A New Saddle
Lou Frankel is going through the problem most of us go through at some time in our cycling life. This is trying to choose a new saddle to replace one that is no longer in production, the one that you have got used to over many years. Here is what we think Lou should do
Question: any reviews or info on a bike seat I was told to look into a new Fizik seat-gel type, brand new in 2007, after having the Selle Italia Turbo Matic for the past 7yrs, it’s time for something new and comfortable. Advise.
Hi Lou,
The Selle Italia Turbo was a great range of saddles and the Turbo Matic had those rubber inserts to take some of the road vibration out, an enormous loss to cycling when they stopped making them.
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So now you need to get a new saddle, well you mention the Fizik saddles, the most popular seems to be the Arione, it is a different shape to your old Turbo, there is the Arione with or without wings on the side of the saddle, these are made for extra comfort for your thighs. Take a look at the Life range from Fizik, they seem to have a bit more gel and I would think more comfort.
I tried the Arione, but found I couldn’t get on with it, remember saddles are a very personal thing. I used to use the normal Turbo and then I found the Flite genuine gel, this was a good replacement for the Turbo and lasted for nearly five years. Then the Flite Carbon was replaced by the Flite Gel Flow, which I am very happy with.
 Gel Flow |
I would suggest that you go for a saddle with a well know name, basically a known brand as there shouldn’t be any big problems that you could get from a cheaper and not so well made saddle. The rails could be of inferior metal or the gel could burst and then if you by a cheap carbon saddle, it’s possible that it could break due to there not being many carbon fibers.
 San Marco |
There are many saddles out there and finding the one for you can be an up hill battle, the best suggestion I can give you is to try as many of your friends saddles as you can until you find that perfect saddle. You have to kiss a few frogs until you find your prince!
