The Selle SMP Strike Glider saddle is designed from extensive studies conducted which analyzed the different positions assumed by a cyclist in the various phases of a ride and the constant interaction between the body and the saddle. Based on these findings, Selle SMP designed the STRIKE saddle which prevents the cyclist’s sensitive areas from getting squashed and increases the blood flow to the leg muscles.
Submitted by
asmallsol
a Racer
from Livonia, MI Date Reviewed: September 17, 2009
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$220.00
Purchased At:
Ebay and CrossCountr
Strengths:
Extremely comfortable
Weaknesses:
Price
Similar Products Used:
Everything
Bike Setup:
Used on Road, cross, and hardtail
Bottom Line:
I've used this saddle for road and I love it. No numbness what so ever. I've used Selle Itilia cut out saddles, Specialized BG saddles, ect and nothing comes close to how good this is. There are tons of reviews on Roadbikereview and other roadie sites but not many for MTBing.
I was worried of it being too rough for MTBing, but its great. So much so, after experimenting with my road saddle on my hard tail, I bought another one. I ended up using this saddle for the Shenandoah 100, and even after over 10hrs of riding, there was no discomfort (except for my legs and arms, but thats another story)
Only downside to the saddle is the price, but its so good, I was willing to buy another one. To get it a little cheaper, check on ebay. Alot of people end up trying the saddle and find out its not for them. Found my second one in like new condition for 180bucks
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Myke
a Cross Country Rider
from Granby, Colorado - USA Date Reviewed: August 10, 2009
Favorite Trail:
the Winter Park, CO trail system
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$360.00
Purchased At:
theprostuff.com
Strengths:
Smart and functional design. Handcrafted from premium components. This saddle relieved the pressure and severe numbness I was experiencing.
Weaknesses:
None so far. The cost is high so one needs to shop around to find the best deal.
Similar Products Used:
I've used a number of saddles in my 29 year mountain biking odyssey. Many of the known name brands. My favorites include variations of the Selle Italia Filghts and a couple WTB designs. The last one I used was the Specialized BG Rival Ti with the pressure relief channel. But nothing comes close to this new design of the Selle SMP.
Bike Setup:
2007 Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper FSR Carbon. Fox Talas RLC, Specialized AFR shock w/Brain, Magura Marta SL brakes, SRAM X.0 parts, XTR parts, Mavic CrossMax SL-R wheelset...
Backup bike - 1997 Litespeed Tellico (6AL-4V Ti) hardtail with lots of titanium. Was a $6K build in 1997 dollars and comes in at a flat 20 lbs. A keeper...
Bottom Line:
Back in the day only my sit bones would get sore during the first couple of early season rides. After that everything was okay and I could ride for hours on a hard saddle. Once I got into my early sixties things changed - image that.!. My Selle SMP Glider is the carbon railed model. No more dead and numb body parts. I'm back... Neither rock, nor stump, nor gnarly sligletrack shall defy you. Rise up humble mountain biker and seize thy kingdom...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ERO
a Cross Country Rider
from Malvern, PA, USA Date Reviewed: June 21, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Anything in the Chamonix valley
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$260.00
Strengths:
Does what it says on the tin, is comfortable and control is good.
Weaknesses:
It's really too expensive for what it is...and this was the cheaper range.
Similar Products Used:
Several Flite saddles over the years
Bike Setup:
Fat Chance Yo Eddy steel frame X-C MTB. Increasingly less aggressive setup as I get older.
Bottom Line:
My phisio once said to me, quite seriously, that extended riding on saddles like Flites equates to problems 'down there' eventually. Not 'if', but 'when'. She was right. At last, after over 30 years of serious off road cycling, I've found the saddle I should have been using all my life. Early days, but no numbness whatsoever after two hour plus rides on it. If you ever have any 'difficulties down there' after extended riding, you really should at least try one of these. The problems get worse as you get older, so be warned. These saddles come in a variety of widths, so don't assume you know which one to get - take some care to have your seat bone width measured - the dealer will explain about this (i.e. don't buy mail order). Oh, and if you do get the right width, it's actually very comfortable and control is excellent - easy to slide off the back. I cringed at the price until my first ride on it, after which it didn't seem to matter. Not really for novices, though. If you're an occasional, relaxed upright rider, go for something soft and padded instead. This saddle is for the more committed, aggressive rider.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
tkehler
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver, BC, Canada Date Reviewed: December 30, 2008
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Campione Cycles, Van
Strengths:
Lightweight, with wide cutout, but above all, fits me perfectly
Weaknesses:
Price, I guess (but it's worth paying big dollars for a great fitting saddle, no?); some would say the shape is goofy?
Similar Products Used:
Plenty of seats, including the famous Brooks (Swift ti; B-17 etc. -- Brooks are great for shorter distances, but now I'm crazy about the Glider)
Bike Setup:
Seven sola ti XC bike, Thomson seatpost and stem, Moots bar, SRAM X9
Bottom Line:
These saddles aren't for everyone, but they are fabulous IF they fit you. Because of your positioning on them (I have several), you should get one that's narrow: i.e., close to the width of your sitbones. So get your sitbones measured before you buy one and complain about it. Another thing: it does take a while to get comfortable. It took me two weeks of riding before my muscles toughened up, and of course YMMV. However, I strongly recommend this, and other SMP saddles, for anyone who has tried a variety of saddles but wants a cutout saddle of genuine quality. I use one on my road bike too. (Only four chilis for value as these are very pricey.)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dixie002
a Weekend Warrior
from Tauranga, New Zealand Date Reviewed: October 6, 2008
Favorite Trail:
TuHoto Ariki & Billy T
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$360.00
Purchased At:
VeloSports - Cambrid
Strengths:
Comfort. The painful memory of the high price tag soon disappears when you realise that you no longer have a sore backside and numb genitals.
Believe it or not but it has actually increased my cycling speed. More time is able to be concentrated on the riding style and cadence, rather than trying to get comfortable and moving around the saddle to prevent pain/numbness.
Weaknesses:
None apart from cost.
Looks a bit ugly, but less so on the bike.
My LBS pour scorn and derision upon me but hey, that's a small price to pay for comfort.
Similar Products Used:
Various
Bike Setup:
BMC roadracer
Bottom Line:
A great investment in riding comfort.
Highly recommended nothwithstanding the very steep price.
I'd love to try the carbon SMP one I'm worried I'll want one; and I'm so weak......
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joel
a Racer
from Boca Raton, Fl. USA Date Reviewed: May 27, 2008
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Bottom Line:
I have been riding since the early 1980's and have been searching all these years for a bike saddle that allows my perinium area to stay in a comfort zone no matter how hard or how long I stay in the saddle. This saddle does it all. If you are a casual rider, this is not the saddle for you. It is perfect for training and racing because it is narrow and has good firm padding and the cutout down the middle from front to back keeps everything happy. The only negative is the high cost, but after having erectile problems off and on all these years this saddle an answer to my prayers. No saddle is perfect, but this one comes close.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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