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Can't believe the perfect saddle for me after all these years was this...

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Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Can't believe the perfect saddle for me after all these years was this...

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Old 07-25-16, 08:16 AM
  #51  
Voodoo76
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Originally Posted by pre1236
I just picked up a Specialized Power Expert saddle and so far I love it. Numbness to the genitals seems to be a thing of the past. Hopefully. Haven't given it a great workout yet, but the feel is noticeably more comfortable.
Even though I am very comfortable on SMP Dynamic I still get the occasional urge to do saddle auditions as new models come out. The Power is on my list.

A couple helpful hints. Have an extra seat post to set up trial seats (leaves your current setup intact) and keep an eye on eBay.

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Old 07-25-16, 08:29 AM
  #52  
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Originally Posted by big chainring
What you need to do is find an old pair of wool shorts with a leather chamois. Wash the shorts and dry them out in the sun. The chamois will be like a crisp taco shell. Mount a brand new Brooks Pro on your bike and go riding. Brutal! You should get lots of chafing and some bloody sores. But just keep riding daily. Wash the shorts every 3 or 4 rides. Blood stains on the chamois will show you are doing it right. After a few thousand miles it won't matter what saddle you are riding. You have toughened up your backside and any saddle feels just right.
Right. Also get a pair of leather shoes that are really tight to begin with. Nail the cleats in the sole. Waer them until the blisters on your feet turn in to calluses.

Also nothing like wool jerseys. The secret is washing every three or four wears. Wool doesn't small and frequent Washingt break down the fabric

Ah, the good old days!
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Old 07-25-16, 08:54 AM
  #53  
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What width is it?

Wife and I loved the Toupe for many years, and we have four. Then found this in the same width at Ribble.

Selle Italia Flite Team Edition Flow Saddle | Chain Reaction Cycles



I think they had an error in pricing. 35 dollars. Got 4 of them :-)

They are now our favourite saddles. Now we need some more bikes.

Last edited by deepakvrao; 07-25-16 at 08:58 AM.
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Old 07-25-16, 09:20 AM
  #54  
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Originally Posted by deepakvrao
What width is it?

Wife and I loved the Toupe for many years, and we have four. Then found this in the same width at Ribble.

Selle Italia Flite Team Edition Flow Saddle | Chain Reaction Cycles



I think they had an error in pricing. 35 dollars. Got 4 of them :-)

They are now our favourite saddles. Now we need some more bikes.
You do realize that the photo you posted is not the same as the one you linked at CRC, right?
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Old 07-25-16, 10:33 AM
  #55  
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Originally Posted by noodle soup
You do realize that the photo you posted is not the same as the one you linked at CRC, right?
Yes, no Titanium rails. Still the 35 dollars is a mistake. I got the tip from your post :-)
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Old 07-25-16, 10:48 AM
  #56  
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Originally Posted by deepakvrao
Yes, no Titanium rails. Still the 35 dollars is a mistake. I got the tip from your post :-)
Your photo is of the SLR flow Team Edition, but the link is to the Flite Flow Team Edition

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Old 07-25-16, 10:54 AM
  #57  
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Originally Posted by noodle soup
Your photo is of the SLR flow Team Edition, but the link is to the Flite Flow Team Edition


OK, confused now. The Ribble order history says:

Selle Italia Flite Team Edition Flow

So, which is it? Whatever, it's till date the best saddle that I have had. Better than my Toupes and better than even my Brooks.
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Old 07-25-16, 12:36 PM
  #58  
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The link was the Flite flow, the picture was the SLR flow.

Either way,both are over $115 now at CRC
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Old 07-25-16, 12:42 PM
  #59  
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Originally Posted by ravenmore
I've been riding since ~2005. Unfortunately it is trial and error. What works for someone else may not work for you.
Took me 47,000 miles to find the perfect saddle.
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Old 07-25-16, 01:46 PM
  #60  
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Originally Posted by deepakvrao
OK, confused now. The Ribble order history says:

Selle Italia Flite Team Edition Flow

So, which is it? Whatever, it's till date the best saddle that I have had. Better than my Toupes and better than even my Brooks.
The saddle they sent me is a Flite Flow Team edition, like the photo I posted. It works well for me.
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Old 07-25-16, 02:21 PM
  #61  
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Off all of the saddles I've ever owned, the cheap Terry Fly ripoff made by Velo that came on my BD singlespeed is one of the best. As Velo likely makes the Terry Fly, this might just be a Terry Fly without the label.

Plastic saddles are almost all made by Velo:
Inside: Velo saddle factory - BikeRadar USA

To me, there's little reason to pay for brand unless you can't get the design anywhere else.

BTW, the absolute best saddle I've ever owned: Selle San Marco Regal.
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Old 07-25-16, 02:32 PM
  #62  
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I've had loads of saddles ....

most saddles are comfy for distances up to 60-70km

further than that, you will know if it suits you

my best saddle is a Gilles Berthout Aravis with titanium rails .... this is on my Surly Long Haul trucker .... sadly it's leather and not waterproof but I only ride my Surly on special occasions and when it's dry .... I could ride on this saddle for longer that 8 hrs a day with no problems

My latest saddle is a Brooks Cambium Carved, C17 fitted to my Giant TCR .... rode 140km on the weekend with no problems what so ever

My son has a Charge spoon (costs approx £20 new) fitted to his specialised hard rock mountain bike .... looks good and is very comfy aswell

I also owned a Brooks B15 Champion Narrow saddle that was well worn and very comfy .... fitted to my daily commuter, but got tired of covering it everytime it rained (I live in the UK and it rains lots)

I am customising a Bridgestone MB2 mountain bike with drop bars and bar end shifters and will most probably buy another Brooks Cambium C17 Carved (comes with a 10 year guarantee when you register it online)
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Old 07-25-16, 02:41 PM
  #63  
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Do you think there is a way to find out if Velo makes the Forte Pro SL saddle and if they sell it? I took the Forte Sweep Gel Fit for 75 miles and felt like I got my @ss kicked by a mule and had bruises on my sit bones.

