Thanks for the thorough examination of this saddle. I am still using the standard issue saddle on the Fuji Touring bike and if I need to change it out I now have a couple options thanks to your reviews.
Fellow FT rider! I've been commuting on my mine for the last few months and am about to finally do some touring on it. How are you getting on with yours? Did you change the saddle?
@@lemonjuice3551 Still using the same saddle. However, to be honest, haven't ridden it much in the last year. Total 3,000 miles now. The saddle hasn't given me any trouble but maximum distance that I ride in any day is about 40 miles. Did a four day mini-tour of 200 miles last year and no issues. Hope your tour is a wonderful experience.
I have been using these saddles on all my bikes for years now. They are by far the most comfortable saddles for me (35 year old 75kg guy, who does touring, light mtb-ing and food deliveries on bikes). But I have to agree with you, they should improve their durability, particularly talking about the cover material. The one saddle that I used the most (doing deliveries with it) cracked up all over, and after 3 years had to be thrown out. I kept squirting super glue under the peeled up parts for a while, but it got to the point that I was afraid it would start damaging my cycling tights where it had semi-sharp edges along the cracks. I still highly recommend them, but I wish Selle SMP would improve the durability/ production quality of these saddles. I am one of those people who likes to keep using their stuff for as many years as possible, and 3 years longevity is simply underwhelming in my opinion.
Hey there. I couldn't agree more with your comment. I've now put over 12,00 km on the saddle in the review and it's split right across between the right-hand side and the relief channel. I've taped it up and it's not affected the comfort but it looks a bloody mess. The saddle is super comfortable but you're absolutely right that they should be all over these quality issues. I'll keep on using them, I now also have a Gel Version, but as you say, 'underwhelming' to look at repaving them every few years or so! Take care and ride safe.
I have it, I love it! It’s the only saddle that I settled ☺️🙏 on, after trying many different styles, design, technology and what not, this one just hit the spot perfect! And yes, it will change the way you feel about your bike- IF you have an uncomfortable saddle. It’s pretty much hf the bike, as far as feel goes. Great review, thank you for making/posting the video !
That's great to hear it works as well for you as it does for me. I've now done over 12,000 km on it, including two long tours, and still super comfortable, though it has split. I just taped it up and it still feels good! Last week I bought a Selle SMP Well saddle. It's for my vintage Colnago and I bought it because it's about one of the only white saddles I could find! I'm going to get a thousand km on it and compare it to the TRK. Take care and ride safe. JP
So I also have this saddle on two of my bikes. I have the medium version. I have it on a trekking bike with 22,000 km on the saddle since 2016. I love this saddle. It is just so comfortable in all positions, whether upright or down lower on tribars. Luckily, I had none of the quality issues that you experienced and it has held up very well over that time. Now, after 22k km, the padding where one sits has started to crack and break down on both sides. It will be replaced. No complaints for a saddle costing about €50. The other saddle is on my winter training racer. I only have about 4000km on this since I put the saddle on in 2015. It is still perfect. I have experienced no need to break-in or assimilate to the contours of this saddle. It was, for me, comfortable right out of the box, once I tweaked the fore aft position a little. Like you suggest also, I ride it dead level, with any forward tilt. As it happens, I also bought an expedition bike for loaded touring in 2017. It came stock with a Brooks B17 saddle. I have broken it in, as I have 5000km on it now. It is comfortable, but honestly, not as comfortable as the SMP TRK. My partner has an e-bike and she really struggled to find a saddle that was comfortable at first. She now uses a SMP Martin. This was the fifth saddle she tried over an 18 month period and she will never use anything else now. Overall, I thing this range of saddles is fantastic. The design is ingenious. It just works.
