As an American I can confirm your reenactment of the folks at Specialized is 100% spot on! 😂

I was a big fan of the SMP saddles. I probably went through 3 of them. The reason I stopped being a customer is their horrible after-sales service. My last SMP saddle, a leather one, started peeling after just 3 months. SMP not only refuse to swap the saddle, they refuse to even communicate with me. As they say, you can only cheat someone once.

I’m on the SMP train. I even tried to go back to a Selle Italia after the first SMP, and ended up going back to SMP. I still don’t understand why the SMP is so much better, but it’s immediately apparent right from the first ride.

Cam, your alter ego clips just crack me up. I want an interview with him, but the little clips are also more his "style", what a legend he is!

Had a similar experience to you Cam. Suffering from really bad low back ache on the bike because of glute weakness and an unstable pelvis, I put on an SMP Nymber that I’ve had lying around after receiving your email about them about a week ago. Immediately I noticed several improvements. I’d forgotten just how much support the saddle offers, surpassing any traditional saddle that I’ve tried (and I’ve tried 40+ 😳), and my back and core were able to relax much more, and I was able to rotate my pelvis further forwards. This, and the support from the saddle itself massively increased posterior chain engagement, particularly in the glutes, and resulted in no back pain at all at the end of a 4 hour ride. As much as I hate to admit it, I’m going to have to stick with SMP and put up with the looks, the need to use an inline seat post, the added weight, and the cost, but the benefits outweigh all of these I’m afraid.

Lol. The bird sound effect on the saddle closeup was perfect.

old mate is by far the funniest thing in youtube cycling, also do those fugly things at least come with carbon rails?

Thanks for the information on this video. I have the SMP Dynamic. It’s very comfortable on long rides. It took several months to find the correct tilt. I began with the nose down, as recommended at about 2 degrees. I finally found perfection when it was set at 1/2 degree nose down. I rode it so long I wore through the leather cover! Great saddle but be patient with the set up. I’m 5’9” tall and weigh 140 pounds. Thanks again.

I had one of these saddles in my basement. I bought it a while back, but then didn't like it. I built myself a new bike just recently, and needed a saddle for a short test ride. I put the old Selle SMP saddle on it, and I am loving it! It really kills the look of the bike, but I care more about the comfort than the looks.

Was good to see you at the little coffee stop in Adelaide when the TDU was there and I can't believe you were rocking those white bibs!!! Keep up the great work with Neil and the channel.

The Specialized Toupé was my first rightfully fitting saddle on my road bike ever since I started riding the bike in 2014 (came with an excessively narrow Prologo Kappa). I only got to make the switch in 2019 since this is my first year of work where I finally have money of my own, so that's 5 years of bottom pain. Over the years on the Toupé, my crotch started to have some discomfort due to compression coming from the saddle's nose, so I switched to the Power as I have ridden a loaner bike with that saddle before, which actually felt comfortable for my riding style as I occasionally like to go low, which meant my pelvis rolls forward whenever I do so. Since I don't think I move around on my saddle too much, I think short-nose saddles are for me.

Absolutely love the SMP. I'm using a Composit, which is completely padless, and yes they take a while to get it right especially the angle which can be quite finicky. But once you're dialed in you wouldn't want to go back to anything else. I run 160mm cranks too.

Online YT tips can lead to interesting results. Since about Christmas I ride a narrow SMP Well gel, and I can now go through an hour-hour and a halfon the trainer without any adverse pains. Believe me, this is a first. Now I long for spring and the snow to melt so that I can try it out on the road! And oh, gone from 172.5 to 170mm cranks. Cheers from Sweden.

Big Selle SMP fan here. After years of riding on the Drakon (MTB) and Dynamic (Road bike) I have a new favorite coming my way. Used Selle SMP’s test program to test their F30CSi and F20CSi. I’ve also have a F30 that I don’t get along with, but the F30CSi is a completely different beast. After testing and comparing the F30CSi and F20CSi several times and going back to my old and trusty Dynamic it was clear after about 20-30km’s. The F30CSi is my new favorite. No padding at all but the most comfortable I’ve ever been on any saddle.

3:35 I had no idea that Cam was actually American. His Australian impression is that good!

