Carbon saddle
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Carbon saddle
Trying one for the first time. No padding! I do not do long rides, 30-45 minutes typically. I’ve done three rides with it. It’s actually not terribly unpleasant! Featherweight at 115 grams. I’ll probably switch back to my padded saddle if and when I do a longer ride.
#2
Method to My Madness
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 3,664
Bikes: Trek FX 2, Cannondale Synapse, Cannondale CAAD4, Santa Cruz Stigmata GRX
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1948 Post(s)
Liked 1,472 Times
in
1,020 Posts
My minimally padded Repente Quasar CR 2.0 is only 5 g heavier. However, it is only 260 mm long.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 3,692
Bikes: Too many bikes, too little time to ride
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 431 Post(s)
Liked 460 Times
in
318 Posts
Same experience here. Although after a few rides on something similar I've decided they are to be reserved for photo shoots and targeted hill climb efforts only.
Likes For tFUnK:
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Likes For Biker Pete:
#5
Method to My Madness
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 3,664
Bikes: Trek FX 2, Cannondale Synapse, Cannondale CAAD4, Santa Cruz Stigmata GRX
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1948 Post(s)
Liked 1,472 Times
in
1,020 Posts
The Quasar CR 2.0 is 260 mm x 142 mm, whereas all of my other saddles are 275 mm long. I don't miss the extra 15 mm length, but I cannot go any shorter; no 245 mm snub nose saddles for me. This saddle will probably work for you if you want to ride > an hour.
Likes For SoSmellyAir:
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Québec, Canada
Posts: 2,114
Bikes: SL8 Pro, TCR beater
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 989 Post(s)
Liked 586 Times
in
440 Posts
Switching saddle depending on your ride lenght...no thanks.
Very good looking though, but I prefer some padding to absorb my arse even if it's heavier.
Very good looking though, but I prefer some padding to absorb my arse even if it's heavier.
Likes For eduskator:
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
My other saddle is mounted on a seatpost so switching it out will be easy. But…..the jury is still out on this saddle, I’ll decide after a few more rides….
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 598
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 389 Post(s)
Liked 255 Times
in
165 Posts
I bought something like this on Amazon for $10. Plastic fake carbon look. It's a bit flexible and actually super comfortable. I'm not sure how long it would last, though.
Likes For Jack Tone:
#9
Senior Member
I have been on bare carbon for 18 yrs. The most comfortable saddle I have owned. Almost all daily weekday 50mi rides. Carbon saddle wings flex but they need to fit the body.
#10
Not actually Tmonk
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 14,138
Bikes: road, track, mtb
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2640 Post(s)
Liked 3,153 Times
in
1,660 Posts
classic Selle SLR was 135g, padded too
__________________
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
Likes For TMonk:
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 919
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 446 Post(s)
Liked 1,045 Times
in
442 Posts
I did the bare saddle for awhile, but I prefer some padding on the bumps. I picked this up from AliExpress for under $50 USD. It has sturdy carbon rails, a stiff carbon shell and cushy 3D printed mesh for padding. Weighs a bit more at 150-160g, but the 3D mesh always maintains it's cushion and it stays cool even on the hottest of days since it doesn't absorb heat.
Likes For jonathanf2:
#12
Method to My Madness
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 3,664
Bikes: Trek FX 2, Cannondale Synapse, Cannondale CAAD4, Santa Cruz Stigmata GRX
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1948 Post(s)
Liked 1,472 Times
in
1,020 Posts
But probably super narrow just for pros with tiny hips, right?
My three other Selle Repente saddles (Artax GLM, Spyd 3.0, and Prime 3.0) are 142 mm wide and weigh just over 160 g each, and my Selle Italia SLR Kit Carbonio Superflow is 145 mm wide and weighs just under 160 g, so it seems that 160 g is the happy medium for a regular-length, minimally padded saddle.
My three other Selle Repente saddles (Artax GLM, Spyd 3.0, and Prime 3.0) are 142 mm wide and weigh just over 160 g each, and my Selle Italia SLR Kit Carbonio Superflow is 145 mm wide and weighs just under 160 g, so it seems that 160 g is the happy medium for a regular-length, minimally padded saddle.
#13
Not actually Tmonk
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 14,138
Bikes: road, track, mtb
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2640 Post(s)
Liked 3,153 Times
in
1,660 Posts
But probably super narrow just for pros with tiny hips, right?
My three other Selle Repente saddles (Artax GLM, Spyd 3.0, and Prime 3.0) are 142 mm wide and weigh just over 160 g each, and my Selle Italia SLR Kit Carbonio Superflow is 145 mm wide and weighs just under 160 g, so it seems that 160 g is the happy medium for a regular-length, minimally padded saddle.
My three other Selle Repente saddles (Artax GLM, Spyd 3.0, and Prime 3.0) are 142 mm wide and weigh just over 160 g each, and my Selle Italia SLR Kit Carbonio Superflow is 145 mm wide and weighs just under 160 g, so it seems that 160 g is the happy medium for a regular-length, minimally padded saddle.
I also have a couple of old school Selle Italia Flites around too - now those are comfortable. I think they're wider? IDK
__________________
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
Likes For TMonk:
#14
Junior Member
I tried a pure carbon saddle once, I had to make it myself. Quit using it because it left marks on any pants I rode with that were not pitch-black.
#15
Method to My Madness
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 3,664
Bikes: Trek FX 2, Cannondale Synapse, Cannondale CAAD4, Santa Cruz Stigmata GRX
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1948 Post(s)
Liked 1,472 Times
in
1,020 Posts
It could have been worse; your home-made saddle could have cracked, landing your gooch onto the seat post and/or the saddle rail clamp bolts.
