves in the skin under the bony surface must grow accustomed to the increased pressure felt on those areas. For most riders, this takes 3-12 days, depending on the weight of the rider, the mileage ridden, and how accurately the saddle is positioned. Once this adaptation happens, the saddle ‘disappears’ under the rider. Sometimes, this nerve pressure reaches a ‘crescendo’ of discomfort before adaptation occurs.

...from here:
http://www.colbypearce.com/smp-saddles/

Good read that.

Particularly enjoyed his OT "what the pros do" rant at the end of the article.

But the most discomfort was in my sit bones.

TL:DR you're sitting wrong, shift saddle forward.

By the way people, I've a good go at my friend's bike with the SMP Extra I gave him.

The Extra despite being very cheap is worth going for in term of budget and the shape work great, despite appearance, it felt like it's slightly more padded than my Composit.

Really worth going for if the chinese carbon one put you off.

Have you stripped an Extra?

Not yet, there's not many of them used that I can knife it to.

I want that colour.

a yellow dynamic would fit my rychtarski pretty well...

I read practically this whole thread at work yesterday, ready on adjustments on the way home.

1) Moved saddle forward. This relieved the pressure from my inner thighs.

This was better, but I didn't really feel comfortable unless I was in the drops, so I figured the best way to emulate this while I'm on the hoods was to:

2) Tilt the nose up

This was a far more comfortable position. Sit-bones still hurt, but having read what you all have to say this is to be expected. Definitely looking forward to

the saddle ‘disappears’ under the rider

Thanks again for your help and patience, slowly but surely getting there!