andylibby's Full Review: Selle Italia Flite Genuine Gel Saddle
The original Selle Italia Flite saddle that has been around for decades is a true classic. In recent years, Selle Italia decided to capitalize on the success of the original design and develop an entire product line of "Flite" saddles all sharing the same basic shape and profile but having different design specifics and utilizing different materials.
The Flite Genuine Gel is shaped identically to the original smooth-leather-covered Flite saddle. The sleek 275mm (10-7/8") long saddle is 139mm (5-1/2") wide at the widest part of the "wings" in the back. Weight runs a mere 265 grams (9-1/4 ounces). The saddle rails are constructed from titanium and offer both lightweight and shock absorption properties.
An opening caveat about the Flite Genuine Gel Saddle is that it is designed for the serious and experienced cyclist. This is not a cushy saddle! A beginning bike rider will probably not find this saddle comfortable. In order to comfortably use such a saddle a rider needs to do two things: (1) ride a bike long enough to develop some toughness in the seat of the pants, and (2) wear a really good pair of bike shorts with a quality chamois (pad) in the seat. I love this saddle, but my standard joke to friends and fellow cyclists is that the only "Gel" on this saddle are the words stitched into the cover. That's an over-exaggeration because there obviously is gel in the pads on this saddle, just not a lot of it.
To the uninitiated, the Flite Genuine Gel may look extremely narrow and extremely uncomfortable. While the saddle is indeed narrow, it is very versatile and quite comfortable. The design of the Flite Genuine Gel is such that it affords the rider more than one riding position. The supportive nose of the Genuine Gel enables the rider to comfortably slide forward on the saddle while riding in the drops of the handlebars or when riding using a set of aero bars. The slender profile of the nose assures the rider of minimum saddle rub on the inside of the shorts during the pedaling motion. The wings at the rear of the saddle give the rider a good place to slide back and settle into a steady cadence for seated climbing. The upper surfaces of the wings are topped with gel padded, contoured sections to improve comfort of the saddle where it contacts the sit bones of the human anatomy. Sitting amidships on the Genuine Gel, the rider has at his or her disposal an oblong section of gel that covers a cutout section of the saddle's hard plastic skeleton. This takes the pressure off nerves in the crotch area that can become sensitive and numb over long rides.
Stylewise, the Flite Genuine Gel is an attractive saddle both in design and in the color options available. The typical bleed-free colors for the perforated leather cover are Yellow, Blue, Red, Black, and White. Pro team colors are available from time to time at some outlets. The shape of the saddle with its long slender "drop" nose is a beautiful classic and a styling complement to any road bicycle.
The leather cover of the Flite Genuine Gel is both durable and attractively finished. In order to help preserve its good looks, Selle Italia provides sewn-in Kevlar strips at the rear outer edges of both wings. These are the sections most likely to contact the ground during a spill or during the normal practice of laying the bike down or leaning the bike against a tree or building when not being ridden (bikes these days are typically not equipped with kickstands).
As a veteran road cyclist, I have ridden many different saddles. The Flite Genuine Gel is the one I have on several of my bikes. I find it to be comfortable and cool. I find that the perforations in the leather not only help the saddle breathe, but they keep the saddle from being slick so that the seat of my shorts doesn't slide around. I find the styling to be very appealing and the colors are a great complement to the overall attractiveness of my bikes.
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
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