Selle Italia SLR SuperFlow anyone?

jonny_trousers
jonny_trousers Posts: 3,588
edited August 2012 in Road buying advice
For a number of reasons, I think I ought to try a saddle that offers pressure relief to those - shall we say - delicate areas (not so much the perenium, but more the epididymal cords for me) and the SLR Superflow, with its massive cut out, looks like it may be just the job. It is pricey, however, so I could do with the input of those who have tried it before I commit.

I'm using a Specialized Romin Evo at the moment, which gets great reviews for comfort, and I do like it, but there are aches I'm suffering I could well do with out.

Thanks in advance!

Comments

  • Have you tried fiddling with your current seat? A few degrees up or down can sometimes make a world of difference as far as comfort is concerned.

    You can even try moving it slightly closer or further from the bars temporarily to see if it is the angle you are sitting at that is causing the problem. However if this works then try and adjust your reach with a different stem and refit the saddle to the correct position. Plenty of people will tell you not to do this but if it is for experimental/information gathering then it is fine, honestly baby deer (Bambi) will not die if your saddle is in the wrong position for a week.
  • Have you tried fiddling with your current seat? A few degrees up or down can sometimes make a world of difference as far as comfort is concerned.

    You can even try moving it slightly closer or further from the bars temporarily to see if it is the angle you are sitting at that is causing the problem. However if this works then try and adjust your reach with a different stem and refit the saddle to the correct position. Plenty of people will tell you not to do this but if it is for experimental/information gathering then it is fine, honestly baby deer (Bambi) will not die if your saddle is in the wrong position for a week.

    Cheers!

    I have tried fiddling and I fully intend to fiddle some more. I plan to get a bike fit before too long too, which I'm sure will help. What I will do first, however, is nip into the Specialized store and have my sit bones measured. My BG Romin is their slimmest model and, although I do have pretty narrow hips, I wonder if it is forcing me to support a greater amount of body weight between my thighs than I should be.
  • mrushton
    mrushton Posts: 5,182
    I've got the MaxGelflow (slightly smaller cutout) 143mm wide and find it excellent. I tried the Romin and hated it (sold it after 1 ride) but the MaxFlow has been fine. Normally I use the Turbomatics but if I was changing all the bikes i would be the Max. Not quite the same saddle as you are contemplating but thought my experience may help
    M.Rushton
  • Bozman
    Bozman Posts: 2,518
    I tried a Romin on one bike, I found it the most uncomfortable saddle in the world ever, I swapped to the standard SLR flow.
  • Interesting! Thanks guys!
  • Barrzy257
    Barrzy257 Posts: 411
    I tried the superflow, amazing nose on it but the back on it wasn't for me, the wide cut out definitely worked. I now use a romin, definitely missing the nice comfort and if I'm on the drops putting the power down I could do with larger cutout. But the romin is my current number 1
  • mamba80
    mamba80 Posts: 5,032
    I think Sella do a demo program (as do Fizik), where you can try a saddle before buying.
    nb: this isnt their 30 day money back thingy

    Just moved to a Fizik aliante from a Arione for a similar iss and wrks for me.
  • Thanks guys!

    I'll look into the trial thing. I've heard the SuperFlow can be on the hard side. I just really like the idea of taking the pressure off the sensitive area below the nadgers (that's the medical term btw) and the SuperFlow has an epic cut out.
  • Just a quick follow up for anyone interested.

    So I went into the Specialized store for a sit bone measure and was surprised to hear I needed a wide saddle rather than the slim one I thought was for me. The guy in the shop recommended 155mm, but they were all out of Romins and Toupes in that size, which was good as I had no intention of buying one.

    I then ordered the 145mm SLR SuperFlow from Sigma and so far it seems to be a top quality saddle. I've not experienced the hard ride some have complained about, but then I've not done more than 15 miles in one go. I think the epically huge cutout may be a slight gimmick, but I'm an all-or-nothing kind of person and when I decided I wanted to try something that couldn't put pressure on the sensitive bits I looked to the most extreme saddle out there.

    So far I am extremely positive, but I do need to try it for longer before seeing if it does what I hoped it would.

    Thanks for all your thoughts!