Selle SMP has always considered collaborations with professional athletes to be fundamental, whose feedback is essential to improve the comfort and performance of their saddles in all situations.
One of these is Alessandro Fabian, born in Padua in 1988.
After starting his sports career with swimming and duathlon, Alessandro over the years became a world star of triathlon. In London 2012 he finished 10th, a result never achieved before by an Italian athlete. At the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics, however, after an attacking race, Alessandro finished in 14th place. Now his goal is the Olympics in Japan and it is precisely in this challenge that the partnership between Selle SMP and Alessandro Fabian is born.
Alessandro is also testing a new model, not yet in production, which will become another spearhead of the Selle SMP range.
Here's what he told us:
"Since I started playing sports, I have worked to improve myself and enhance my path without never diverting attention from my physical well-being.
In cycling, every single component is essential to give maximum performance and one in particular is comfort. Paying the right attention in choosing the saddle, which has a strong impact on the contact points, can really make a difference.
Precisely for this reason, I have chosen to rely on Selle SMP, who with their quality and innovation will accompany me from today in my long training in view of the next Tokyo Olympics, where I will give my best.
What struck me about Selle SMP is not only the rigorous research for scientifically patented ergonomics but the all-round attention to my health, which for me is the backbone of all my work”.
Selle SMP has always considered collaborations with professional athletes to be fundamental, whose feedback is essential to improve the comfort and performance of their saddles in all situations. One of these is Alessandro Fabian, born in Padua in 1988. After starting his sports career with swimming and duathlon, Alessandro over the years became a world […]
Riding your bike to work and, perhaps, arriving a little more tired but certainly happier.
Getting on your bike to spend a Sunday or a public holiday cycling along a river bank, a forest trail or to get to the sea or a lake.
These ways of enjoying cycling are becoming increasingly popular in this 'new normality' caused by the pandemic.
In the previous article, we saw how mobility in cities has changed since the start of the current health emergency. In this article, we see how the bike is considered a new means of transport for people living outside towns and cities.
To comply with regulations regarding the health and safety of everyone, we have limited or cancelled trips abroad and minimised or avoided all opportunities to be near others, even on an everyday basis, for example when using public transport.
It is precisely in these minor changes that the bike revolution has taken hold. Such changes have surprised no one but, instead, have made us consider a bike as more than just a means of transport.
You don't need to be a professional or keen cyclist to rediscover the pleasure of cycling. You can use it to get to work and to get around for small errands. A bike, whether it is a mountain bike, a gravel bike or a city bike, is also ideal for short or long trips to rediscover the most beautiful places in our country.
As long as you comply with regulations, there is no limit to where you can go. Distance is not a problem if you have the right bike and, above all, the ideal saddle for your body. Only then can you ride for kilometres without pain, soreness or discomfort. A saddle adapts to you, and it does so because its design is unique. All Selle SMP saddles have a special patented shape, which does not obstruct blood flow and ensures superior comfort.
We have four saddles designed for trekking,bike touringand everyday use.
TRK Medium and TRK Large are two ideal saddles for such uses, which differ in size. Depending on the width of your ischial bones (which you can easily measure by watching this tutorial or using the in-store Selle SMP Stool), you can choose the one that best suits your body. The comfortable padding and velvety SVT Touch cover also provide unprecedented comfort.
For those looking for extra softness, TRK Medium Gel and TRK Large Gel by Selle SMP are ideal. The gel follows your body movements, adapting to your every shape.
Do you want to make sure you choose the right saddle? Try our Saddle Finder or download the Selle SMP app.
Riding your bike to work and, perhaps, arriving a little more tired but certainly happier. Getting on your bike to spend a Sunday or a public holiday cycling along a river bank, a forest trail or to get to the sea or a lake. These ways of enjoying cycling are becoming increasingly popular in this […]
The year 2020 has made us change our habits, the way we live and also the way we move around the city. In particular, there has been a huge increase in alternative vehicles to avoid close contact, which is inevitable on public transport.
