REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

selle italia flite team vs

1087 Views 7 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Sheepo5669, Feb 14, 2011

Sheepo5669

Discussion Starter · Feb 12, 2011

Hey guys. I need a little help choosing a saddle. I have never ridden either but my butt isnt very picky. Here are my two options.
Selle italia flite team - 200g
http://www.amazon.com/Selle-Italia-Flite-Team-White/dp/B00113HBK2

Selle italia flite carbonio - 150g
http://www.amazon.com/Selle-Italia-Carbonio-Saddle-Carbon/dp/B002YLOI42

So the weight difference is 50g. Is that due to only the carbon rails? Or is there less padding in the Carbonio?

By any chance, has anyone ridden either of these saddles? They look pretty sweet.

Thanks,
Sheepo

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AZ

· #2 · Feb 12, 2011

I do not recommend carbon rails for a MTB saddle , YMMV .

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Sheepo5669

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 12, 2011

Hmm Good thinking. I'll talk to my lbs on monday and see what they think too. That 50gs is pretty tempting though for 10$ extra.

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Shuteye

· #4 · Feb 13, 2011 (Edited)

I rode a carbon railed Bontrager saddle 13 years ago. A rail eventually broke at the edge of the seat post clamp. Granted, this was 13 years ago, but has carbon really progressed that much when it comes to a saddle rail? Nothing but aluminum or ti since with no failures.

I rode a Flite saddle left over from road days for a few years, until I rode a WTB saddle that had stitching on it - helped hold my butt in place while climbing. I really dig my WTB saddle, it just feels right. The Flite is a good saddle though. If you are set on a Flite no matter what, considering the in and out of the saddle action with mountain biking, comfort wont be a problem. You will be able to slide off the back for technical descents with no problem also. Climbing function will be the issue that makes it or breaks it. If you are buying it from your LBS, they should have a trade in policy if you don't like it.

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Sheepo5669

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 13, 2011

I rode a carbon railed Bontrager saddle 13 years ago. A rail eventually broke at the edge of the seat post clamp. Granted, this was 13 years ago, but has carbon really progressed that much when it comes to a saddle rail? Nothing but aluminum since with no failures.

I rode a Flite saddle left over from road days for a few years, until I rode a WTB saddle that had stitching on it - helped hold my butt in place while climbing. I really dig my WTB saddle, it just feels right. The Flite is a good saddle though. If you are set on a Flite no matter what, considering the in and out of the saddle action with mountain biking, comfort wont be a problem. You will be able to slide off the back for technical descents with no problem also. Climbing function will be the issue that makes it or breaks it. If you are buying it from your LBS, they should have a trade in policy if you don't like it.

I have to say i am not too worried about breaking the rails. I dont ride downhill sitting down with my feet off the pedals too much

Seriously though, I think it would be okay for my application.

And yeah im def gonna test one out before i buy. The lbs does a 20$ down and lets you use a tester saddle and deducts the 20$ from your purchase.

So i think Im gonna "rent" out a standard flite on monday.

One more q for yall gurus, is the standard ti railed flite going to have the same amount of padding than the 150g carbonio?

Sheepo

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Shuteye

· #6 · Feb 13, 2011 (Edited)

Sheepo5669 said:
I have to say i am not too worried about breaking the rails. I dont ride downhill sitting down with my feet off the pedals too much Seriously though, I think it would be okay for my application.

At the time mine broke I only weighed 155 - but then the bike was a ti hard tail. It was at a mountain bike race and I was planning to camp and ride the next day. Fortunately, with all the folks at the race I was able to borrow a saddle from someone who was heading home. On examining the rail, it had been failing a bit at a time. The other rail showed signs of failure also, though it had not yet broken, so it was not due to a sudden impact or singular event. As I said earlier, wear/failure was right at the edge of the clamp.

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dirtdonk

· #7 · Feb 14, 2011

"Except for a couple carbon flites I've been riding the standart flite for quite a few years. If you're concerned about padding I would not be looking at a flite. If your butt "isn't very picky" buy this if you don't crash much and you've got the coin. http://www.gottaridebikes.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=GRB&Product_Code=MSD0071 . Most comfortable saddle I've ever ridden on.

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Sheepo5669

Discussion Starter · #8 · Feb 14, 2011

The reason i was asking about the padding is because i have felt a standard flite and i was curious if the carbonio had the same amount of padding. I diddnt wanna buy a saddle only to be shocked that it was much harder than the other flites. No worries though, I think I have decided on staying away from carbon.

Heck, its 50 grams heavier and its much more sturdy.

Thanks
Sheepo

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