Selle SMP

BillyImp
BillyImp Posts: 130
edited February 2015 in Road buying advice
What's everyone's experiences with the Selle SMP range?
I'm struggling with my Specialized Toupe after about 6 months and find I have to angle the saddle down significantly to remove pressure from my perineum and onto my sit bones. The tipped-nose design of the Selle SMP looks like I might be able to mount the saddle level and still keep pressure off this area.

Thoughts?

Comments

  • harkmeadow
    harkmeadow Posts: 193
    I really wanted the smp to work for me. Got the dynamic from planetx. I was Also using a toupe prior. My experience not good. Could never get it comfy for me. Ended up messing me up. Gave me first ever saddle sore!! Went back to toupe. Like everything saddles tho, everyone is different. Well made though.
  • chrisaonabike
    chrisaonabike Posts: 1,914
    I have a Selle SMP Drakon and love it. However, I'd had a SMP Glider (very briefly) before that, and it near enough sliced me in two.

    So they're not at all the same.
    Is the gorilla tired yet?
  • BillyImp
    BillyImp Posts: 130
    Thanks for the replies, found a good price online so have bought one to give it a go. In theory it should relieve the problems caused by the nose of the toupe but as we all know it doesn't work like that.
  • handful
    handful Posts: 920
    Probably a bit late now but Dillglove the importers do a try before you buy service where you pay a deposit of around £90 + postage and they send you one for a week or two. If you don't get on with it and send it back they will either refund your £90 or send you another one out, just for the postage costs. They are very helpful.

    I tried about 5 of the range and ended up with a Dynamic which I am still fettling with to get just right, hopefully I will achieve this after a recent Retul fit changed my position quite a bit. I would also recommend reading Steve Hogg's article on SMPs and how to position them, really interesting stuff. Easily googable.
    Vaaru Titanium Sram Red eTap
    Moda Chord with drop bars and Rival shifters - winter/do it all bike
    Orbea Rise
  • The Mechanic
    The Mechanic Posts: 1,277
    I have a Selle SMP 209 Lite that I tried to get along with. Initial results were good but then decided to stick with the trusty Brooks. For sale if you are interested.
    I have only two things to say to that; Bo***cks
  • BillyImp
    BillyImp Posts: 130
    Thanks for the tip 'handful', went for the Selle SMP Extra off CRC to see how I get along with the general shape of the SMP range, if it's looking good then I may well look to Dillglove. I have a bike fit booked in for 10 days time so I'm hoping my fitter can set it up properly for me. It's a shame because the toupe works perfectly if tilted down, but it has to be tipped down so much that I am nearly falling off the front!!
  • mroli
    mroli Posts: 3,622
    Just read an article on them online as my wife rides an SMP TRK Ladies and wanted to get her something a bit more racey. But then I think - why bother - its the only saddle she has ever got on with.

    Trying to remember the name of the fitter that has done a big article on all of them and the differences....
    http://www.georgesfoundation.org
    http://100hillsforgeorge.blogspot.com/
    http://www.12on12in12.blogspot.co.uk/
  • Wheelspinner
    Wheelspinner Posts: 6,663
    mroli wrote:
    Just read an article on them online as my wife rides an SMP TRK Ladies and wanted to get her something a bit more racey. But then I think - why bother - its the only saddle she has ever got on with.

    Trying to remember the name of the fitter that has done a big article on all of them and the differences....

    As above - Steve Hogg. Article here:

    http://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/bikefit/2011/09/all-about-smps/
    Open One+ BMC TE29 Seven 622SL On One Scandal Cervelo RS
  • ai_1
    ai_1 Posts: 3,060
    If the SMP doesn't suit you, it may be worth trying the Specialised Romin Evo Expert (a little like a toupe with a cutout and slightly drooped nose) or an Adamo ITM saddle like the Attack or Breakaway. The Adamos take getting used to but are pretty much guaranteed to solve your perineum issue. Some people don't find them comfortable for other reasons. I like them a lot.
  • handful
    handful Posts: 920
    BillyImp wrote:
    Thanks for the tip 'handful', went for the Selle SMP Extra off CRC to see how I get along with the general shape of the SMP range, if it's looking good then I may well look to Dillglove. I have a bike fit booked in for 10 days time so I'm hoping my fitter can set it up properly for me. It's a shame because the toupe works perfectly if tilted down, but it has to be tipped down so much that I am nearly falling off the front!!

    No problem, you will find the Extra very different to some of the other less/unpadded versions though so don't be put off if you don't like that one.

    You might also find this link useful, it's the cheapest place to buy SMPs that I've found anyway. http://www.bike-discount.de/en/praesenz/search/q-smp?currency=3&delivery_country=190&q=smp

    When spending more than 100eu there you don't pay any shipping charges so it's a good idea to stock up on things that are also cheaper there than anywhere else without shipping charges, eg Conti GP4000s. :wink:
    Vaaru Titanium Sram Red eTap
    Moda Chord with drop bars and Rival shifters - winter/do it all bike
    Orbea Rise
  • defycomp2
    defycomp2 Posts: 252
    What worked for me was saddle down about 5mm at a time then nudging it back or forward a bit on a ride. Eventually I found the sweetspot where I actually had the sitbones on the fat part of the saddle and then the numbness ceased.
    Summer - Giant Defy Composite 2 (Force 22) (retd)
    Cannondale Synapse Sram Red ETap
    Winter - Boardman CX Team (Rival X1 Hyd)
  • BillyImp
    BillyImp Posts: 130
    DefyComp2 wrote:
    What worked for me was saddle down about 5mm at a time then nudging it back or forward a bit on a ride. Eventually I found the sweetspot where I actually had the sitbones on the fat part of the saddle and then the numbness ceased.

    I've got a bike fit booked in next week so hopefully the fitter can sort this all out for me, cheers :)
  • BillyImp
    BillyImp Posts: 130
    Saddle arrived today and seems very comfy on the turbo but will give it a good test tomorrow on a 3 hour ride, my only concern is that it's too padded and might become uncomfortable after an hour or two
  • handful
    handful Posts: 920
    The Extra is called that for a reason! It's very very different to some of the more expensive ones which have little or no padding and less padding definitely doesn't equate to less comfort. Having said that the Forma was an instrument of torture for me when I tried that. Take the time to read the Steve Hogg article as it explains all of the different shapes and popular levels tilt etc very well.
    Vaaru Titanium Sram Red eTap
    Moda Chord with drop bars and Rival shifters - winter/do it all bike
    Orbea Rise
  • BillyImp
    BillyImp Posts: 130
    handful wrote:
    The Extra is called that for a reason! It's very very different to some of the more expensive ones which have little or no padding and less padding definitely doesn't equate to less comfort. Having said that the Forma was an instrument of torture for me when I tried that. Take the time to read the Steve Hogg article as it explains all of the different shapes and popular levels tilt etc very well.

    The extra is £50 vs the other models at £100+ though!!
    I'll give that article a read now, cheers

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