Selle SMP Strike TRK Lady Saddle

[RoadRaven]

OK… I have been trying for about 1/2hour to attach a pic from photoshop to this post, but everytime I try, it shuts TE down – some glitch at my end I can’t be bothered working out now… so here is a link to the picture of this saddle and if anyone else can insert this picture in this thread so people don’t have to go somewhere else to find it, I would be greatful.


http://www.masherz.com/images/produc...rikemanbig.jpg

Here’s my question…
I was wondering if anyone had had any experience with (or knows someone who has) this saddle.
(And I am posting under ”favourite saddles” because this is the first time I have actually considered and liked the look of a saddle…)

I really like the concord nose – though my partner thinks it looks like “something that has just wilted in the sun”. But when I look at it, I see something I can lean forward and down on, and not have to consider adjusting myself. I ride on my drops in road races on my EMC2, and have just taken two more spacers off the stem on my TT bike (Giant TCR) so I get even less “wind-shadow”.

Of course, when I lean that far forward and down, there is pressure on my (excuse me) clit unless I am mindful about position… I would like to just lean forward and not have to think about it… in time trials I do just that – my head is focused on performance, not on comfort, and as a result, 20km or so later of intense riding without moving I am occasionally feeling somewhat bruised on my “front end”.

If you have ridden on a saddle with this style of nose (even if its not this one from Selle Italia)… does it make the difference I think it will?



By the same token, I also really like the wide gap all the way down the centre… too often on longer rides, or in road races, I lose circulation in my (excuse me again ;p ) outer labia and I have permanent swelling in the soft tissue on the right/inner side of my groin – this swelling doesn’t hurt, but I am bothered that it might become more than a “cosmetic” (for want of a better word) problem…

My local LBSs don't have it in stock for me to look at let alone "test-drive", so at $US78 (+ shipping) , I really have to consider whether or not it is worth asking someone to get it in for me...

[salsabike]

I did try it because I have all the same concerns you do. The ladies' version is way too wide and it chafes. Some TE folks have tried the men's because it's narrower--not sure if anyone has stuck with that saddle or not.

[RoadRaven]

Thanks Salsa

Wide on the sit bones? Or wide between the legs/along the nose?

I haven't measured the specs against my Dolce (I have two - the same saddle model on both my bikes)

[Thorn]

I have the saddle on all 3 of my bikes, bought one for the new Waterford that is still at the shop and I have an extra sitting on the shelf in case they discontinue it. Yep, love it for all the reasons you mention.

I actually ride with the nose of the saddle tilted up just a bit. When I'm down in the drops I'm supported by the ischial tuberosities in the back and the pubic bone on the front--the bone, not soft tissue. The wide cut out happily supports (or in this case doesn't support) the girlie bits.

It is an odd looking saddle (some would say one that only a happy owner could love), but I have yet to find a saddle that is wide enough for my sit bones and doesn't cramp, pinch or abuse the girlie bits (sorry, Brooks cult, I just am not convinced) and gives me 3-points of solid contact.

Some complain that the nose of the saddle is too wide. yes it is wider than many saddles, but, for me, it works.

My only complaint was that the lady strike is their low end. After about 3000 miles, the plastic base cracked and I had to replace it.

Oh, and if you like the idea of the SMP, check out Topeak's Allay. It doesn't have the concord nose (love that description, btw), but it looks intriguing--same "no support" zone in the center. I haven't found anyone that sells it, though.

[salsabike]

Thanks Salsa

Wide on the sit bones? Or wide between the legs/along the nose?

I haven't measured the specs against my Dolce (I have two - the same saddle model on both my bikes)

Between the legs.

[Thorn]

For width of the nose, get a picture from the top--the saddle isn't "ping pong paddle shaped"; instead it tapers from about 5cm outer wide at the tip to 6cm about 1/2-way down the nose to 10cm where the nose meets the body.

On the other hand, the Allay says it is 5cm from the point it leaves the body ( http://www.allaysaddles.com/line/racingsport.htm ).

[divingbiker]

I tried it and it was way too wide for me also, leading to intense pain on the bony parts where your crotch meets your leg. I wanted to like it, but I just never got used to the pressure.

