After literally swapping out dozens of both cheap and expensive saddles, I began using the SMP saddles on my bikes a few years ago based on a doctor's recommendation I came across on another RUclips channel. At 76 I am no pro rider, but this saddle allows me to ride without ever a thought about my bum and thus I can concentrate on staying ahead of those 60 year old youngsters.
I was a big fan of the SMP saddles. I probably went through 3 of them. The reason I stopped being a customer is their horrible after-sales service. My last SMP saddle, a leather one, started peeling after just 3 months. SMP not only refuse to swap the saddle, they refuse to even communicate with me. As they say, you can only cheat someone once.
Agree, SMP saddles may have nice geometry but the after sales is absolutely shit, and the build quality of their products (SMP Plus) is terrible too. The foam got really soft to the point its unusable after ~2 years. Meanwhile my specialized saddle is still fine after > 10 years under way more use. Both saddles were stored in the same conditions (bikes next to each other)
Have two and found them extremely sensitive to the position but... when in the saddle sweet spot, it was extremely comfortable. However, I've owned two of them and found exactly the same problem with the leather pealing.
I’m on the SMP train. I even tried to go back to a Selle Italia after the first SMP, and ended up going back to SMP. I still don’t understand why the SMP is so much better, but it’s immediately apparent right from the first ride.
In the past year, I’ve bought and sold 12-14 saddles. I’ve settled on 2 saddles: Selle SMP Well S and SQ Labs 612/evo. To be quite candid, once you get down to performance level saddles that lack padding (if any at all), I think the rider has to be consistently riding for 5-6 hrs a week to make a good judgement as to which of these saddles really work for their anatomy.
I tried different saddles for over 3.5 years. Finally decided to look into SMP. Got demo saddles from the US distributor. I wound up with the SMP Composit. Yeah, no padding lol. As a DC it all makes perfect sense. If you have a well designed saddle that is fitted to your body correctly you have padding in your shorts so I didn't have a need for additional padding in the seat. They can be tricky to get dialed in though because they are so sensitive to minute changes as far as set up. I experimented over 100 miles and found the sweet spot regarding fore/aft and the nose drop angle for me which was 9 degrees. Saddle bliss. The demo program is brilliant as well as are the saddles. It can be overwhelming with the sheer number of variations they have but again, it makes sense. Bodies vary so having different models is important. That's why the demo program is such a great way to go about it. As far as looks, when you ride your bike nobody see's your seat lol. Ugly to me is not enjoying riding because my butt is uncomfortable. Problem gone with my SMP. Besides you and Neill, Steve Hogg and Colby Pearce are huge fans of SMP.
@@bobfoster687a lot of people say that but tbh I was just looking for a way to troll myself way back in 2020. So genuinely not a copy but now people say it, I understand why.
Had a similar experience to you Cam. Suffering from really bad low back ache on the bike because of glute weakness and an unstable pelvis, I put on an SMP Nymber that I’ve had lying around after receiving your email about them about a week ago. Immediately I noticed several improvements. I’d forgotten just how much support the saddle offers, surpassing any traditional saddle that I’ve tried (and I’ve tried 40+ 😳), and my back and core were able to relax much more, and I was able to rotate my pelvis further forwards. This, and the support from the saddle itself massively increased posterior chain engagement, particularly in the glutes, and resulted in no back pain at all at the end of a 4 hour ride. As much as I hate to admit it, I’m going to have to stick with SMP and put up with the looks, the need to use an inline seat post, the added weight, and the cost, but the benefits outweigh all of these I’m afraid.
The thing nobody says about SMPs is that the setback on those very long saddle rails also affects the ultimate saddle height. If you set the saddle so that it's perfectly level, the rails actually point upward as they run to the front, so as you scoot the saddle forward on the seatpost clamp, you're gaining a few millimeters of saddle height. That has to be taken into account for it to fit you well.
Actually, that's a really good feature, as sliding the saddle forward on a saddle with conventional horizontal rails would require raising the saddle to achieve the same height in any case. The SMP rails are angled for this very reason (you may need less adjustment with it than with a regular saddle)
Well i had SMP. It has something but i swaped it for a 15€ saddle that was half the price at a discounter in Germany and it is much better. SMP is much to hard at the tip. but for a while i realy did like it its a good saddle, if you perfectly calibrate it if not you are in trouble. that was 5 years ago and that dam thing cost about 140-160€
Absolutely love the SMP. I'm using a Composit, which is completely padless, and yes they take a while to get it right especially the angle which can be quite finicky. But once you're dialed in you wouldn't want to go back to anything else. I run 160mm cranks too.
Big Selle SMP fan here. After years of riding on the Drakon (MTB) and Dynamic (Road bike) I have a new favorite coming my way. Used Selle SMP’s test program to test their F30CSi and F20CSi. I’ve also have a F30 that I don’t get along with, but the F30CSi is a completely different beast. After testing and comparing the F30CSi and F20CSi several times and going back to my old and trusty Dynamic it was clear after about 20-30km’s. The F30CSi is my new favorite. No padding at all but the most comfortable I’ve ever been on any saddle.
I had one of these saddles in my basement. I bought it a while back, but then didn't like it. I built myself a new bike just recently, and needed a saddle for a short test ride. I put the old Selle SMP saddle on it, and I am loving it! It really kills the look of the bike, but I care more about the comfort than the looks.
Online YT tips can lead to interesting results. Since about Christmas I ride a narrow SMP Well gel, and I can now go through an hour-hour and a halfon the trainer without any adverse pains. Believe me, this is a first. Now I long for spring and the snow to melt so that I can try it out on the road! And oh, gone from 172.5 to 170mm cranks. Cheers from Sweden.
I’m a believer. I finally have comfort. My past saddles, and there were a lot of them left me hurting and complete numbness of my entire package. You can’t go wrong with SMP
Can totally relate with the Selle range, had a Selle SMP Drakon for years, fitted by Neil when he was based in Melbourne and I put 20k+ km in a couple years on one and not a single issue, it made me a strong cyclist, did a ride around the bay 300km and many cadel evans great ocean rides....highly recommended, be warned, carbon rails will set you back a bit, but these imo are the best saddles for most people and they don't even know it yet....
The Specialized Toupé was my first rightfully fitting saddle on my road bike ever since I started riding the bike in 2014 (came with an excessively narrow Prologo Kappa). I only got to make the switch in 2019 since this is my first year of work where I finally have money of my own, so that's 5 years of bottom pain. Over the years on the Toupé, my crotch started to have some discomfort due to compression coming from the saddle's nose, so I switched to the Power as I have ridden a loaner bike with that saddle before, which actually felt comfortable for my riding style as I occasionally like to go low, which meant my pelvis rolls forward whenever I do so. Since I don't think I move around on my saddle too much, I think short-nose saddles are for me.
There is indeed the « FULL CARBON LITE » as ugly as the other versions $600 (!!) and 130g so heavier than all other full carbon saddles. Literally a JOKE
@@SamuelBlackMetalRider so comfort/power/endurance isn't worth an extra 130 grams? Do you think the grams will make you quicker vs the biometric efficiency? Stop gate keeping and carb tfu
@@muthatrucker6485 other lighter full carbon saddles are just fine. I have a few. What I meant is that this shit is $600 which is more expensive than ANY full carbon saddle on the market. Also I carb tfu 80g/hour
SO much important information in this one video First off yes Neill is a F ing Genius secondly NO one but RCA are doing this important work and sharing it and lastly you Cam are setting your self up as a Guiney Pig tester for the rest of us again NO one else is doing this A big thanks to Wifey many many Woman will be grateful for her input THANK you all at RCA.
