Hey all. First time poster, been lurking for a while. Getting into the cross game. Ordered a bike yesterday. I have a saddle question though. I have no intention of using the stock saddle. On both my MTB and road bike Im running and SLR. It would be logical to run one of the cross bike as well. Im kinda worried about using it for cross with the remount. Both for my boys and saddle durabliity. I was thinking of an Aliante or Arione. Depending on how they feel.

Any thought from some experianced crosses out there. I appreciated any input. Thanks!

I'm thinking "ouch baby", but that's just me. Depending on the courses you race on, it could take a beating with remounting as well as the constant flex from the undulations. Since the SLR is flat, the Flite or Arione may be the best bets as they both have a flat profile. The Aliante is curved, so you may not like it as much. I race an Aliante on all my bikes and really like it. Just make sure you don't get any carbon rails; they will be trouble.

i used one for awhile. i was fine. i see others using them.

what worried me was more durability. one nasty remount and i feel like i could take that thing apart. hence i switched to a beefier slr gel flow style saddle. there is a bit of padding for remounts as well.

if you like the slr shape....doesnt mine you will like the arione shape. flite either. they are all somewhat different, and your rear may not appreciate the change.

i have em on both my cx bikes. no problems what so ever. i had an arione break in half where the little wing flex slits are.

I've busted an SLR during a cross race (Estacada for you Crusaders out there). It came apart where the rails go into the back half of the saddle. Luckily it just flopped around & I was able to sit on it for almost the entire lap before it completely fell off, seconds away from grabbing the back up bike.

I also have a team mate who kept bending the rails on his SLR. SI warrantied the first two but cut him off after that. He has very good form too & only weighs around 150-160. However, late race remounts & landing too far foreward or backward on the saddle arent a good thing.

I've had great luck with the WTB Shadow for the past two seasons on all my cross bikes.

DP

My $.02: Mr. Nys has (as well as others) have been known to run random saddles with the leather and padding stripped off, just a bare plastic shell remaining. I presume due to water loging in wet conditions. Sounds rough in the chamois to me but they are a lot tougher too!.

Also, all sadles can break in a cross season, why run something so expensive? All the models listed above are at or around $100. They are made for lightweigt properties and long distance comfort.

What do you need in a cross saddle?

My $.02: Mr. Nys has (as well as others) have been known to run random saddles with the leather and padding stripped off, just a bare plastic shell remaining. I presume due to water loging in wet conditions. Sounds rough in the chamois to me but they are a lot tougher too!.

Also, all sadles can break in a cross season, why run something so expensive? All the models listed above are at or around $100. They are made for lightweigt properties and long distance comfort.

What do you need in a cross saddle?


Hmmmmm...Intresting thoughts. I am a bit of a weight weenie, despite the fact I weight 160(hopfully less by cross time) which is some of the reason im resisting leaving my beloved SLR. But in this case im willing to forgo some weight savings for a saddle that I could ride all season.
Thanks again.