Some vehicles are relatively new, such as the scooter, while others are timeless classics. Here, we are clearly referring to the city bike.
A city bike lets you get around with the utmost safety in the face of the Coronavirus. Moreover, it is healthy, fun, economical and sustainable. Let's take a closer look at these aspects:
So there are no more excuses for leaving your bike at home when you are out and about in the city. Regardless of the distances covered, a city bike is the best and most comfortable choice, especially if you choose the right saddle for a city bike.
Martin Touring Medium and Martin Touring Large saddles are specifically designed for city use and for preserving a cyclist’s well-being by guaranteeing unbeatable comfort. This is due to the patented ergonomic design of Selle SMP saddles, which prevent any compression of the perineal area, and to the self-modelling Gel layer that adapts to the shape of the cyclist’s body.
Would you like to find out right now which model in the Martin Touring range is ideal for you? Do it with our exclusive Saddle Finder in just a few quick and easy steps!
The year 2020 has made us change our habits, the way we live and also the way we move around the city. In particular, there has been a huge increase in alternative vehicles to avoid close contact, which is inevitable on public transport. Some vehicles are relatively new, such as the scooter, while others are […]
The new season opens with a great novelty that is, in reality, a "welcome return", as defined by Maurizio and Franco Schiavon, owners of Selle SMP.
The athletes of the Bardiani CSF Faizanè team will ride on the SMP saddles for the 2021 and 2022 seasons, facing the races and challenges that this new year will present to them.
This is a collaboration which returns mainly for two reasons: the sporting and technical revolution that took place within the Team and the union of intentions between the team managers and us at Selle SMP.
“2021 will be a real challenge for everyone” say Maurizio and Franco Schiavon, “our role as Selle SMP will be to make the riders feel comfortable and ready to make their best performance on the saddle. The Bardiani-CSF-Faizanè Team is an Italian team of young riders, but with a management of great experience, with a strong awareness of seriousness and transparency: necessary prerequisites for the success of a team”.
Roberto Reverberi, Team Manager of Bardiani CSF Faizanè, adds: “We think we have set up a competitive team, both sporting and technically, and we hope to reach some great satisfactions together with our partners”.
The Team's sporting revolution brought 10 new athletes and everyone chose their SMP models, thanks also to the constant support of the Selle SMP Racing Service.
The F20, F20C, Composit, Stratos and Evolution models are among those selected by the team.
The new season opens with a great novelty that is, in reality, a “welcome return”, as defined by Maurizio and Franco Schiavon, owners of Selle SMP. The athletes of the Bardiani CSF Faizanè team will ride on the SMP saddles for the 2021 and 2022 seasons, facing the races and challenges that this new year […]
All Selle SMP saddles are comfortable and safe. Every day, we strive to give our saddles these features. So when we discovered the existence of fake Selle SMP saddles, we immediately took action to limit this phenomenon.
A bitter discovery at the trade fair in Taipei
It all began at the 2014 Taipei Cycle trade fair in Taipei. We discovered the first fake saddles at the stand of a Chinese company. Since then, many fake saddles have started to appear, not only at trade fairs but also on many Internet and e-commerce websites. Some of them are very well-known worldwide, whereas others are linked to local organisations in different countries around the world.
Fake Selle SMP Full Carbon: the most copied model
Most of the fake products on the market are reproductions of our Full Carbon model, the SMP saddle entirely made of carbon fibre and one of our most top products.
The saddle is not only lightweight but also designed down to the smallest detail in order to guarantee maximum physical and mechanical resistance for all cyclists, regardless of their body weight. It also undergoes many tests and its design is patented. This is why we can say that the Selle SMP Full Carbon saddle is comfortable and safe, like all our saddles.
How we have tackled the problem
Starting with these essential values and with the determination that sets us apart, we immediately decided to tackle the problem, in two different ways:
- Investigations and legal action in China: we tracked down the producers of fake saddles and launched a lawsuit against them, which we won, both in the first instance and on appeal.
- Online monitoring and crackdown: we started screening all sales platforms worldwide to identify fake products on sale. Then we destroyed every single advert selling fake products.