Love my SMPs. I have a Hell from 2015 from their entry-level Tourisme line (it's now called the Well), and a Drakon from 2019. The Hell's weakness is its top cover; it cracked on me a year into ownership. I dabbled with Specialized Power saddles but came back to the Drakon, which fit fine but rode stiffer because it's basically got more "sidewall". I had the Hell refurbished by a local shoe restorer, gaining the leather cover it should have had from day one, and I'm still riding it to this day.
When I first got back into riding in 04, SMP was the first saddle I tried that didn't hurt. That was after trying out well over 10 saddles. While the saddles may be expensive (and there are at this point plenty of other expensive saddles), if SMP ends your saddle quest that could be quite a savings. I also discovered that while my sitz bones measure somewhat wide, I am more comfortable on saddles that measure 148mm+. I need my saddle to have a certain amount of curve in that area as well. Currently riding a VT30C. Regarding shorter cranks after seeing John Cobb's early video on that, I was sold. Been riding 165 Rotors for around 15 years.
Thanks for the information on this video. I have the SMP Dynamic. It’s very comfortable on long rides. It took several months to find the correct tilt. I began with the nose down, as recommended at about 2 degrees. I finally found perfection when it was set at 1/2 degree nose down. I rode it so long I wore through the leather cover! Great saddle but be patient with the set up. I’m 5’9” tall and weigh 140 pounds. Thanks again.
In all seriousness what’s the second best saddle because I think several riders would chose to be slightly less comfortable but with a enormously better looking saddle. Maybe a comfort to sexy ratio ranking would help?
Now March 2024. One month ago, I bought the Selle SMP Number saddle. Because I live in Wisconsin USA, in early March I don’t do, or plan on doing, any road riding. It’s usually just too cold and/or windy. So the bike stays on the trainer downstairs. So, after one month of two 45 minute sessions per day, I gotta give this saddle six thumbs up; it is that good! Period! No soreness! None! Can spin through my 45 minute session at 100 rpm, sweating my ass off, and get off the bike with no physical sensations other than leg fatigue! And yes, I’m still using 165 cranks(which I’m loving, by the way!).
Was good to see you at the little coffee stop in Adelaide when the TDU was there and I can't believe you were rocking those white bibs!!! Keep up the great work with Neil and the channel.
After watching your videos with Neal about saddles I decided to change my Diamondback 1260sc Spin bike saddle to see what the Selle SMP would feel like riding indoors. After riding over 300 kilometers in 6 days on my Spin bike I noticed nothing, No soreness, No numbness, No pain from the usual indoor training workouts. I will definitely be putting a Selle SMP saddle on my Elves Eglath pro disc road bike now. Thanks for the great information
I’ve still got my first SMP from 2005, minimal padding under my 90kg and did ~120,000k before it sits on my stationary bike or taken O/S to put on hire bikes. The no padding versions on carbon - magical. I did have one with carbon rails, and the rails broke at the junction with the metal holder after 70,000k. And a wag once said the acronym stands for Save My Penis. It does that very well.
Been riding on a SMP Drakon since 2016 and THE best saddle I've used on my road bike. However, bought one for my tri bike and the outcome wasn't as great. Perhaps issue with the range of adjustment in the seat post head, but just couldn't get comfortable and reverted to the Fizik Arione Tri2 that'd seen me through 2 IM and many halfs. Still think it's the best saddle type out there, as you say, very good on the tackle and that's always got to make one happy 😊.
I am really pleased with my SMP TRK saddle which you briefly showed in one of your cut away shots. Yes, its not a racing bike saddle but has a similar seat line and shape, but its more suited to leisure, touring, trekking and maybe mountain biking, at a push, for a heavy rider. Its great though for comfort and no more numbness. I have both the Gel and non-Gel versions spread over all my bikes and there is not much between them, the Gel version just being a little firmer and also slightly heavier.
I have the gel trk on my commuter, is the nose of the normal non-gel any narrower? I want to put it on my road bike but the more rubs a bit in that position
I got the SMP a few years ago because it was on sale to try and until I had the angle and fore aft right it wasn’t comfortable. But now it’s dialed in and yes now it’s the best seat I’ve ever had (and I have tried at least 10 all different shapes). It does “plant” me but I can move a bit back and forward. I like how I feel like sensitive parts have no discomfort and I can even ride it without bike shorts with a chamois. I also changed my cranks to 160 and that was the best move I’ve ever made in decades of cycling, wish I did it ages ago, amazed at the difference.
Nice, totally agree. I went through many, many saddles due to knee pain after 50km and ended up with a relatively budget SMP Hybrid. works fine for me for nearly 10 years now including rides up to 190km! Definitely recommend.
The best saddle in the world is the one that fits your sit bones in the position you ride in on a specific bike. For me, and the 3 bikes I ride, it's the Fabric Scoop Elite Radius saddle. I don't ride drop bars, but I have 2 Adventure bikes and a touring Tandem, and that saddle is super-comfy, for me. I don't even think about it when I'm riding, which is how you know you've got the right saddle.
I noticed that when I use Selle SMP Blaster, my "feels right" stem length increased by 1 to 1.5 cm. I believe it's due to straightened back angle from more pelvic rotation enabled by SMP increase my effective torso length. On most other seats, I sit more upright on my sit bone, then bend forward on my lower back. Selle SMP enable me to sit tilt forward from the seat then keep straighter back. CONS of SMP: 1) it is relatively heavy and is relatively rigid. There are lighter saddle with built in damping/ comfort out there which is more suitable for off-road use. 2) Even though the saddle rail looks long, I tend to clamp it near the back end of the rail to push seat as far forward as possible. The saddle nose end up right on top of the bottom bracket. This compound to bad look comment.
I've been on a saddle hunt for so long giving the more expensive ones a shot but they all failed in the old mate area with numbness. I thought of Selle SMP as a last resort before I finally give up. Fast forward a season and I read that Selle has a free test program and I contact them immediately. A week later I have two saddles from them, the Nymber and the VT30C. So I went out on a long test ride with 4 saddles. The Selle saddles, the Fizik argo 3D and a Specializer Power saddle. I made sure to go 1h before I started swapping since I know that is when the soft tissue issues start to become apparent and there needs to be a level of fatigue for a fair test. I ended up buying the Nymber. It is just in a league of it's own. I felt like my ass and lower regions were relaxing in a hammock compared to sitting in a pretty comfortable chair. I love it. I even appreciate the looks of it now since I see it in a different light. This is the saddle that let's me perform and enjoy my ride on another level. Regarding that you need to find the correct angle for it... Yes, the window is definitely narrow, but once you get close to that window you really feel it so it is pretty easy to dial in. I would even say it is easier than other "normal" saddles since the feedback is so clear when you're closing in on the perfect angle for you. Make sure you give it an adjustment session where you bring tools.
One problem with the SMPs is that you completely lose the ability to move forward and back on the saddle, which can help relieve soreness and pressure on longer rides, and also gives you more leeway for climbing steep grades or getting in an aero tuck - both benefiting from shooting all the way forward. So you better like the position, because It's the only one you have. Pros usually have choice on saddles ... But almost none use SMPs - I believe this is why.
Pros are extremely fit. They also have a full staff to take care of every need they have. Do you know who pays for all of it? oh right the sponsors. They ride what they are told to ride. You will never see them biting the hand that feeds. Pros might slide around on a saddle some don't. Tadej changes his saddle position if it is a climbing day. Pros have extreme data but they all don't ride board flat saddles and slide around. That is just silly to thing so especially with the watts they put out. The other thing people forget about besides the nothing that pros weigh is the power being put down on the pedals gives you much less pressure on the saddle. If that were the case then why all the new short nosed saddles? They are to do the same thing yet leave no area to roam. But the short nose gives the same effect as the saddles he is talking about instead of a dropped nose they get rid of it then they don't have to fight patents
@@dylangrantz8124the Spez Power isn't quite the same as any SMP. It's all just a ramp for a rider to fall off the nose of. When I used mine on my road bike, I just kept on sliding onto the much harder nose. Between that and the SMP locking you into position I'd go with the latter.
