The goal of ultra lightweight construction is fully achieved in the SLR. Just 160 grams with nothing sacrificed in terms of technical specifications. Thanks to a combination of features including carbon shell, padding fashioned from EVA (closed-cell foam weighing only 5 grams), and a featherweight tubular Titanium rail that weighs just 45 grams.The 165-gram SLR XP model will feature a rail made of Tubular Vanox and extra padding.
Submitted by
BadHabit
a Cross Country Rider
from Ill.
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2009
Weaknesses: Rails might not fit your seatpost.
Bottom Line:
This is a review of the SLR Carbonio Kit Flow. I have not yet used this saddle. I bought it to install on a Syntace P6 carbon seatpost, but the rails are 3/64" too far apart for the Syntace clamp--reputed to be one the best designed.
My preliminary research says that carbon rails can't be adjusted (bent) like metal rails.
The saddle is beautiful and so light--and so expensively disappointing.
My advice is to be certain of fit before buying.
My rating will ignore the fit/buyer responsibility issue. This is a beautiful, light and expensive saddle (as expected) that does not deserve to be downgraded because of my inattention.
Submitted by
astrat
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, On., Canada
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2009
Strengths: Very light, and very comfortably.
Weaknesses: Only lasts half a season.
Bottom Line:
I work at a shop and get clear-out pricing when it comes to the ugly colour SLR's, if it weren't for the price point, I wouldn't buy them. They are my favourite saddle, but they only last half a season - the leather cover rips almost immediately.
But in terms of comfort and weight, nothing beats an SLR 135g saddle.
Many people ask: how is a saddle like that comfortable? Well, there are two ways to make a comfortable saddle. 1) with a lot of padding and 2) with great flex. The original leather saddles (ie Brooks) relied on flex to be comfortable, and these are revered as the most comfortable saddles on the market. The SLR also relies on flex to be comfortable - the carbon fiber base and Ti rails offer fantastic flex. I f'ing love this saddle.
Similar Products Used: Selle Italia Flite, Prologo Ti Choice, WTB Rocket V
Bike Setup: Klein Adept Pro w/ XT
Kona Major One - cyclocross bike
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
thomasjc97
a Cross Country Rider
from College Station, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2009
Strengths: comfortable, light, short break in time, US-made Ti rails
Weaknesses: a little pricey, leather cover tears easily
Bottom Line:
The saddle is awesome! It may be bit a misleading... most people ask if the saddle hurts and if it gets stuck in places that saddles shouldn't be. But really, it fits perfectly [for me]; I'm 5'11", 170 lbs, medium build, and my sit-bones line up perfectly with the minimal padding (the Ti rails really help absorb a lot of shock).
I was skeptical at first, but was looking for the perfect blend of comfort, light weight, and affordability. The saddle has worked very well whether I'm on my daily 18 mile commute or in a recent 75km race (all off road).
The only draw back that I have is the leather ripped pretty easily during a crash on the pavement that I had. Hey, it was my fault and indestructibility was not one of the features that I was looking for. A little glue sealed it up nicely and the saddle still performs.
The SLR is an outstanding saddle and I recommend at least giving it a test drive.
Bike Setup: KHS Alite 3000, Noir 3.3 crank, SRAM XO/X9, Mavix Crossmax ST, Fox F-Series, Thomson seatpost/X4 stem, CrankBros Eggbeater SL, Schwalbe Racing Ralph (offroad)/Conti Grand Prix (road), Easton EC70 bar
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
funrunner99
a Cross Country Rider
from Folsom, CA USA
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2009
Strengths: Very comfortable
Light weight
Weaknesses: TI rail broke
Bottom Line:
Have this on my MTB bike, ride mostly cross country, weigh 200 lbs, really liked this saddle. Selle makes the best saddles out there, been riding on them for almost 20 years. Used to be a 200+ mile a week road racer, now just keeping in shape and racing my MTB a little. Extremely comfortable saddle but 9 or 10 months in one of the rails broke at the back of the clamp. Slid it forward a 1/4" and rode it for another 3-4 months but it's falling apart now. I am usually pretty easy on equipment and get a lot of use out of stuff so I can see understand this complaint popping up a lot. Anyhow just bought a Selle Italia SLR XC Vanox rail one, sounds like the rails are supposed to hold up better and they are meant for MTB so I will give it a try. If your lighter or on a road bike I would recommend it for sure. Gave it 3 on the value rating since they are a little pricey and it broke but still have to give it a 5 on the overall cause it was the best, most comfortable saddle I have ever had until it broke.
Bike Setup: Cannondale Caffeine 29er MTB, SRAM grip shifters & derailers, XTR cranks, Eggbeater pedals, Stan's NoTubes, lots of light parts, 23 lbs.
Merlin Titanium road bike, Dura Ace 9 speed grupo, Spinergy wheels, Selle Italia Ti Flite Gel saddle, Continental tires, lots of light stuff, sub 19 lbs.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Zachariah
a Cross Country Rider
from Palm Desert, California USA
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2009
Strengths: Light, comfortable, looks sleek, high resale value.
Weaknesses: None...and I am a huge weight weenie!
Bottom Line:
I have tried ALL high-end saddles, and has concluded the SLR is the BEST minimalist saddle around. However, this saddle is intended for ROAD USE ONLY. One crash and this saddle gets shredded easily. Don't expect Selle Italia to cover you, if ridden off-road. The key is try not to crash...which is almost impossible, in MTB.
