selle san marco aero

[abarensfeld7]

I've seen this saddle mentioned once or twice in other threads but not really specifically. I've noticed it looks pretty comfy online, but obviously that won't get me very far...
I'm looking for something firm-ish and skinnyish, but maybe not so firm and skinny as the Damselfly. I've found the Firefly a little on the wide side in the back...and the Terry cutouts seem to be just wrong for me!
The Aero's cutout seems to look a little wider than most...which might be what I'm looking for. Also, the Aero comes in gelaround and normal styles, anyone find the gel style to be too squishy?
Thanks...

[Trek420]

I've been happy with my Sella womens gell. Before it I rode Avocet OS2 amd various Terry's. I liked them but this has been my fave so far.

[Squirrel 2]

I've ridden both the gel & non-gel versions of the Aero. The gel feels squishy if you push down with your fingers, but it really isn't out on a ride, whatever is underneath is quite firm. The nose is definitely softer, which can be a big plus if you ride down in the drops. I ended up using this saddle most of last winter on my trainer rides indoors when I was stuck in one position for 60-90 min at a time, it was the only saddle that didn't brutalize me on a trainer. The regular, or non-gel, should definitely be firm enough if you liked the Damselfly. The Damselfly is firm initially, but the foam seems to squish down after a few hard, sweaty rides & the saddle softens up. The Aero will stay firm. I prefer the non-gel version for outside rides, one disadvantage of gel for this time of year is that it gets hot.

As for cut-outs, the Damselfly did not work for me. It is very narrow & pinched horribly. Other Terry cut-outs failed me as well. The Aero has what I feel is the best cut-out for women available in today's market. It is a diamond-shape, wider in the middle where most of the private parts need some extra room, then tapers where you don't need so much. It is firm around the cut-out, no squishing-down, & no hard edges or seams around it to cut you. There is also a slight anatomical dip around the cut-out, so there seems to be a natural place you end up sitting. Very well thought-out design.

The Aero is wider than the Damselfly. Regarding the width at the back, that is not as important as how it tapers towards the nose. Some saddles bulge out before they narrow at the nose. The Aero curves in towards the nose, so there's nothing sticking out to catch & chafe you.

If it works for you, you have the option of getting 2 -- the standard foam for summer outdoor riding, and the gel-around for winter!

[abarensfeld7]

Squirrel,
So the firmness of the area directly around the cutout didn't seem to bother you? I guess you either "fit" the cutout or you don't...and it you don't, that's when the area around the cutout really comes into play...
From what you say, I think the non-gel version really sounds like a good option for me.

[Squirrel 2]

It's not a question of fit with the cut-out. You'll simply notice that you have plenty of room with no pressure on the folds.

The firmness around the cut-out has not been an issue for me either. It's firm, not hard, there is a difference. You'll notice it is flat around the cut-out, which allows you to roll from the hips to lean forward safely.

Some of the more painful cut-outs for me have seemed extra-hard around the opening, harder than the rest of the saddle. I tried Selle Italia gel-flow models that were hard as a rock. It felt like there was a thin, hard rail around the edge of the opening. "There's gel? What gel?" And the shape of the opening was wrong, too skinny, so I always seemed to get pressure on one side of the folds or the other, which hurt like hell. The diamond-shape cut-out has none of these problems. Different strokes for different folks...

Let us know if you go for it & post your experiences!

[abarensfeld7]

Well the LBS didn't have any SSMarcos and he runs, believe it or not, a no-markup business, so I decided to try some of his saddles out. Can't beat his prices, nowhere, nohow. Especially with all his used and swapped equipment lying around in piles just begging to be used. I grabbed a Fuji Ultralight racing saddle which was lying around (someone's swap), for $15 bucks (woo!) and a Fizik Pave for $55. Will return the loser! I loaded up the Fuji as soon as I got home and it should be interesting when I give it a ride tomorrow at the weekly TT.

Both are non-cutout saddles, and pretty racy and narrow (Fuji moreso than the Fizik). I decided to go a new route and see if maybe I'm just not a cutout type. First impression of the Fuji is wow this is FIRM but I'll suspend judgement till tomorrow! I think the Fizik might be more up my alley -- a little bit of padding. The Fuji is really just a racing perch...skinny mini :). Looks pretty hot though!

[woodcycl]

What is the width of the San Marco Aero? My GF has very narrow sit bones ... about 3.5" ... and I am wanting to try both a San Marco Aero as well as a Specialized Avatar 130mm for her. No cutout causes lots of pain in the soft tissue girly parts area and a normal width saddle causes chafing in the upper thigh area in the creace of the crotch/leg.

Many thanks for any info. : )

Brian

[Squirrel 2]

width of the SSM Aero is 145 mm.

[woodcycl]

width of the SSM Aero is 145 mm.

Thanks for the info - much appreciated.

[Trekhawk]

I have been looking for a new saddle and had pretty much decided to give the Selle San Marco Aero a go when I noticed another called the Atola gelaround womens saddle (also Selle San Marco).