If you like to move around on the saddle SMP has other models that allow you to do that because they are flatter. Most of their models keep you locked in to some extent which I prefer. I am more efficient with my power because I don't shift around. The only reason I used to move around a lot was to remove pressure. With my SMP Composit that isn't an issue anymore.
I can move around on my SMP composit just fine. As I move back on the saddle, I’m on a larger part of my sit bone & the saddle supports it. If I roll forward & get aero, the narrow nose supports the narrow part of my sit bone.
Cam I reckon if you learned to drop your heels right down you would have WAY more saddle comfort. Higher saddle = more pressure. Try it and see how you go. I used to run a higher seat height and always have saddle issues compared to now with lower seat height and way more comfort. I loved the toupe. Bontrager Anja is better. SLR superflow is amazing.
I'm looking to transition out of my 20+ year old Selle Aspide Aerohead saddle, which looks like a flatter and thinner version of the SMP, and is neither super comfortable nor super uncomfortable. I have a just as old Selle Italia Flite saddle that I bought at the same time but never used, that at the time was one of the most popular saddles, but you've got me intrigued with the SMP. My main issue with the Aspide is, well, numbness, you know the drill. Doesn't hurt, per se, but it just doesn't feel right or natural. The Flite is a nice-looking saddle, what a saddle's supposed to look like, at least on a bike with classic lines and parts as mine does. But of course how it feels is what matters.
I ride a SMP Pro. A friend tried it, tried to like it & hated it. He asked me if I wanted to try it. I have Selle Italia seats on my road bikes which were fine, but was never satisfied with the seat on my Specialized Sirrus. I tried the Pro. the seat has never been off. I love this seat, been using it for nearly 10 years. One day I will find SMPs for my road bikes. I enjoy the seat so much on my Sirrus, that's my go to bike all the time. I used to ride to work (now retired) everyday on my Sirrus, many miles on this bike & seat.
Got three of them on my bikes. Dirent paddings but different bikes. I also suffer from the hip...and when I've changed to SMP it was an eureka moment....even if bloody ugly they're a game changer in comfort
I really love the look of the beak and this fluid wave transition look, especially if you have a bike with a curved top tube it can sort of fit in making everything look more wavy if that makes sense. That said Im on a VT30c which is a more padded flat looking short nose SMP, cheaper version of the F30c.
This is by far THE BEST SADDLE, EVER! I bought my first SMP Dynamic back in 2012 and have not looked back since. Lots of money for these, i've purchased 4 so far, but my PeePee and gooch don't hurt anymore.
Selle SMP plus is my all time favourite and also widely regarded as the best saddle for taller/heavier riders who do ultra-distances (RASA/Freedom Challenge etc). Spot on. Worth every cent.
As someone whos tried literally over 50 saddles (bit of a running joke amoung my cycling club how many saddles I've tried) one thing I have learnt....... Forget sit bone width. Tried numerous saddles based on sit bone width, flexibility etc etc. Only way to find a saddle that's perfect is try it. Tried an smp well and smp drain and couldn't get in with them which out me off smp saddles altogether. Few years later tried an SMP plus. First saddle I've tried where I couod ride for hours with no pain. This saddle shouod be far too wife for me and too padded on paper but it's not. It suits me perfectly. Long story short. Try before you buy and save yourself hundreds. Also ignore all the saddle manufacturers charts based on flexibility and sit bone width etc
I love my SMP saddles but have to run a different brand on my BMC Roadmachine because specifically with an SMP fitted the seat post / saddle clamp creaks when climbing and I can’t stop it 🤦 It’s actually the bike creaking not the saddle as they are fine on other bikes! With a Flite boost installed it’s silent. So it’s a compromise for me, but really wish BMC would fit a standard round seat post with a simple clamp.
I rode ass hatchets for years. Went through 10 or 15 different saddles all with glowing reviews from people. My ass hurt....seriously hurt after 20 miles or so and even well into the season, the pain continued. I got a Selle saddle, a women's saddle actually, and it's the most comfortable saddle I've ever ridden. To be fair to my B17, once I got it set up EXACTLY right, it felt a lot better but the SMP was good from the first ride to the last ride of the season.
Actually just went away from Selle SMP after being on them for ages. Fitter found they weren't wide enough so my hips were rocking and causing core stability issues/pain. Ironically went to one of the Specialized 3d-printed ones with shorter nose and wider sit bone area and couldn't be happier, especially for aesthetics!
On my end I went backwards after visiting dr Borut Fonda. For many years and trusted well regarded bikefitters Smp was ideal in one position, pretty sensitive for angle and resetting after disassembly of the bike. It locked into one position and after changing hand location it created high pressure point and did not distribute pressure. So went back to a t shape saddle and a berk lipa short, which is more comfy on my oltre xr4 W/o hip impindgment 170-> 165 does feel more comfy and efficient.
This dickhead is leveling up his edit game 😂 But dude for real I immediately clicked once I saw Neill in your thumbnail. Always a pleasure to learn from you guys!
Cam - ( hear me out 😉) I’ve had a hip issue for 2 + years ( thinking I’ll need a hip replacement at some point ) I had a session with a medium who channels the Arch Angels and does ancestral healing 😳.. ( long story 😂) Without going into to much detail - a week after having this session my hip issues is 95% better 🕺- The funny thing is - she mentioned 3 other areas whilst doing her 30 minute session and I hadn’t told her about any of my ailments beforehand 😳 My knees are much better and my ankle and foot issues are gone 🤷🤷 I’ve been told our bodies hold trauma from past and present lives .. and lastly - I was at a psychic fair a month back ( as you do ) and this women said to me / my dad says you need a new bike seat - I said WTF - where is your dad / she said he’s dead and died of prostate cancer and rode his bike a lot - I said it’s funny you mention this, I’ve been getting saw around that region and she said I know and so does my dad 😮 - the other funny thing is - I thought of the SMP seat as soon as she said what she said 🤩.. go figure .. Matt
I have use the Selle Italia SMP saddles on both my road and gravel bike for several years. I found them to be the most comfortable saddles I’ve ever found. The only issue is positioning the seat far enough forward to get to the proper pedal position. I have to move the seat as far forward as possible. It may not work for everyone.
I’ve been using this saddle for four years. I agree the most comfortable saddle and friendly is on the junk that I have ever ridden. Good call brother.
I'm surprised that no one is talking about the newer, flatter VT20 and VT30 SMP saddles, they arguably look better than these older SMPs. I personally use a VT20C saddle and found it to be supremely comfortable and this is coming from the popular Selle Italia SLR Boost.
I have been running a SMP saddle with only a leather cover, no padding for years. Once you get it setup properly, it's truly, for me at least the most comfortable saddle I have used. Don't have on on my MTN bike as yet, but probably will soon. Look at it this way, when you are on the bike, nobody sees the saddle anyway.... 🙂
I like the look of the Smp. I’ve been running the Selle Smp on my mountain bike for almost 10 years. Even got a couple of my friends to try and they like it also. Got into road biking a little over a year ago and tried the Smp on it but did not like it probably because it was to padded . Maybe I will try a road bike version . Just got a knock off version of specialized mirror and so far I’m liking that but have only rode on my trainer because of cold weather.
My favourite saddle I have had, was a Selle Italia Flite . really enjoyed the saddle could ride all day with it. Unfortunately when I sold the bike the saddle went with it. The new Trek bike, came with a saddle which I absolutely felt uncomfortable with. Swapped to another Bontrager saddle, better padded but not centre channel. Eventually after 6 years that lack of centre channel meant pain in a certain part of the body. I now have swapped to a newer Bontrager Aeolus saddle great centre channel ( no pain there now), but it is not quite perfect. I would have loved another Selle Italia but the model which would have suited me was too expensive for me at the moment.
