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I find the V1 of the Bel Air the most comfortable saddle I’ve ever used - I have struggled to find a nice saddle for years. I did get a V2 and find it ok but not quite as good.
Has anyone got a V3 and can offer and advice on how it is different to the other models? They aren’t cheap and so it would be an expensive mistake if it doesn’t suit me.
Thanks.
I've had all three and they are all slightly different...
In terms of comfort, I think the jump from V1 to V2 was bigger than between V2 and V3. Or put another way, I find V2 and V3 similar in terms of comfort.
The main difference for me between V2 and V3 is that the V3 saddle is shorter, so you can't slide as far forward on steep climbs. You get used to it after a while but I'm not sure it's a benefit to go shorter.
It’s actually more for my gravel bike so probably not going to be so “dynamic” on it! I like the V1 as you seemed to sit “in” it rather than perched on top like so many other saddles. Sort of like a more plush Flite Ti if you will.
V3 is 'on', like the V2, rather than 'in' like the V1
Any ideas for a saddle similar to a V1 then? I was looking at Fabric Scoop Radius I think as an alternative.
I replaced my V1 SDG Bel Air with a Charge Spoon many years ago. But I think that is now equally as hard to get hold of. There was a thread yesterday about the closest saddle to the Charge Spoon. That will probably go full circle and recommend an SDG Bel Air 🙂
I got on well with the original bel air on multiple bikes. Wanted something a bit les bulky for my road bike so thought I’d try a v2. That felt like a proper instrument of torture. I thought about trying a v3 - but would have wasted a lot of money if it was similar to the v2.
I remembered I got on ok with a Fabric Scoop for a while in the past - so I picked up a Fabric Scoop radius elite gel. Loved it so now got one on all 3 bikes.
It’s not some horrendous big thing (as implied by the ‘gel’) - it’s actually quite a short saddle front to back - although probably a similar width to a V1 bel air I’d think.
I have a Charge Spoon at the moment and it’s just not quite right. Don’t like the stitching on it.
Good to hear about the Fabric Scoop - will probably try one.
Fabric was set up by the guy who owned/ran Charge. I'm assuming he wanted to develop a more 'elite' brand. I'm told that the Fabric Scoop is essentially the Charge Scoop rebranded, not sure what the Spoon equivalent is in their range (or if there is one). Had a couple of spoons over the years. Comfortable saddles but poor build quality.
They're reasonably wide (145mm I think), the original Bel Air was narrower i think (v3 is 140mm). Obviously the width you will feel comfortable on is dependent on yr size.
In summary then Spoon is comfortable but poorly made and a bit wider than the Bel Air. Pretty sure that the Madison Flux and the Evans own brand saddle are Spoons
Pretty sure this is a Spoon. Looks like one anyway and available for a non spendy amount..
https://www.evanscycles.com/brand/fwe/trail-saddle-932420#colcode=93242005
This be the Madison Flux. If it's not identical to the Evans one I'll be damned.
Looks like the Charge guy decided to white label that stuff to the wholesalers and reinvent the model with a more upmarket (and therefore pricier) brand in Fabric. Whether the Fabric stuff is worth the additional £30+ I'm not qualified to say
As a fan of SDG Bel Air and Flite, I find Pro Turnix really comfy on drop bar bikes (where you're leaned further forward) and Brooks Cambium carved is super comfy from the off.
In summary then Spoon is comfortable but poorly made and a bit wider than the Bel Air. Pretty sure that the Madison Flux and the Evans own brand saddle are Spoons
Is mine the only backside in the world that's allergic to Spoons and their variants? I took a Flux off my gravel bike a few months ago because almost any distance (even the 9 miles, 40 minutes into work) would be astonishingly uncomfortable. There is a used Flux going free behind my bookshelf, if anyone can find it!
Curiously, I put a SDG Bel Air 3 on my Intense, and moved the WTB saddle off that onto the gravel bike, replacing the Flux. The Bel Air has been fine on the few rides I've had on that bike. (It's my dryish weather/most techy trails bike - not had a lot of use recently..)
Curiously, I put a SDG Bel Air 3 on my Intense, and moved the WTB saddle off that onto the gravel bike, replacing the Flux. The Bel Air has been fine on the few rides I’ve had on that bike
Likely a very different position on the two bikes, with weight tilted forward on the drop bars.