A question of safety
We also carried out many tests: both in-company and with the help of certified external bodies. We checked the difference between the performance of our original SMP Full Carbon and that of the Chinese company. The results showed completely different levels of stress resistance, clearly in favour of Selle SMP saddles.
It is therefore not a question of protecting our reputation with you cyclists. It’s about your safety, protecting you from the risk of buying low-quality products that put your safety at risk.
We have also received complaints from cyclists who are unaware that they purchased fake Full Carbon saddles, which proved to be of poor quality and broke.
The outcome of the battle against fake Selle SMP Saddles
Since 2014, we have destroyed more than 10,000 adverts for fake saddles on e-commerce websites worldwide. We can therefore say that the phenomenon has been significantly reduced. Of course, fakes are still being sold despite the fact that we have made a huge commitment and effort.
There is just one reason why we haven’t stopped battling against fake saddles, but it’s an important one. Forgery harms everyone: you as cyclists, us as a brand and everyone involved in the distribution chain. We will always be taking action to protect you and ourselves from this phenomenon.
All Selle SMP saddles are comfortable and safe. Every day, we strive to give our saddles these features. So when we discovered the existence of fake Selle SMP saddles, we immediately took action to limit this phenomenon. A bitter discovery at the trade fair in Taipei It all began at the 2014 Taipei Cycle trade […]
MASKERA is the adjustable anti-smog filter mask for cycling!
We have always focused on letting you ride in safety and total comfort. We have therefore also created MASKERA, an accessory that has everything that cyclists and bike enthusiasts need.
Ergonomic design for maximum comfort. We couldn’t offer less, as our saddles are also designed to let you ride comfortably on any bike and in all conditions.
It has an innovative fixing system. Made of Lycra® XTRA LIFE, it allows quick and easy adjustment.
The inner layer is made of non-woven fabric and non-allergenic, anti-irritation polypropylene. Consequently, MASKERA has good filtering, water-repellent and breathable properties. The outer protective layer is made of polyester.
MASKERA is 100% Handmade in Italy. Just like all our saddles and all Selle SMP accessories.
Moreover, it is easy to clean because you only need to use a normal sanitizing spray.
MASKERA is the adjustable anti-smog filter mask for cycling! We have always focused on letting you ride in safety and total comfort. We have therefore also created MASKERA, an accessory that has everything that cyclists and bike enthusiasts need. Ergonomic design for maximum comfort. We couldn’t offer less, as our saddles are also designed to […]
Once again this year, the Giro Rosa (Italian women’s international cycling tour) will bring new races and new excitement to women’s cycling, from Central to Southern Italy. Given the circumstances, the words "once again this year" are not so obvious. After the start of 2020, which nobody would have ever imagined, many events have been postponed to 2021. The Giro Rosa, however, comprises a team of determined people who wanted to organise the event this year all the same while enforcing all the rules and ensuring maximum safety.
This is precisely why we at Selle SMP wanted to be there. Tenacity is one of our hallmarks: such motivation helps us to create our saddles, from the design phase through to production. Another thing that sets us apart is safety, which never fails when a Selle SMP saddle is fitted.
Franco and Maurizio Schiavon point out: “Also this year, we will be the sponsor of the Ciclamino jersey. It’s not just any jersey but an important jersey that symbolises speed, power and the ability to sprint.” The Schiavon brothers continue, “Sprinting is sheer courage, it has its rules to be respected and its risks to be minimised. The Ciclamino jersey will be worn by the athlete who has gained the most points in this specific ranking. We are involved in 2020 because it’s what we wanted, and we passionately want it now. We love this sport and its protagonists, women who deserve the most because they do their utmost. This year, in cycling jargon terms, we were asked to sprint. Our sprint was to be run according to all the rules, with tenacity, strength and determination. The best way to start again. When you see the Ciclamino jersey, in the peloton, during the nine legs of the Patron Rivolta race, think about this, with courage and confidence.”
