Reviews: Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow...?

[zoom-zoom]

I have a feeling the SI saddle wouldn't be t-shaped enough for me, but I'm eyeballing this one. I hope to be able to get my hands on a demo saddle once they're released.

[TigerMom]

I finally have the 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle (tilted down 3 degrees). The superwide hole does solve my female soft tissue problem (no longer feels squished). However, this saddle is firmer than my Jett saddle so now my sit bones feel bruised (reminds me of the first 2 weeks of biking without any bike chamois shorts because I didn't know those existed). On the plus side, my LBS says that gel saddles tend to soften up a little bit with use.

Although I don't really understand it, but most bikers say that the more you bike, the more firm and narrow of a saddle people tend to want. Supposedly, the firmness is for support. My sit bones were "super-supported" today. I felt like I was sitting on a rock during the last 10 miles of my 34 mile bike ride. Hopefully, this saddle softens up a little.

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2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

[carolp]

I looked at the Selle Italias but ended up with a Specialized Oura. I was riding a Jett but the chafing between my leg and butt was hideous. I'm still getting a little red but not nearly as bad. Lady parts have suffered a bit more as well, but I'm reapplying chamois cream more often, which seems to help. I wish there were a perfect saddle, but the Oura is as close as I've come.

[Elisa]

I think I have found the almost perfect saddle with the Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow.
The only thing I am not sure about is that it is a little wide in the nose and may rub the area where the thigh and the crotch meet. Time will tell. So far I have done a 20 mile ride and a 14 mile ride with it and it is so comfortable. I don't feel like I am balancing on my seat bones anymore. No tenderness after the ride. They feel cradled without being squishy.
The opening relieves any pressure on the girly bits. I thought my old Avocet 02 saddle was great until I took it out for a spin and realized it was not the wonderful saddle I remember. I have tried numerous saddles in the hopes of finding that perfect one, and I really think this is as close as they come.

[TigerMom]

I was eyeing the 152mm Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow saddle that a lot of Team Estrogen members love. But I was measured and my sitbones fit best on a 143mm saddle. Plus, I was worried that the channel for the Diva Gel flow wasn't big enough because the relief channel on my Jett saddle definitely wasn't. I guess time will tell. Hopefully, my sit bones will get used to the new saddle.

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2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle