Bike saddle Black Friday: road, gravel discounts

Which bike saddle to buy on sale?

A saddle is judged over several rides: during sales, the safest option is to buy a known model, either in a lighter version or corrected size, or a saddle of the same shape from the same brand. The gap between the crossed-out price and the discounted price is only comparable when the size, cut and rails are identical, three criteria that the product sheet specifies. For a first try, start with the type of cycling: slim and firm on the road, wider and durable for gravel, rounded for mountain biking, no nose for triathlon, wide and padded for city riding.

Understanding a saddle's name: size, cut, rails

• Size: at Selle Italia, the letter S stands for a narrow saddle and the letter L for a wide saddle, to be chosen based on the distance between your sit bones; WTB refers to Narrow, Medium, and Wide.
• Cut: at Selle Italia, the number 1 indicates a saddle with no central hole, while 3 indicates a wide opening called Superflow; Selle San Marco labels its open saddles as Open-Fit, Prologo calls its central channel PAS.
• Rails: steel, manganese, titanium or carbon, they change the weight and flexibility, not the shape. The mention TI 316 at Selle Italia refers to titanium rails; at Prologo, Tirox refers to a titanium alloy and Nack to carbon.

Before confirming: saddle post and adjustments

Carbon rails, often oval, can only be tightened in a saddle post clamp designed for them: check yours before choosing a carbon version. Before removing the old saddle, measure the saddle height compared to the bottom bracket and the distance from the nose to the handlebars: you'll find your position in a few minutes. A short saddle, like the Boost versions of Selle Italia or Short of Selle San Marco, is generally placed a bit further back than a classic saddle.

Saddles by type of cycling and other useful pages

The page for bike saddles details widths, shapes, and adjustments throughout the year. During the sale, each type of cycling has its selection: road saddles, MTB saddles, BMX saddles, and city saddles in Black Friday. A saddle with carbon rails should be thought about with its saddle post in Black Friday. The clearance brings together end-of-line products and new arrivals of the latest references.

Which saddle brands are available during Black Friday?

Selle Italia categorizes its saddles by the idmatch code, with a letter for width and a number for cut, from SLR Boost to Novus Boost Evo and Flite Boost Gravel.

Selle San Marco offers the Aspide, Shortfit, and Ground in various finishes: the Dynamic version features manganese rails, while the Racing version has Xsilite rails.

WTB, an American brand born with MTB, offers the Silverado, SL8, and Koda in various widths and with chromoly steel, titanium, or carbon rails.

Pro, the component branch of Shimano, has created a whole range around the Stealth, a short saddle: Curved, Offroad, 3D.

Prologo, an Italian brand, reserves its CPC covering, made of small polymer cones that improve grip and stability on the seat, for certain versions of the Scratch M5.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do Black Friday discounts on saddles take place?

Black Friday aligns with Thanksgiving and falls on the following Friday; at Vélo-Store, the discounts on saddles last throughout November. This time frame mainly serves to replace a worn saddle with the same model or to upgrade to a lighter version of a saddle that suits you; for a new shape, plan several rides for adaptation before making a judgement.

S or L: which saddle size to choose?

It depends on the distance between your sit bones, the two bones you sit on, and your position: the more you lean forward, the narrower a saddle you need. Brands publish their measurement methods, which should be followed for the targeted brand.

Is a titanium or carbon rail version more comfortable?

Not necessarily. The shape, shell, and foam remain the same as the model; the rails only lighten the saddle and reduce vibrations slightly. If a saddle suits you with steel rails, its lighter version will also work for you, provided it is compatible with the post.

Is a road saddle suitable for gravel?

Often, and several brands offer their road saddles for gravel, such as the Novus Boost Evo Gravel or Flite Boost Gravel from Selle Italia. On long rides over rough terrain, a slightly wider seat and durable covering is appreciated.

Do you need a different saddle on an electric bike?

Not necessarily: the saddle is chosen based on position and use, just like on a regular bike. In an upright position, on an electric city or touring bike, a wider and more padded seat is generally more suitable.