Road bike saddle Black Friday: good deals

Compare road saddles in millimetres

Size labels and names differ from one brand to another; the width, it, can be compared directly. Here are some references gathered from manufacturers for selected models:

• Pro Stealth: 142 or 152 mm wide.
• Fizik Vento Argo: 140 or 150 mm, for 265 mm in length.
• Selle San Marco Aspide Short: 139 mm in Narrow, 155 mm in Wide, for 250 mm in length.
• Prologo Nago R4: 137 or 147 mm for 245 mm in length; the Scratch M5 is 140 mm, 147 mm in the Space version.

Take the width of the saddle that suits you today, plus or minus a few millimetres, rather than the displayed size.

Short or classic saddle: should you change shape during the transition?

The road selection includes many short saddles, around 245 to 265 mm, designed to move forward on the seat in a low position without pressure on the nose. Switching from a classic saddle to a short saddle requires adjustment: with a shorter nose, the distance between the nose and the handlebars no longer serves as a reference, and it’s the seating area that needs to be placed in the same spot. For time trials and triathlons, the ISM PN and PS, without a nose, support the elongated position on the extensions.

Two discounted versions of the same saddle: what to compare?

A crossed-out price on a saddle is compared at equal shape: versions differ by the rails, sometimes by the shell. The Pro Stealth comes in Sport with chromoly rails, Performance with stainless steel rails, and Team with carbon rails; the Fizik Vento Argo R5 has round 7 x 7 mm alloy rails, while the R1 has oval carbon rails. At Prologo, Tirox and Nack show the same difference. Oval rails only fit in a clamp that accepts their section: check your post before opting for the carbon version, even if it’s better discounted.

Road saddle brands from the Black Friday

Selle Italia, a saddle maker born near Milan in the late 19th century, offers the Flite Boost, SLR Boost, Novus Boost Evo, and X-Bow, several versions of which have Superflow with large cutouts.

Selle San Marco, originating from Rossano Veneto in Veneto, keeps the Concor, one of its historical models, alongside the Aspide Short, Shortfit, and Mantra in its catalogue.

Pro, a component brand by Shimano, designs the Stealth with a short and wide nose that helps maintain an aerodynamic position, and the Sirin for women.

Prologo adds to the Scratch M5 and Dimension the Nago R4, a compact T-shaped saddle, offered in two widths.

Fizik lists the Vento Argo in its racing line: a short cut saddle whose lowered nose supports the front of the pelvis when tilted, available in R1 and R5 versions.

Where to find the post and other saddles?

Outside the event, road bike saddles detail shapes, padding, and adjustments. During the event, road seat posts on sale go hand in hand with a saddle featuring carbon rails, and the general saddle selection covers gravel, MTB, and city. The clearance brings together end-of-range items, while new arrivals showcase recent models.

Frequently asked questions

Does the date of Black Friday change?

Yes: it follows Thanksgiving, an American holiday set on a Thursday, so this Friday shifts from year to year. The discounts from Vélo-Store on road saddles last throughout November, and the models concerned are grouped here.

Can you buy a road saddle without trying it?

Yes, if you already know its shape and width. For a first purchase from a brand, stick close to the width and length of your current saddle: transitioning from a classic saddle to a short saddle with a wide nose takes several weeks on the road to judge.

How do you measure the width of a saddle?

At the widest point at the back, from one edge to the other. This is the value provided by manufacturers, 142 or 152 mm for Pro for example, and it’s what you compare from brand to brand.

Does a triathlon saddle suit the road?

It is designed for the stretched position on the extensions, where you sit on the front of the saddle. On a road bike, with hands on the hoods or at the bottom of the handlebars, a short road saddle is more suitable.

Why do two versions of the same saddle not weigh the same?

Because the rails and sometimes the shell change. At a width of 142 mm, the Pro Stealth weighs about 161 g in the Team version, with carbon rails, and 204 g in the Performance version, with stainless steel rails, for the same shape.