The thing nobody says about SMPs is that the setback on those very long saddle rails also affects the ultimate saddle height. If you set the saddle so that it's perfectly level, the rails actually point upward as they run to the front, so as you scoot the saddle forward on the seatpost clamp, you're gaining a few millimeters of saddle height. That has to be taken into account for it to fit you well.

I got the SMP a few years ago because it was on sale to try and until I had the angle and fore aft right it wasn’t comfortable. But now it’s dialed in and yes now it’s the best seat I’ve ever had (and I have tried at least 10 all different shapes). It does “plant” me but I can move a bit back and forward. I like how I feel like sensitive parts have no discomfort and I can even ride it without bike shorts with a chamois. I also changed my cranks to 160 and that was the best move I’ve ever made in decades of cycling, wish I did it ages ago, amazed at the difference.

Love my SMPs. I have a Hell from 2015 from their entry-level Tourisme line (it's now called the Well), and a Drakon from 2019. The Hell's weakness is its top cover; it cracked on me a year into ownership. I dabbled with Specialized Power saddles but came back to the Drakon, which fit fine but rode stiffer because it's basically got more "sidewall". I had the Hell refurbished by a local shoe restorer, gaining the leather cover it should have had from day one, and I'm still riding it to this day.

I’ve been riding on SMP saddles for almost 20years and I absolutely love them. Also I actually really love the way they look!

I tried different saddles for over 3.5 years. Finally decided to look into SMP. Got demo saddles from the US distributor. I wound up with the SMP Composit. Yeah, no padding lol. As a DC it all makes perfect sense. If you have a well designed saddle that is fitted to your body correctly you have padding in your shorts so I didn't have a need for additional padding in the seat. They can be tricky to get dialed in though because they are so sensitive to minute changes as far as set up. I experimented over 100 miles and found the sweet spot regarding fore/aft and the nose drop angle for me which was 9 degrees. Saddle bliss. The demo program is brilliant as well as are the saddles. It can be overwhelming with the sheer number of variations they have but again, it makes sense. Bodies vary so having different models is important. That's why the demo program is such a great way to go about it. As far as looks, when you ride your bike nobody see's your seat lol. Ugly to me is not enjoying riding because my butt is uncomfortable. Problem gone with my SMP. Besides you and Neill, Steve Hogg and Colby Pearce are huge fans of SMP.

Love hearing your journey and always love seeing Neil!

When I first got back into riding in 04, SMP was the first saddle I tried that didn't hurt. That was after trying out well over 10 saddles. While the saddles may be expensive (and there are at this point plenty of other expensive saddles), if SMP ends your saddle quest that could be quite a savings. I also discovered that while my sitz bones measure somewhat wide, I am more comfortable on saddles that measure 148mm+. I need my saddle to have a certain amount of curve in that area as well. Currently riding a VT30C. Regarding shorter cranks after seeing John Cobb's early video on that, I was sold. Been riding 165 Rotors for around 15 years.

Great video also transferred to this saddle about a year ago after trying far to many other saddles. Best upgrade I have made to bike!

Love the bits of comedy thrown. Literally made me laugh out loud 😂. Love all the fitting info. Keep up the good work.

I am really pleased with my SMP TRK saddle which you briefly showed in one of your cut away shots. Yes, its not a racing bike saddle but has a similar seat line and shape, but its more suited to leisure, touring, trekking and maybe mountain biking, at a push, for a heavy rider. Its great though for comfort and no more numbness. I have both the Gel and non-Gel versions spread over all my bikes and there is not much between them, the Gel version just being a little firmer and also slightly heavier.

I really love the look of the beak and this fluid wave transition look, especially if you have a bike with a curved top tube it can sort of fit in making everything look more wavy if that makes sense. That said Im on a VT30c which is a more padded flat looking short nose SMP, cheaper version of the F30c.

