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 Selle Italia

What are the differences between the Selle Italia lines of saddles?

Here are some characteristics to help you choose the Selle Italia saddle that’s right for you.

The SLR series of saddles, including the SLR, SLR C64, SLR Fibra, SLR Gel Flow, SLR Kit Carbonio, SLR Lady Gel Flow, SLR T1, SLR Team Edition, SLR Teknologika, SLR Troy Lee Designs, SLR XC, and SLR XP, all include very flexible tubular Titanium or Vanox rails mounted in front of the soft tissue area and behind/alongside the sit bones. The Carbon composite flexible base utilizes minimal to moderate padding. This shape has a longer and larger sitting area as well as a shorter nose, allowing for lots of movement on the saddle. The nose is very flat and wide, which can create friction between the saddle and a rider’s legs. The SLR remains Selle Italia’s most popular line of saddles due to its flexible base and rail, as well as its large and flat seating area.

SLK Gel Flow and SLK Lady Gel Flow saddles use a tubular Vanox rail and a “split” shape from the front of the saddle to the rear that allows independent support for each of the sit bones. Some riders find this style of saddle more comfortable. The SLK has a longer, narrower nose and a shorter sitting platform than the SLR. The nose of the SLK is also rounder, creating less friction between the saddle and a rider’s legs. The SLK Lady Gel Flow is wider across the rear platform and has a shorter nose designed specifically for women.

SLC Gel Flow – This saddle uses a Kit Carbonio rail with an extra wide “split” shape from the front of the saddle to the rear, allowing independent support for the sit bones. The extra side “split” alleviates pressure on the soft tissue area. The narrow sitting area and sloping sides appeal to riders who like long narrow saddles and a different look and design.

Flite series of saddles, including the Flite Gel Flow, Flite Genuine Gel, Flite Kit Carbonio, Flite Team Edition, Flite Troy Lee Designs, Flite XC Gel Flow, and Flite XC, include very long, flexible Titanium rails mounted in front of the soft tissue area and behind the sit bones. A Carbon composite flexible base, combined with minimal padding, makes this an extremely popular line of saddles. The shape is narrow overall, flat in the center, and sloped on the sides, allowing plenty of clearance for the upper leg.

Signo Gel Flow, Signo Genuine Gel, and Signo Limited Edition – A unique patented suspension rail system (APS) allows the base of these saddles to follow the pedaling actions of the rider, making it the first controlled oscillation line of saddles. The flat center, sloping sides, and long nose of these saddles appeal to riders who appreciate mechanical features, minimal padding, and stiffness.

Prolink Gel Flow and Prolink Genuine Gel – For these saddles, a Tubular Vanox rail is mounted into a unique, shock-absorbing Nylon/Elastomer base, much like the mounting of an engine or suspension into an automobile. This base flexes according to the rider’s pressure and weight, providing additional cycling comfort. This saddle shape is the flattest and widest of all Selle Italia’s high-end models. The sides are vertical rather than sloped. The overall shape is wide, with a bit more padding under the sit bones.

XO Genuine Gel and XO Trans Am – These saddles feature FeC Alloy rails, which aren’t as flexible as Titanium or Carbon composite rails, but are adequate when the base is designed for less flexible rails. The Nylon base is more flexible than the plastic ones used for most mid-priced saddles. These saddles have more padding than higher-end saddles, but are not thick and pillowy. The overall shape is flat, less sloped on the edges than Flite saddles and not as vertical as Prolink saddles.

Lady Gel Flow – This saddle consistently ranks as one of Selle Italia’s top five bestsellers. The Manganese Tube rail is light, yet inexpensive compared to Titanium or Carbon composite rails. The Nylon base is more flexible than the plastic ones used for most mid-priced saddles. This saddle has more padding than Selle Italia’s other mid- and high-range models. The overall flat shape is wide in the rear vertical edges and shorter in the nose. The Diva Gel Flow/Diva Genuine Gel are similar, but with a little less padding and a lighter Vanox rail.