That's awesome that both you and your partner have found comfortable saddles that work for you. I'm sure you'll agree that having a comfortable saddle can make or break a ride. A quick update concerning the TRK. I've just come back off a 2,500 km ride right down to the Malaysian border of Thailand. I used a new gel version of the TRK and I didn't get on well with it. This was a huge surprise as I thought it would be more comfortable. Since I've returned I've switched back to the standard TRK and all is good again I'm trying to order another but I'm finding it difficult to source one at the moment. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment on the video. Jay
Thanks for your interesting review. The SMP range of saddles is wide. To help one picking the right one, SMP's website offers a "saddle finder" which is worth checking. It's better knowing the width of one's sit bones, but one can do without. There are four ranges of saddles : pro, sport, trekking/city and e-bike. The expensive "pro" series have the best materials (leather, carbon, stainless steel...), have long rails and are light weight. "Sport" series are based on some of the "pro" saddles, but with synthetic cover. They're more affordable, but not cheap. "Trekking " saddles are more cheaply made, more plasticky, with shorter rails. They're not the cheapest one may find on the market, but they're still great value for money. I don't know about the e-bike range, since it's relatively new, but it looks like some variation of the trekking range. I've a Drakon model, from the "pro" range, and I think it's worth its price. Nearly 30,000 km using it, and still going strong. I bought it after having tried half a dozen different saddles. No more sore butt ! I'm so used to its comfort I can ride it without padded shorts, despite it's still a "hard" saddle. My wife uses a TRK model for one year, and she's stopped complaining about sore sit bones or chaffing. I've just ordered a TRK medium for my touring bike. I hope it'll not be too soft.
Thanks for all of that. My saddle has now done 15,000 km and I'm about to upload an update in the next month. Unfortunately, it is now split int three places though it is still comfortable. I will buy another because I think comfort is everything.
I've now ridden nearly 500km on this TRK medium model. The early rides were surprising, since this saddle is larger and softer than the Drakon I was used to. But after some adjustments (first rides I had the appropriate allen key in my pocket), I think it's fine for a touring bike. There's a "find your saddle" page on the SMP website, and this model was recommended for me on a touring and commuting bike. I still keep in mind it's a much cheaper model than the Drakon, more plasticky and likely not as hard wearing, but so far so good. Happy cycling !
A wide range for sure. It is so hard to find a saddle that is the perfect one. When you find the right one though it is bliss. The TRK works great for me when touring because I have wide sit bones. I use a Fizik Aliante R3 on my road bike.
Love Cube bikes :) If you are getting a mountain, gravel or trekking bike I would definitely recommend this saddle. However, if you have bought a road bike I would recommend the Selle Well M1. I have this on one of my road bikes and it is much better for faster riding when more of your weight is shifted forward. It is super comfortable like the SMP TRK and looks cool too. Good luck and ride safe. Jay
I've also bought a Gel version and I'm about to buy another non-gel version. I've now done about 12,000 km on the saddle in this review. Sadly, there is now a bid split on the left side about halfway up but I still love it because it's just so damn comfortable!!
I've been riding the gel version of this saddle for 2 years, about 2,300 miles. For the most part I'm happy with it, although I would prefer if the seat cover material were leather or something that behaves like leather when it comes to moisture--the vinyl is a bit like sitting on a plastic bag. The unusual shape of the saddle is its best feature in that the curve reminds you when you're sitting too far forward.
I completely agree. It definitely has a few faults but overall it is still very comfortable and I still haven't found anything more comfy though I am always looking! Take care. JP
I bought one (medium) just today also for touring because I had comfort problems with my previous one. I made the purchase only after discussion in the local bike shop, testing and impressions, I only finished my first test run and I got off the bike saying OMG that is incredible. The guy in the bike shop after a test run ordered one for himself too 😅😅😅 who cares the look or curvy nose when this is comfort overflow?
I'm so happy to hear that it's working well for you. I've just come off two tours over two months and rode 3,000 km with no issues with comfort. The only problem is that the saddle has split and I may need to replace it at some point though I've repaired it with tape and it's still comfy. Expect to have to replace it after around 15,000 to 20,000 km. Overall I still think it's a brilliant saddle :)
Thank you for your review. I want to change my old fizik (not very comfortable ...) and I was wondering if the SMP-TRK was valid ... Now, thanks to your nice video, I have the answer. Ordered it on Amazon for 53 Euros. Thanks so much 🙏
Wow! That was a great spot. I had to go back to see which Seiko I was wearing. As well as the Samurai in the video I also have a Samurai save the Ocean limited edition and an SKX 009. Did you order the gel or non gel TRK and what Seikos do you have???
