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Selle Italia Saddle CharacteristicsListed below are some characteristics of popular SELLE ITALIA saddle models. This information should help you choose the correct SELLE ITALIA saddle model. SLR Kit Carbonio, SLR, SLR XC, SLR XC Gel Flow, SLR XP, SLR Gel Flow, SLR Genuine Gel, SLR T1 – Very flexible tubular Titanium or Vanox rail mounted in front of the soft tissue area and along side the sit bones. A carbon composite flexible base uses minimal to moderate padding depending on the SLR model chosen. The SLR shape uses a shorter nose and larger longer sitting area allowing lots of movement on the saddle. The nose is very flat and wide which can cause more friction between leg and rider for some riders. Because of the flexible base, the flexible rail and the large flat seating area this is the most popular SELLE ITALIA model. SLK Kit Carbonio, SLK, SLK Gel Flow – The SLK uses a tubular Vanox rail and a “split” shape from the front of the saddle through to the rear that allows independent support for each of the sit bones. Some riders find this “spit” independent support more comfortable than the solid base of the SLR. The SLK uses a longer narrower nose and less of a sitting platform than the SLR. The nose of the SLK is more round allowing less friction between leg and saddle for some riders. Flite Kit Carbonio, Flite, Flite Genuine Gel, Flite Gel Flow – Very long flexible Titanium rail mounted in front of the soft tissue area and behind the sit bones. A carbon composite flexible base combined with minimal padding makes this a very popular model because of the flexible base and rail. The shape is "flat" in the center with the sides sloped. Overall shape is narrow. ProLink Light Genuine Gel, ProLink Light Gel Flow – Tubular Vanox rail mounted into shock absorbing elastomer pads much like the engine or suspension in an auto is the first step to the comfort of the Prolink Light. The real comfort is achieved through a unique nylon/elastomer base that flexes according to weight and pressure applied by the rider. Minimal padding but because of the very flexible nylon/elastomer base the saddle is very comfortable. The shape is the "flattest" and "widest" of all the SELLE ITALIA high-end models. The sides do not slope but are vertical. Overall shape is wide. XO, XO Genuine Gel, XO TransAm – Tubular Manganese rail is light and yet inexpensive in comparison to the Titanium or Carbon Composite rails. The Nylon base is more flexible than the plastic bases used on most of our competitor’s saddles in this price range (middle). More padding than high-end saddles but not thick "pillow" type padding. The shape is "flat" with less slope to the edges than the Flite but not as vertical as the ProLink. Overall shape is flat. Lady Genuine Gel, Lady Gel Flow – For the first time ever a Lady saddle was in the top 5 sales for ’00 and has maintained its top 5 position every since. Tubular Manganese rail is light and yet inexpensive in comparison to the Titanium or Carbon Composite rails. The Nylon base is more flexible than the plastic bases used on most of our competitor’s saddles. This saddle has more padding than any of the middle or high saddles offered by SELLE ITALIA. The shape is wide in the rear, vertical edges and shorter nose. Overall shape is flat. Max Flite Genuine Gel, Max Flite Gel Flow – Tubular Manganese rail is mounted into suspension "wings" in the rear and pivoting elastomer in the front. This suspension provides lots of flex. The nylon base is flexible but firm. The Max Flite Gel Flow adds about ¼" to ½" of padding over the entire saddle base making the shape different from the Max Flite Genuine Gel. The Max Flite Gel Flow top is "wider" and "flatter" than the Max Flite Genuine Gel. The Max Flite Gel Flow received great reviews in ’99 and ’00 from all kinds of riders. Although not #1 this year, it is #3. All models listed above use leather covers that lessen friction between the cyclist and saddle. Leather also breathes, reducing the sweating and resulting discomfort. All Genuine Gel and Gel Flow models listed below have real "silicone gel" located in the frontal soft tissue area and under each of the sit bones. Gel absorbs 300% more vibrations and impacts than standard foam. Over the past couple of years, SELLE ITALIA has introduced several "series" of saddles that have greatly added to their appeal to a wide variety of cyclists. These "series" currently include "Genuine Gel" and "Gel Flow". In an effort to eliminate as much confusion as possible about these series of saddles, please note the following descriptions and availability. All current models of SELLE ITALIA Genuine Gel saddles include "gel" in the frontal soft tissue area and under each of the sit bones. All Genuine Gel models are available only with leather cover. "Genuine Gel" models include: C2 Genuine Gel, Filante Genuine Gel, Flite Genuine Gel, FlX Gel, Initiale Genuine Gel, Lady Genuine Gel, Max Flite Genuine Gel, Oktavia Genuine Gel, Prolink Light Genuine Gel, Signo Genuine Gel, SLR Genuine Gel, Trimatic 2 Genuine Gel, XO Genuine Gel, Zeta Comfort Gel. GEL FLOW SADDLE MODELS SUPER LIGHT MODELS Finally, the #1 saddle for SELLE ITALIA from its introduction in ’91 was the Flite Titanium w/black leather. For the past two year’s the SLR Gel Flow replaced the Flite Titanium as the most popular saddle. The "Gel Flow" offers extra comfort in the soft tissue area. This does not mean the Flite or SLR is the best for your particular needs but it does indicate that many people like these 2 models. RAIL CRITERIA:None of the materials have a rider weight limit! They will all work extremely well used in a normal course of riding.Most riders have problems with bending or breaking rail: a) when impacting the saddle during landing after becoming airborne! The earth will not move or give so the saddle must. This usually happens during aggressive riding when the bike gets airborne or runs into a pot hole/curb, the riders foot slips off the pedal/rider loses balance/or ? and the rider impacts the seat when the bike hits the ground or edge of the pot hole/curb. Bent rails can even happen when road bikers "jump" a pot hole/curb/railroad tracks/? and do not time the jump correctly impacting the saddle. b) Stress riser caused by the seat post cradle which I have described before. (A sharp edge of the seat post cradle creates stress riser that will eventually cause the rail to break.) As with most things that can bend or break (stems/handlebars/rims/seat rails), the riders riding technique or riding circumstance when it bends/breaks has more to do with durability than the product material. The advantages of Titanium are it is lighter and it flexes more than other materials. The advantages of Cr/Mo and/or Manganese are they are lighter and flex more than steel. Since we sell SELLE ITALIA to 18 distributors in North America who then sell to the 5000 or more bicycle retailers, I cannot advise you of a specific dealer that might have any particular saddle. Your favorite bicycle retailer can order any of the saddles offered by SELLE ITALIA. Or you can now purchase directly online from Pronet Cycling right here! I hope that you will find this information helpful in the selection and adjustment of your saddle. Let me know if you have any questions or require further information. Keep riding and keep safe! Regards, «« Back to Choosing a Saddle - Part 1
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