Max Flite Gel Flow, Max Flite Genuine Gel, and Max Flite Gel Flow Team Edition – Vanox tubular rails are mounted into suspension "wings" at the rear and pivoting Elastomer in the front. This suspension allows a lot of flexibility, as does the Nylon base with its built-in flex chevrons. The Max Flite Gel Flow and Max Flite Genuine Gel are different from the Max Flite Team Edition in that the Team Edition uses a less flexible base and slightly less padding. These saddles receive great reviews from riders around the world.

Most of the saddles listed above have leather covers, which reduce friction between the cyclist and the seat. The breathability of leather also reduces sweating and discomfort. Lorica covers also are excellent and available in many models, including the SLR Gel Flow Team Edition, SLR Kit Carbonio, SLR Kit Carbonio Flow, SLR T1, SLR T1 Troy Lee Designs, SLR Team Edition, SLR Troy Lee Designs, SLR XC, SLR XC Classic, SLR XC Gel Flow, Flite Team Edition, Flite Troy Lee Designs, Flite XC, Flite XC Gel Flow, Signo Limited Edition, Max Flite Gel Flow Team Edition, Yutaak Gel Flow with Black Lack Lorica, Yutaak with Black Lack Lorica, Filante Genuine Gel, Shiver Troy Lee Designs, and Thoork Team Edition.

The Gel Flow and Genuine Gel models listed below have real silicone gel in the front soft tissue area and under the sit bones. This gel absorbs 300 percent more vibrations and impacts than standard foam.

All of Selle Italia’s Genuine Gel saddles include actual surgical gel (some saddle companies use soft foam and call it gel) that is strategically placed for added comfort. Genuine Gel saddles do not have a hole in the saddle base. Genuine Gel models include the C2 Genuine Gel, Diva Genuine Gel, Filante Genuine Gel, Flite Genuine Gel, Max Flite Genuine Gel, Prolink Genuine Gel, Signo Genuine Gel, and XO Genuine Gel.

All of Selle Italia’s Gel Flow saddles include a soft tissue hole in the saddle base, with actual surgical gel surrounding the hole and under the sit bones. The popularity of these saddles has been so great that today, more than 60 percent of Selle Italia’s production is focused on creating saddles with anatomical holes. Gel Flow models include the C2 Gel Flow, Diva Gel Flow, Flite Gel Flow, Flite XC Gel Flow, Lady Gel Flow, Max Flite Gel Flow, Max Flite Gel Flow Team Edition, Prolink Gel Flow, Shiver Gel Flow, Signo Gel Flow, SLC Gel Flow, SLK Gel Flow, SLK Lady Gel Flow, SLR Gel Flow, SLR Gel Flow Team Edition, SLR Lady Gel Flow, SLR XC Gel Flow, Yutaak Gel Flow, and Yutaak Gel Flow with Black Lack Lorica.

With the increasing popularity of road bikes and the resulting interest in more lightweight products, Selle Italia is proud to have not only the world’s lightest production saddle (the 81 gram CX Zero), but more saddles under 200 grams than any other saddle manufacturer in the world! Besides being light, these saddles are amazingly comfortable. Among the Selle Italia saddles weighing less than 200 grams are the CX Zero Teknologika (96 grams), Flite Kit Carbonio (150 grams), Optima Teknologika (140 grams), SLR C64 (88 grams), SLR Fibra (135 grams), SLR Kit Carbonio Flow (125 grams), SLR Kit Carbonio (125 grams), SLR (135 grams), SLR Team Edition (150 grams), SLR Teknologika Flow (125 grams), SLR Teknologika (120 grams), SLR Troy Lee Designs (180 grams), SLR XC Gel Flow (170 grams), SLR XC (175 grams), SLR XP (180 grams), and Thoork Team Edition (140 grams).

The Flite and SLR lines of saddles are Selle Italia’s most popular. None of Selle Italia’s saddles have a rider weight limit. All work extremely well in standard riding conditions.

Keep riding and keep safe!

Regards,
Mike & Bob
ProNet, Inc.

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