@@Biking360 Thank you! I ordered the non gel version. I hear it's the best saddle in my budget range. Love the Seikos you have! I got a 6309-7290 and and a SRP789K1 got a few years ago. Looking to get a SPC133 soon.🤙
@@reinmutuc6689 Nice collection of Seikos 👍 I'm currently on tour with the Gel version of the TRK. I've done about 1,500 km with it and I'm surprised that I'm finding it less comfortable than the non gel version. The opposite of what I expected. The gel version does appear to be better made and you don't slide around on it as much so it does have some advantages. However, when I get home the non gel saddle will go back on my Surly and I'll put the gel version on my Trek FX 7.3 which rarely gets ridden more than 30 km at a time these days. I hope the Seller works out for you. Let me know how you get on. Jay
@@Biking360 Thank you! I've also branched out in collecting Citizens recently. I got my first, the Ecozilla. It's a proper beast. Wow! I was expecting the opposite feedback about the gel version. I've recently gone back to cycling after a couple of years off the sadle. I currently run the low end thick saddles on my Marin and my recent gravel conversion. I can't wait to the Selle! I got mine from Amazon. Gotta wait till April to get it. My bum will just have wait. Ahaha Thank you for the review of the Selle! Hope you have more adventures with the old saddle and new ones with the one on the Trek. Ride safe! Cheers!
I’ll have to get me one. The old B17 is still feeling kinda hard at times on my old rump. Does the Gel version seem to have better quality build? And, do you think it will be even more comfortable? I assume these come in varying widths but maybe not. Great review!
The saddle comes in 177mm and 160mm width. I think for us taller guys the Large is a better option. I've only had one ride with the Gel version so it's too early to tell how good it is. However, it does look like it's put together a little better. I'll have a better idea of the Gel TRK after I finish my tour of the South which I start in early Feb.
@@Biking360 thanks JP. I thought you just got back from the south!. Geesh. You are putting me to shame. Was riding my brother -in - laws bike trainer the other night. Pretty neat on Zwift. Guess I should get one to keep in shape.😵💫 but quite expensive.
@@hervedelnorte7928 You're right that I got back from the south earlier in the year. However, I'm going back down to explore the western coastline and possibly cycle into the troubled regions of the deep south where there is ongoing separatist conflict.
Nice review of your saddle. I think most beginners underestimate the importance of a proper fit of their saddle and that will definitely ruin their experience. I have a different model of the Sells and it also is coming loose underneath. Luckily it is on a bike I don't ride often. My favorites are the Charge Spoon (it fits my sitbones perfectly).. And my leather Selle Anatomica. I do better without a lot of cushion. Mine just needs to be used more. Lol
@@Biking360 I'm replying back with my phone this time. I got a new tablet for Christmas and it will not let me use the word Selle. It keeps changing it to Sells. I've got to figure out how to fix the predictive text. Anyway, Happy New Year JP. I hope it's a great one ✌
I think that is a very fair comment and on reflection, I should probably have given it a lower mark. However, I still have two (the one in the review I ditched shortly after its 15,000 km review as it got so bad) and I run them on both of my touring bikes. That is because despite all their faults they are just so bloody comfortable. Incidentally, my second and third TRK's are holding up much better. One of them is the gel version though. A bloody good saddle and to get more than 15,000km out of it for so little money I am not complaining. Take care and ride safe. JP
@@Biking360 Fair point. They do look very comfortable indeed. I don't tour but I do have saddle problems. I might try one of these, despite the poor build quality.
I have the gel version and I used it on a 2,000 km tour. It felt uncomfortable after rides of about 50 km. It is great around town but the non Gel version is more comfortable, for me, on longer rides. I have just done an update on the none gel version, 15,000 km if you are considering buying one. Unfortunately, it has fallen apart but I've ordered another one anyway as it does such a good job.
@@LJG999ab I've done 12,000 kms on it now and it's still comfortable though it now has a split in it. I've just bought a Selle Well for another bike and I got a Selle TRK Gel saddle for another one again. I like them!
