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Submitted by
Scarlett P
a Racer
from London, UK
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Roadie - but liked Lefkada | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Parker International (UK online) | | Strengths: | Cheap, all-day comfort, well finished, brand reputation. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Assos, Selle Italia, Selle Royale, Ritchey. | | Bike Setup: | Columbus tubing Audax with Campag Centaur/Veloce mix, Mavic rims. | | Bottom Line: | I bought this due to the concensus of opinion on this site. If 9 out of 10 users loved it, I took the chance I wouldn't be the 1 who didn't - I'm not!
This saddle is fantastic - racers may feel that 350g is too heavy. Personally I love mine. Can't understand why it's so cheap, but I'm not complaining. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary
a
from East Hartford,CT.
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | None .I'm a roadie | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$52.00 | | Purchased At: | IT cyclery (mail order) | | Strengths: | Comfort, well made and light | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Mot Selle Italia saddles. About three San Marco saddles. WTB,Koobie and more. | | Bike Setup: | DeRosa Primato with full Record. | | Bottom Line: | This saddle is magical. It puts hardly no pressure on the parts that go numb. It feels like I'm really sitting on my sit bones for once and not the center of my crotch. It was either numbness or saddle sores with the other saddles I have tried, with the Squadra, none! I was starting to lose hope. When you first sit on it , it feels hard but for some reason it softens up with the heat from your body. I say give it a try. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pete
a Racer
from London, England
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | - | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Smart looks. Weight. Alternative but plain design. | | Weaknesses: | Padding, what padding?! | | Similar Products Used: | Madison G12, Terry Liberator, Selle Italia XO, loads more. | | Bike Setup: | Dawes '99 Giro 500 road race bike | | Bottom Line: | Most people seem to love this saddle; the reviews below made me buy it! I'm so disappointed that I'm beginning to think there's something medically wrong with me for having problems with it!
I suspect people are comparing it to very narrow horrible race saddles. The Squadra is actually not among the widest of saddles. But it is quite flat so most of the width is USABLE, and the nose/mid section is relatively wide and supportive. The very back tilts up sharply, and is rock hard -- this prevents you sitting right back on it, resulting in a lot of weight going on to the mid-section.
I've had the (cromo) Squadra for one month and there hasn't been much "breaking in" yet! The nose has got softer, but I don't believe the back is going to -- there's just not enough padding.
I would recommend this saddle to serious cyclists who are already used to narrow firm saddles, and want to try something better. But if you're currently using a wide, soft, "comfort" saddle, be warned that the Squadra is something else!
For pictures and info see http://branfordbike.com/saddles/saddle1.html. For people who are having difficulty in finding it, www.parker-international.co.uk stock the Squadra at low prices, and will ship to the States.
Any alternative saddle recommendations will be much appreciated. Please click on my name.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from ND
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | River | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | great fit, ride all day not sore | | Weaknesses: | everyone has personal preferences when it comes to seats | | Similar Products Used: | Lots of them | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | This is a great saddle for the long rides, I noticed I didn't have to stand up to give myself relief. It fit like a glove. I think everyone has gone through horrid saddles but when you find one you like you enjoy the long rides again | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Weekend Warrior
from Madison Hts, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Comfortable, nice looking, acceptable weight | | Weaknesses: | The steel rail model is not as forgiving as the Ti. | | Similar Products Used: | Avocet O2, San Marco Rolls, San Marco Attiv (or whatever, the "suspension" one) Specialized, stock models | | Bike Setup: | The Squadra Ti is my favorite saddle ever! I have used it with my 1994 Litespeed Ultimate for 2 different quad-century weekends, and both were relatively pain-free. I have the steel-rail model on my Basso Loto and my Pocket Rocket, and I like it a lot, just not as much as the Ti model. The Rolls on my Ibis Easystreet tandem is a close 3rd. I have the Avocet O2 on my mountain bike (Breezer Lightning) and it's fairly comfortable and looks cool, but it's not nearly as loveable as the Squadra. The SM suspension model is on my Trek 520, and it's usable, but I'd never buy one again. Eventually I'll replace it and the Avocet with Squadras, if they continue to be available. | | Bottom Line: | Try this saddle! If saddles were not such a personal choice, I would surely say "Buy this saddle!" and "If you can find the Ti model, buy 2!" | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gene C
