The All-New SMP Saddle (cycling’s best saddle just got better?)
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
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Selle SMP haven just released their latests versions of their saddles. The latest shape has been refined for additional comfort with also updates to the padding depending on model.
With updated graphics these new saddle won't look out of place on even the highest end bikes. Will you be trying the new Eagle Beak?
#cycling #roadcycling
I don't understand the aesthetic concerns at all. Take a look in the mirror - most people riding are more ugly than the saddle itself. The beak is only visible when no-one is on the bike and the vast majority of the time when that's the case the bike will be indoors at home. The most important thing that matters is comfort. And if, as others have pointed out, the beak provides stability through fast downhill turns, then it's there for a good reason anyway.
It wasn't the beak, but the graphics that people didn't like.
Stability through fast downhill turns? What? That is just bad bike handling.
Love my Dynamic! 7years in, still riding them.
Eagle beak for life. My bike fitter set me up with a dynamic 5 years ago and I'm never going back. Pretty cool that it seems to be working for a lot of other people as well. Great stuff guys!
Love my SMP, was life changing on the bike. Zero pain after thousands of miles. The graphics on the older saddles are rather garish for sure. Might be time for an upgrade.
Love the SMP Nymber - but as many have pointed out, so important to get the tilt dialled in, and usually forward more than others
Got the first evo that hit the uk importer, never used SMP before due to looks but I’ve never found a comfortable saddle so thought I’d risk it for a biscuit. Wow first ride meant to be a short-ish one to see how it felt, a couple a quick stops to adjust the angle and I was sold on the design. That first ride ended up being over 100km with zero issues at all, I’m in love with the saddle, it’s shape and feel, still don’t like the look but when my arse is on it I can’t see it so I’m happy. Oh it’s even super comfy when wearing jeans to do a quick shopping trip of 25km
I was dithering on getting this, but I'm going to get one after your comment.
I wish more places offered test versions. It is too expensive to guess, and the company seems quite reluctant to give freely test saddles to smaller LBS.
My SMP EVO received in April is already having the padding nearest the nose to become detached from the shell after about 20 rides. Hope the issue with mine is not a sign that this will happen to many more.
The SMP lite209 is what I started with other than an Extra, but I wanted SMP but flat and the T5 is perfect 👌
Doesn’t the “SMP” embroidery on the saddle’s riding surface abrade one’s shorts?
They could just cut off the beak and it would look kinda normal lol
Sure. But why open up to the whole market when you can just cater to those who don’t care about looks?
That's what Jennifer Grey thought when she had her nose done and noone would notice her anymore on the street afterwards. That beak is a unique look, it stands out from the competition, it gets noticed. That in itself is worth a lot as a marketing-feature. I also think it makes getting on and of easier and safer for the precious parts.
@@kalenderquantentunnel9411 They could have dialled it down more than they did without losing too much of their uniqueness. And uniqueness ist not everything in marketing... mind the Fiat Multipla ;-)
came here to say this! It points so far down that it seems unnecessary.
@@SrFederico Just another case of „You must be the worst pirate I‘ve ever heard about.“-„Maybe, but you heard about me!“
SMP lite209 fan for over 12 years on my road bikes...weirdly though I use an Ergon SM E-MTB saddle on my MTB and have no problems with it either.
No ribbon, no sale! I'm running three Lite 209s. I have a happy ass.
I have their VT30c which is the non-pro version (plastic top) of the F30c (the leather one), both are compact flat looking saddles, siblings of the non-compact F30/VT30. The VT series shell even just says F.
It's an interesting saddle to look at, it's possibly their widest saddle and it still feels heavily shaped despite looking flat.
Caveat I notice is that while the width is barely adequate according to pressure mapping, it's also at the same time possibly too wide at the front causing chafing.