Last edited by BikingGrad80; 07-25-16 at 02:54 PM.
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Old 07-25-16, 03:28 PM
  #64  
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Originally Posted by Hiro11
BTW, the absolute best saddle I've ever owned: Selle San Marco Regal.
love Regals, Rolls, and Turbos.

Heavy but great.
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Old 07-25-16, 03:41 PM
  #65  
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Originally Posted by pakk
Is there any logic to finding the right saddle or do you just keep trying them till you know its right?
It's like the lotto. Just keep throwing money at it and maybe someday you'll hit the jackpot!
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Old 07-25-16, 04:19 PM
  #66  
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Hmm, those Nashbar saddles look interesting. One not mentioned here is the CFR1. No reviews on the site as well. Looks to be an in-between for the R1 and the FR1. Less padding but not minimalist. Weight is in the middle too. Anyone try that one? Heck I may just buy one to try it out... At about $35 it's worth a shot.
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Old 07-25-16, 04:34 PM
  #67  
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I'm riding a Forté Pro Sl - bought around beginning of year. Yep it's marked Velo on the underside.
A really good chance Nashbar's house brand saddles are also made by Velo, but can't personally confirm.

Other saddles I like and have on other bikes - Nashbar's Selle Italia SL Kit Carbonio Flow SE Saddle which is pretty close in dimension to the Forté SL; and a Fabric Scoop Shallow Race.
The Forté SL is reserved for my bike that spends most of its time on the trainer, where I prefer a little more cushion and a cutout.




Originally Posted by BikingGrad80
Do you think there is a way to find out if Velo makes the Forte Pro SL saddle and if they sell it? I took the Forte Sweep Gel Fit for 75 miles and felt like I got my @ss kicked by a mule and had bruises on my sit bones.
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Old 07-25-16, 06:05 PM
  #68  
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I think I found it. I think it is the same as the Velo Senso 3206.

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Old 07-26-16, 06:55 AM
  #69  
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I contacted Velo and they confirmed that the VL-3206 is the same saddle as the Forte Pro SL. I ordered one off Ebay.

Dear Mr. BikingGrad80,

Thank you so much for the email.

It's glad to hear that you finally found a saddle that works for you. Besides, it's more happy to know that it's our product.

About the request saddle, the equivalent model number is VL-3206.
I assumed that you are in America, and if so, please kindly contact our distributor BTI for this model. If not, please kindly let me know your location.
BTI BTI | Contact Us

Sincerely appreciate your great support in Velo's saddle. May you have a good day.


Best regards,

Stella Yu/j.k.
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Old 07-26-16, 07:02 AM
  #70  
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Yep. OP's is also my favorite saddle. I have 3. Wish I'd bought a couple more. Great quality and design. Unfortunately, as usual the idiots in the Performance marketing department decided to discontinue this saddle. No longer available. Their new Forte Sweep is similar but not as good.
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Old 07-26-16, 07:06 AM
  #71  
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Originally Posted by Carbonfiberboy
Yep. OP's is also my favorite saddle. I have 3. Wish I'd bought a couple more. Great quality and design. Unfortunately, as usual the idiots in the Performance marketing department decided to discontinue this saddle. No longer available. Their new Forte Sweep is similar but not as good.
You can still get the saddle. It was made for Performance by Velo Saddles and they sell it under the name Velo Senso VL-3206. I got it for $36 off ebay and it even comes in different colors red, blue, white, black...
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Old 07-26-16, 07:15 AM
  #72  
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Originally Posted by BikingGrad80
You can still get the saddle. It was made for Performance by Velo Saddles and they sell it under the name Velo Senso VL-3206. I got it for $36 off ebay and it even comes in different colors red, blue, white, black...
Woo-hoo! Thanks so much. Assuming you are correct, I just ordered one. It looks like Performance now has other models of their saddles.
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Old 07-26-16, 07:21 AM
  #73  
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I know I tried the Forte Sweep Gel Fit and it felt like the worst kick in the @ss I ever had. It actually left black and blue on my rear end on the skin over my sit bones. I returned it.
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Old 07-26-16, 09:45 AM
  #74  
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Originally Posted by ravenmore
Freakin' Forte Pro SL. If you knew how much money I've shelled out on saddles since ~2005, you'd comprehend the magnitude of the irony that a $40 saddle from Performance was the best thing I've put under my backside.
Huh. That's a nice saddle for $40. Might be worth a try for my rear end. Am still currently using the Terry Butterfly that I stole years ago from the wife's MTB. Thanks honey!



Edit: Just pulled the trigger on the blue and black Velo Senso VL-3206. The saddles on both bikes are getting old. So if I like this one, then will get another.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?&_fro...enso%20VL-3206

Last edited by ptempel; 07-26-16 at 10:53 AM.
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Old 07-26-16, 06:23 PM
  #75  
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anyone have a side picture of that velo saddle mount on a bike, the nose would look broken

Last edited by bleui; 07-26-16 at 06:32 PM.
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