SI Max Flite

[kermit]

So the hunt continues and I was asked to give my two cents on this saddle when I got it in. After trying several as everyone has read about (over and over and over again) I got this in yesterday and tried it this morning. I first have to say after the sleek ruby, I put it on and OMG it's HUGE! It looks a little overwhelming with the length. The rear is 150 across and has a nice slope across the front of the seat.
I gotta say 20 miles in a hour, mostly in the drops and hoods and I was comfy! I would compare it to the SLR lady but not as soft. The cool thing about this saddle is it supported my sit bones and my interior pelvic bones perfectly. The cutout is alot longer than any womens saddles which is a big +. There is freedom when pedaling and no hitting the back of the saddle. I compared the ruby upside down on the max flite and with that little plastic nose it's the same length. The roundness of the seat is better than the big square end of the ruby. I have a century next weekend, and this is staying on. No back pain at all and my crotch was very happy!
This is the gel flow version.

[nscrbug]

Thanks for the review, kermit! Sounds like you might have found a "keeper". I posted on your "FS: Ruby" thread, asking what you didn't like about it. I was thinking of trying the Ruby out...too bad I missed out on buying yours. I knew that the Max Flite was long...I think I remember the specs I read on it saying it was 290mm long. That's what I was worried about...but I guess the length seems to be working fine for you. Maybe I'll have to give the Max Flite another look. I'm currently riding on a 143mm Specialized Phenom (men's MTB saddle) and haven't made up mind if I like it. On most rides, it feels great starting out...but then suddenly, things turn ugly at about the 40-mile mark. And since a lot of my rides fall in the 60-80 mile range...that doesn't bode too well for me.

I'm very anxious to hear how the Max Flite feels after your century...please keep us posted! Thanks!

Linda

[kermit]

I used a 143 ruby for quite a while with great success. After a broken back and hip when I was younger, all of a sudden I started getting really bad back spasms on the right side. I went and measured and found that I was about a 150, with one side bigger than the other. I was basically draped across the edge of the 143 and my back was feeling it. I think the flexing of the ruby was what had helped in the beginning but what was probably my downfall.
I went with the 155, and it feels too wide. The cutout is too wide, and the front of the seat area being so square limits my leg movement. The flat seat area supports, but I am still getting a good amount of back pain on the right side. I just thought I needed to try something with a little more padding and support. I had tried the lady SLR and the first thing I noticed was a lack of back pain and I knew I was in the right direction. I am hoping this max flite is the ticket. It really SUCKS getting old.

[nscrbug]

Thanks for your insight. Yeah, this whole saddle thing is turning into a major source of stress and frustration for me. I want so badly, to just find the right saddle and be done with it. I think I'm in the same boat as you, in regards to saddle width. I'm feeling like my current 143mm saddle is just a tad too narrow. Yet, my 155mm Terry Butterfly Tri Gel that I was using prior to this, felt too wide...as I would often get chafing on the backs of my upper thighs from it. Can't seem to find a "happy" medium in between those two sizes. Since the Max Flite is 150mm, maybe I ought to just order one and see if it works for me. Where did you order yours from? I just did a Google search on it, and found it for 109.99 at WeKeepYouCycling.com.

[kermit]

That's a good price, and I think their return option is okay but with a restocking fee. I orderd mine from Price Point, $114 and they are great about returning saddles. Good luck, let us know!

[kermit]

I spent a while in this saddle and am happy with it. No chafing and the length gives me alot of room forward and back. A little numbing, but two seconds of standing up fixed that. I am actually sore in my left hip which I think is from the better range of motion from the rounded seat front. It could also be from the freakin long ride I did. You gotta love a century with kegs of beer with food.