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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Ithaca, NY/Ellwood City, PA
    Posts
    49

    selle san marco aero

    I've seen this saddle mentioned once or twice in other threads but not really specifically. I've noticed it looks pretty comfy online, but obviously that won't get me very far...
    I'm looking for something firm-ish and skinnyish, but maybe not so firm and skinny as the Damselfly. I've found the Firefly a little on the wide side in the back...and the Terry cutouts seem to be just wrong for me!
    The Aero's cutout seems to look a little wider than most...which might be what I'm looking for. Also, the Aero comes in gelaround and normal styles, anyone find the gel style to be too squishy?
    Thanks...

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Location
    Mrs. KnottedYet
    Posts
    9,152
    I've been happy with my Sella womens gell. Before it I rode Avocet OS2 amd various Terry's. I liked them but this has been my fave so far.
    Fancy Schmancy Custom Road bike ~ Mondonico Futura Legero
    Found on side of the road bike ~ Motobecane Mixte
    Gravel bike ~ Salsa Vaya
    Favorite bike ~ Soma Buena Vista mixte
    Folder ~ Brompton
    N+1 ~ My seat on the Rover recumbent tandem
    https://www.instagram.com/pugsley_adventuredog/

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Central New Jersey
    Posts
    88
    I've ridden both the gel & non-gel versions of the Aero. The gel feels squishy if you push down with your fingers, but it really isn't out on a ride, whatever is underneath is quite firm. The nose is definitely softer, which can be a big plus if you ride down in the drops. I ended up using this saddle most of last winter on my trainer rides indoors when I was stuck in one position for 60-90 min at a time, it was the only saddle that didn't brutalize me on a trainer. The regular, or non-gel, should definitely be firm enough if you liked the Damselfly. The Damselfly is firm initially, but the foam seems to squish down after a few hard, sweaty rides & the saddle softens up. The Aero will stay firm. I prefer the non-gel version for outside rides, one disadvantage of gel for this time of year is that it gets hot.

    As for cut-outs, the Damselfly did not work for me. It is very narrow & pinched horribly. Other Terry cut-outs failed me as well. The Aero has what I feel is the best cut-out for women available in today's market. It is a diamond-shape, wider in the middle where most of the private parts need some extra room, then tapers where you don't need so much. It is firm around the cut-out, no squishing-down, & no hard edges or seams around it to cut you. There is also a slight anatomical dip around the cut-out, so there seems to be a natural place you end up sitting. Very well thought-out design.

    The Aero is wider than the Damselfly. Regarding the width at the back, that is not as important as how it tapers towards the nose. Some saddles bulge out before they narrow at the nose. The Aero curves in towards the nose, so there's nothing sticking out to catch & chafe you.

    If it works for you, you have the option of getting 2 -- the standard foam for summer outdoor riding, and the gel-around for winter!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Ithaca, NY/Ellwood City, PA
    Posts
    49
    Squirrel,
    So the firmness of the area directly around the cutout didn't seem to bother you? I guess you either "fit" the cutout or you don't...and it you don't, that's when the area around the cutout really comes into play...
    From what you say, I think the non-gel version really sounds like a good option for me.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Central New Jersey
    Posts
    88
    It's not a question of fit with the cut-out. You'll simply notice that you have plenty of room with no pressure on the folds.

    The firmness around the cut-out has not been an issue for me either. It's firm, not hard, there is a difference. You'll notice it is flat around the cut-out, which allows you to roll from the hips to lean forward safely.

    Some of the more painful cut-outs for me have seemed extra-hard around the opening, harder than the rest of the saddle. I tried Selle Italia gel-flow models that were hard as a rock. It felt like there was a thin, hard rail around the edge of the opening. "There's gel? What gel?" And the shape of the opening was wrong, too skinny, so I always seemed to get pressure on one side of the folds or the other, which hurt like hell. The diamond-shape cut-out has none of these problems. Different strokes for different folks...

    Let us know if you go for it & post your experiences!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Ithaca, NY/Ellwood City, PA
    Posts
    49
    Well the LBS didn't have any SSMarcos and he runs, believe it or not, a no-markup business, so I decided to try some of his saddles out. Can't beat his prices, nowhere, nohow. Especially with all his used and swapped equipment lying around in piles just begging to be used. I grabbed a Fuji Ultralight racing saddle which was lying around (someone's swap), for $15 bucks (woo!) and a Fizik Pave for $55. Will return the loser! I loaded up the Fuji as soon as I got home and it should be interesting when I give it a ride tomorrow at the weekly TT.

    Both are non-cutout saddles, and pretty racy and narrow (Fuji moreso than the Fizik). I decided to go a new route and see if maybe I'm just not a cutout type. First impression of the Fuji is wow this is FIRM but I'll suspend judgement till tomorrow! I think the Fizik might be more up my alley -- a little bit of padding. The Fuji is really just a racing perch...skinny mini . Looks pretty hot though!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    WA, Australia
    Posts
    3,292
    Ok Guys really need your help now. I have been trying to track down a Selle San Marco Aero saddle as I mentioned in the previous post and now a store I emailed regarding the saddle tell me there is no womens Aero saddle!!!!!!

    Do they still exist or have they been discontinued?

    Any guidance would be appreciated.

    Thanks

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Albuquerque, NM
    Posts
    3,099
    try typing the saddle in Yahoo or Google or whichever search engine you use. I just did and came up with 8 pages of hits. and good luck!
    Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, champagne in one hand, strawberries in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming: "Yeah Baby! What a Ride!"

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    WA, Australia
    Posts
    3,292
    Corsairmac - I tried a few searches google included but all the hits are for the mens Aero apart from two. One was out of stock so I think this means they do exist and the other was in Australia.

    I know a few of the girls have them as they were recommended on this thread. If you do have one could you let me know where you got it from.

    Thanks (getting a bit sick of saddles and havent even gotten my bottom on a new one yet).

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Albuquerque, NM
    Posts
    3,099
    I'm sorry Trek - I ride on Specialized saddles, I've never tried the San Marco although I hear it highly recommended. I typed in Selle San Marco Womens when I tried the search earlier but I didn't actually go any farther. I'm sorry I'm not much more help than that!
    Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, champagne in one hand, strawberries in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming: "Yeah Baby! What a Ride!"

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    WA, Australia
    Posts
    3,292
    CorsairMac - No worries I appreciate the time you took to do the search.

    I think if it all gets a bit too hard I might just try the Atola which is a womens specific and I know that it is available online.

    I will give it a few more days and see if any of the women that posted on this thread before and have the Aero know where I can track one down.

    Thanks again and I hope you are having a fun sort of day.

 

 

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