After watching your videos with Neal about saddles I decided to change my Diamondback 1260sc Spin bike saddle to see what the Selle SMP would feel like riding indoors. After riding over 300 kilometers in 6 days on my Spin bike I noticed nothing, No soreness, No numbness, No pain from the usual indoor training workouts. I will definitely be putting a Selle SMP saddle on my Elves Eglath pro disc road bike now. Thanks for the great information

Pause video. The Raptor sound when the SMP is held up, priceless!😂😂

Can totally relate with the Selle range, had a Selle SMP Drakon for years, fitted by Neil when he was based in Melbourne and I put 20k+ km in a couple years on one and not a single issue, it made me a strong cyclist, did a ride around the bay 300km and many cadel evans great ocean rides....highly recommended, be warned, carbon rails will set you back a bit, but these imo are the best saddles for most people and they don't even know it yet....

In the past year, I’ve bought and sold 12-14 saddles. I’ve settled on 2 saddles: Selle SMP Well S and SQ Labs 612/evo. To be quite candid, once you get down to performance level saddles that lack padding (if any at all), I think the rider has to be consistently riding for 5-6 hrs a week to make a good judgement as to which of these saddles really work for their anatomy.

Great video as usual - love your work. You should start the Cam's Eagles Club!

Great video ! I have a question. I rode the Vulkor with no padding and loved it but hard knocks in the road would be quite harsh without ant padding. I tried the Nymber for awhile but it didn’t seem to be the same great feeling of the Vulkor. Did I not give it time for the foam to take shape ? The Vulcor has a definate depression where the sitbones go and on the Nymber that is not so obvious, wondering if I just didn’t give it enough time ? Thanks, I watch all your fitting videos and also think Neil is great. Wish he was in my area of the US :)

Thanks for this video, I have never found a truly comfortable saddle. Will try one out.

I've been on a saddle hunt for so long giving the more expensive ones a shot but they all failed in the old mate area with numbness. I thought of Selle SMP as a last resort before I finally give up. Fast forward a season and I read that Selle has a free test program and I contact them immediately. A week later I have two saddles from them, the Nymber and the VT30C. So I went out on a long test ride with 4 saddles. The Selle saddles, the Fizik argo 3D and a Specializer Power saddle. I made sure to go 1h before I started swapping since I know that is when the soft tissue issues start to become apparent and there needs to be a level of fatigue for a fair test. I ended up buying the Nymber. It is just in a league of it's own. I felt like my ass and lower regions were relaxing in a hammock compared to sitting in a pretty comfortable chair. I love it. I even appreciate the looks of it now since I see it in a different light. This is the saddle that let's me perform and enjoy my ride on another level. Regarding that you need to find the correct angle for it... Yes, the window is definitely narrow, but once you get close to that window you really feel it so it is pretty easy to dial in. I would even say it is easier than other "normal" saddles since the feedback is so clear when you're closing in on the perfect angle for you. Make sure you give it an adjustment session where you bring tools.

Great stuff Cam, Mrs Cam stole the show as ever with her ‘observations’ 😮

Love my Selle SMP TRK Medium saddle...yes they have to be set just so which takes a little time to get right.

outstanding Cam, loved the Spesh HQ. Take that GC Performace and your abysmal aussie voice :-)

I’ve been using this saddle for four years. I agree the most comfortable saddle and friendly is on the junk that I have ever ridden. Good call brother.

This dickhead is leveling up his edit game 😂 But dude for real I immediately clicked once I saw Neill in your thumbnail. Always a pleasure to learn from you guys!

Thats very interesting, healing hip impingement by saddle choice, nice work and good recommendation for Your fitter.

I noticed that when I use Selle SMP Blaster, my "feels right" stem length increased by 1 to 1.5 cm. I believe it's due to straightened back angle from more pelvic rotation enabled by SMP increase my effective torso length. On most other seats, I sit more upright on my sit bone, then bend forward on my lower back. Selle SMP enable me to sit tilt forward from the seat then keep straighter back. CONS of SMP: 1) it is relatively heavy and is relatively rigid. There are lighter saddle with built in damping/ comfort out there which is more suitable for off-road use. 2) Even though the saddle rail looks long, I tend to clamp it near the back end of the rail to push seat as far forward as possible. The saddle nose end up right on top of the bottom bracket. This compound to bad look comment.

On my end I went backwards after visiting dr Borut Fonda. For many years and trusted well regarded bikefitters Smp was ideal in one position, pretty sensitive for angle and resetting after disassembly of the bike. It locked into one position and after changing hand location it created high pressure point and did not distribute pressure. So went back to a t shape saddle and a berk lipa short, which is more comfy on my oltre xr4 W/o hip impindgment 170-> 165 does feel more comfy and efficient.