Has anyone used this saddle? Or maybe If Im lucky both and can give me a opinion on which they preferred between the two. :confused:

[abarensfeld7]

I think I might be back to looking at the Aero/Atola too...
My Fuji and Fizik saddles are going back to the LBS! Back to square one...

[Trekhawk]

I think I might be back to looking at the Aero/Atola too...
My Fuji and Fizik saddles are going back to the LBS! Back to square one...

Let us know how you get on with the next saddle.

[Squirrel 2]

I have ridden both the Aero & the Atola. There are differences between the 2 models.

cut-out -- bigger on the Aero model.

shape -- Atola is considerably shorter overall than the Aero, so if you sit more towards the front of the saddle, you might run out of saddle to sit on.

weight -- Atola is lighter.

It comes down to a matter of personal preference. I can ride either one, but after a lot of road & trainer testing over many months my choice between the 2 would be the Aero. The Aero is a better shape for me, the way it curves in towards the nose. The Atola curves out & starts to bug me on really long rides. Also, the sit-bone support seems to be just a little too far apart for me on the Atola (I am very narrow in the hips). So I am more comfortable overall for longer on the Aero. But other women riders I have met on long rides prefer the Atola, it fits them just right. So if possible, try both. And if you really like the Atola for fit, but it seems too short, it is available in a men's version (same saddle, just longer), called the Arami.

[Trekhawk]

squirrel 2 - thanks for the info. I will check them both out and see how I get on.

[Trekhawk]

After getting all your info and giving it some thought I decided to give the San Marco Aero a try. I get online and try to find a womens aero and I have had no luck. The few stores I found online that stocked the womens aero were out of stock. A few of the stores I checked have the mens and say there is a womens Aero but nobody seems to have them.

Actually I did find one but it was in Australia - good if I was back home but no good to me here in the States.

If you have any sites to suggest that would be great. ;)

[Trekhawk]

Ok Guys really need your help now. I have been trying to track down a Selle San Marco Aero saddle as I mentioned in the previous post and now a store I emailed regarding the saddle tell me there is no womens Aero saddle!!!!!!

Do they still exist or have they been discontinued?

Any guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks

[CorsairMac]

try typing the saddle in Yahoo or Google or whichever search engine you use. I just did and came up with 8 pages of hits. and good luck!

[Trekhawk]

Corsairmac - I tried a few searches google included but all the hits are for the mens Aero apart from two. One was out of stock so I think this means they do exist and the other was in Australia.

I know a few of the girls have them as they were recommended on this thread. If you do have one could you let me know where you got it from.

Thanks (getting a bit sick of saddles and havent even gotten my bottom on a new one yet). :mad:

[CorsairMac]

I'm sorry Trek - I ride on Specialized saddles, I've never tried the San Marco although I hear it highly recommended. I typed in Selle San Marco Womens when I tried the search earlier but I didn't actually go any farther. I'm sorry I'm not much more help than that!

[Trekhawk]

CorsairMac - No worries I appreciate the time you took to do the search.

I think if it all gets a bit too hard I might just try the Atola which is a womens specific and I know that it is available online.

I will give it a few more days and see if any of the women that posted on this thread before and have the Aero know where I can track one down.

Thanks again and I hope you are having a fun sort of day. :)

[Pedal Wench]

Try contacting the manufacturer. They can tell you if the saddle exists, perhaps sell you the saddle directly (Specialized has an online store) or give you a list of dealers - both online and locally - that might stock the saddle you are looking for.

[Trekhawk]

[QUOTE Audio-A]Try contacting the manufacturer. They can tell you if the saddle exists, perhaps sell you the saddle directly (Specialized has an online store) or give you a list of dealers - both online and locally - that might stock the saddle you are looking for.


Thanks Audio I took your advice and emailed Selle San Marco. So hopefully they will reply and I will be the font of all knowledge on what Saddles exist.

Have a great one.

Trekhawk

[Trekhawk]

Just wanted to let you know I got some info back about the Selle San Marco Aero Womens saddle and unfortunately it has been discontinued.

This clears things up as to why some shops listed it but didnt have it in stock and why others didnt even seem to know of its existence.

Thanks again Ladies.

[abarensfeld7]

Hi Trek
I just got my Aero in the mail the other day. It's a mens. I did a quick 20 miles on it yesterday and was quite happy. It is long front to back, and narrowish in the front, but wider than the usual racing style men's saddles in the back. Honestly it looks more like a women's saddle than men's. The cutout is in just the right place for me - amazing since no other saddle has fit correctly like that. It is firm but has a tiny bit of squish to it. It's looking like a keeper! Need to see how it lasts over a long ride...

Oops, almost forgot - I bought it as repartocorse.com for $55.

[Trekhawk]

[QUOTE abarensfeld7]Hi Trek
I just got my Aero in the mail the other day. It's a mens.

Thanks abarensfeld7 - I will take a look.

