Selle SMP Strike

[koala]

Thank you very much for your detailed & thoughtful responses to my questions. I will re-read & make comparisons with my current saddle. This is ever so helpful.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of your shorts choices. If it's of any help, I'll just ramble on for a few minutes more on the topic before I put it away for good & leave you to your decision-making. Perhaps one of my musings might be a tie-breaker.

The fabric used in the LG Power Short is a power lycra with a matte finish. The short is constructed of numerous anatomically curved panels and it is designed to be a compressive fit. If your legs ever feel tired on long rides, the muscle compression might help alleviate this. I do find that my legs feel less tired whenever I wear shorts that compress those muscles more. Also, the inseam is quite long. So if you want more compression, more gooder, and it also offers more sun protection. The Alveo is just a little shorter in the inseam, without quite as many panels. It does not compress as much. The Power Short is definitely more compressive.

The Assos short is a simpler design, just a few panels, and the fabric is a shiny, high-stretch lycra, very similar to what might be used for bathing suits. No compression, not even from the grippers. The inseam is very short, not quite 6", and tends to creep up on me even more when I'm riding. So the downsides would be lack of leg muscle support & more sun exposure. Plus sides would be the no-elastic waist in front, and the very fine chamois. I know this chamois quite well as I also have it in my winter tights & knickers, and can ride hard with it day after day with no problem.

As for the type of riding I do, either short training rides, relatively flat & hauling hard all the way, or long rides over hilly terrain. My leg muscles can seriously tire on long rides in the hills, so I end up reaching for the LG's. I also want sun protection, and ride with a group of mostly guys, so I don't want a really short, short. My Assos short, despite the wonderful chamois, is too short for me to wear without feeling self-conscious. As comfortable as it is, I wear it indoors cycling, or under tights without a chamois.

We're still in the grips of winter up here in the northern hemisphere, so my riding right now is in the basement on a trainer. As an experiment this morning, I wore the Power Short for a hard ride & just stayed sitting in one spot for the duration, hands resting on the hoods. When I got off at the end, the sit bones were just fine. And I ride a hard, carbon saddle.

There is a review of the new Etxe Ondo short in the apparel section, btw.

The moral/ethical dilemma I leave for you to grapple with. If it really bothers you, why not send the business to TE? I try not to think of extra postage as a cost, but as compensation to TE for the really terrific service they offer. And that sits just fine with me.

[Mags...]

Perhaps one of my musings might be a tie-breaker. The Assos short is a simpler design, just a few panels, and the fabric is a shiny, high-stretch lycra, very similar to what might be used for bathing suits.

Thank you koala, I think you've helped me to make my decision - well at least I think I can eliminate the Assos, sadly 'cos they sound like they have a lot going for them. I really don't like shiny lycra, I've retired each and every piece of shiny from my cycling wardrobe, and now go for the matt finish.

Now the decision seems to be between the 3 pairs of LG's. The Powers sound like they would do the job, but being a shorty, I'm not keen on the leg length. In any event, they are out of the running 'cos TE only has them in XL, and I'll need S. So, it's Alveo with the Ergozone chamois with 8mm thickness in the rear, or the top range model the Airstream with the amazing chamois that looks like a topographical map. As you said earlier, it would really be essential for your sit-bones to line up with the ridges in the back area. I must say, I'm impressed with the style/look of the airstream... hm.. they certainly look the part, and both shorts have the muscle support fabric....

I wish I could afford both...