Adjustable seat shocks help increase the comfort of any bike seat. I am an old guy on a comfort bike, but I have noticed the seat shock will improve the comfort of any bike. Also, I've got three sisters, and they no longer complain about a sore as all the way home.
I have had the SMP saddle for years. I don't find it all that ugly personally. I actually went away from it a couple of years ago. I got a new bike, and stuck on it because it was laying around. After a ride or two, I was trying to remember why I went away from it in the first place.
I have wide sit bones and SMP had a saddle for me! I went from being sore after less than 20 miles to not needing a chamois at all its actually quite amazing. you eventually get used to look 😅
After at least a dozen seats over many years i did a wall test to check my leg symmetry and it indicated i had one slightly longer than the other. This caused just one side of my sit bone to swell, regardless of the amount of chamois cream applied. In summary saw a recommendation for this saddle about 12 months ago and have had little to no trouble since, riding 1-4 hours per session. Hope this helps
I had to go to an ADAMO saddle to resolve perineal and genital numbness but I always found I tended to slide forward, particularly under load. Also, the ADAMO's are not only ugly but they're very heavy so I got tried a DASH stages saddle and then ordered a custom model after finding that the padding on their production model was too hard. The custom DASH saddle is not bad...no numbness but it's still not super comfortable and I still tend to slide forward. I tried one of the SMP saddles a few years ago that was a demo model and found it supremely uncomfortable i.e. I lasted about 15min on a test ride...yet I'm intrigued because you seem to be getting pressure relief, comfort and you're locked into place.
Can confirm. I got a high quality bike fit and was recommended a Selle SMP Dynamic. I haven't had any pain since I started using it. The only down side, as mentioned, is that it looks like I have a peregrine falcon attached to my seat post.
SMP is my favorite saddle, I have like 6 of them (mostly bought used from eBay at a fraction of the price new). Getting the angle correct is key. I like a -2.5 degree angle and can feel a drastic difference in comfort at say -5 degrees.
So now that your hips feel better, how do your boys feel? I tried 4 or 5 different versions of the Selle SMP saddle years ago because it was popular with my ride mates. However, one thing all of these have in common is the banana-shaped upward tilt in the middle that, at least for me, causes a perineal pressure point. That downward-bent saddle nose does not solve this because the pressure point is further back.
The VT20C is probably the least hideous saddle Selle SMP makes but still odd looking and of course quite expensive with the carbon rails. Might be worth a try at some point though. I recently bought a BMC SLR01 Five also and switched from 172.5mm to 170mm cranks, if nothing else it keeps my knees away from my gut while in the drops making it easier to breathe and to me it feels like my legs are in a better position to produce power for the downward pedal stroke (no overextending on the upward motion).
I hate the look love the feel and seeing that I cycle for enjoyment I'm sticking to my binchicken saddle, love my SMP's thanks Cam and Neil. The videos have some good tips on setup so watch them. A 2mm extra drop changed my whole experience.
@@discbrakefan that really only applies to the very first SMP, the Pro. That had a very pronounced eagle beak. Almost every other SMP model has smoothed the side profile into a wave shape. There are also the "flatter" SMP F-series saddles (e.g. F20C, F30) where the wave profile isn't nearly as pronounced.
Great video ! I have a question. I rode the Vulkor with no padding and loved it but hard knocks in the road would be quite harsh without ant padding. I tried the Nymber for awhile but it didn’t seem to be the same great feeling of the Vulkor. Did I not give it time for the foam to take shape ? The Vulcor has a definate depression where the sitbones go and on the Nymber that is not so obvious, wondering if I just didn’t give it enough time ? Thanks, I watch all your fitting videos and also think Neil is great. Wish he was in my area of the US :)
That saddle creates a similar number of issues that it solves. You're not able to change your position because you're "locked" in one place. It's fine when you're racing hard and are in the same position either way. If you need to change position that sadle is going to create either additional stretching of your arms or you'll be sitting in a very uncomfortable position. If you're on the TT bike and laying on the bars you need to sit even 2cm closer than if you're going up the steep climb and keeping your arms on the hoods. There is not way to change position like that on this saddle, and in most of the TT bikes you're not able to move bars that far back. It's better to use more "flat" saddles where you can actually move.
I’m in the unfortunate position of SMP revolutionising my cycling as well. Nymber and Vulkor on my bikes, ugly as sin but solved moving around on the saddle, tightness in my legs and a significant amount of saddle soreness.
Thanks. That’s certainly worth looking at. Saddle comfort for me is OK outside, but sessions on the Wahoo, can be a bit numbing! Have you ever tried a 3D printed saddle in comparison?
I use the SMP Blaster on my road and gravel bikes. Most comfortable saddle I've used. Would like another for my dedicated indoor training bike but too expensive for 1hr indoor sessions so I use a Specialised Romin on that bike.
I had a Selle Italia on My rode in the 90's long miles and crit Raced with it, thanks for the review of SelleSMP, riding a Giant Escape 3 2023 , gonna change the ASAP
I've got Selle SMP TRK. Ridiculously comfortable. Only found out about them when I bought a dead cheap (£300 !) touring bike with one already on. Note, they come in 2 width fittings. Narrow is for men, wide for women
The beak on my SMP Nymber likes to catch my shorts and try to pull them off when I dismount. 😁 Other than that, it took a bit to get the tilt just right, but I just relax and melt into this saddle in such a different way to anything I had experienced previously.
![Stromae, Pomme - “Ma Meilleure Ennemie” (from Arcane Season 2) [Official Visualizer]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1F3OGIFnW1k/mqdefault.jpg)
After literally swapping out dozens of both cheap and expensive saddles, I began using the SMP saddles on my bikes a few years ago based on a doctor's recommendation I came across on another RUclips channel. At 76 I am no pro rider, but this saddle allows me to ride without ever a thought about my bum and thus I can concentrate on staying ahead of those 60 year old youngsters.
I was a big fan of the SMP saddles. I probably went through 3 of them. The reason I stopped being a customer is their horrible after-sales service. My last SMP saddle, a leather one, started peeling after just 3 months. SMP not only refuse to swap the saddle, they refuse to even communicate with me. As they say, you can only cheat someone once.
Agree, SMP saddles may have nice geometry but the after sales is absolutely shit, and the build quality of their products (SMP Plus) is terrible too. The foam got really soft to the point its unusable after ~2 years. Meanwhile my specialized saddle is still fine after > 10 years under way more use. Both saddles were stored in the same conditions (bikes next to each other)
@@aCuria. Never seen one of these saddles without chunks missing.
Have two and found them extremely sensitive to the position but... when in the saddle sweet spot, it was extremely comfortable. However, I've owned two of them and found exactly the same problem with the leather pealing.
As an American I can confirm your reenactment of the folks at Specialized is 100% spot on! 😂
I’m on the SMP train. I even tried to go back to a Selle Italia after the first SMP, and ended up going back to SMP. I still don’t understand why the SMP is so much better, but it’s immediately apparent right from the first ride.
Lol. The bird sound effect on the saddle closeup was perfect.
In the past year, I’ve bought and sold 12-14 saddles. I’ve settled on 2 saddles: Selle SMP Well S and SQ Labs 612/evo. To be quite candid, once you get down to performance level saddles that lack padding (if any at all), I think the rider has to be consistently riding for 5-6 hrs a week to make a good judgement as to which of these saddles really work for their anatomy.