[Squirrel 2]

the Aero is billed out as "unisex" -- apparently there was a women's version, but I never had any interest in chasing it down as it was wider & shorter than the men's.

links: www.aerosaddle.com; www.bicyclebuys.com (for the gel-around). also, www.speedgoat.com.

[emily_in_nc]

FYI...I just got a Selle San Marco Atola Gelaround recently and am very pleased with it! I changed from a Terry Butterfly, which was comfortable, but too wide in back so often gave me "diaper rash" rawness and bumps in back. I really like this saddle. It is especially comfy up front and in the cutout. My sitbones took a week to get used to it as it is firmer than the Butterfly, but they are happy now. The Atola is discussed more in this thread as well:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=3762

I bought mine mail order from Colorado Cyclist. They do not take returns of saddles if you don't like them, though. I figured I'd sell it on eBay if it didn't work out, but fortunately, it did! :)

Emily

[bikerz]

The Aero has what I feel is the best cut-out for women available in today's market. It is a diamond-shape, wider in the middle where most of the private parts need some extra room, then tapers where you don't need so much. It is firm around the cut-out, no squishing-down, & no hard edges or seams around it to cut you. There is also a slight anatomical dip around the cut-out, so there seems to be a natural place you end up sitting. Very well thought-out design.
Hi Squirrel - you seem to be our resident expert on the San Marco Aero saddles - I've been riding the Atola, and while I love the cutout, it feels too narrow in the back for me, and is pretty uncomfortable after a couple of hours. At first I thought my sits bones just needed to get used to it, but I think it's too narrow. I'd like to try the Aero, since it is just a bit wider. I love the cutout so much I am reluctant to give up on the brand!

I can't really tell form the product pictures, but is there a difference in the dimensions or slope of the cutout between the regular and gelaround aero saddles? It looks like maybe the gelaround cut out slopes more gradually, which makes it look narrower - it's really hard to tell on the marketing shots... (Or if squirrel is not around, does anyone else have first hand knowledge of the difference between these two saddles?)

This is the non-gelaround:
http://www.sellesanmarco.com/collezione_2006/zoom_212m051_s.jpg

And this is the gelaround:
http://www.sellesanmarco.com/collezione_2006/zoom_212m03g_s.jpg

Help My "ouchy saddle" collection is growing, with no relief in sight! :(

[slinkedog]

I have no specific info for you, BikerZ, but let me say that my Terry Butterfly Tri Gel had gel everywhere it didn't help me much. To me, the bigger the cut out, the better. The gel just seemed to get in the way on my Terry, imho. :)

[bikerz]

Slinke - Thanks for the info - I'm not set on the gel - my criteria are cutout and width at the back... I'd really like to get this sorted - $80 here, $70 there, and pretty soon you're talking real money! :eek:

Stayed tuned for news of the grand openng of BikerZ's Used Saddle Emporium!

[Trekhawk]

Slinke - Thanks for the info - I'm not set on the gel - my criteria are cutout and width at the back... I'd really like to get this sorted - $80 here, $70 there, and pretty soon you're talking real money! :eek:
Stayed tuned for news of the grand openng of BikerZ's Used Saddle Emporium!

Im sure if all us girls at TE pooled our owie saddles and had a sale we would be rich. Most of us seem to have tried a few. :D

[Squirrel 2]

The cut-out on the Aero is larger than the cut-out on the Atola. But there is no difference in the cut-outs between the Aero gel-around & the regular --just keep in mind that gel, due to its squishy nature, will bulge out, so it may give the appearance of sloping. The gel version is definitely a more forgiving seat, you will feel that you settle into it. The regular Aero is quite firm, you don't settle into it, you perch on it. I would choose between the 2 based on firm seat vs. cushioned. If you feel the Atola was too hard on your sit-bones, you might want to try the gel-around Aero. If the firmness of the Atola was ok, then go with the regular.

I started with the gel-around on my trainer & rode through the winter that way. I was comfortable enough in the spring to put one on my road bike & was able to do metric centuries on it. Later, when I felt I needed a firmer seat, I made the switch to the regular. I just had to work my way up to it.

PS -- bicyclebuys.com had the gel version for $45!

PPS--the nose on the gel-around is very nicely padded, too, extra bonus points for comfort when riding in the drops.

[bikerz]

Thank you, Thank you Squirrel! :) :)

I think with that info, I'll give the gel version a try (the atola did feel hard...)

And $45 is a steal - I almost bought one today for $90!

[bikerz]

Ok - so I ordered the aero gelaround today from Speedgoat ($77) - it should arrive in a couple of weeks (no one seems to keep these saddles in stock :( )

My fingers are crossed - thanks for all the advice!

[Trekhawk]

Ok - so I ordered the aero gelaround today from Speedgoat ($77) - it should arrive in a couple of weeks (no one seems to keep these saddles in stock :( )
My fingers are crossed - thanks for all the advice!

Hey bikerz - once it arrives and you give it a whirl let us know how it works out. It was between the Aero and the Atola when I picked and I would love to know how you rate the Aero after using the Atola.

Thanks Trek :)