I just tried out the new EVO. The backend of the saddle is the same as the Blaster but the Eagle beak is wider. It measures 7mm wider where the rails connect to shell at the front of the saddle. I like the new padding, no sticking and lighter weight of the EVO, but I miss the narrow noise of the Blaster. I wish they had not changed that part or know this before ordering it.
I owned one in he 2010s and wish i had never disposed of it. Will get with the shop I bought it from to see if they still carry them.
Hey guys, I am a short overweight guy (105 kg at 1,74) who loves cycling still (and want to lose weight by doing so) but had some health issue setbacks recently (prostate inflammation) I am currently trying the ISM PL1.1 but I am not sure if I am really happy with that. Would you suggest any of the SMP saddles for prostate protection and which should I go for?
I am usually riding by gripping the horns where the brakes are, basically never gripping deeper.
I have been riding Selle SMPs on all my bikes for more than 15 years. Infinity Saddles seem to be the first company to focus on a technology that is the polar opposite. Could you take a look at this and compare it to Selle SMP? Thank you
Hello, need a recommendation. I'm an avid rider about 300 miles a month, I'm looking to pick up an SMP saddle. I need a narrower saddle 145 ish, I'm 6 foot - 190 pounds. what would you recommend, I'm more concerned about comfort. I would appreciate any help to find the right SMP. Tried 3 SMP dealers in San Diego, they all sucked had didn't have saddles to try. These were supposed SMP fit locations from SMP's website.
I use the SMP Well M1 gel and love it.... no matter the mileage no discomfort. However on my new bike the saddle clamp assembly fouls the underside of the saddle body. Is there a SMP saddle with more clearance between the saddle body and rails with the same profile as the Well M1???
Thanks for the video Neil, what’s the best way to purchase these in Australia? I’m located in WA, do you know of a local distributor in Aus?
I wonder about padding though. Isn’t it so soft to wear my bibs prematurely? Like selle x
G’Day Mate! Curious what SMP you’d recommend for 143mm Sit Bones? Even the 209 is a bit too narrow I believe.
Specialised Power Saddle isn’t doing me much good…
I have 3 friends who have have recently had bike fits and while only minor adjustments were recommended, I mean a minor cleat adjustment or moving the saddle 2mm, they all were sold a $400 SMP saddle. I found that odd and now this channel also recommends it as the BEST whereas in the past saddle recommendations based on shape, material, rider position, pressure points and all the things that should be considered. Everyone sits differently and expects different things from a ride. I'm just a bit suspect if SMP is not supporting fitters to push their product.
If you check out the other vids with Neil where he covers the various models, he points out that different riders need different shapes. One of the benefits (and drawbacks, given the difficulty of trying multiple very expensive alternatives). Even in this vid he says the two most recent models cover most of his clients, and Cam himself rides a wider one.
I doubt it but who knows. Good thing with SMP is that you can for the cost of shipping test their saddles. You’ll be send test saddles of your choice which you’ll have to return within one month or so. I did this with my last saddle and no regrets. Ended up with the F30CSi. I doubt I’ll go back to their traditional design, which by the way also works well for me
I use the carbon composite and when the leather wears out I pull it off and just sit on the shell.
what is the purpose of the drooping beak?
I have the Dynamic and would love some padding. Does the Evo plus have as thin a tip sideways? I tried all the models of a retailer some years ago and the not wide tip of the Dynamic seduced me despite having a tender behind due to being overweight cream ass as is said in Finnish 😂 The thin beak of the Dynamic added 1.7 KPH average to my first 3 rides after which I stopped paying attention. It was the new normal which meant all the rest would be a downgrade.
Quite curious how you would rate the F20/30CSi. No padding and more flat. But after more than 8 very happy years on the Dynamic and Drakon I have actually found them to be quite an upgrade over those. Zero padding but insanely comfortable
I‘d be interested in hearing that too. I‘ve been riding the Nymber for two years and love it, but I didn‘t get on with the F20 CSi at all. Selling it actually if anyone is interested. :)
Somewhat strange looking but I have them on all my road bikes. I have tried others, but just keep coming back to the SMP. 🤷🏻♂️
Only thing that sucks about SMP is they sit really tall so you'll have to cut down your seat mast if you don't have an adjustable tube. I put my lite 209 on my gravel bike and like it.
