Selle Italia SLR Gel Flow Saddle: Gel Flow gel inserts under sit bones and around cutout. Soft tissue relief hole through center, leather top, carbon shell.
Submitted by
Zachariah
a Cross Country Rider
from Palm Desert, CA USA
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2010
Strengths: -Light, at 215g
-Center cutout offers taint relief
-Strong Vanox rails
-Gel is very firm at crotch area
-Leather cleans easily
-Downward curving nose helps climbing
-Made with Italian quality throughout
When it comes to MTB saddles - I have literally tried them ALL. My butt does not like anything made by Fizik...period. The Phenom SL was an amazing saddle, despite feeling like sitting on sculpted wood. I had remarkable luck with the original Selle SLR...so I went to the Gel Flow. The Gel Flow is good for 3+ hours in the saddle. It has strategically placed inserts ad they work in unison extremely well. However, my rump is nothing close to being meaty...so your mileage may vary. Get the fit perfectly dialed-in ad the saddle will be the last thing on your mind.
Favorite Trail: Hurkey Creek Park (24 Hours of Adrenalin course)
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$77.00
Purchased At: eBay
Similar Products Used: -Specialized Phenom SL
-Fizik Gobi XM
-Selle Italia SLR road saddle
-WTB Rocket V
-Bontrager RXL Inform
-Selle San Marco Aspide
-M2 Racer Carbon
-AX Lightness
-Token SL Carbon
Bike Setup: 22-pound 2010 Giant Anthem X2
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Submitted by
BeerBikeBerm
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Collins, CO
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2009
Strengths: Weight-to-comfort and weight-to-toughness ratios are favorable. Infact, this thing has many good ratios.
Ride long enough on any saddle and it will hurt...but this one is very impressive for it's minimalist profile and weight. It stays out of the way and rarely chafes the taint (only when I wear jeans).
The "ergonomic cutout" is a cool idea, but the same thing can be achieved with correct saddle shape.
Weaknesses: Both of mine quickly developed clicking sounds, at first tricking me into thinking it was the bottom bracket, seatpost or chainring bolts. It's the rails. Nothing broken, but on bad days the sound wears on me.
The lower weight of the standard SLR is VERY tempting, but don't be lured away from this saddle by its shaved legs brother. The SLR Gel Flow is worlds better.
Bottom Line:
It USED to be possible to get them very cheap on clearance if you did not mind non-black saddles. I bought 2 of them, a yellow and blue, at that price thinking they would rip to shreds eventually. They have not. Still running strong on 2 different mountain bikes after nearly 3 years. The leather will rip a bit and wear on the edges but it won't all fall off suddenly like other saddles.
The only thing keeping these from a full 5 is the rail clicking, which conjures up images of the Vanox rails breaking and piercing the nutsack.
Similar Products Used: Selle Italia SLR, Selle Italia Flite, SDG Bel Air, WTB Rocket V SLT, WTB Laser V
Bike Setup: SS Rigid 29er
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Submitted by
Psycho Marco
a Weekend Warrior
from Mexico
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2009
Strengths: Looks, light, durable.
Weaknesses: It´s supposed to be comfy, the gel is what it´s for... but it is comfy on the hard side
Bottom Line:
This is an AWESOME looking saddle!, I have it in red color and wow it just looks great. It is also very light, but if you expect a comfy saddle, this is not it.
I´m on the lightside, I weight about 145 lbs and after 4 or more hours sitting non stop (with almost no pauses) in here it gets pretty rough on my butt.
IMO it´s worth the investmet as no other saddle looks better than this one, but you have got to be aware that comfort is not one of it´s more appreciatted caracteristics.
Similar Products Used: Bontrager and Chumba saddle
Bike Setup: Chumba VF2, XT setup
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Submitted by
BLURPILOT
a Cross Country Rider
from Orange County, CA
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2009
Strengths: Lightweight, functional cutout, good shock absorption, comfortably supports my sitbones, padding/gel in all the right places. Italian craftsmanship-- great looking with excellent fit/finish. Saddle has excellent shape-- easy to move on and off without snagging shorts. Very comfortable in a lightweight, low-profile shell.
Weaknesses: A bit pricey. But, Selle Italia saddles last forever.
Bottom Line:
Great saddle if it fits your bum. I've done 25-30 mile rides comfortably on this saddle.
Similar Products Used: WTB Rocket V and Pure SLT, Selle Italia Flite, Bontrager Selle San Marco
Bike Setup: Santa Cruz Blur LT
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Submitted by
jobrienau
a Cross Country Rider
from Melbourne Australia
Date Reviewed: December 1, 2008
Strengths: Super light weight, great looking seat
Weaknesses: Not sure yet, haven't found any
Bottom Line:
Wow, I wish I had just paid up and bought one of these years ago. I have tried all sorts of Gel lined cut away type seats and they never quite measure up. This seat is well designed and you can feel it. I think I lucked out on the size as it is best to get a seat fitted to you but this seat is perfect from 10 minute test rides to 6hr day trips. I weigh about 205lbs and about 6'2" and this seat is fantastic.
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Milton
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2008
Strengths: This review is for the SLR Gel XC Kevlar. Great saddle, light, comfy, enough shell flex to make up for little padding. The XC model has been durable for me.
Weaknesses: Not a freeride product. It's been durable, but looking at it I know it could tear in a hard crash. The scoop at the back limits the number of seating positions.
Bottom Line:
I've got 4000km on this saddle, and it has been hands-down my favorite ever. I'm 170lbs, average build, and I like dents / cutouts. Obviously, at 130mm wide and 220g 'comfy' is relative - bike shorts are mandatory. Saddle fit is very personal, so my 5 chili's is based on those factors. No annoying numbness, no thigh rub on the nose, no hotspots, not too padded, but just enough. I wouldn't suggest it for long road rides (not enough sitting positions, I prefer my SI Gel Flite), but hey, it's an XC saddle. The $200+ msrp here in Canada is more than anyone should have to pay for a saddle, but I got a good deal so I'll give it the value rating I received.
Similar Products Used: Lots of saddles, cheap and expensive. My other fav (for road) is SI Gel Flite.
Bike Setup: Dual suspension XC.
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Submitted by
Nick
a Cross Country Rider
from Cape Town, South Africa
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2008
Strengths: Comfy, strong.
Weaknesses: None so far.
Bottom Line:
Have this on my MTB and road bikes. Has done 1000's of k's, has been crashed, has ridden through awful wet weather. Is worn looking, but still comfortable and hasn't broken yet.
Similar Products Used: WTB, Selle Italia XO, cheapies
Bike Setup: Mountain Cycle Zen
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Submitted by
Joe Swanson
a Cross Country Rider
from Memphis, TN, USA
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2007
Strengths: Very comfortable, lightweight, well built, overall good durability
Weaknesses: Graphics wear off fairly quickly
Bottom Line:
I currently own two mountain bikes (hardtail and full suspension) and two road bikes. All four have this saddle. I have tried others,but this has been the most comfortable by far. The hartail takes abuse and the saddle helps make the ride comfy. If you want a light and comfortable saddle, try this one.