a Weekend Warrior
from Long Beach
Date Reviewed: May 25, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Comfortable all day in the saddle. High quality, thick leather. No Slip really works | | Weaknesses: |
None so far | | Similar Products Used: |
WTB, Selle Italia, Brooks B-17 | | Bike Setup: |
GT Zaskar mostly XT | | Bottom Line: | If you are a big butt guy like me (6'6,330lbs), this is your saddle. Get past the long break in period and you will never want anything else under your rear end. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a racer
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: February 21, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I have tried many saddles. At least 8. This one was one of the best. The only saddle I found to be better was the Performance Women's Century Saddle - like the WTB design, but slightly wider. I weigh 220, so apparently all that beef needs a wide, flat platform. This saddle is close to perfect though. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed
a cross-country rider
from Raleigh, NC
Date Reviewed: January 26, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I got this saddle on at a Performance clearance for $20. I put it on my old bike about 2 years ago and the first thing I did when I got my new bike was switch out the saddles. Extremely comfortable. Its taken some serious abuse and has no damage to speak of. I wish I had bought an extra when I had the chance. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Mountain
a racer
from Vancouver, Canada
Date Reviewed: January 23, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I ride 30km a day and this saddle keeps me ache-free the whole way. I've gone through quite a few saddles before this one. My nitrox hurt as soon as I sat down, my flite hurt half way through the ride, and ache set in with my turbo and my rolls about 3/4 of the way. The padding on the squadra is fairly firm so the honeymoon isn't that hot, but after she breaks in, you'll feel like riding across the country. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a cross-country rider
from Strugis, SD
Date Reviewed: January 22, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
i really like this seat. it is very supportive and comfortable. it is a little on the wide side, but this gives great support for long days in the saddle. it is very light and has great padding. the leather is nice and thick and has a nice texture to it so it does not get slick when wet. seats are a matter of personal choice but i cannot imagine anyone who would not like this one. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
INDIAN JOE
a weekend warrior
from MESCALERO, NM
Date Reviewed: January 21, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
THIS IS ONE COMFY SADDLE!! I CAN PUT THREE HOURS ON THE BIKE AND NEVER GET NUMB OR SORE. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS TOO WIDE TO GET OFF BEHIND. IT TAKES A LITTLE MORE PRACTICE BUT THE WIDTH IS WHAT MAKES IT SO COMFORTABLE. THE LEATHER IS FIRST CLASS AND THE NO SLIP STITCHING WORKS GREAT. SEVERAL WIPE OUTS HAVE YET TO DO ANY HARM TO THIS SADDLE. I CANNOT THINK OF ONE COMPLAINT. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Big T
a downhiller
from Mescalero, NM
Date Reviewed: January 19, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
This is a great saddle for Clydsdale size riders like myself. It is very comfortable, strong and fairly light. The no slip version works just as it is supposed to. It may be a little too wide for small riders, but this adds to its comfort for big asch riders. The HDP adds comfort over ruts and rough ground compared to the San Marco Rolls it replaces. I am putting this seat on all of my MTB's (DH,Freeride and XC(ugh!) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dirk Diggler
a weekend warrior
from West Hollywood
Date Reviewed: July 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have this saddle on my KHS Team. Great looks but not as comfortable as the Brooks on my cruiser. The no-slip works. Overall a great saddle performance, comfort, and for what it provides, price-wise. Recommended for all riding for someone my size (5'11 160lbs). Now I wish I had a suspension seat post... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
C.