Been riding on a SMP Drakon since 2016 and THE best saddle I've used on my road bike. However, bought one for my tri bike and the outcome wasn't as great. Perhaps issue with the range of adjustment in the seat post head, but just couldn't get comfortable and reverted to the Fizik Arione Tri2 that'd seen me through 2 IM and many halfs. Still think it's the best saddle type out there, as you say, very good on the tackle and that's always got to make one happy 😊.

One problem with the SMPs is that you completely lose the ability to move forward and back on the saddle, which can help relieve soreness and pressure on longer rides, and also gives you more leeway for climbing steep grades or getting in an aero tuck - both benefiting from shooting all the way forward. So you better like the position, because It's the only one you have. Pros usually have choice on saddles ... But almost none use SMPs - I believe this is why.

Nice, totally agree. I went through many, many saddles due to knee pain after 50km and ended up with a relatively budget SMP Hybrid. works fine for me for nearly 10 years now including rides up to 190km! Definitely recommend.

Glad you acknowledged how damn ugly that saddle is. I'm hunting for a new saddle for the track bike and will give these a look over.

SO much important information in this one video First off yes Neill is a F ing Genius secondly NO one but RCA are doing this important work and sharing it and lastly you Cam are setting your self up as a Guiney Pig tester for the rest of us again NO one else is doing this A big thanks to Wifey many many Woman will be grateful for her input THANK you all at RCA.

I like the look of the Smp. I’ve been running the Selle Smp on my mountain bike for almost 10 years. Even got a couple of my friends to try and they like it also. Got into road biking a little over a year ago and tried the Smp on it but did not like it probably because it was to padded . Maybe I will try a road bike version . Just got a knock off version of specialized mirror and so far I’m liking that but have only rode on my trainer because of cold weather.

I have wide sit bones and SMP had a saddle for me! I went from being sore after less than 20 miles to not needing a chamois at all its actually quite amazing. you eventually get used to look 😅

After literally swapping out dozens of both cheap and expensive saddles, I began using the SMP saddles on my bikes a few years ago based on a doctor's recommendation I came across on another UKposts channel. At 76 I am no pro rider, but this saddle allows me to ride without ever a thought about my bum and thus I can concentrate on staying ahead of those 60 year old youngsters.

My favourite saddle I have had, was a Selle Italia Flite . really enjoyed the saddle could ride all day with it. Unfortunately when I sold the bike the saddle went with it. The new Trek bike, came with a saddle which I absolutely felt uncomfortable with. Swapped to another Bontrager saddle, better padded but not centre channel. Eventually after 6 years that lack of centre channel meant pain in a certain part of the body. I now have swapped to a newer Bontrager Aeolus saddle great centre channel ( no pain there now), but it is not quite perfect. I would have loved another Selle Italia but the model which would have suited me was too expensive for me at the moment.

Absolutely LOVE my SMP dynamic. Doesn’t matter how far I ride, never any issues. It’s my go to saddle.

I'm sold on the SMP TRK Large bought 3 of them, love them !!

Love my Selle SMP full carbon lite! And it also looks great on my Wittson Illuminati Ti bike 🙂

I have been running a SMP saddle with only a leather cover, no padding for years. Once you get it setup properly, it's truly, for me at least the most comfortable saddle I have used. Don't have on on my MTN bike as yet, but probably will soon. Look at it this way, when you are on the bike, nobody sees the saddle anyway.... 🙂

I hate the look love the feel and seeing that I cycle for enjoyment I'm sticking to my binchicken saddle, love my SMP's thanks Cam and Neil. The videos have some good tips on setup so watch them. A 2mm extra drop changed my whole experience.

I love my SMP saddles but have to run a different brand on my BMC Roadmachine because specifically with an SMP fitted the seat post / saddle clamp creaks when climbing and I can’t stop it 🤦 It’s actually the bike creaking not the saddle as they are fine on other bikes! With a Flite boost installed it’s silent. So it’s a compromise for me, but really wish BMC would fit a standard round seat post with a simple clamp.

