Selle SMP saddles are amazing. Our design is different: the tip is curved downwards, the central part has a very wide channel, the support surface has a special ergonomic shape and the rear part is slightly raised. All these features are important for comfort and should be considered when adjusting the Selle SMP saddle.
Selle SMP saddles: adjustment is fundamental and necessary for everyone
All saddles require minimum adjustment. But ours have something extra.
With Selle SMP saddles you don't have to adapt to the saddle! The saddle adapts to you. That's why it is even more important to adjust our saddles.
In short, you can’t just mount the saddle, jump onto the bike and go straight to the woods or on roads hoping that everything is ok. An incorrectly adjusted Selle SMP saddle cannot be comfortable, even if you have chosen the right model. It's like having the right pair of shoes but with the laces too tight: you're not comfortable!
At this stage of adjustment, your comfort is at stake. Because at this stage the saddle adapts to your body.
To find the right adjustment and tilt of the Selle SMP saddle you have two options:
• adjust and try the saddle on the road, even several times, until it feels yours and comfortable;
• go to a biomechanic
Positioning the Selle SMP saddle is easy
First of all, we start with assembling the saddle: we have already talked about this in this article. Once the saddle has been correctly mounted, we can move on to the adjustment stage. At this stage, you can refer to this guide which deals precisely with adjustment and tilt of the SMP saddle.
How do you know if Selle SMP saddles are adjusted correctly?
That’s easy: when you feel good on the saddle. Comfort cannot be explained in words: it is a combination of personal feelings. In addition, adjustment depends on many factors: the height of the Selle SMP saddle, the tilt, the position on the seatpost...
But we want to help you find the right adjustment, so we can give you some tips that can be good for all of you.
The Selle SMP saddle is well-adjusted when you feel comfortable in the saddle. It's like when you wear a tailor-made garment: it fits perfectly. This is how you should feel when you ride on one of our saddles: it must be designed on your body. There are no fixed rules, each of us is different, as we have our own physical build and pedalling style. The saddle must be adjusted to properly fit your natural shape and position.
The tilt of Selle SMP saddles and the retraction are the crucial part: as you can see in this video (and in the guide we have recommended above) the tilt ranges from +10 to -25 mm and the retraction of the Selle SMP saddle (compared to the handlebar) can be up to -15 mm.
After levelling the saddle, we generally recommend tilting it down about 10 mm and starting to pedal. Fine adjustment always takes place on the road, so never forget to take the key with you and, if necessary, change the tilt and retraction according to how comfortable you feel.
Here are some typical situations that will allow you to understand that you need to adjust the saddle again.
• Tendency to slide: If you tend to slide forward, you may have exaggerated the tilt of the saddle and ended up lowering the tip too much. Try raising the saddle tip a few degrees at a time; stop as soon as the tendency to slide stops.
• Underseat pressure: If you feel pressure on the perineal parts, the saddle tip is too high for your needs. Try lowering the saddle tip a few degrees at a time; stop as soon as the tendency to slide stops.
• Tendency to move forward on the saddle: if you pedal on flat terrain, you notice that you tend to move forward on the saddle. It means that the saddle is too far back. Try pushing the saddle forward a couple of millimetres at a time, without changing the tilt of the saddle. Stop as soon as you no longer have this sensation.
• You can feel the saddle pushing forward: this is a less common situation, however, it may occur when the saddle is too far forward. Try pushing the saddle forward a couple of millimetres at a time, without changing the tilt of the saddle. Stop as soon as you no longer have this sensation.
• Ischial bone pain: soreness in the ischial bones may be normal after several hours on the saddle, but it is not normal if it appears after a few kilometres or even as soon as you get on the saddle. After following the above advice, if you continue to feel soreness in the support area you are probably trying a Selle SMP saddle model that is not suitable for you. Don't worry: you can contact an SMP4TEST specialist dealer or contact our customer service department.
