One of the most delicate technical interventions that occurs in winter is changing the saddle. And anyone who rides a bike, even if only as an amateur, knows well how important this component is, let alone if you are a professional.
Maybe it's because there are new technical sponsors, maybe because there are new models, but somehow the riders are called upon to choose the saddle, even if only to confirm their choice. But what's the basis for this choice? Is it comfort? Biomechanics? Or do riders look at weight? Do they want a saddle that they are “fixed” on or a saddle that they can move from front to back on?
To answer these questions we involved three athletes with three different characteristics. A rouleur, Salvatore Puccio. A sprinter, Filippo Fiorelli. A climber, Alessandro Verre.
Puccio and his Fizik
Let's start from the rider of the Ineos-Grenadiers. puccino He's a tall, slender rouleur who's been using the same bike and saddle brand for years. Yet he also changed his saddle some time ago. Physics.
«For many years – says Puccio – I used the Fizik Airone (the saddle on which you could move forwards and backwards par excellence, ed.), then Two seasons ago I changed positions. At that point, I felt it wasn't ideal anymore. But there were no problems with the saddle itself. There were no typical "seat boils" or anything like that.
"At that time, 3D saddles were just coming out, so at the end of the year, during the off-season, I wanted to test one. I had the mechanics build me a seatpost with one of these saddles and started riding with it. I immediately felt great. And comfort is the first thing I look at, not weight. If you choose the wrong saddle, you risk having problems all year long, and for what? For just a few grams. which in my case the Antares is also very light."
Puccio talks about a better, different comfort, which allows you to stay comfortable even when varying the position and intensity of the effort.
«With these new materials you can sit further forward, and it's a little harder, or further back, and it's a little softer and therefore the saddle adapts to the effort you're making. Doing 4 hours and 3.000 meters of elevation gain in training with your hands on the levers and a certain amount of effort is certainly different than doing 150 kilometers at full speed on the flat at the Tour with your hands down.
«The great thing is that with this material, the saddle never gives in. You especially notice this when you switch from training to racing. Sometimes they seemed different, but in fact it is that millimeter of the saddle that no longer gives way."
Fiorelli and his Selle SMP
Filippo Fiorelli Instead, he changed his saddle just this winter. Even the rider of the Green Project-Bardiani he had no problems with his previous saddle, but SMP saddles had presented a new model and he wanted to try it.
«We – says Fiorelli – who We have Selle SMP saddles, so we can choose from a wide range of saddles, any of them in their range. I've always used the F20C, but this winter I wanted to try the new VT 20C. It seemed more comfortable to me, like this I tried it and effectively I immediately found it much more comfortable.
«I put it on when I started riding again in November, that way at least I'd have time to get used to it.»
Fiorelli also talks about comfort. And he also brings biomechanics into play.
«The VT20C adapts very well to the characteristics of my pelvis and sit bones. I preferred this model without considering weight or anything else: just comfort."
Verre's Selle Italia
And from a sprinter we go to a climber, Alexander Verres. The rider of Arkea-Samsic it goes in the direction of continuity… despite the change of bike (from Canyon to Bianchi), the Lucanian remained faithful to the Selle Italia Flite.
«Usually – explains Verre – We're presented with a selection of saddles by the mechanics and the company. For example, at the last training camp in December, the guys from Selle Italia came to show us the new SLR 3D. But in the end I I chose the Flite because it is softer and more comfortable. I already used this saddle last year and was somehow more accustomed to it. I also tried the other one but I felt more comfortable with this one. I think the SLR 3D is more suitable for those who already use the normal SLR, given that they have a similar shape."
And comfort is the watchword for Verre too.
«I try to focus on comfort, but also on my physical build. I believe that reducing weight on a saddle isn't as important as reducing weight on other bike components. And then just think that a full water bottle weighs about 500 grams...
«I was lucky to immediately find the right feeling with the saddle. When you're at full speed you don't think about the position, but about giving your all and with the Flite I felt comfortable in all situations."