The best saddle in the world is the one that fits your sit bones in the position you ride in on a specific bike. For me, and the 3 bikes I ride, it's the Fabric Scoop Elite Radius saddle. I don't ride drop bars, but I have 2 Adventure bikes and a touring Tandem, and that saddle is super-comfy, for me. I don't even think about it when I'm riding, which is how you know you've got the right saddle.

I'm looking to transition out of my 20+ year old Selle Aspide Aerohead saddle, which looks like a flatter and thinner version of the SMP, and is neither super comfortable nor super uncomfortable. I have a just as old Selle Italia Flite saddle that I bought at the same time but never used, that at the time was one of the most popular saddles, but you've got me intrigued with the SMP. My main issue with the Aspide is, well, numbness, you know the drill. Doesn't hurt, per se, but it just doesn't feel right or natural. The Flite is a nice-looking saddle, what a saddle's supposed to look like, at least on a bike with classic lines and parts as mine does. But of course how it feels is what matters.

I genuinely think the SMPs look fantastic, they look like a beautiful chiseled and crafted item. Never understood the hate for their aesthetics.

Another great video. Can you offer any insight on how to choose the right model? I live in India where bike fit isn’t an option. Would need to order the sale on line and get a friend to bring it out.

This is informatively hilarious!

I love my SMP saddle, so much I have 3, one for my road, gravel and the trainer. And I don’t even mind the look!😉

Got three of them on my bikes. Dirent paddings but different bikes. I also suffer from the hip...and when I've changed to SMP it was an eureka moment....even if bloody ugly they're a game changer in comfort

Love the look, no really! Might have to try one of these 👍

In all seriousness what’s the second best saddle because I think several riders would chose to be slightly less comfortable but with a enormously better looking saddle. Maybe a comfort to sexy ratio ranking would help?

Thank you for your entertaining review. I am very happy with my dynamic by my side even if I find to much curvature at the back which is pretty uncomfortable in alpine descents. The nymber would probably be a better choice for the descents :)

That falcon / bird sound when you showed that god ugly seat, cracked me up 😂😂 I’ll just deal with discomfort.

Can confirm. I got a high quality bike fit and was recommended a Selle SMP Dynamic. I haven't had any pain since I started using it. The only down side, as mentioned, is that it looks like I have a peregrine falcon attached to my seat post.

SMP is my favorite saddle, I have like 6 of them (mostly bought used from eBay at a fraction of the price new). Getting the angle correct is key. I like a -2.5 degree angle and can feel a drastic difference in comfort at say -5 degrees.

Points well presented and has me questioning my saddle. Please note this episode made me laugh 😂😂

Thank goodness when i settled on the position i have been using for the last 50 years I didn’t know it was so complicated. And that included 4 years doing 18,000 miles per annum racing and training and a cumulative total of several years on 3 week bike tours covering up to 150 miles a day. Which saddle? The same Eddy Merckx used, a Unicanitor.

I use the SMP Blaster on my road and gravel bikes. Most comfortable saddle I've used. Would like another for my dedicated indoor training bike but too expensive for 1hr indoor sessions so I use a Specialised Romin on that bike.

I’ve still got my first SMP from 2005, minimal padding under my 90kg and did ~120,000k before it sits on my stationary bike or taken O/S to put on hire bikes. The no padding versions on carbon - magical. I did have one with carbon rails, and the rails broke at the junction with the metal holder after 70,000k. And a wag once said the acronym stands for Save My Penis. It does that very well.

Now March 2024. One month ago, I bought the Selle SMP Number saddle. Because I live in Wisconsin USA, in early March I don’t do, or plan on doing, any road riding. It’s usually just too cold and/or windy. So the bike stays on the trainer downstairs. So, after one month of two 45 minute sessions per day, I gotta give this saddle six thumbs up; it is that good! Period! No soreness! None! Can spin through my 45 minute session at 100 rpm, sweating my ass off, and get off the bike with no physical sensations other than leg fatigue! And yes, I’m still using 165 cranks(which I’m loving, by the way!).

Been on smp evolution for years...literally since released. Will never give up that saddle. I swapped it to my new bianchi oltre pro.