Once your SMP saddle is well-adjusted, you will feel comfort that you have never felt before, truly unique. Adjustment is the way to comfort and comfort is the key to reaching every finish line, in races and when training.
Selle SMP saddles are amazing. Our design is different: the tip is curved downwards, the central part has a very wide channel, the support surface has a special ergonomic shape and the rear part is slightly raised. All these features are important for comfort and should be considered when adjusting the Selle SMP saddle. Selle […]
Imagine the most beautiful alpine scenery: snow-covered peaks, lakes as blue as the sky and miles and miles of cycle paths immersed in nature. Every day, in this amazing place, we can see the smile of Kristin Atzeni, a cyclist and, above all, someone who loves cycling, sport and life. On her Selle SMP Carbon saddle she offers us the most beautiful views of Switzerland. Here is the interview with her.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I live in Switzerland, on beautiful Lake Zurich and I run my own bike store in Siebnen, with my husband. In short, I deal with bikes every day.
How did you become a cyclist?
It was thanks to my husband Giuseppe Atzeni. I met him in 2009 at the velodrome in Forst (Germany). His enthusiasm for cycling immediately attracted me. I have always been sporty, but I felt that his enthusiasm was something different.
When did you start cycling and why?
I started cycling intensively in 2010. For me cycling is a way of life. Cycling is about family and being alone, exercise and rest, therapy and training. When I received a very upsetting diagnosis from my doctor a few years ago, cycling acquired a new meaning for me. It became a struggle for life. Pure mileage became insignificant, whereas time for me and my body became everything. I no longer cycled for my legs, but only for my mind. I realised that cycling is not an escape from everyday life but a return to oneself, and that women can reach much more than any alpine peak.
What do you like about your bike?
The technology, the aerodynamics, the braking performance and of course the comfort when on the saddle.
Which are your favourite routes?
Here in Switzerland I have many favourite routes, such as the Klausen Pass, the Gotthard Pass and the full tour of Zurich, where I can pedal fast. I like spending my training periods in Italy (South Tyrol and Sardinia) and recently also in the French Alps.
What is absolutely essential on a bike ride?
The fun and pleasure of the ride itself.
Let’s talk about how you customise your bike. How important is it for a cyclist?
It’s the most important thing. Without the right adjustment of the bike, you can also have a bike worth 10,000 francs, but it will be useless.
What advice can you give to women who cycle?
Continue cycling: it’s fun, it makes you feel the joy of life and keeps you healthy.
How can you combine femininity and sport?
I love cycling and yes, I like to invent and create my own style. For me it's also a little part of riding a bike, if you want to feel good cycling. I don't have to pedal with a turtleneck jersey when it’s 30 degrees in the shade just to fit the stereotype of cyclists. I just have to be happy with myself. For me, cycling is also this. The tolerance of letting everyone do this sport and the tolerance of letting everyone be as they want to be.
Cycling and football are traditionally male sports, where women are sometimes the subject of stereotypes. What has changed in recent years?
Many more women now go cycling and, as a result, the way women are perceived when cycling has also changed. There is a growing trend in women getting into this sport, and I support this positive trend with my women's clothing for cycling, which I design and sell. The fact that about 40% of our customers are women confirms this trend.
Imagine the most beautiful alpine scenery: snow-covered peaks, lakes as blue as the sky and miles and miles of cycle paths immersed in nature. Every day, in this amazing place, we can see the smile of Kristin Atzeni, a cyclist and, above all, someone who loves cycling, sport and life. On her Selle SMP Carbon […]
We had a chat with the Braidot twins on the eve of the year of the Olympic Games in order to understand how Daniele and Luca train in winter and how they feel looking ahead to Tokyo 2020.
From January to February, the twins will be attending a training camp with the national team and then they will take part in stage races in preparation for the Olympic Games. For the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Luca's participation is guaranteed, along with that of Gerard Kershbaumer, whereas Daniele and Nadir Colledani will battle it out for third place.
The next race will be in Greece in February. Why did you choose stage races?