My advice...get this saddle USED. Paying full retail is like buying a new car at a dealership- it drops in value by 30% the moment it leaves the lot. You won't find another lighytweight, comfy saddle around!
Favorite Trail: Hurkey Creek Park(24 Hours Adrenalin Course)
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$46.00
Purchased At: eBay
Similar Products Used: Fizik Gobi XM; Specialized Phenom SL; Selle San Marco ASPide; WTB Rocket V; AX Lightness; M2 Racer; Tune Speedneedle(the UGLIEST, most uncomfortable saddle on earth); Token Carbon
Bike Setup: 19-pound Cannondale XC race hardtail: SRAM X0/Shimano XTR; Mavic Crossmax SLR; Ritchey WCS Carbon; Thomson Masterpiece; Crank Brothers 4ti pedals; King Cage Titanium; Continental Race King
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
armrod
a Weekend Warrior
from Fort Lauderdale,Fl., USA
One of the rails broke in half after 7 months of riding.... in Florida of all places! Either I need to lose weight (well I do sort of) or these rails need to be made stronger for the price you pay. Definitely not worth the price!
Submitted by
ex
a Cross Country Rider
from california
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2008
Strengths: nothing because it breaks and you cant use it.
Weaknesses: Extremely weak. The carbon piece that holds the nose of the titanium rails breaks. I only weigh 150 lbs. Warranty is useless, person who works there does not care about anything. Sounds like he used to be in sales and wants you to buy another one. Useless.
Bottom Line:
I was going uphill! and the pressure from me pushing on the saddle caused the front carbon piece that holds the front of the rails to snap! I cant believe it broke. They said that I had put too much pressure on it when I called them after mailing it to their warranty department. They wouldnt help me. I wont ever buy another selle product with a warranty department like this, there's too many other good companies out there making saddles.
Submitted by
Vlad
a Cross Country Rider
from Romania
Date Reviewed: February 4, 2008
Strengths: Light, comfortable, flexible
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
I am a cross country racer and this is the best saddle I've ever had. It's light, comfortable and I like it a lot ... If you are searching for these 2 components for a saddle you must have one.
I had use it for road training and also for off road training.
Another thing to notice: please use a cycling bib for it. For the city use is kinda crappy (with jeans or other pants)
Submitted by
Caley Fretz
a Racer
from Fort Collins, CO
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2007
Strengths: weight, good flex, no slip leather cover.
Weaknesses: soft cover is not too durable, but what do you expect from a seat designed for road use? Just don't crash too much.
Bottom Line:
If it fits your butt, its one of the most comfortable saddles out there. If you can try before you buy, go for it. Saddles are very personal. Seems that those with skinny hips fit this saddle best, based on teammates/friends who ride it and like it.
Similar Products Used: Fizik nisene, aliante and arione SLR xc
Bike Setup: Orbea alma, x.0, sid, etc
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Kenny Knockaert
a Cross Country Rider
from Belgium
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2007
Strengths: Light (97gr)
Weaknesses: Some would find it hard (I don't)
Bottom Line:
Best saddle ever. It is light, strong and I find it confty aswell. It made a cracking sound for a while but ive salved that with a little grease in the rail assembly pionts. Never came back
Similar Products Used: different wtb saddles, first racing saddle
Bike Setup: haro mary ss
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Marek
a Cross Country Rider
from Tuchola, Poland
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2007
Strengths: This is for SLR XC gel flow Very light, very comfortable, it looks like new after 2000km
Weaknesses: This is for SLR XC gel flow Price is high but on the other hand it's worth it!
Bottom Line:
This is for SLR XC gel flow Very good saddle. It looks aggresive but it's amazingly comfortable. Once you try it and you will not like any other saddle! It's perfect saddle for xc.
Submitted by
Iwan Kemp
a Racer
from Cape Town, South Africa
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2007
Strengths: This is for the SLR XC Kevlar: Comfortable, very light, tough
Weaknesses: None for me
Bottom Line:
For me this is the most comfortable saddle I have ever tried. Prefer it over the Gobi as it has a more pronounced "seated section". Easier to get off the back and especially back on.
Similar Products Used: Fi;zi'k's, Other Selle Italia's
Bike Setup: Titus Moto Lite II
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Martijn
a Cross Country Rider
from Arnhem (Netherlands)
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2007
Strengths: Light (165 gr), fits well
Weaknesses: Strength: the rail broke
Bottom Line:
An absolute weight weenie product! Bought the bike second hand and most (extreme) light weight parts are falling a part (tune bar ends / Bottom bracket / SLR saddle).
My weight: 75 kgs / usage: XC
I will replace the saddle with a heavier (250 gr) and hopefully more robust saddle (Fizik Gobi).
Value: a lot of money if you have to replace it within 2 years Overall: Really light and comfortable but you might pay the price as lightness introduces less strength
I took my bike in to a local shop and they adjusted my brakes for me for free. Nice guy… when he was going over the brakes he looked over everything and said I was in need of a tun Read More »
I took my bike in to a local shop "Santa Rosa" and they adjusted my brakes for me for free. Nice guy… when he was going over the brakes he looked over everything and said I was in Read More »
I took my bike in to a local shop and they adjusted my brakes for me for free. Nice guy… when he was going over the brakes he looked over everything and said I was in need of a tun Read More »
I took my bike in to a local shop and they adjusted my brakes for me for free. Nice guy… when he was going over the brakes he looked over everything and said I was in need of a tun Read More »