It's worrying when a bike fitter on UA-cam makes hyperbolic statements like "best saddle" or "best shoes". 🤔
What is the point of the drooping end of the beak? Why not cut the saddle off shorter? Surely riders can’t sit on the drooping part…
You would be surprised... I was not going into a SMP retailer trying out different versions. They all had reduced contact thus pressure to the nuts. I bought the one with the least wide tip to reduce thigh rub and the first 3 rides all averaged 1.7 kph faster. My thighs are wide.
@@JanneRasanen2 I’m not saying they’re bad in any way, just curious at what the drooping end actually brings.
its so you can ride "on the rivet" without adding a ton of pressure to your perineum.
@@bluesthemoose There are some like me that can rotate their pelvis forward a good deal when in the drops and having the nose that way makes the saddle "disappear" to avoid any thigh rubbing.
Thigh rubbing slows you down and the comfort increase from less pressure to the nuts is great.
Hijacking this video for a question to Neill and the community: Has anyone experienced Sesamoiditis or pain around that area under the foot? Could cleat postion or cleat type be a reason? Or not enough arch support?
KA-KAW!! 🦅
What purpose does the beak serve?
I think it’s supposed to prevent the bibs being caught when going from standing to seated.
There are some like me that can rotate their pelvis forward a good deal when in the drops and having the nose that way makes the saddle "disappear" to avoid any thigh rubbing.
I’m sorry but that thing is still not touching my bike 😂
I'm glad you like these, but, I for one found them very uncomfortable. This is an infomercial; saddles are individual
Informercial? Totally disagree. I trust Neill. He knows more about bodies than most related to cycling. He has been a big fan of SMP for a long time. They may not be for everybody but they are for many that won't give them a chance because they haven't experimented enough with the set up related to seat height, forward/rearward and angle. They are very sensative. You either have it set up exactly right for your body or you don't. No such thing as close. Unfortunately it usually takes many miles and hours to get there. If you are impatient you never will with these. Yes, saddles are individual which is why SMP has a blinding number of variations. Usually, not always, there is one for someone but again, they need to understand it's a process. Not just slapping it on and getting it close only to not be comfortable and move on to another brand saddle.
Hi, I have many, many year's of experience ,so I appreciate your comments, but .. ...
@@monty2078 But what? All I said is Neill is a very well renowned fitter that has decades of experience doing fits and studying the human body in relation to cycling and SMP's can be very finicky to get into the correct position for those that it would work for. My comments really have nothing to do with your many, many years of experience.
What about the f20c s.i.?
For what it’s worth, I just bought an F30csi after having been on a Nymber for a while. The flatter shape of the F20csi and F30csi doesn’t hold the pelvis quite as securely in the same way as the more curved SMP, but I found that a bit more comfortable. With the Blaster, Nymber, Dynamic and Composits I’ve had in the past, I sometimes felt like the front of the saddle was less comfortable that I’d like despite changing the angle, but the F20csi and 30csi just disappear from under me, despite the lack of padding.
I’ve been using the Dynamic and Drakon for about 8 years before getting the F30CSi earlier this year on my new bike. I absolutely love this saddle and prefer them over their traditional models which I thought would not be possible. They’re more flat and somehow it feels like there’s less pressure on the seat bones. The curvature of their original saddles now feels like it’s pushing the seat bones a little bit outwards if that makes any sense. I tried both F20CSi and F30CSi as I was smack in between the two sizes. Both extremely comfortable but the F30CSi had the edge and went with that one.
FWIW, to me the F30CSi is a completely different animal than the standard F30. I got the F30 second hand but in perfect condition but didn’t get on with it at all. But the F30CSi is the perfect saddle to me, can’t imagine how it could be improved upon.