Hey there. The gel saddle appears to be better made and finished. You also slide around less on it. However, surprisingly I found the non gel saddle more comfortable. I did a long tour, over 2,500 km, with the gel saddle and never felt great on it. That's a big contrast to the non gel that I always feel great on. Just finished over 3,000 km over two months on tour with non gel and it was perfect for comfort. Now done 15,000 km on non gel but unfortunately now split so will have to buy another. I now only use gel saddle on my town bike for 30 or 40km rides which it's perfect for but I'd never take it again on a tour. Hope that helps.
@@Biking360 absolutely! im from italy so i can actually ask the company to send a couple of saddles for a test ride for 3 weeks , thats a nice service they offer . Oh and selle means saddles so basically in english it should sound like smp saddles just like brooks saddles , their italian equivalent would be selle brooks 😆 anyway, i was in fact wondering about the two versions, i know gel saddles can be a little firmier and not so comfortable,at least for me for long rides 60+ miles even tho they are marketed towards comfort and i thought the non gel version , especially seeing how 'squishy' the material seemed, could ve ended in your butt sinking in it and cause abrasion and chafing but since you had no problems , quite the opposite in fact, i think i now know which one to try, this one and the e-trk a gel version marketed towards ebikes with an even weirder shape, maybe i'll post about it once i put some miles on it. Meanwhile you earned a +1 😛 oh, and congrats on the tours !😉
@@foccalabindella2 Hope it goes well. Saddles are notoriously tricky to get right. I can honestly say though I never experienced on chaffing with the non-gel TRK. Also, I forgot to mention that the cut-out channel works brilliantly at preventing any numbness in the soft tissue area. I've got a video coming out tomorrow for the final leg, in Scotland, of my recent Lands End to John O'Groats ride. I'm on my Surly ECR and you can see that I'm using the TRK. Thanks for the support and take care.
Hi, I am torn between this and a B17. I want a new saddle for bike touring. My current saddle (a Terry Fly Arteria) is good for bloodflow but with my upright seating position my sit bones really start to hurt after a while in the same position because the saddle is very hard. How has that been for you with the SMP? Is it soft enough so that even after long rides you don’t feel pain? Cheers!
I really like the SMP TRK. Since I made this video I completed the Land's End to John O'Groats ride and I'm currently riding the Pacific Coastal Highway in the US with no issues. I'd highly recommend this saddle. If you're not sure between the TRK and B17 I'd choose the TRK because it's much cheaper. Good luck which ever one you go for.
Thanks for the thorough examination of this saddle. I am still using the standard issue saddle on the Fuji Touring bike and if I need to change it out I now have a couple options thanks to your reviews.
Hopefully, the original saddle will keep on serving you for a while to come. Take care. JP
Fellow FT rider! I've been commuting on my mine for the last few months and am about to finally do some touring on it.
How are you getting on with yours? Did you change the saddle?
@@lemonjuice3551 Still using the same saddle. However, to be honest, haven't ridden it much in the last year. Total 3,000 miles now. The saddle hasn't given me any trouble but maximum distance that I ride in any day is about 40 miles. Did a four day mini-tour of 200 miles last year and no issues. Hope your tour is a wonderful experience.
I have been using these saddles on all my bikes for years now. They are by far the most comfortable saddles for me (35 year old 75kg guy, who does touring, light mtb-ing and food deliveries on bikes).
But I have to agree with you, they should improve their durability, particularly talking about the cover material. The one saddle that I used the most (doing deliveries with it) cracked up all over, and after 3 years had to be thrown out. I kept squirting super glue under the peeled up parts for a while, but it got to the point that I was afraid it would start damaging my cycling tights where it had semi-sharp edges along the cracks.
I still highly recommend them, but I wish Selle SMP would improve the durability/ production quality of these saddles. I am one of those people who likes to keep using their stuff for as many years as possible, and 3 years longevity is simply underwhelming in my opinion.
Hey there. I couldn't agree more with your comment. I've now put over 12,00 km on the saddle in the review and it's split right across between the right-hand side and the relief channel. I've taped it up and it's not affected the comfort but it looks a bloody mess.