I tried different saddles for over 3.5 years. Finally decided to look into SMP. Got demo saddles from the US distributor. I wound up with the SMP Composit. Yeah, no padding lol. As a DC it all makes perfect sense. If you have a well designed saddle that is fitted to your body correctly you have padding in your shorts so I didn't have a need for additional padding in the seat. They can be tricky to get dialed in though because they are so sensitive to minute changes as far as set up. I experimented over 100 miles and found the sweet spot regarding fore/aft and the nose drop angle for me which was 9 degrees. Saddle bliss. The demo program is brilliant as well as are the saddles. It can be overwhelming with the sheer number of variations they have but again, it makes sense. Bodies vary so having different models is important. That's why the demo program is such a great way to go about it. As far as looks, when you ride your bike nobody see's your seat lol. Ugly to me is not enjoying riding because my butt is uncomfortable. Problem gone with my SMP. Besides you and Neill, Steve Hogg and Colby Pearce are huge fans of SMP.
Cam, your alter ego clips just crack me up. I want an interview with him, but the little clips are also more his "style", what a legend he is!
Got the idea from Backwards Hat Dylan???
@@bobfoster687a lot of people say that but tbh I was just looking for a way to troll myself way back in 2020. So genuinely not a copy but now people say it, I understand why.
Had a similar experience to you Cam. Suffering from really bad low back ache on the bike because of glute weakness and an unstable pelvis, I put on an SMP Nymber that I’ve had lying around after receiving your email about them about a week ago. Immediately I noticed several improvements. I’d forgotten just how much support the saddle offers, surpassing any traditional saddle that I’ve tried (and I’ve tried 40+ 😳), and my back and core were able to relax much more, and I was able to rotate my pelvis further forwards. This, and the support from the saddle itself massively increased posterior chain engagement, particularly in the glutes, and resulted in no back pain at all at the end of a 4 hour ride.
As much as I hate to admit it, I’m going to have to stick with SMP and put up with the looks, the need to use an inline seat post, the added weight, and the cost, but the benefits outweigh all of these I’m afraid.
The thing nobody says about SMPs is that the setback on those very long saddle rails also affects the ultimate saddle height. If you set the saddle so that it's perfectly level, the rails actually point upward as they run to the front, so as you scoot the saddle forward on the seatpost clamp, you're gaining a few millimeters of saddle height. That has to be taken into account for it to fit you well.
makes sense. Good tip.
Actually, that's a really good feature, as sliding the saddle forward on a saddle with conventional horizontal rails would require raising the saddle to achieve the same height in any case. The SMP rails are angled for this very reason (you may need less adjustment with it than with a regular saddle)
yes however it stays at the same angle which is a bonus
Well i had SMP. It has something but i swaped it for a 15€ saddle that was half the price at a discounter in Germany and it is much better. SMP is much to hard at the tip. but for a while i realy did like it its a good saddle, if you perfectly calibrate it if not you are in trouble. that was 5 years ago and that dam thing cost about 140-160€
3:35 I had no idea that Cam was actually American. His Australian impression is that good!
He’s been watching too many American movies😂
Absolutely love the SMP. I'm using a Composit, which is completely padless, and yes they take a while to get it right especially the angle which can be quite finicky. But once you're dialed in you wouldn't want to go back to anything else. I run 160mm cranks too.
Big Selle SMP fan here. After years of riding on the Drakon (MTB) and Dynamic (Road bike) I have a new favorite coming my way. Used Selle SMP’s test program to test their F30CSi and F20CSi. I’ve also have a F30 that I don’t get along with, but the F30CSi is a completely different beast. After testing and comparing the F30CSi and F20CSi several times and going back to my old and trusty Dynamic it was clear after about 20-30km’s. The F30CSi is my new favorite. No padding at all but the most comfortable I’ve ever been on any saddle.
I had one of these saddles in my basement. I bought it a while back, but then didn't like it. I built myself a new bike just recently, and needed a saddle for a short test ride. I put the old Selle SMP saddle on it, and I am loving it! It really kills the look of the bike, but I care more about the comfort than the looks.
Online YT tips can lead to interesting results. Since about Christmas I ride a narrow SMP Well gel, and I can now go through an hour-hour and a halfon the trainer without any adverse pains. Believe me, this is a first. Now I long for spring and the snow to melt so that I can try it out on the road! And oh, gone from 172.5 to 170mm cranks. Cheers from Sweden.
I’m a believer. I finally have comfort. My past saddles, and there were a lot of them left me hurting and complete numbness of my entire package. You can’t go wrong with SMP
Can totally relate with the Selle range, had a Selle SMP Drakon for years, fitted by Neil when he was based in Melbourne and I put 20k+ km in a couple years on one and not a single issue, it made me a strong cyclist, did a ride around the bay 300km and many cadel evans great ocean rides....highly recommended, be warned, carbon rails will set you back a bit, but these imo are the best saddles for most people and they don't even know it yet....
The Specialized Toupé was my first rightfully fitting saddle on my road bike ever since I started riding the bike in 2014 (came with an excessively narrow Prologo Kappa). I only got to make the switch in 2019 since this is my first year of work where I finally have money of my own, so that's 5 years of bottom pain.
Over the years on the Toupé, my crotch started to have some discomfort due to compression coming from the saddle's nose, so I switched to the Power as I have ridden a loaner bike with that saddle before, which actually felt comfortable for my riding style as I occasionally like to go low, which meant my pelvis rolls forward whenever I do so.
Since I don't think I move around on my saddle too much, I think short-nose saddles are for me.
old mate is by far the funniest thing in youtube cycling, also do those fugly things at least come with carbon rails?
There are some carbon rail versions. Expensive though!
There is indeed the « FULL CARBON LITE » as ugly as the other versions $600 (!!) and 130g so heavier than all other full carbon saddles. Literally a JOKE
@@SamuelBlackMetalRider so comfort/power/endurance isn't worth an extra 130 grams? Do you think the grams will make you quicker vs the biometric efficiency? Stop gate keeping and carb tfu
@@muthatrucker6485 other lighter full carbon saddles are just fine. I have a few. What I meant is that this shit is $600 which is more expensive than ANY full carbon saddle on the market. Also I carb tfu 80g/hour
@@SamuelBlackMetalRider I hit the Loo and leave 300 grams lighter. More than making up the weight gain of this saddle.
SO much important information in this one video First off yes Neill is a F ing Genius secondly NO one but RCA are doing this important work and sharing it and lastly you Cam are setting your self up as a Guiney Pig tester for the rest of us again NO one else is doing this A big thanks to Wifey many many Woman will be grateful for her input THANK you all at RCA.
Love my SMPs. I have a Hell from 2015 from their entry-level Tourisme line (it's now called the Well), and a Drakon from 2019. The Hell's weakness is its top cover; it cracked on me a year into ownership. I dabbled with Specialized Power saddles but came back to the Drakon, which fit fine but rode stiffer because it's basically got more "sidewall". I had the Hell refurbished by a local shoe restorer, gaining the leather cover it should have had from day one, and I'm still riding it to this day.
When I first got back into riding in 04, SMP was the first saddle I tried that didn't hurt. That was after trying out well over 10 saddles. While the saddles may be expensive (and there are at this point plenty of other expensive saddles), if SMP ends your saddle quest that could be quite a savings. I also discovered that while my sitz bones measure somewhat wide, I am more comfortable on saddles that measure 148mm+. I need my saddle to have a certain amount of curve in that area as well. Currently riding a VT30C. Regarding shorter cranks after seeing John Cobb's early video on that, I was sold. Been riding 165 Rotors for around 15 years.
Thanks for the information on this video. I have the SMP Dynamic. It’s very comfortable on long rides. It took several months to find the correct tilt. I began with the nose down, as recommended at about 2 degrees. I finally found perfection when it was set at 1/2 degree nose down. I rode it so long I wore through the leather cover! Great saddle but be patient with the set up. I’m 5’9” tall and weigh 140 pounds. Thanks again.