I have had the SMP saddle for years. I don't find it all that ugly personally. I actually went away from it a couple of years ago. I got a new bike, and stuck on it because it was laying around. After a ride or two, I was trying to remember why I went away from it in the first place.

Cam I reckon if you learned to drop your heels right down you would have WAY more saddle comfort. Higher saddle = more pressure. Try it and see how you go. I used to run a higher seat height and always have saddle issues compared to now with lower seat height and way more comfort. I loved the toupe. Bontrager Anja is better. SLR superflow is amazing.

It is complicated. I guess with all the info out there, you listen and try it out for your self. But, the art of it all is to listen and learn. So, again, it is great content. We need it for sure.

I’m a believer. I finally have comfort. My past saddles, and there were a lot of them left me hurting and complete numbness of my entire package. You can’t go wrong with SMP

This is by far THE BEST SADDLE, EVER! I bought my first SMP Dynamic back in 2012 and have not looked back since. Lots of money for these, i've purchased 4 so far, but my PeePee and gooch don't hurt anymore.

Great video, story well told.

I rented a bike once with a saddle like that one time. I have to say it was quite comfortable. I had forgotten about it until I saw this video.

what do you think about the new Fizik Tempo Aliante? I think it has a very similar shape compared to the Selle SMP.

SMP saddles look fine on bikes because it turns out there is nothing that looks cool on a bike. We look like dorks no matter what. Nice video.

It doesn’t matter what it looks like when you are off the bike it’s how you feel when you’re on your

Every saddle you buy is a step towards an SMP.

Sliding forward on the seat under load is called, "On the rivet'. It is supposed to happen. My best saddle is a Brooks B15 Swallow.

I've been using the SMP for the ladt 3 years. I keep trying others, even the slr boost endurance, but nothing compares to the comfort of the smp.

Thanks. That’s certainly worth looking at. Saddle comfort for me is OK outside, but sessions on the Wahoo, can be a bit numbing! Have you ever tried a 3D printed saddle in comparison?

I use the same but unpadded. I recently purchased the F20C si. Another win and half as ugly. Would love to hear Neils take on the model

I have this and it changed my cycling life.

I keep seeing this saddle, and I keep wanting one

Do the sides drop off faster? Does anyone compare by “Side flare angle”? That should let the innner thighs move up and down freely when you’re in the drops, and rear of pelvis pushing back against that horizontal rise in the back of the saddle. Seems like too many saddles drop off slowly in order to hold up big butts; that only helps when you’re sitting up

As someone whos tried literally over 50 saddles (bit of a running joke amoung my cycling club how many saddles I've tried) one thing I have learnt....... Forget sit bone width. Tried numerous saddles based on sit bone width, flexibility etc etc. Only way to find a saddle that's perfect is try it. Tried an smp well and smp drain and couldn't get in with them which out me off smp saddles altogether. Few years later tried an SMP plus. First saddle I've tried where I couod ride for hours with no pain. This saddle shouod be far too wife for me and too padded on paper but it's not. It suits me perfectly. Long story short. Try before you buy and save yourself hundreds. Also ignore all the saddle manufacturers charts based on flexibility and sit bone width etc

Adjustable seat shocks help increase the comfort of any bike seat. I am an old guy on a comfort bike, but I have noticed the seat shock will improve the comfort of any bike. Also, I've got three sisters, and they no longer complain about a sore as all the way home.

Laughed my ass off at this. I'll never look at another SMP without hearing an eagle scream again. 😂

The VT20C is probably the least hideous saddle Selle SMP makes but still odd looking and of course quite expensive with the carbon rails. Might be worth a try at some point though. I recently bought a BMC SLR01 Five also and switched from 172.5mm to 170mm cranks, if nothing else it keeps my knees away from my gut while in the drops making it easier to breathe and to me it feels like my legs are in a better position to produce power for the downward pedal stroke (no overextending on the upward motion).

Love my SMP but had to go back to my ISM because I couldn’t get my position to feel good while in the aero bars. Worked beautifully out of them.

I ride a Shimano Stealth that has a little bit of rise at the front and back. I can't slide forward going up hills or on the flats because the rise in the nose adds a lot of pressure. It would seem the SMP would even be worse if you want to slide forward on a steep hill, etc.