The saddle is super comfortable but you're absolutely right that they should be all over these quality issues. I'll keep on using them, I now also have a Gel Version, but as you say, 'underwhelming' to look at repaving them every few years or so!
Take care and ride safe.
That's why I got the leather version
I have it, I love it! It’s the only saddle that I settled ☺️🙏 on, after trying many different styles, design, technology and what not, this one just hit the spot perfect! And yes, it will change the way you feel about your bike- IF you have an uncomfortable saddle. It’s pretty much hf the bike, as far as feel goes.
Great review, thank you for making/posting the video !
That's great to hear it works as well for you as it does for me. I've now done over 12,000 km on it, including two long tours, and still super comfortable, though it has split. I just taped it up and it still feels good! Last week I bought a Selle SMP Well saddle. It's for my vintage Colnago and I bought it because it's about one of the only white saddles I could find! I'm going to get a thousand km on it and compare it to the TRK. Take care and ride safe. JP
@@Biking360 Thank you JP, keep on riding, and posting great content!
Wishing you a good health and a prosperous 2022
Greetings from a Belgian bushcrafter
Happy New Year back at you :)
So I also have this saddle on two of my bikes. I have the medium version.
I have it on a trekking bike with 22,000 km on the saddle since 2016. I love this saddle. It is just so comfortable in all positions, whether upright or down lower on tribars. Luckily, I had none of the quality issues that you experienced and it has held up very well over that time. Now, after 22k km, the padding where one sits has started to crack and break down on both sides. It will be replaced. No complaints for a saddle costing about €50.
The other saddle is on my winter training racer. I only have about 4000km on this since I put the saddle on in 2015. It is still perfect.
I have experienced no need to break-in or assimilate to the contours of this saddle. It was, for me, comfortable right out of the box, once I tweaked the fore aft position a little. Like you suggest also, I ride it dead level, with any forward tilt.
As it happens, I also bought an expedition bike for loaded touring in 2017. It came stock with a Brooks B17 saddle. I have broken it in, as I have 5000km on it now. It is comfortable, but honestly, not as comfortable as the SMP TRK.
My partner has an e-bike and she really struggled to find a saddle that was comfortable at first. She now uses a SMP Martin. This was the fifth saddle she tried over an 18 month period and she will never use anything else now.
Overall, I thing this range of saddles is fantastic. The design is ingenious. It just works.
That's awesome that both you and your partner have found comfortable saddles that work for you. I'm sure you'll agree that having a comfortable saddle can make or break a ride.
A quick update concerning the TRK. I've just come back off a 2,500 km ride right down to the Malaysian border of Thailand. I used a new gel version of the TRK and I didn't get on well with it. This was a huge surprise as I thought it would be more comfortable. Since I've returned I've switched back to the standard TRK and all is good again I'm trying to order another but I'm finding it difficult to source one at the moment.
Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment on the video.
Jay
Thanks for your interesting review. The SMP range of saddles is wide. To help one picking the right one, SMP's website offers a "saddle finder" which is worth checking. It's better knowing the width of one's sit bones, but one can do without.
There are four ranges of saddles : pro, sport, trekking/city and e-bike. The expensive "pro" series have the best materials (leather, carbon, stainless steel...), have long rails and are light weight. "Sport" series are based on some of the "pro" saddles, but with synthetic cover. They're more affordable, but not cheap. "Trekking " saddles are more cheaply made, more plasticky, with shorter rails. They're not the cheapest one may find on the market, but they're still great value for money. I don't know about the e-bike range, since it's relatively new, but it looks like some variation of the trekking range.
I've a Drakon model, from the "pro" range, and I think it's worth its price. Nearly 30,000 km using it, and still going strong. I bought it after having tried half a dozen different saddles. No more sore butt ! I'm so used to its comfort I can ride it without padded shorts, despite it's still a "hard" saddle.
My wife uses a TRK model for one year, and she's stopped complaining about sore sit bones or chaffing.
I've just ordered a TRK medium for my touring bike. I hope it'll not be too soft.