In all seriousness what’s the second best saddle because I think several riders would chose to be slightly less comfortable but with a enormously better looking saddle. Maybe a comfort to sexy ratio ranking would help?
Now March 2024. One month ago, I bought the Selle SMP Number saddle. Because I live in Wisconsin USA, in early March I don’t do, or plan on doing, any road riding. It’s usually just too cold and/or windy. So the bike stays on the trainer downstairs. So, after one month of two 45 minute sessions per day, I gotta give this saddle six thumbs up; it is that good! Period! No soreness! None! Can spin through my 45 minute session at 100 rpm, sweating my ass off, and get off the bike with no physical sensations other than leg fatigue! And yes, I’m still using 165 cranks(which I’m loving, by the way!).
Was good to see you at the little coffee stop in Adelaide when the TDU was there and I can't believe you were rocking those white bibs!!! Keep up the great work with Neil and the channel.
Riding on SMP Glider for 9 years. Tried a dozen saddles before that without success. Especially for endurance riding SMP is a dream.
After watching your videos with Neal about saddles I decided to change my Diamondback 1260sc Spin bike saddle to see what the Selle SMP would feel like riding indoors. After riding over 300 kilometers in 6 days on my Spin bike I noticed nothing, No soreness, No numbness, No pain from the usual indoor training workouts.
I will definitely be putting a Selle SMP saddle on my Elves Eglath pro disc road bike now.
Thanks for the great information
how does a person ride 300 kilometers on an indoor bike? Do you move the bike around that much?
I’ve still got my first SMP from 2005, minimal padding under my 90kg and did ~120,000k before it sits on my stationary bike or taken O/S to put on hire bikes. The no padding versions on carbon - magical. I did have one with carbon rails, and the rails broke at the junction with the metal holder after 70,000k.
And a wag once said the acronym stands for Save My Penis. It does that very well.
Been riding on a SMP Drakon since 2016 and THE best saddle I've used on my road bike. However, bought one for my tri bike and the outcome wasn't as great. Perhaps issue with the range of adjustment in the seat post head, but just couldn't get comfortable and reverted to the Fizik Arione Tri2 that'd seen me through 2 IM and many halfs.
Still think it's the best saddle type out there, as you say, very good on the tackle and that's always got to make one happy 😊.
I am really pleased with my SMP TRK saddle which you briefly showed in one of your cut away shots. Yes, its not a racing bike saddle but has a similar seat line and shape, but its more suited to leisure, touring, trekking and maybe mountain biking, at a push, for a heavy rider. Its great though for comfort and no more numbness. I have both the Gel and non-Gel versions spread over all my bikes and there is not much between them, the Gel version just being a little firmer and also slightly heavier.
I have the gel trk on my commuter, is the nose of the normal non-gel any narrower? I want to put it on my road bike but the more rubs a bit in that position
I got the SMP a few years ago because it was on sale to try and until I had the angle and fore aft right it wasn’t comfortable. But now it’s dialed in and yes now it’s the best seat I’ve ever had (and I have tried at least 10 all different shapes). It does “plant” me but I can move a bit back and forward. I like how I feel like sensitive parts have no discomfort and I can even ride it without bike shorts with a chamois. I also changed my cranks to 160 and that was the best move I’ve ever made in decades of cycling, wish I did it ages ago, amazed at the difference.
Nice, totally agree. I went through many, many saddles due to knee pain after 50km and ended up with a relatively budget SMP Hybrid. works fine for me for nearly 10 years now including rides up to 190km! Definitely recommend.
Great stuff Cam, Mrs Cam stole the show as ever with her ‘observations’ 😮
Love my Selle SMP TRK Medium saddle...yes they have to be set just so which takes a little time to get right.
The best saddle in the world is the one that fits your sit bones in the position you ride in on a specific bike. For me, and the 3 bikes I ride, it's the Fabric Scoop Elite Radius saddle. I don't ride drop bars, but I have 2 Adventure bikes and a touring Tandem, and that saddle is super-comfy, for me. I don't even think about it when I'm riding, which is how you know you've got the right saddle.
I noticed that when I use Selle SMP Blaster, my "feels right" stem length increased by 1 to 1.5 cm.
I believe it's due to straightened back angle from more pelvic rotation enabled by SMP increase my effective torso length.
On most other seats, I sit more upright on my sit bone, then bend forward on my lower back. Selle SMP enable me to sit tilt forward from the seat then keep straighter back.
CONS of SMP:
1) it is relatively heavy and is relatively rigid. There are lighter saddle with built in damping/ comfort out there which is more suitable for off-road use.
2) Even though the saddle rail looks long, I tend to clamp it near the back end of the rail to push seat as far forward as possible. The saddle nose end up right on top of the bottom bracket. This compound to bad look comment.
I've been on a saddle hunt for so long giving the more expensive ones a shot but they all failed in the old mate area with numbness. I thought of Selle SMP as a last resort before I finally give up. Fast forward a season and I read that Selle has a free test program and I contact them immediately. A week later I have two saddles from them, the Nymber and the VT30C. So I went out on a long test ride with 4 saddles. The Selle saddles, the Fizik argo 3D and a Specializer Power saddle. I made sure to go 1h before I started swapping since I know that is when the soft tissue issues start to become apparent and there needs to be a level of fatigue for a fair test.
I ended up buying the Nymber. It is just in a league of it's own. I felt like my ass and lower regions were relaxing in a hammock compared to sitting in a pretty comfortable chair. I love it. I even appreciate the looks of it now since I see it in a different light. This is the saddle that let's me perform and enjoy my ride on another level.
Regarding that you need to find the correct angle for it... Yes, the window is definitely narrow, but once you get close to that window you really feel it so it is pretty easy to dial in. I would even say it is easier than other "normal" saddles since the feedback is so clear when you're closing in on the perfect angle for you. Make sure you give it an adjustment session where you bring tools.
Glad you acknowledged how damn ugly that saddle is. I'm hunting for a new saddle for the track bike and will give these a look over.
One problem with the SMPs is that you completely lose the ability to move forward and back on the saddle, which can help relieve soreness and pressure on longer rides, and also gives you more leeway for climbing steep grades or getting in an aero tuck - both benefiting from shooting all the way forward. So you better like the position, because It's the only one you have. Pros usually have choice on saddles ... But almost none use SMPs - I believe this is why.
Pros are extremely fit. They also have a full staff to take care of every need they have. Do you know who pays for all of it? oh right the sponsors. They ride what they are told to ride. You will never see them biting the hand that feeds.
Pros might slide around on a saddle some don't. Tadej changes his saddle position if it is a climbing day. Pros have extreme data but they all don't ride board flat saddles and slide around. That is just silly to thing so especially with the watts they put out. The other thing people forget about besides the nothing that pros weigh is the power being put down on the pedals gives you much less pressure on the saddle.
If that were the case then why all the new short nosed saddles? They are to do the same thing yet leave no area to roam. But the short nose gives the same effect as the saddles he is talking about instead of a dropped nose they get rid of it then they don't have to fight patents
@@dylangrantz8124the Spez Power isn't quite the same as any SMP. It's all just a ramp for a rider to fall off the nose of. When I used mine on my road bike, I just kept on sliding onto the much harder nose. Between that and the SMP locking you into position I'd go with the latter.
If you like to move around on the saddle SMP has other models that allow you to do that because they are flatter. Most of their models keep you locked in to some extent which I prefer. I am more efficient with my power because I don't shift around. The only reason I used to move around a lot was to remove pressure. With my SMP Composit that isn't an issue anymore.