Daniele: Because you can earn many points and the aim is to remain among the countries that can line up 3 athletes. Unfortunately, we can't take part in cyclocross races and I'm disappointed about that because I enjoy them.
Luca: After all, the winter period is really important because it is now that we lay the foundations for the competitive season.
And how are you two training now?
Daniele: After a total break from cycling of about twenty days, we are now going out for short rides, 3 hours at the most but never at threshold pace. We alternately use MTBs, racing bikes and cyclocross bikes. But we are doing most of our training in the gym.
Luca: We’ll carry on like this until December, then we’ll begin cycling long distances on roads in a place with a mild climate, most likely in Sicily.
What type of diet do you have in this period?
Luca: We eat more protein and fewer carbohydrates.
Daniele: And dried fruit and nuts are a must!
How do you train at the gym?
Daniele: we go to the gym 3 times a week. We do about an hour of weight training and then finish with core stability exercises.
2020 will be the year of the Olympic Games, what do you want to say about that?
Luca: It's the most important Olympic year of my career. I'm already perfecting everything right now and I'm highly motivated.
Daniele: It will be a hard battle to gain third place for the Olympic Games. I will have to show that I can do it right from the very first races.
Can you give us some tips on cycling in winter?
Luca: On winter rides, you never know what clothes to wear. I suggest wearing layers, as everyone knows by now, but make sure you are a bit cold at the beginning. You start to get warm within ten minutes. It is much worse if you sweat, especially for any exposed parts.
Daniele: A mudguard is also very useful. When it rains, water on your back causes much discomfort. We both use a FAN-GO.
We had a chat with the Braidot twins on the eve of the year of the Olympic Games in order to understand how Daniele and Luca train in winter and how they feel looking ahead to Tokyo 2020.From January to February, the twins will be attending a training camp with the national team and then […]
Do you remember Gosse van der Meer? Last month, we had a chat with him, which you can read in this article. He told us about his bike trips, his races and how he tackles everything. In the second part of his interview he tells us about how he prepares for an MTB or cyclocross race.
Gosse, let's talk about MTB or cyclocross: how do you prepare for a race?
Besides all specific training focussed on competition, I usually try to be at the race venue at least one day before. So, I usually leave home two days before the event. I check if everything is packed and ready to be put into my suitcase and then set off! On the day I arrive at my destination, I prefer not to ride my bike but relax instead: I usually go and take a look around and have a coffee.
And so, we get to the day before the race…
Exactly! I usually cycle for an hour and that includes a 15 minutes spin on the road. It’s also very important to test out the route of the race. If I have already raced there in the past, I only need to do 2 or 3 laps to check it out. If, instead, it is a new race for me and I have never ridden the course, then this practice ride will take longer. I do a very slow lap and memorise every corner and all roots and rocks. Then I look for possible places to overtake: in short, I check everything very carefully. If necessary, I do another 3-4 laps. Then I do a fast lap: you know that when you go slow, everything goes well! During the fast lap, I test the technical sections and try to understand how fast I can push myself on each corner. At the end, I do another 15-minute spin on the road or roller.
Fantastic! We can't wait to know how you get ready on the day of the race.
Elite races generally start in the afternoon, so I have time in the morning to get ready. If the race starts at 3pm, I have breakfast about 8am. Then I go for a ride on the road (45 minutes/1 hour) and only sprint about 5-10 times during this ride for maximum15 seconds to wake up my legs. Depending on races from other categories, I do another test ride on the course to see if the conditions have changed. Finally, I warm up for 30 minutes on a roller, doing several short sprints before the race. It is important to be warmed up but not tired!
You mentioned breakfast… but what do you eat before a cyclocross or MTB race?
The evening before the race I like to eat a lot! My mechanic and I usually try to find an Italian restaurant. Then I order a pasta dish with Bolognese sauce and a pizza. I always eat all the pasta and half the pizza. I take the other half away with me and keep it for after the race. When I suffer during a race, I think about that other half of pizza!