Thanks for all of that. My saddle has now done 15,000 km and I'm about to upload an update in the next month. Unfortunately, it is now split int three places though it is still comfortable. I will buy another because I think comfort is everything.
I've now ridden nearly 500km on this TRK medium model. The early rides were surprising, since this saddle is larger and softer than the Drakon I was used to. But after some adjustments (first rides I had the appropriate allen key in my pocket), I think it's fine for a touring bike. There's a "find your saddle" page on the SMP website, and this model was recommended for me on a touring and commuting bike.
I still keep in mind it's a much cheaper model than the Drakon, more plasticky and likely not as hard wearing, but so far so good.
Happy cycling !
A wide range for sure. It is so hard to find a saddle that is the perfect one. When you find the right one though it is bliss. The TRK works great for me when touring because I have wide sit bones. I use a Fizik Aliante R3 on my road bike.
Very nice saddle. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for watching :)
Thanks.yesterday i bought a new cube bike and the saddle is rock hard.Venec model.so looking at buying this one or similar
Love Cube bikes :) If you are getting a mountain, gravel or trekking bike I would definitely recommend this saddle. However, if you have bought a road bike I would recommend the Selle Well M1. I have this on one of my road bikes and it is much better for faster riding when more of your weight is shifted forward. It is super comfortable like the SMP TRK and looks cool too. Good luck and ride safe. Jay
@Biking360 thanks mate 👍
great reviev! thx im probably being it to replace my stiff hard saddle from 2019 giant race bike.
I'd check out my 15,000 km review as well. I still recommend it but it will almost certainly need to be replaced at that point. I did!!
Love love this saddle! Bought 4 so i must do! Look at black Sugru moulds into shape and dries like rubber.
I've also bought a Gel version and I'm about to buy another non-gel version. I've now done about 12,000 km on the saddle in this review. Sadly, there is now a bid split on the left side about halfway up but I still love it because it's just so damn comfortable!!
@@Biking360SO darn comfortable !!!
Very interesting subject jp, i need a new saddle, I'll check these out. Thanks for the video
No problem :)
I really enjoyed this my friend, so very nice & relaxing 👍👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks. JP
Quality review, quality saddle considering the cost, many thanks.
Thank you and you're very welcome :)
I've been riding the gel version of this saddle for 2 years, about 2,300 miles. For the most part I'm happy with it, although I would prefer if the seat cover material were leather or something that behaves like leather when it comes to moisture--the vinyl is a bit like sitting on a plastic bag. The unusual shape of the saddle is its best feature in that the curve reminds you when you're sitting too far forward.
I completely agree. It definitely has a few faults but overall it is still very comfortable and I still haven't found anything more comfy though I am always looking! Take care. JP
I bought one (medium) just today also for touring because I had comfort problems with my previous one. I made the purchase only after discussion in the local bike shop, testing and impressions, I only finished my first test run and I got off the bike saying OMG that is incredible. The guy in the bike shop after a test run ordered one for himself too 😅😅😅 who cares the look or curvy nose when this is comfort overflow?
I'm so happy to hear that it's working well for you. I've just come off two tours over two months and rode 3,000 km with no issues with comfort. The only problem is that the saddle has split and I may need to replace it at some point though I've repaired it with tape and it's still comfy. Expect to have to replace it after around 15,000 to 20,000 km. Overall I still think it's a brilliant saddle :)
Like Crocs - Claimed to be super comfortable, but more suitable for married people or those in long term relationships.
Funny thing is, those of us that actually ride our bikes could care less what a saddle looks like because we never see it.
Thank you for your review. I want to change my old fizik (not very comfortable ...) and I was wondering if the SMP-TRK was valid ... Now, thanks to your nice video, I have the answer. Ordered it on Amazon for 53 Euros. Thanks so much 🙏
That's great to hear and I don't think you'll be disappointed. I'd love to hear how you get on. Ride safe. JP
Great saddle, I've got 2, one one on each bike and I've done away with padded shorts 😅
@@robinstjohnsmith6365 Awesome 👍
Thanks for the great info JP. Happy New Year!