#16
your god hates me
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,592
Bikes: 2016 Richard Sachs, 2010 Carl Strong, 2006 Cannondale Synapse
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1254 Post(s)
Liked 1,287 Times
in
710 Posts
Every time I read a thread about ultra-light all-carbon saddles I am reminded of the first time I saw one of those ~70g wonders on a group ride. I asked the owner "Is that thing comfortable; like, can you ride all day on it?"
His response was "All day, sure. But the next day, forgetabout it!"
His response was "All day, sure. But the next day, forgetabout it!"
Likes For Bob Ross:
#17
Full Member
I've the op's saddle for several years. Personally find it comfortable and often do 100km rides.
Once a car crashed into me, hitting me from the side on my hip, which in turn compressed the saddle between my legs. I'm glad I had this saddle, because the carbon flexed, instead of breaking up in my nether regions! As for the bike, a carbon Colnago CX-1, it broke in two and the carbon cut my knee up.
Anyway, I'm one of the few that actually like those saddles.
Once a car crashed into me, hitting me from the side on my hip, which in turn compressed the saddle between my legs. I'm glad I had this saddle, because the carbon flexed, instead of breaking up in my nether regions! As for the bike, a carbon Colnago CX-1, it broke in two and the carbon cut my knee up.
Anyway, I'm one of the few that actually like those saddles.
#18
Junior Member
Thread Starter
I've the op's saddle for several years. Personally find it comfortable and often do 100km rides.
Once a car crashed into me, hitting me from the side on my hip, which in turn compressed the saddle between my legs. I'm glad I had this saddle, because the carbon flexed, instead of breaking up in my nether regions! As for the bike, a carbon Colnago CX-1, it broke in two and the carbon cut my knee up.
Anyway, I'm one of the few that actually like those saddles.
Once a car crashed into me, hitting me from the side on my hip, which in turn compressed the saddle between my legs. I'm glad I had this saddle, because the carbon flexed, instead of breaking up in my nether regions! As for the bike, a carbon Colnago CX-1, it broke in two and the carbon cut my knee up.
Anyway, I'm one of the few that actually like those saddles.
#19
Junior Member
Thread Starter
I bought the bike used, a 2016 Kestrel. It came with an Oval Concepts carbon seat post and Prologo saddle. I got this new RXL carbon saddle and also an RXL carbon seat post. I cut off 8.5 cm of excess on the new seat post. So the new saddle and trimmed seat post saved a whopping 230 grams compared to the original saddle and seat post.
#20
I don't know.
Join Date: May 2003
Location: South Meriden, CT
Posts: 2,015
Bikes: '90 B'stone RB-1, '92 B'stone RB-2, '89 SuperGo Access Comp, '03 Access 69er, '23 Trek 520, '14 Ritchey Road Logic, '09 Kestrel Evoke, '08 Windsor Tourist, '17 Surly Wednesday, '89 Centurion Accordo, '15 CruX, '17 Ridley X-Night, '89 Marinoni
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 317 Post(s)
Liked 853 Times
in
446 Posts
I have one of these on a vintage Schwinn bmx bike that I ride in the driveway and at the school ground with my kids. It's better than the oem rock hard plastic seat the bike had. A friend bought one for his road bike and it only lasted a few hundred miles.
Likes For Jack Tone:
#22
Full Member
[QUOTE=Biker Pete;23058247]Trying one for the first time. No padding! I do not do long rides, 30-45 minutes typically. I’ve done three rides with it. It’s actually not terribly unpleasant! Featherweight at 115 grams. I’ll probably switch back to my padded saddle if and when I do a longer ride.
[/QU
The only pure carbon saddle that has tempted me is the Selle Italia C59 at 59g but to be frank there are simply more comfortable saddles at 115g or close to it. A Prime Primaversa Carbon Road saddle with padding is 132 and $120. A Bontrager Aeolus RSL is 142g but has foam padding.
Don't get me wrong I am super tempted to get a Berk Lupina Padded which is like 100g, but my $120 Prime Primavera Shorty at 170g and $120 Prime Primavera Road saddle at 132g are super comfortable and a fraction of the price while still be light
[/QU
The only pure carbon saddle that has tempted me is the Selle Italia C59 at 59g but to be frank there are simply more comfortable saddles at 115g or close to it. A Prime Primaversa Carbon Road saddle with padding is 132 and $120. A Bontrager Aeolus RSL is 142g but has foam padding.
Don't get me wrong I am super tempted to get a Berk Lupina Padded which is like 100g, but my $120 Prime Primavera Shorty at 170g and $120 Prime Primavera Road saddle at 132g are super comfortable and a fraction of the price while still be light
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 6,887
Bikes: Trek Domane SLR 7 AXS, Trek CheckPoint SL7 AXS, Trek Emonda ALR AXS, Trek FX 5 Sport
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 768 Post(s)
Liked 1,745 Times
in
1,016 Posts
I bought the bike used, a 2016 Kestrel. It came with an Oval Concepts carbon seat post and Prologo saddle. I got this new RXL carbon saddle and also an RXL carbon seat post. I cut off 8.5 cm of excess on the new seat post. So the new saddle and trimmed seat post saved a whopping 230 grams compared to the original saddle and seat post.
#24
Junior Member
Thread Starter
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 1,404
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 682 Post(s)
Liked 453 Times
in
338 Posts
The assumption being that there’s only about 1.5 inches of full diameter post on the bit you cut off below the minimum insertion point so as long as you leave that much, it should be fine? Ok well good luck. I honestly thought your photo was a joke at first.