The following day besides breakfast, I don't each much more: usually a sandwich about 12pm and a banana an hour before the race starts. Oh yes, and 10 minutes before the start, I eat an energy gel. I also continue to drink enough throughout the days.
You have told us that you always try to be positive and happy. But what exactly do you think about when you are at the starting line of a race?
“I like riding my bike because I like going fast and I want to be the best!” This is my mindset also before taking part in a race. In short, I want to win! If I know that I have done everything I possibly can, that I have given my all and done my very best, I will not be disappointed if I don't win the race.
One last question: what saddle do you use and how does it feel?
I use a Blaster on all my bikes (road, CX and MTB). It's perfect for me and that's why I use it on all my bikes (8 in total). It's very important to always have the same feeling when you sit on the saddle. Since I have the same saddle for all of them, I don't need to get used to a bike every time and I'm sure that I won't feel any discomfort or soreness during or after the ride.
Thank you Gosse!
Do you remember Gosse van der Meer? Last month, we had a chat with him, which you can read in this article. He told us about his bike trips, his races and how he tackles everything. In the second part of his interview he tells us about how he prepares for an MTB or cyclocross […]
Many of you ask us why Selle SMP saddles are so comfortable.
Because they are designed to fit your body.
But how can they be designed to fit the body of every cyclist?
That's simple: because they are designed with extra special care.
In this article, we will explain exactly what this care involves. All Selle SMP saddles are designed with the fundamental contribution of cyclists. You, to be exact.
Before the launch of any saddle, unseen, yet constant and fundamental work is involved.
Creating the prototype: the saddle takes shape.
The prototype is the ready-to-test saddle, created according to our patented ergonomic design. To achieve this design, we have carried out various experiments and we have talked about it in this article on prostate saddles that work.
In short, the prototype is a saddle designed in much detail to adapt to the human body in order to eliminate any discomfort and pain for cyclists. And this is where you bike enthusiasts come into play.
The field test: get ready to pedal!
Once the prototype has been finalised, we ask professional cyclists, teams and amateurs to test it, even over many kilometres. The prototype then starts to do its work: it is mounted on bikes and tested on roads, paths and circuits. Naturally, we also do in-house tests on it: we are not always in the production unit or in our offices. As soon as we can, we take our bikes and test them again and again. Until we are satisfied.
This is the most important stage in creating our saddles. The tests carried out by cyclists provide us with empirical data, sensations, opinions, suggestions, advice and even criticism. The goal is always the same but it is not trivial at all: to create a comfortable saddle. That's why we are willing to receive any kind of feedback.
This has been the case for every one of our saddles: from the very first Pro to the latest F20 and Vt30C. Cyclists have tested them and given us excellent suggestions for improving the prototype even further. And so, we get to the final stage.
Finishing: meticulous attention to every detail
This is the stage when we collect valuable contributions from you cyclists and use them to develop the new saddle. We are talking about refinements. For example, if necessary, we change the dimensions using millimetre precision. Or we change a material that has not lived up to our expectations. Everything must be perfect so that the saddles are really comfortable.
At the end of this essential work, we no longer talk about a prototype but a product ready to be launched.
So, the saddle is ready: ready to pass any test, to stand up to any situation and, above all, support you cyclists without letting you feel any tingling or discomfort. So comfortable that you won't notice you have it!
Many of you ask us why Selle SMP saddles are so comfortable.Because they are designed to fit your body.But how can they be designed to fit the body of every cyclist?That’s simple: because they are designed with extra special care. In this article, we will explain exactly what this care involves. All Selle SMP saddles […]
The last few months have been important: not only for the addition of 5 new saddles (F20, F20C, VT30C, Well S and Well S Gel) but also for the reviews and tests published by two prestigious bike magazines: PianetaMountainBike.it and Bicidastrada.it
Pianeta MTB tested our F30 saddle: you can read the article or watch the video below.
The same magazine also talked about one of our latest saddles: the VT30C Here's the article.
