CX Saddle recommendation for Brooks Swallow rider

[TxDoc]

So, you need a very "t" shaped saddle with no cutout, approximately 135 mm wide.

Hard to give saddle suggestions since it's very personal, but from Muireen's description it sounds similar to what I need. Except that 135 would be a tad bit too wide for me, anything above 130 is not comfortable.

The saddle I use is Selle San Marco Aspide Carbon SL or the sister model which is called Aspide Carbon Composite. They are exactly the same shape and size, the only difference is that the composite has metal rails and the SL has carbon rails.
The width is 127 or 129 I believe, it is very comfortable and also lightweight.
The only thing you have to be careful about is transportation: you cannot just randomly 'throw' your bike in the back of a truck or lean it against a wall or something, because the seat is a sheet of carbon, it will crack if hit very hard. It is definitely weatherproof because it is just that - naked carbon with a clearcoat on top.
Doesn't get any simpler that this - and at least for my *bottom* - it doesn't get any more comfortable than this.

One downside: San Marco does not make this saddle anymore, so you may have to ask a few shops before you find someone that has it in stock or can order it from a distributor. It comes in white carbon (silver), black, blue, red, team white, and team yellow - so there's a good chance that you can find one that matches with your bike.
Good luck!

AND, if you try this saddle and like it, then please say a big thank you to Muireen - she 'summoned' me to the forums to help out on this one...
Hi everyone, it's nice to come back to TE from time to time, when I get a minute off from my hectic life!!!

[Biciclista]

what I don't get is why these saddle manufacturers are so quick to stop making a saddle (like the one you like TxDoc) that is being sold successfully. That's one of the things I like about brooks. over 100 years of the same models. You think they'd learn...

[cmc]

Sheila, Thanks for the additional details. The Friction Free SLR Monolink looks awesome, but I don't think I'm ready for that investment. Based on your suggestions and Veronica's, I'll probably try a non-Monolink SLR. I'll probably also try an Aspide, as TxDoc suggests, though maybe not with the bare carbon shell.

TxDoc, What's the longest ride you've done on the Aspide Carbon?

There's no LBS near here where I might have the opportunity to test ride saddles so I'll see what I can find on eBay. I have to say that's one great thing about Specialized, the 30-day return policy.

I used an Aspide Glamour for a few weeks because it came with our tandem. I really liked the flat shape, but it gave me the worst saddle sores I've ever had. Probably because it's too wide.

Because the Swallow is wide compared to some of these options, I'm wondering if I could at least reduce the chafing with a narrower saddle. Though, for day-long and multi-day rides, I've stuck with the "devil I know" to this point, and been hesitant to try anything else.

Thanks for all the input,
Cathy

[cmc]

Biciclista, the worst experience I've had with the Brooks was getting caught in a downpour during my first 300k. I also had two flats during the rain, so the saddle was exposed while I was fixing my tire. The saddle got soaked, and I couldn't wait around for it to dry so it stretched out a bit. I've since learned to keep my body over my saddle as much as possible during rainstorms, cover it with a plastic bag if I stop, and ride with a cover if the rain lasts very long. Fortunately that's an unusual occurrence where I live.

[TxDoc]

TxDoc, What's the longest ride you've done on the Aspide Carbon?

The longest ever with this seat probably was about 135 I think. It is a bit flexible but it is strong. I think San Marco has a weight limit on it, probably 185 or 195 lbs or so.
There's two of us using this saddle in my group of cyclists, and neither one of us has ever broken one yet. And, my bike did fall a couple of times, I crashed a few, my buddy races and he also crashed a few times...
Carbon is stronger than we often think

[cmc]

TxDoc,

If I can find one, I'll give it a try. 135 miles is farther than I would have thought one could ride on bare carbon. : )

Cathy