I can move around on my SMP composit just fine. As I move back on the saddle, I’m on a larger part of my sit bone & the saddle supports it. If I roll forward & get aero, the narrow nose supports the narrow part of my sit bone.
Cam I reckon if you learned to drop your heels right down you would have WAY more saddle comfort. Higher saddle = more pressure. Try it and see how you go.
I used to run a higher seat height and always have saddle issues compared to now with lower seat height and way more comfort.
I loved the toupe. Bontrager Anja is better. SLR superflow is amazing.
I'm looking to transition out of my 20+ year old Selle Aspide Aerohead saddle, which looks like a flatter and thinner version of the SMP, and is neither super comfortable nor super uncomfortable. I have a just as old Selle Italia Flite saddle that I bought at the same time but never used, that at the time was one of the most popular saddles, but you've got me intrigued with the SMP.
My main issue with the Aspide is, well, numbness, you know the drill. Doesn't hurt, per se, but it just doesn't feel right or natural. The Flite is a nice-looking saddle, what a saddle's supposed to look like, at least on a bike with classic lines and parts as mine does. But of course how it feels is what matters.
I ride a SMP Pro. A friend tried it, tried to like it & hated it. He asked me if I wanted to try it. I have Selle Italia seats on my road bikes which were fine, but was never satisfied with the seat on my Specialized Sirrus. I tried the Pro. the seat has never been off. I love this seat, been using it for nearly 10 years. One day I will find SMPs for my road bikes. I enjoy the seat so much on my Sirrus, that's my go to bike all the time. I used to ride to work (now retired) everyday on my Sirrus, many miles on this bike & seat.
Got three of them on my bikes. Dirent paddings but different bikes. I also suffer from the hip...and when I've changed to SMP it was an eureka moment....even if bloody ugly they're a game changer in comfort
I own/recommend - Tune speedneedle Alcantara, 95g, 💪bloodflow, comfort good & no partaking in the murder of an animal for their skin 🐄👍.
I really love the look of the beak and this fluid wave transition look, especially if you have a bike with a curved top tube it can sort of fit in making everything look more wavy if that makes sense.
That said Im on a VT30c which is a more padded flat looking short nose SMP, cheaper version of the F30c.
This is by far THE BEST SADDLE, EVER! I bought my first SMP Dynamic back in 2012 and have not looked back since. Lots of money for these, i've purchased 4 so far, but my PeePee and gooch don't hurt anymore.
Selle SMP plus is my all time favourite and also widely regarded as the best saddle for taller/heavier riders who do ultra-distances (RASA/Freedom Challenge etc). Spot on. Worth every cent.
As someone whos tried literally over 50 saddles (bit of a running joke amoung my cycling club how many saddles I've tried) one thing I have learnt....... Forget sit bone width.
Tried numerous saddles based on sit bone width, flexibility etc etc.
Only way to find a saddle that's perfect is try it.
Tried an smp well and smp drain and couldn't get in with them which out me off smp saddles altogether.
Few years later tried an SMP plus. First saddle I've tried where I couod ride for hours with no pain.
This saddle shouod be far too wife for me and too padded on paper but it's not. It suits me perfectly.
Long story short. Try before you buy and save yourself hundreds. Also ignore all the saddle manufacturers charts based on flexibility and sit bone width etc
I love my SMP saddles but have to run a different brand on my BMC Roadmachine because specifically with an SMP fitted the seat post / saddle clamp creaks when climbing and I can’t stop it 🤦
It’s actually the bike creaking not the saddle as they are fine on other bikes!
With a Flite boost installed it’s silent. So it’s a compromise for me, but really wish BMC would fit a standard round seat post with a simple clamp.
I rode ass hatchets for years. Went through 10 or 15 different saddles all with glowing reviews from people. My ass hurt....seriously hurt after 20 miles or so and even well into the season, the pain continued. I got a Selle saddle, a women's saddle actually, and it's the most comfortable saddle I've ever ridden. To be fair to my B17, once I got it set up EXACTLY right, it felt a lot better but the SMP was good from the first ride to the last ride of the season.
Actually just went away from Selle SMP after being on them for ages. Fitter found they weren't wide enough so my hips were rocking and causing core stability issues/pain. Ironically went to one of the Specialized 3d-printed ones with shorter nose and wider sit bone area and couldn't be happier, especially for aesthetics!
On my end I went backwards after visiting dr Borut Fonda. For many years and trusted well regarded bikefitters Smp was ideal in one position, pretty sensitive for angle and resetting after disassembly of the bike.
It locked into one position and after changing hand location it created high pressure point and did not distribute pressure.
So went back to a t shape saddle and a berk lipa short, which is more comfy on my oltre xr4
W/o hip impindgment 170-> 165 does feel more comfy and efficient.
This dickhead is leveling up his edit game 😂
But dude for real I immediately clicked once I saw Neill in your thumbnail. Always a pleasure to learn from you guys!
Cam - ( hear me out 😉) I’ve had a hip issue for 2 + years ( thinking I’ll need a hip replacement at some point )
I had a session with a medium who channels the Arch Angels and does ancestral healing 😳.. ( long story 😂)
Without going into to much detail - a week after having this session my hip issues is 95% better 🕺-
The funny thing is - she mentioned 3 other areas whilst doing her 30 minute session and I hadn’t told her about any of my ailments beforehand 😳
My knees are much better and my ankle and foot issues are gone 🤷🤷
I’ve been told our bodies hold trauma from past and present lives ..
and lastly - I was at a psychic fair a month back ( as you do ) and this women said to me / my dad says you need a new bike seat - I said WTF - where is your dad / she said he’s dead and died of prostate cancer and rode his bike a lot - I said it’s funny you mention this, I’ve been getting saw around that region and she said I know and so does my dad 😮 - the other funny thing is - I thought of the SMP seat as soon as she said what she said 🤩.. go figure ..
Matt
I have use the Selle Italia SMP saddles on both my road and gravel bike for several years. I found them to be the most comfortable saddles I’ve ever found. The only issue is positioning the seat far enough forward to get to the proper pedal position. I have to move the seat as far forward as possible. It may not work for everyone.
Great video as usual - love your work. You should start the Cam's Eagles Club!
I’ve been using this saddle for four years. I agree the most comfortable saddle and friendly is on the junk that I have ever ridden. Good call brother.
I'm surprised that no one is talking about the newer, flatter VT20 and VT30 SMP saddles, they arguably look better than these older SMPs. I personally use a VT20C saddle and found it to be supremely comfortable and this is coming from the popular Selle Italia SLR Boost.
I am running the VT30 on both my road bikes, has been amazing and they look good.
I love my SMP saddle, so much I have 3, one for my road, gravel and the trainer. And I don’t even mind the look!😉
I have been running a SMP saddle with only a leather cover, no padding for years. Once you get it setup properly, it's truly, for me at least the most comfortable saddle I have used. Don't have on on my MTN bike as yet, but probably will soon. Look at it this way, when you are on the bike, nobody sees the saddle anyway.... 🙂
I like the look of the Smp. I’ve been running the Selle Smp on my mountain bike for almost 10 years. Even got a couple of my friends to try and they like it also. Got into road biking a little over a year ago and tried the Smp on it but did not like it probably because it was to padded . Maybe I will try a road bike version . Just got a knock off version of specialized mirror and so far I’m liking that but have only rode on my trainer because of cold weather.
Absolutely LOVE my SMP dynamic. Doesn’t matter how far I ride, never any issues. It’s my go to saddle.
Love hearing your journey and always love seeing Neil!
Great video also transferred to this saddle about a year ago after trying far to many other saddles. Best upgrade I have made to bike!