[Running Mommy]

have it on the QR. LOVE it for being in the aero position for long stretches. BUT it can chafe in the upper thigh area because the nose is a bit wide.
I'm actually about to order the evolution. I looked at this model at interbike and I think width wise it will do the trick.
But after all the frogs this one worked.

[mariposa]

It's the only saddle I can ever wear.

It is so comfy that I have been known do 40-mile rides on it with regular (unpadded) pants.

I've tried some Terry's, Brooks, and Specialized; now that I have my Lady Strike TRK, *all* of those other saddles feel incredibly uncomfortable to me.

Now, I've got wide sit bones and wide hips. If you don't have particularly wide hips, you might try the (narrower but otherwise identical) men's Strike TRK first.

Oh, and yes - it works for me in the drops and in the aero position.

[teigyr]

I have the mens version and I love it. It took a while to work out the adjustment though. With the nose pointed down, I felt like I was sliding toward my bars. With the nose pointed more up, I felt like my bones were rubbing on it. This was an experiment and it has worked. I will get the more expensive version at some point; there are many more sizes there and I'll get "the" perfect one.

No doubt it's goofy looking. I think it looks like a Klingon Bird of Prey

[anakiwa]

I got one of these saddles at the end of the season and put it on my tri bike- I've only had 1 ride on it so I only have first impressions.

The shape was weird but actually seemed comfortable (it felt like I was sitting in some sort of cradle).

It's wide in both the sit- bones and the nose. I have wide sit bones and therefore need a saddle that's wide in the rear, but I didn't like the width of the nose. I need to do a longer ride on it to find out if chafing on the inner thighs will be an issue.

So I think it definitely has potential- but you probably need to try it to get an idea.

[RoadRaven]

Thank you all so much for responses.

I have asked a local LBS to check out the price for me if they got it in - then I will have to see if I will be committed to buying it if I don't like it...

OK. So Thorn, Running Mommy, Mariposa... love it. It is interesting that the consensus seems to be that the nose should be tilted up.

Thank you Thorn - when I can get pages to load (slow connection today) I will look at the Ally. Like you, I am utterly unconvinced as to Brooks comfort - particularly when I look at enduro and racing cyclists.

RM... it chafes when... after distances? After being in the aero position? And is the Evolution from Selle Italia too?

And Salsa, Diving Biker really don't like it... I wonder if this is to do with height or hip shape...?
I am 5'10" and have about average width hips (I had 5 children, the biggest being 10lb11oz, "naturally").

Anakiwa is deciding but sees potential... thank you for your first impressions If you get a longer ride in in the next month or so, can you post your impressions of that?

Thank you all again - I really appreciate your input

(I'm primarily Scots descent and it shows in my unwillingness to spend money!)

Teigyr has the men's version... is this narrower on the nose? (I can't get the pages to load today...)

[Running Mommy]

It chafes where the thigh meets the crotchal area after long rides- rides over 40-50 miles. But other than that it's comfy.
I don't notice it much now, but when I first put it on I remember noticing the width of the nose.
I have a couple of catalogs from Interbike with all the different models in them. If you would like me to send you one, just PM me your addy and I'll drop it in the mail.
It has measurements, so it might be helpful.

[RoadRaven]

Hey there folks

I am still considering this saddle - waiting for LBS to get a quote on importing it all the way to EnZed

Just BUMPing the thread and wondering what height /hip type people are cause I wonder if it has something to do with body shape.

If you don't want to post details but are willing to tell me, can you PM me?

Anakiwa - you been for many more miles on it? Any more thoughts?

Cheers, Rave

[Thorn]

Like all saddles, I'm sure it is has to do with pelvic structure, but also our distribution of padding (fat, muscle, and personal pieces).

My Details? 6' tall and the ischial tuberosities measure out at 5.5" (140mm). The nose is a little wide for me, but tolerable with my build. My family is classic pear-shaped when obese so I may be predisposed to support fat thighs. While I carry a bit too much weight at the waist, I have developed that cyclist leg so that may be why I can tolerate the SMP nose

I loaned the saddle to a woman who is very petite, but rides a wide saddle. She absolutely hated it.