a cross-country rider
from Missouri
Date Reviewed: April 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I'd been through 3 saddles on my road bike before I tried this one. The OE Specialized generic saddle was ridiculous; the Kona Flite style saddle was better, but the padding was cheap and became uncomfortable on long rides; and the covering tended to tear easily; the San Marco Attive Suspension was nicely built, but didn't fit me at all. I bought the Squadra mail order from Performance and got it for less than $40.00, a good deal for a premium saddle like this one. The Squadra is the more advanced version of the San Marco Rolls, and both are quite common on Tour de France riders' bikes. Leave it to guys who ride centuries for days and days in a row, at race pace, to find the most comfortable equipment--the Squadra is super comfortable. The padding is dense, and you don't get tired gluts from sinking down into it. Of course, the combination of saddle shape and individual anatomy make all the difference, so any single person may not like this saddle, but, in general, it is better thought out, better designed, and better executed then most that are out there. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
zeno
a cross-country rider
from Boulder, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: March 4, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I recently put this saddle on my road bike and it is the best I have ever owned, and I have tried *many* of them. It has the best fit for me & I started feeling comfortable almost immediately. I will be putting one on my mountain bike this weekend. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brett
a cross-country rider
from Santa Clara
Date Reviewed: January 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I agree completely. This is a great saddle. You don't see it much out there anymore. If anyone knows of someplace who carries it, preferably on the web. Not enough words??? What more can you say? I need to replace the crappy seat that originally came on my Cannondale. How many more words now, hope this is enough.. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Googins
a racer
from Bethesda, MD
Date Reviewed: August 8, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
What a pure piece of riding pleasure. At first I thought something like that might actually be to firm for her (my road bike) to handle the bumps,grinds, jolts and curves associated with riding. But boy was I wrong. The new addtion made her purr as I nudged her gently around the corners, pushing her faster and faster into a frenzy. She handled the bumps and grinds with uncanny ease hitherto unknown. Then I coaxed her higher and higher, she climbed with anticipation as I eased back on her new saddle, pumping my legs faster and faster until I reached the pinnacle of altitude. Breathing heavily, sweating, exhilerated we descended together in a blur of raw speed and passion. What a ride!! Great road saddle, firm yet comfortable. I've got the no-slip version, a change from my previous saddle and that takes some getting used to. You really have to lift up to move back or you will suffer in the long run from chaffing. I like it on the road bike. I have not yet decided if I'll get one for my mountain bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan The Man Lipski
a cross-country rider
from North Carolina
Date Reviewed: July 28, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Very Uncomfortable. Very Heavy. Very Expensive. The ONLY good thing about it is that it's no-slip system works. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jesse Philo
a cross-country rider
from washington
Date Reviewed: March 30, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Pretty cool looking. Way more comfortable than my previous saddle (concor).
Looses points for being too wide and causing my thighs too get chafed when going behind the saddle. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kelly File
a weekend warrior
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: March 14, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
A year ago I have up on the Terry women's saddle I had suffered with for 2 years. I do a lot of long
distance riding and extreme hills (mountain passes are my favorite), and needed a good firm saddle
that could be comfortable when cruising on the flats as well as doing aggressive hill climbing, and this
saddle is it!! I balked at the price initially but after 100 miles on a crummy saddle, any amount of money
is worth avoiding that kind of pain. I really love my saddle. I'm a tiny person with narrow hips and small
butt, and the Terry was too wide and soft. This saddle was custom made for me. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Dennis
a weekend warrior
from Melbourne Australia
Date Reviewed: March 13, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
At first I wasn't sure about this saddle but after the HDP molded to the shape of my groin bone (What is that bone called?) It is quite comfy. No more numb nuts for me. I liked the plastic edging at the back to help reduce the leather tearing when it goes on its side and it works too. The Cro Mo rails help make it a light saddle too. I can't help feeling though that it is a little bit narrower than I would really prefer. Maybe it's just my fat ass that makes me think that though. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan The Man Lipski
a cross-country rider
from Fuquay-Varina, NC
Date Reviewed: March 8, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Not very soft but very high performance. They mean it when they say No-Slip. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erik
a cross-country rider
from Illinois
Date Reviewed: January 8, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This is a great saddle. It looks kinda like a roadie saddle but don't be fooled. I've ridden on my friend's SDG Compe Ti and mine is about a thousand times better (not to mention that it costs about $50 less) As an added plus, you can get the cool Salse embroidering. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David J. Kim
a weekend warrior
from Arlington, Va
Date Reviewed: July 18, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I purchased this saddle to replace the stock seat on my Specialized Stumpjumper
M2 FS Comp, which by the way, was like sitting on a rock. The Squadra is very
comfortable, despite its racing profile. There is a polymer insert in the front
of the saddle which relives much pressure from the groin, and I have never had
a problem with numb 'jewels' since the switch. The Cro-Mo rails are strong and
are not much heavier than the titanium variant. Emroidered on the top, are some
colorful graphics and logos, in white, yellow, green and red. They keep you
glued on the saddle like velcro on bumpy climbs and descents. The rear of the
saddle has a thin strip of chrome rivited to the shell, which appears to help
secure the leather cover, and adds a smooth transition, without glue or stiches.
The saddle is narrow enough to allow for weight shifts, but wide enough for
a comfortable support. In my opinion, a great saddle!
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris
a downhiller
from tulsa,ok
Date Reviewed: June 18, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
A great saddle very strong little pricey but
a good saddle. | | Overall Rating: |
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