Great review! Just ordered mine for my HT. I always trust a review made by Seiko owner (if my eyes aren't failing me yet). Cheers!
Wow! That was a great spot. I had to go back to see which Seiko I was wearing. As well as the Samurai in the video I also have a Samurai save the Ocean limited edition and an SKX 009. Did you order the gel or non gel TRK and what Seikos do you have???
@@Biking360 Thank you! I ordered the non gel version. I hear it's the best saddle in my budget range. Love the Seikos you have! I got a 6309-7290 and and a SRP789K1 got a few years ago. Looking to get a SPC133 soon.🤙
@@reinmutuc6689 Nice collection of Seikos 👍 I'm currently on tour with the Gel version of the TRK. I've done about 1,500 km with it and I'm surprised that I'm finding it less comfortable than the non gel version. The opposite of what I expected. The gel version does appear to be better made and you don't slide around on it as much so it does have some advantages. However, when I get home the non gel saddle will go back on my Surly and I'll put the gel version on my Trek FX 7.3 which rarely gets ridden more than 30 km at a time these days. I hope the Seller works out for you. Let me know how you get on. Jay
@@Biking360 Thank you! I've also branched out in collecting Citizens recently. I got my first, the Ecozilla. It's a proper beast.
Wow! I was expecting the opposite feedback about the gel version. I've recently gone back to cycling after a couple of years off the sadle. I currently run the low end thick saddles on my Marin and my recent gravel conversion. I can't wait to the Selle! I got mine from Amazon. Gotta wait till April to get it. My bum will just have wait. Ahaha
Thank you for the review of the Selle! Hope you have more adventures with the old saddle and new ones with the one on the Trek. Ride safe! Cheers!
I’ll have to get me one. The old B17 is still feeling kinda hard at times on my old rump. Does the Gel version seem to have better quality build? And, do you think it will be even more comfortable? I assume these come in varying widths but maybe not. Great review!
The saddle comes in 177mm and 160mm width. I think for us taller guys the Large is a better option. I've only had one ride with the Gel version so it's too early to tell how good it is. However, it does look like it's put together a little better. I'll have a better idea of the Gel TRK after I finish my tour of the South which I start in early Feb.
@@Biking360 thanks JP. I thought you just got back from the south!. Geesh. You are putting me to shame. Was riding my brother -in - laws bike trainer the other night. Pretty neat on Zwift. Guess I should get one to keep in shape.😵💫 but quite expensive.
@@hervedelnorte7928 You're right that I got back from the south earlier in the year. However, I'm going back down to explore the western coastline and possibly cycle into the troubled regions of the deep south where there is ongoing separatist conflict.
Nice review of your saddle. I think most beginners underestimate the importance of a proper fit of their saddle and that will definitely ruin their experience. I have a different model of the Sells and it also is coming loose underneath. Luckily it is on a bike I don't ride often. My favorites are the Charge Spoon (it fits my sitbones perfectly).. And my leather Selle Anatomica. I do better without a lot of cushion. Mine just needs to be used more. Lol
So true. Saddles can make or break a ride or tour. Hope you get our more in 2022. Hapy New Year. JP
@@Biking360 I'm replying back with my phone this time. I got a new tablet for Christmas and it will not let me use the word Selle. It keeps changing it to Sells. I've got to figure out how to fix the predictive text. Anyway, Happy New Year JP. I hope it's a great one ✌
@@BluecollarBackcountry Didn't even see until you pointed it out!!
Thanks for sharing bro.
Thnks fella :)
7/10 for build quality and it's coming apart after only nine months? That's very generous mate. It'd get a two from me.
I think that is a very fair comment and on reflection, I should probably have given it a lower mark. However, I still have two (the one in the review I ditched shortly after its 15,000 km review as it got so bad) and I run them on both of my touring bikes. That is because despite all their faults they are just so bloody comfortable. Incidentally, my second and third TRK's are holding up much better. One of them is the gel version though. A bloody good saddle and to get more than 15,000km out of it for so little money I am not complaining. Take care and ride safe. JP
@@Biking360 Fair point. They do look very comfortable indeed. I don't tour but I do have saddle problems. I might try one of these, despite the poor build quality.