The Giro Rosa will start on 11 September. We will be there, at every leg, to tell you about the tenacity and strength of these women on social media.
Once again this year, the Giro Rosa (Italian women’s international cycling tour) will bring new races and new excitement to women’s cycling, from Central to Southern Italy. Given the circumstances, the words “once again this year” are not so obvious. After the start of 2020, which nobody would have ever imagined, many events have been […]
As of this year, Team Torpado Südtirol Blacks is using our saddles. This partnership was established mainly to develop and improve our off-road saddles using field tests.
The initial feedback has already arrived
Sandro Lazzarin Team Manager del Torpado Südtirol Blacks: "Selle SMP saddles are already in use - even if it is not possible to compete - by all the athletes in the team, and the initial feedback is more than positive. Some particularly sensitive athletes found a marked improvement compared to their previous saddle. Some immediately found their ideal model, whereas others, like Katazina, had to try more than one. After this very difficult 2020, we look forward to continuing this successful partnership with the Schiavon brothers for years to come."
Katazina Sosna and her adventure...lucky!
Katazina Sosna, the Team's top athlete is now in Vilnius, her home city. We called her so she could tell us a little about her experiences during this strange period: "I left on 3 April for Vilnius and it was a sheer stroke of luck. My Lithuanian coach called me on 1 April to tell me that a plane was scheduled to leave Italy to pick up the Italians that were in Lithuania. I immediately called the embassy to see if there was room for me and my bike. I really wanted to go home and I planned it all in two days. I didn't want to miss this one opportunity that had come my way: a gift! As soon as I arrived in Vilnius, I asked to go into quarantine at my parents' house because I could be isolated on the second floor. I was very worried because when I came back from Spain after the Andalucia Bike Race, in stages, I was not well and I found out afterwards that there was a Coronavirus-positive girl among the riders. My parents are in the high-risk group, so I took all the necessary precautions: luckily everything went well.
A period of rest that was really needed
I see this period as a holiday so I can spend time with my parents and rediscover my beautiful city. I've missed all this for a long time: ten years! I'm really enjoying it. I have also continued training on my MTB because Vilnius is hilly and there are woods, paths and white gravel roads along the river. Vilnius is a really beautiful city, well-kept, with many flowers in bloom and plenty of cycle paths and cyclists. Strangely enough, it hasn't rained as much as usual during this period as it has in other years. Since we are not able to gather in crowds, I have always been out alone, so I miss speed training. I haven't lost hope in being able to take part in some races in Italy around September/October: we'll have to see.
And what about the Selle SMP saddle?
I was already familiar with Selle SMP saddles because I used them when I cycled on the road with the Vaiano team. On an MTB, however, it's a completely different thing because you move a lot more on the saddle. I tried a few before finding the right model for me. In the end, I settled for the F30 because it’s very comfortable and allows me plenty of room for movement. What is also important, especially for women, is the type of seat insert: this must also be tried before we find the right one for us.
As of this year, Team Torpado Südtirol Blacks is using our saddles. This partnership was established mainly to develop and improve our off-road saddles using field tests. The initial feedback has already arrivedSandro Lazzarin Team Manager del Torpado Südtirol Blacks: “Selle SMP saddles are already in use – even if it is not possible to […]
Bike roller training is not like training out of the home: we know that well. Cycling sessions are shorter and more frequent (but you still spend much time on your bike) and the position on the saddle is fixed. Because, let's face it, we really missed our bike during these months of quarantine. Even if many of us have relied on using rollers and the luckiest ones have been able to "toil" in the open air, it's certainly not like getting on your bike and covering kilometres in complete freedom.
Nevertheless, we, like you, never give up and we pedalled at home. Many of you have asked us which saddle is best for training on your bike at home. The answer is the Gel saddle.
Selle SMP Gel saddles have a layer of Gel that covers the entire surface of the saddle: practically the entire support area is covered by the Gel. This special technology makes our saddles special and helps to reduce the pressure on contact points by 30%. In a word: comfort. If we add to this the fact that all our saddles are ergonomic, then we can say that they provide total wellbeing.