Bicidastrada.it also reviewed this saddle in one of its latest articles and published a video about the VT30C. Here is the link:
The last few months have been important: not only for the addition of 5 new saddles (F20, F20C, VT30C, Well S and Well S Gel) but also for the reviews and tests published by two prestigious bike magazines: PianetaMountainBike.it and Bicidastrada.it Pianeta MTB tested our F30 saddle: you can read the article or watch the […]
With that upward moustache, Gosse van der Meer looks like a cyclist from bygone days, those who rode bikes with a front wheel much larger than the rear one. But Gosse is a 21st century cyclist who approaches all cyclocross races with a smile and the right attitude!
We interviewed him on his return from races in China, while still sitting on his Selle SMP Blaster saddle: this is what he told us.
How is this season going?
For the second year, I am no longer part of a team and I feel very different. I feel fitter because I have focused on training, according to my times and my methods, without necessarily being already exhausted before the most important races, which has happened in the past. I have invested in myself and feel able to do more.
Tell us about your trip to the United States.
The trip to America was simply fantastic! Taking part in races in the US is very different in terms of everything that happens before and after a race. Interesting amateur races and important music festivals are held. I also met many amazing people and cycled along some of the most beautiful MTB routes I have ever covered!
What about telling us something about the races in China?
Taking part in races in China is very different! Travelling times are very long. I had to do a three-day trip between one race and another. And who likes sitting in a bus for such a long time?
No one, that's for sure! And what do you think about at these times?
I try to rest as much as possible, but the most important thing is to stay happy: to keep having fun and not get annoyed. This is my great strength: to always be happy and positive!
And we can see that: you are always smiling in your photos! You never seem to be tired or disappointed. With this philosophy of yours, what would you recommend to youngsters who want to do cyclocross?
My advice is: have fun! It doesn't matter if you fall (when training, you don't get hurt if you know how to fall). Ride your cyclocross bike as much as you can and challenge yourself. Start with very small routes and try to spend as much time as possible on them. In this way, you will become skilled on your bike. You will learn to tackle bends well and get to know your bike.
To be honest, I don't remember how many times I fall every season: when training, I just try to push myself beyond my limits and get to know them in order to try and overcome them!
Continued…
With that upward moustache, Gosse van der Meer looks like a cyclist from bygone days, those who rode bikes with a front wheel much larger than the rear one. But Gosse is a 21st century cyclist who approaches all cyclocross races with a smile and the right attitude! We interviewed him on his return from […]
Gravel bikes are faithful companions for those who, as soon as the see the asphalt, turn into the first white road they see. They are also the faithful companions for those who see countless opportunities for fun and another epic bike ride along that white road. We have mentioned gravel bikes often in this article, but now we want to go beyond. We want to know the best type of saddle for a gravel bike.
So this saddle must be:
- comfortable;
- padded;
- easily adjustable.
Let's take a closer look at the features.
If you have a gravel bike, you spend more time on the saddle so, first and foremost, it must be comfortable. The saddle must adapt to your body (and not the opposite) and you mustn't experience any pain or discomfort, not even during the last kilometre of your ride.
The saddle must be padded to ensure extra comfort. You can choose the amount of padding depending on how you feel when on the saddle and on the type of terrain you are going to tackle. The important thing is that you feel good: only in this way will your legs turn well.
Saddles for gravel bikes must be easily adjustable. A saddle is easily adjustable when the tube frame is long because it makes finding the right position easier.
Which Selle SMP saddle is best suited to gravel bikes?
All our saddles are comfortable and easily adjustable, and many are padded, so we could say that almost all of them can be used on these bikes. But we can recommend some saddles more than others and one of these is the VT30C.
The patented ergonomic design of this saddle is designed to eliminate any pain, discomfort and numbness, even for you who cover kilometres on white roads. The design is new (like that of the F range) and allows you to freely move on the saddle: it is ideal for those who have a gravel bike. Furthermore, its compact design also makes rotating the pelvis easier.
