New saddle called a Flow... question

[repto]

Hey all--

This is my first post to this discussion forum. I'm a bike-"car"pooling mom who rides her two kids to preschool/kindergarten each day (about 8 miles r/t). I ride year round (this in Chicago). And no, snow is *not* a hindrance to riding most of the time. javascript:smilie('')

I have seen a new saddle advertised called a Flow. Here's the link to the webpage:

http://www.saddleco.com/
SaddleCo

I'm very interested in it since I love the idea of an airy mesh seat but I have yet to see it in person. Anyone here know anything about it? Has seen it in person? Has tried it out?

Thanks for any insight--
Jane

[SusanP]

Hey, thanks for the URL.

It sounds like they're not shipping yet, but i plan to get one as soon as they do.

I have big time saddle problems with rides over 150 miles/day. I've tried everything (saddles, shorts, lubricant, powder, standing), and my latest theory is that my sweat and salt is irritating my tissues which causes a rash, which causes swelling.

When i get the saddle, i'll certainly write a review here.

[waterlilli]

Anyone heard anything about this yet? I really want to try one!

[SusanP]

I ordered the Flow saddle from Performance Bike in April and i'm still waiting. I heard the manufacturer was late in launching the product. I'm not sure what the problem is now, but obviously there's is not enough supply for the demand.

If you hear of another source for these saddles, let me know.

[repto]

I've seen this advertised in Performance Bike's catalog, but only there. So far, no other sources that I've seen.

I did notice that in Performance's last catalog they added the caveat that there is a 200lb weight limit for the seat--something I hadn't noticed in earlier ads for the product. There was nothing on the website that indicated there was a weight limit for the saddle. I'm wondering if they had to do some further evaluations once the initial product tester results came back.

I have a friend who rides a penny-farthing hi-wheeler bike. She says that the leather sling seat on this bike is FAR and away more comfortable than any modern saddle she's ridden on (and believe me, she rides a lot--both street bikes and hi-wheelers). She wants to get a Flow for her road bike, but is still waiting for it to ship.

I hope the company is able to get organized. I think this is a product whose time has come. Plus, I want this thing for summer rides! I'm tired of getting hot in the crotch (and I mean that in only the most literal of senses!!!!)...

Jane

[waterlilli]

Susanp-
Have you gotten the saddle yet? I saw that they are ready to ship. Tell me about it when you get it, I am eager to find out about them. I was a bit surprised to see that they were not all that light, I thought they would be super light??

[repto]

Originally posted by repto
I've seen this advertised in Performance Bike's catalog, but only there. So far, no other sources that I've seen.

I did notice that in Performance's last catalog they added the caveat that there is a 200lb weight limit for the seat--something I hadn't noticed in earlier ads for the product. There was nothing on the website that indicated there was a weight limit for the saddle. I'm wondering if they had to do some further evaluations once the initial product tester results came back.

I have a friend who rides a penny-farthing hi-wheeler bike. She says that the leather sling seat on this bike is FAR and away more comfortable than any modern saddle she's ridden on (and believe me, she rides a lot--both street bikes and hi-wheelers). She wants to get a Flow for her road bike, but is still waiting for it to ship.

I hope the company is able to get organized. I think this is a product whose time has come. Plus, I want this thing for summer rides! I'm tired of getting hot in the crotch (and I mean that in only the most literal of senses!!!!)...

Jane

[repto]

Hey,

I got the Flow saddle three weeks ago, but can you believe it--I haven't used it yet!!! In my defense, I gave birth 4 weeks ago and the stitches in the nether regions are just healed, so I haven't been on my bike since the day before I gave birth.

The saddle itself is fairly heavy because the rails and the perimeter of the saddle are _solid_. The mesh of the seat seems to be actually impregnated into the resin(?) of the perimeter. It *looks* really cool but as I said, I haven't actually ridden on it yet.

I should be biking again starting this weekend, so I'll make a point of getting it mounted and taking it for a test drive. If I forget to post here, will someone remind me???

Jane <----she of the extremely scatterbrained lack-of-sleep mode

[Kpicha]

Congratulations on the new baby! I hope everything is going well! Getting any more sleep?

I'd be interested in hearing about that saddle, too, but don't push yourself just yet. Between recovery, night feedings and nursing (assuming) that's a lot of energy needed. Don't feel bad if you can't get out right away.

Cheers,
Kristina

[missliz]

So I've seen this saddle and couldn't decide if it looked reaaly great or just miserable. Did anybody ever get it and ride it?
Hows the baby? Congratulations!

Lizzy

[repto]

I'm frustrated!

I bought this in July as a special closeout deal where you could get a factory second for a cheaper price (defective only in color choice).

Well, as I posted earlier in this thread, I have a newborn on my hands and haven't exactly had a lot of free time. I finally got out to the garage to do some bike maintenance for the upcoming cold weather (cleaning, lubing, brake adj. etc) and decided to get the Flow mounted. Well, here's the frustrating part--it doesn't fit my bike post!!!! I have a Post-moderne brand, shock absorber post with a good quality cast aluminum mount. But the rails on the Flow saddle aren't quite the same size, so they don't fit. They are just a smidge narrower. I have no idea if this is a flaw in the saddle of if I need to get new mounting clamps. Guess I'll have to toodle on in to one of my LBS' and have them check it out. Needless to say, I *still* haven't ridden on this saddle!

Jane

P.S. Thanks for the Congrats. Baby Gen (short for Genevieve after her grandma) is hale and healthy... a meaty "little" thing, she was 10.5 lbs at birth and 23". Average is 7.5 lbs and 19". She's now 15lbs (@@) at just 2 months of age. And she's already been biking! Babies shouldn't ride until they can support their head wtih a helmet on (usually around 6m-1yr), but we figured out a way to put an infant car seat in the bike trailer. This gives her proper support and also protects her around the sides. The downside is that my daughter Katie (4yrs) cannot fit in the trailer with the baby, so for now, she rides on the trailer-cycle with my husband. I want to start bike commuting again, but I don't know how I can actually pull off a bike train with only one pulling adult... Hmmm, guess this should be posted onto it's own thread...