In addition, the Selle SMP Gel saddle is self-modelling. This means that it follows your body, adapting to the position you take. Yes, it is true that the position when training is more fixed, but there are always micro-movements involved. This is also an advantage if you want to use the Gel saddle for routes away from home and for conventional training as well.
For bike roller training, we recommend Well saddles. There are three models: Well S Gel, Well Gel and Well M1 Gel. The difference lies in the ergonomic shape of the saddle, which adapts to your pelvis according to the width of your ischial bones. To find out which model is perfect for you, we recommend you try our Saddle Finder app. It is available on our website and also for Android and iOS.
Like all our saddles, the Well models are unisex. You can also use them on both MTB and racing bikes. Of course, they are also ideal for bike training at home or outdoors. Perhaps that is why Well saddles are among the most popular Selle SMP models?
Bike roller training is not like training out of the home: we know that well. Cycling sessions are shorter and more frequent (but you still spend much time on your bike) and the position on the saddle is fixed. Because, let’s face it, we really missed our bike during these months of quarantine. Even if […]
We like to interview athletes who use Selle SMP saddles, discover their passions and secrets and then share them with all of you. This time we are in Thailand, in Bangkok. Here, where temple spires compete with modern skyscrapers, is home to the athlete and model Narissara Inthavongsa. This is what she told us.
Narissara, how did you become a cyclist?
I started cycling to keep fit and I became a cyclist when I joined the W2, the first women's cycling team in Thailand. It was many years ago, when Thailand did not yet have a women's cycling team When I passed the test and was admitted to the team I trained hard to become stronger. Today I train on rollers 2 hours after work and I take part in 1-2 important cycling races every month.
When did you start cycling and why?
Cycling is my passion: I've loved it since I was young. Besides, cycling is the best way to relax and train.
What do you like about cycling?
When I cycle surrounded by nature I feel free and relaxed, whereas when I ride fast to exceed my limit, I have fun. But it's not so much the feeling I get when on my bike that I like, but the friendship that you create with fans: this is the best time.
Which are your favourite routes?
There are two routes that I like in Thailand. One is in Doi Inthanon National Park, where I experienced the most difficult climb so far. The average gradient is up to 12% and the route is continuously uphill and downhill.
The other is the Happy and Healthy Bike Lane, in Samut Prakan. It’s a 23.5 km long cycle path that goes around Suvarnabhumi Airport and there is also a 1.2 km circuit for jogging and for children learning to ride a bike. There is also an emergency medical centre, shops selling and renting bicycles, picnic areas, cafés and toilets.
What is absolutely essential on a bike ride?
A heart-rate monitor to know how much strength I have and to record all the data concerning the bike ride.
This year you had a bad fall (luckily not a serious one). How was your recovery?
After two days in hospital I treated myself at home, also thanks to a very effective ointment. So far, I have had 3 accidents: I broke my teeth and injured my hip. I don't mind the scars: they are a reminder. And despite everything, I still love cycling.
What advice can you give to women who cycle?
Many women don't ride bikes because they have pain due to the wrong saddle, so you have to try different saddles until you find the right one. I have solved the problem with Selle SMP Full Carbon saddles. Many cyclists ask me about my carbon saddle: I think it’s very comfortable.
The sun is strong in Thailand, so I recommend using a good sunscreen or a foundation that provides protection from sunlight.
Finally, some women are afraid that their legs will become too big if they keep cycling. I recommend around 90-110 pedal rotations per minute to get thinner and prettier legs.
We're intrigued, what does your name “auauau” mean on Instagram?
Actually, my nickname is “au” but I couldn't register it. The only alternative was a repetition. I know it doesn't have a precise meaning and it's just the repetition of my nickname, but it's unique, isn’t it? 😛
We like to interview athletes who use Selle SMP saddles, discover their passions and secrets and then share them with all of you. This time we are in Thailand, in Bangkok. Here, where temple spires compete with modern skyscrapers, is home to the athlete and model Narissara Inthavongsa. This is what she told us. Narissara, […]