With its matt black Velvet Touch coating and Matt Look frame, the VT30C is a cool saddle, but believe this: it can't wait to get dirty. You know that white roads mean mud and dust. The VT30C is made of materials selected for their resistance. They are safe and ready for anything.
And now that you know how the saddle for your gravel bike should be, mount it on your bike and set off: to conquer unexplored white roads!
Gravel bikes are faithful companions for those who, as soon as the see the asphalt, turn into the first white road they see. They are also the faithful companions for those who see countless opportunities for fun and another epic bike ride along that white road. We have mentioned gravel bikes often in this article, […]
At Eurobike 2019, the Well S model by Selle SMP is joining the Well model to complement our offer of saddles designed for those who are new to the cycling world and aim to increase the number of rides and the number of kilometres covered. In short, with this saddle things get serious!
How to choose our Well saddles.
The new Well S saddle differs from the Well model in its measurements. To understand which of the two saddles can best adapt to your body, we recommend that you measure the distance between your ischial bones. It's easy and you can do it at home or at a store by following this video tutorial:
• Choose the Well S saddle if the distance between your ischial bones ranges from 9 to 11.4 cm.
• Choose the Well saddle if your measurement exceeds 11.5 cm.
These two saddles are ideal for men and women. They can also be mounted on racing bikes and MTBs.
Even more comfortable
The Well and Well S saddles have been designed to ensure maximum comfort. The design of Selle SMP saddles (patented since 2004) guarantees the right blood flow and therefore reduced compression. The outcome is that any pain, discomfort and numbness is eliminated. In short, these saddles are really comfortable.
But there's more! Just like the Well saddle, the Well S is also available in a Gel version. The Gel provides a feeling of superior comfort thanks to its main feature: it adapts to your position on the saddle. When you move, the Gel adjusts to the points where you need increased comfort.
Always safe
The materials used for the carbon-fibre reinforced Nylon 12 shell and the AISI 304 stainless steel frame have been carefully selected to ensure safety on all routes, ride after ride. Moreover, the Well S is also made in Italy by craftsmen at Selle SMP.
At Eurobike 2019, the Well S model by Selle SMP is joining the Well model to complement our offer of saddles designed for those who are new to the cycling world and aim to increase the number of rides and the number of kilometres covered. In short, with this saddle things get serious! How to […]
The VT30C is one of the four new Selle SMP saddles presented at Eurobike 2019. This saddle needs to be seen and touched. Its strong point is its new matt black Velvet Touch coating. This light and silky material is surprisingly different. Velvet Touch is a detail of the cool style of the VT30C model along with its Matt Look frame, also available in a dark colour. In short, this is a trendy saddle, one that does not allow you to go unnoticed.
Every detail of this saddle has been given meticulous attention, adding character to your bike.
The VT30C is not just about aesthetic appeal. It has the same design as the F range, a new patented design that combines the backward/forward movement on the saddle with the ergonomic shape that has always set us apart. You are free to move on the saddle with the same comfort as any of our other saddles. Comfort is ensured by the ergonomic design of the Selle SMP saddle, designed to prevent any pain, discomfort and numbness. This is achieved thanks to a meticulously designed shape that improves blood flow in the perineal and genital area.
Moreover, the VT30C saddle allows more intuitive adjustment thanks to its new design.
Every detail of this saddle has been carefully chosen: from its special SSPU padding to the carbon-fibre reinforced Nylon 12 shell and its AISI 304 stainless steel frame. Each detail has been chosen to ensure maximum safety and comfort.
Who does the VT30C suit?
This new saddle is ideal for men and women. It is also perfect for all types of use: racing bikes, MTBs, gravel bikes, cyclocross bikes and e-bikes. Furthermore, its compact shape also makes it ideal for triathlons.
The VT30C is one of the four new Selle SMP saddles presented at Eurobike 2019. This saddle needs to be seen and touched. Its strong point is its new matt black Velvet Touch coating. This light and silky material is surprisingly different. Velvet Touch is a detail of the cool style of the VT30C model […]