My favourite saddle I have had, was a Selle Italia Flite . really enjoyed the saddle could ride all day with it. Unfortunately when I sold the bike the saddle went with it. The new Trek bike, came with a saddle which I absolutely felt uncomfortable with. Swapped to another Bontrager saddle, better padded but not centre channel. Eventually after 6 years that lack of centre channel meant pain in a certain part of the body. I now have swapped to a newer Bontrager Aeolus saddle great centre channel ( no pain there now), but it is not quite perfect. I would have loved another Selle Italia but the model which would have suited me was too expensive for me at the moment.
Adjustable seat shocks help increase the comfort of any bike seat. I am an old guy on a comfort bike, but I have noticed the seat shock will improve the comfort of any bike. Also, I've got three sisters, and they no longer complain about a sore as all the way home.
I have had the SMP saddle for years. I don't find it all that ugly personally. I actually went away from it a couple of years ago. I got a new bike, and stuck on it because it was laying around. After a ride or two, I was trying to remember why I went away from it in the first place.
Pause video. The Raptor sound when the SMP is held up, priceless!😂😂
I did it, I ordered one after many many $$$$ wasted Sella SMP VT 20c. I have to admit I had my best ride in forever tonight!!!
I have wide sit bones and SMP had a saddle for me! I went from being sore after less than 20 miles to not needing a chamois at all its actually quite amazing. you eventually get used to look 😅
After at least a dozen seats over many years i did a wall test to check my leg symmetry and it indicated i had one slightly longer than the other. This caused just one side of my sit bone to swell, regardless of the amount of chamois cream applied. In summary saw a recommendation for this saddle about 12 months ago and have had little to no trouble since, riding 1-4 hours per session. Hope this helps
I had to go to an ADAMO saddle to resolve perineal and genital numbness but I always found I tended to slide forward, particularly under load. Also, the ADAMO's are not only ugly but they're very heavy so I got tried a DASH stages saddle and then ordered a custom model after finding that the padding on their production model was too hard. The custom DASH saddle is not bad...no numbness but it's still not super comfortable and I still tend to slide forward. I tried one of the SMP saddles a few years ago that was a demo model and found it supremely uncomfortable i.e. I lasted about 15min on a test ride...yet I'm intrigued because you seem to be getting pressure relief, comfort and you're locked into place.
Can confirm. I got a high quality bike fit and was recommended a Selle SMP Dynamic. I haven't had any pain since I started using it. The only down side, as mentioned, is that it looks like I have a peregrine falcon attached to my seat post.
I've been using the SMP for the ladt 3 years. I keep trying others, even the slr boost endurance, but nothing compares to the comfort of the smp.
I use the same but unpadded. I recently purchased the F20C si. Another win and half as ugly. Would love to hear Neils take on the model
SMP is my favorite saddle, I have like 6 of them (mostly bought used from eBay at a fraction of the price new). Getting the angle correct is key. I like a -2.5 degree angle and can feel a drastic difference in comfort at say -5 degrees.
So now that your hips feel better, how do your boys feel? I tried 4 or 5 different versions of the Selle SMP saddle years ago because it was popular with my ride mates. However, one thing all of these have in common is the banana-shaped upward tilt in the middle that, at least for me, causes a perineal pressure point. That downward-bent saddle nose does not solve this because the pressure point is further back.
The VT20C is probably the least hideous saddle Selle SMP makes but still odd looking and of course quite expensive with the carbon rails. Might be worth a try at some point though. I recently bought a BMC SLR01 Five also and switched from 172.5mm to 170mm cranks, if nothing else it keeps my knees away from my gut while in the drops making it easier to breathe and to me it feels like my legs are in a better position to produce power for the downward pedal stroke (no overextending on the upward motion).
outstanding Cam, loved the Spesh HQ. Take that GC Performace and your abysmal aussie voice :-)
I hate the look love the feel and seeing that I cycle for enjoyment I'm sticking to my binchicken saddle, love my SMP's thanks Cam and Neil. The videos have some good tips on setup so watch them. A 2mm extra drop changed my whole experience.
I genuinely think the SMPs look fantastic, they look like a beautiful chiseled and crafted item. Never understood the hate for their aesthetics.
It’s the floppy appendage out the front 😂
@@discbrakefan that really only applies to the very first SMP, the Pro. That had a very pronounced eagle beak. Almost every other SMP model has smoothed the side profile into a wave shape.
There are also the "flatter" SMP F-series saddles (e.g. F20C, F30) where the wave profile isn't nearly as pronounced.
Me neither. They look good and comfy.
Great video !
I have a question. I rode the Vulkor with no padding and loved it but hard knocks in the road would be quite harsh without ant padding. I tried the Nymber for awhile but it didn’t seem to be the same great feeling of the Vulkor.
Did I not give it time for the foam to take shape ? The Vulcor has a definate depression where the sitbones go and on the Nymber that is not so obvious, wondering if I just didn’t give it enough time ?
Thanks, I watch all your fitting videos and also think Neil is great. Wish he was in my area of the US :)
That saddle creates a similar number of issues that it solves. You're not able to change your position because you're "locked" in one place. It's fine when you're racing hard and are in the same position either way. If you need to change position that sadle is going to create either additional stretching of your arms or you'll be sitting in a very uncomfortable position. If you're on the TT bike and laying on the bars you need to sit even 2cm closer than if you're going up the steep climb and keeping your arms on the hoods. There is not way to change position like that on this saddle, and in most of the TT bikes you're not able to move bars that far back. It's better to use more "flat" saddles where you can actually move.
This is a good point, I found this to be true as well. However, that one spot is damn comfortable.
I’m in the unfortunate position of SMP revolutionising my cycling as well. Nymber and Vulkor on my bikes, ugly as sin but solved moving around on the saddle, tightness in my legs and a significant amount of saddle soreness.
Thanks. That’s certainly worth looking at. Saddle comfort for me is OK outside, but sessions on the Wahoo, can be a bit numbing!
Have you ever tried a 3D printed saddle in comparison?
Love the bits of comedy thrown. Literally made me laugh out loud 😂. Love all the fitting info. Keep up the good work.
been riding them exclusively for 12 years now. simply the best
SMP is the best saddle I have ever used and I have tried most of them. They do look un-cool however, I don’t give a shit as they are so comfy😊
The best part is you can't see it when you're riding.
Been on smp evolution for years...literally since released. Will never give up that saddle. I swapped it to my new bianchi oltre pro.
I use the SMP Blaster on my road and gravel bikes. Most comfortable saddle I've used. Would like another for my dedicated indoor training bike but too expensive for 1hr indoor sessions so I use a Specialised Romin on that bike.
Sliding forward on the seat under load is called, "On the rivet'. It is supposed to happen.
My best saddle is a Brooks B15 Swallow.
I'm sold on the SMP TRK Large bought 3 of them, love them !!
I had a Selle Italia on My rode in the 90's long miles and crit Raced with it, thanks for the review of SelleSMP, riding a Giant Escape 3 2023 , gonna change the ASAP
I've got Selle SMP TRK. Ridiculously comfortable. Only found out about them when I bought a dead cheap (£300 !) touring bike with one already on.
Note, they come in 2 width fittings. Narrow is for men, wide for women
Love my SMP Drakon...saddle of comfort for an old Clydesdale! What is the make of the bike frame seen at 11:00?
Check out Infinity seats..... I have one on my road and my gravel bikes. I put about 7000 miles a year on these two saddles. Ultimate comfort.
Thats very interesting, healing hip impingement by saddle choice, nice work and good recommendation for Your fitter.
There are definitely going to be a bunch of options on patent expiry, and most probably they'll have to drop prices considerably.
The beak on my SMP Nymber likes to catch my shorts and try to pull them off when I dismount. 😁 Other than that, it took a bit to get the tilt just right, but I just relax and melt into this saddle in such a different way to anything I had experienced previously.