I’ve been riding the Drakon version for years. With my fat arse sitting on it nobody can see the ugliness of it 😂. Most comfortable saddle I’ve owned.
Tried one of those about 12 years ago, worst saddle I have ever ridden, been riding for 40 years.
SMP TRK Large
It's still looks horrible. What's the purpose for the beak?
Not having a pain in the balls. 🎉
There are some like me that can rotate their pelvis forward a good deal when in the drops and having the nose that way makes the saddle "disappear" to avoid any thigh rubbing.
@@jeffreysaffir1375Are you a salesperson? You have stated this on all the comments.
@@alpsalish Nope.
@@jeffreysaffir1375 That is what a salesperson posing as a commenter would say.
280 grams !! As an overweight cyclist I cant afford to give away grams 😂
the statement „a much better looking design“ is sort of comedy when we speak about the ugliest saddle on the market…
Have you seen the infinity saddle?
There’s worse out there in my opinion. Starting with about every SQ lab. But as always, YMMV
They would have needed to hire a whole fleet of designers to make it uglier! 😂
Will be kick out from my cycling group, number removed by them if they caught me using this saddle. My parents will disown me. 😂
SMP is very uncomfortable for me and caused a saddle sore. Still searching for a comfortable saddle for myself.
They are senstive to angle...must be set just right.
They take time to dial in perfectly. If you don't get it is a process or you are impatient it isn't for you. It has taken me months to get my Composit dialed in perfectly. Raising it 1mm caused me to stetch just enough with my right leg during the pedal stroke. That friction led to the start of a sore. Lowered it 1mm and zero issues riding over 800 miles this month. Bodies have very tight tolerances.
Please no.
This and the new giro helmet would ensure solo rides to remain solo forever 😬
I tried both the Evo and the Blaster. Evo is a little chunkier throughout, especially in the front. It caused rub on the inside of the legs, so I’m sticking with the blaster. Sitbones around 11cm. If you really need narrow and space, blaster it is.
Hope Selle SMP comes out with some 3d printed saddles it would be interesting!
why is that beak necessary ?
Always thought the same thing. No one is sitting on it so it's not necessary, surely? 🤷♂️
Genitalia at least of the male kind does not get squashed in like small power forever lasting kick in the nuts. Ladies imagine putting your weight on the clitoris for hours to compare the sensitivity of the parts involved getting relief from saddle pressure. 🎉
There are some like me that can rotate their pelvis forward a good deal when in the drops and having the nose that way makes the saddle "disappear" to avoid any thigh rubbing.
I've always thought these looked like terrible saddles but it's slowly warming up to me seeing it more on the channel
Try one......how they look doesn't really matter when they offer comfort.
@@truthseeker8483 I’m waiting for my saddle to break. At the minute I’m running a super light saddle which is working well but also discontinued.
They are terrible looking. You aren't wrong.
@@alpsalish You can't see it when you are riding on it...😁
less hideous without the graphics
Vulkor boys, where we at?
After soo many saddles I finally landed on the SMP Nymber last year after watching a video here. Big thanks!
Genuinely, why does it even need the nose. You're never going to be sitting on it; you'd slide right off and small a ball or two into the toptube. So what purpose does it fulfil other than making them stand out from the competition.
The nose of the saddle is used to brace your leg when leaning through a turn. The advantage of the dip is it still allows such bracing without pushing into the perineum
Balls and perineum like the dropped beak. Imagine being on the drops downhill. The smart thing about conforming to anatomy with SMPs is the mid seat dip combined with the eagle beak tip. As everyone is different so are the SMPs. Hopefully you can find a combination that suits you.
