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Anyone here ride the Glider? If so, what saddle(s) were you riding previous to switching to the SMP?
I demo'ed a Pro because that was all they had. It was too wide but otherwise very comfortable.
I'm currently on a 130 Toupe. It's great for training rides, but for long rides I end up squirming.
Any feedback you can offer on the SMP line would be helpful. Thanks.
I demo'd both the Glider and the Avant. I'm on a stock saddle now that came with by Blue RD-1. I wanted to try the science on SMP's extreme cut out. I had my sit bones measured at a Specialized shop and it was around 155 or 150. I think my stock saddle is a 130 or 143 and I've never had a problem with my sitbones - numbness, yes, sitbones no.
I chose the Avant first because I thought the size would match up better. I was on the trainer for about 5 minutes before my sitbones were in pain. It felt like the cutout was way too big and therefore, spreading my sitbones further apart.
So, I decided to try a few sizes down and got the Glider. It was definitely an improvement fit wise, but something just didn't feel right. I felt like my sitbones were having to straddle a very small piece of the saddle because the cutout is long AND wide. And I felt like I needed something a bit more narrow.
Maybe it was the way I had it on my bike (and I never could get the saddle tight enough), maybe it's just the way my lower half is - I really wanted to like the SMP, but I couldn't get down with it. After the Glider failed, I gave up. Maybe they just aren't for me.
Good luck with your search! If you're looking to demo more SMP's, you can always check out www.theprossstuff.com. You pay for shipping and give a $20 refundable deposit. Keep the saddle for a week. Just FYI :)
Thanks for the input. I could only demo locally a strike pro. It seemed like it was spreading my sit bones apart, but otherwise was quite comfortable. I decided to go ahead and try the narrower and less padded glider. I'm very happy with it. It is the most comfortable saddle I have ever ridden. And believe me, I've tried quite a few over the years. The true test will be with the longer rides this summer. I like it so much that I think I will try to find a closeout or ebay deal on another one for my other bike.
I have been demoing the Selle SMP Glider now for about 3 weeks. I am always on the search for the "ultimate" saddle. Prior to this demo my fav seat is the Specialized Ruby.
I love the SMP and will probably buy one here soon. I am demoing the Glider which has a little padding, not much though. The full cut out allows to get into the drops without too much pressure. BTW - the only differecnce between the men's and women's saddles in this brand is color! I have not gone beyond a 60 mi ride on it yet but so far so good!
My current fave is the Selle SMP Plus... the Selle SMP Avant is also a winner for me.
DH loves the Selle SMP TRK.
I just got a Glider at the suggestion of my fitter. I was on my stock Fuji saddle, where sit bones were fine, but had soft tissue discomfort on longer rides. I've used my Glider in a spin class for an hour, then a three hour ride Saturday. Right off, WAY stiffer than my prior saddle, and I definitely feel new pressure points, but no tissue discomfort. More like when you start riding at the beginning of the season and have to break in your butt again. It also really forces me down into my drops, which I'm not used to (I'm getting shorter reach bars, too). How long did it take you all to break it in? I want it to work, and I think it will, but it's really hard right now.