If I can get 2500 miles out of a $70 saddle that is very comfortable I’d consider it a win.
thank you very much!
You're welcome 👍
Hi friend ..thanks for sharing ,nice saddle
I wonder, have you tried the GEL version to compare? Is it much better, or worse (too soft or something?)
I have the gel version and I used it on a 2,000 km tour. It felt uncomfortable after rides of about 50 km. It is great around town but the non Gel version is more comfortable, for me, on longer rides. I have just done an update on the none gel version, 15,000 km if you are considering buying one. Unfortunately, it has fallen apart but I've ordered another one anyway as it does such a good job.
Are you using the large or medium size version of the Selle SMP trk?
I'm using the large.
@@Biking360 Thank you. That is the version I recently purchased and will be testing out.
@@LJG999ab I've done 12,000 kms on it now and it's still comfortable though it now has a split in it. I've just bought a Selle Well for another bike and I got a Selle TRK Gel saddle for another one again. I like them!
Hi ! Could you tell us the differences you experienced between this model and the one with gel in terms of comfort and durability? thanks!
Hey there. The gel saddle appears to be better made and finished. You also slide around less on it. However, surprisingly I found the non gel saddle more comfortable. I did a long tour, over 2,500 km, with the gel saddle and never felt great on it. That's a big contrast to the non gel that I always feel great on. Just finished over 3,000 km over two months on tour with non gel and it was perfect for comfort. Now done 15,000 km on non gel but unfortunately now split so will have to buy another. I now only use gel saddle on my town bike for 30 or 40km rides which it's perfect for but I'd never take it again on a tour. Hope that helps.
@@Biking360 absolutely! im from italy so i can actually ask the company to send a couple of saddles for a test ride for 3 weeks , thats a nice service they offer . Oh and selle means saddles so basically in english it should sound like smp saddles just like brooks saddles , their italian equivalent would be selle brooks 😆 anyway, i was in fact wondering about the two versions, i know gel saddles can be a little firmier and not so comfortable,at least for me for long rides 60+ miles even tho they are marketed towards comfort and i thought the non gel version , especially seeing how 'squishy' the material seemed, could ve ended in your butt sinking in it and cause abrasion and chafing but since you had no problems , quite the opposite in fact, i think i now know which one to try, this one and the e-trk a gel version marketed towards ebikes with an even weirder shape, maybe i'll post about it once i put some miles on it. Meanwhile you earned a +1 😛 oh, and congrats on the tours !😉
@@foccalabindella2 Hope it goes well. Saddles are notoriously tricky to get right. I can honestly say though I never experienced on chaffing with the non-gel TRK. Also, I forgot to mention that the cut-out channel works brilliantly at preventing any numbness in the soft tissue area. I've got a video coming out tomorrow for the final leg, in Scotland, of my recent Lands End to John O'Groats ride. I'm on my Surly ECR and you can see that I'm using the TRK. Thanks for the support and take care.
@@Biking360 thanks man, i will watch it, take care as well and happy rides!
Where did you order the gel one from for Thailand delivery?
I got it from Lordgun in the UK.
Gel 60 quid from Amazon, on its way here now, once it arrives I'm headed out your neck of the woods
@@learnfrenchable That's great. Let me know how you get on and when you head on over. Take care. JP
Hi, I am torn between this and a B17. I want a new saddle for bike touring. My current saddle (a Terry Fly Arteria) is good for bloodflow but with my upright seating position my sit bones really start to hurt after a while in the same position because the saddle is very hard. How has that been for you with the SMP? Is it soft enough so that even after long rides you don’t feel pain? Cheers!
I really like the SMP TRK. Since I made this video I completed the Land's End to John O'Groats ride and I'm currently riding the Pacific Coastal Highway in the US with no issues. I'd highly recommend this saddle. If you're not sure between the TRK and B17 I'd choose the TRK because it's much cheaper. Good luck which ever one you go for.
@@Biking360 thanks :) i think i will go with the smp!
@@jonieder50 Solid choice 👌
Is this the large?
Yes, it is.