I borrowed an smp before from a friend. I hated every minute of riding on it omg. 😂
Could be a matter of incorrect tilt, or simply the shape/width that doesn’t suit you. After 8 years on Drakon and Dynamic I changed to F30CSi. Very different but for me even better. However I completely did not get on with the regular F30. Very much a YMMV thing I suppose
@@BenSietze I think it's just the shape/size doesn't fit me. It felt like my thighs are rubbing on the nose/beak it felt like it's too wide for me. Saddles are very personal thing so I disagree when an expert says this or that is the best saddle.
@@PepeDalinShowAgreed, no such thing as “best saddle”. Saddle are very much a YMMV thing
@@PepeDalinShowAgreed, no such thing as “best saddle”. Saddle are very much a YMMV thing
Tried 2 Selle SMP models and neither worked. Than went to SQLabs 612 and hated it. Lastly tried Ergon SMC and loved it immediately and still do. Different saddles for different bums but you don’t find many people recommending the Ergon line. Just figured I would throw it out there since people watching this are searching for comfort.
What would yu compare the padding to on the Evo Plus compared to the EVO. I ride an older Arione so am use to that padding but want to try an SMP and the EVO seems a good place to start but have to pick one:). Am curious how it will go as have ridden flat saddles for many years like the Turbo and Regal.
Thanks for your thoughts - I just tested the Evo for two long rides against my trusted Blaster. Shape/curve is similar or indeed identical, but the Evo is a bit wider. This can make a difference! The Evo feels lighter and the glued cover appears somewhat nicer/softer. However, remains to be seen how this will hold up over time. The Blaster is very sturdy.
I love my stratos. Best saddle ever for me with my narrow sitbones, 10.5cm. Every other saddle was uncomfortable and had too much friction. I personally like the stitching and dorky band. But maybe i just like weird things. They do work well on a trainer as well.
I have a lot of forward pelvic rotation, basically a tt position. So much that my perineum sists so much lower than my sitbones I can't even make contact with my sitbones and saddle. I got an ISM copy to see if that style would be good. It's a little better than a regular saddle but I still have the same problem
Is the shell (base) more flexible than the older models?
Would appreciate seeing a presentation of the F20c s.i. and your thoughts about it.
I wonder if smp will venture in 3d saddle designs.
I've had an SMP Dynamic for >10 years. It's great, but good god It's fugly
Did you need to re-stuff it?
@billeterk no, looks a bit shabby but still going strong. There was bugger all padding to begin with anyway.
I have the Dynamic. What do you mean by restuffing it? It not padded at all to start with. Does the frame of the saddle collapse over time? Mine is fine at the moment?
@@JanneRasanen2 I have dynamic on each of two bikes. The one that's done 90,000 km definitely has a couple of points where it's just plastic underneath the leather. The other still feels new at ~15,000 km.
@@JanneRasanen2 dynamic actually is padded. Light padding about 5mm thick over the entire saddle.
riding on a SMP Forma for 8+ years... BEST thing i've ever put on my bike
Good
So have these taken over from your love of SQ Lab? I've got an SQ Lab 612 14cm. If I were to go SMP, would I need the Nymber?
Good thing with SMP is that you can try their saddles for the cost of shipping for about a month. I don’t get on with SQ lab at all, for me SMP it is. I’d also have a good look at their F20/30CSi. I find them insanely comfortable. My others are Dynamic (road bike) and Drakon that I started with (MTB) also great
His sponsorship changed.
I hate that saddle with a Passion. It looks horrendous and ruins any bike you put it on. 😂
I belong to those weirdos who actually like the look of SMPs. And I'm talking about old ones. Inspired by your previous videos I bought Nymber. I was really struggling with setting it though. If not perineal pressure, then ischial tuberosities' sore (left one, to be precise). Buying new cycling shorts helped (old ones had virtually no padding anymore). Still, I'm not entirely sure the Nymber was the right model for me. For my short rides (up to 65 km) it works now, however.
This saddle could cure cancer and my haemorrhoids at the same time …and I still wouldn’t use it.
🙄
🤣
Hard to cure stupid.
Confirmed idiot…….
They do in some way