You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
After many years on Fizik Gobi (the older style version), I'm looking for something that's more comfortable for long rides. The Gobi is fine for 2, 4 maybe 6 hrs, but I did 10.5 on it the other day and I was tender the day after (great new chamois & cream). I've done 5 long days back to back on the Gobi before and it was painful, I think it's ok when sat along the flat, but as I nudge forwards a bit on steep climbs, it doesn't support me as much, might be bollox though.
Back in the day I used to love the Flite, I've just chucked an old one that won't survive a winter back on my bike and I'm gonna give it another go, but probably not planning such a long ride for a bit.
I think I have a Fabric Spoon Radius OEM on my cheap SS Vitus that I commute on and this seems ok, but a bit wider at 142mm.
My sit bones are 100mm.
So, what's like a Flite Alpes Ti in the modern world?
Cheers.
Faced with a similar dilemma, I realised that they still make Flites. They're every bit as comfy as I remember, if a little over the 200g claimed weight.
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/selle-italia-flite-1990-saddle/rp-prod56207
P-X were doing the usual pricing yo-yo with them and I got one for about 40 quid, IIRC. They don't seem to have them at the moment, though.
Wiggle are doing a 'modern' Flite for £40, have got one winging it's way to me on the post.
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/selle-italia-flite-tm-saddle-manganese/rp-prod148428
Interested to experiment, I almost bought one of a variety of heavily discounted SLR Superflows earlier in the year, but the Flite looks a little more streamlined, I'm looking for as little saddle as possible apart from where it supports my sitbones, hoping the Flite is narrower than a Spoon/Romin/Fabric equivalent...
Also tempted by the new Flite Boost but they're a bit spendy, being 'the next big thing' e.g. short nosed.
I’ve got a couple of original Flite and a reissue one.
The reissue is a tiny bit softer padding wise and the rails are a touch taller so a bit more flex. Means it’s a bit comfier but the shape is the same.
I still swear by the original Flite, nothing I’ve found is better.
I actually prefer the SLR to the new shape Flite, the newer one is a little flatter which I don’t like. The Fizik Aliante is worth a look, similar shape to the original Flite, and you can get them with a channel if needed.
Can't speak for flites but really pleased with how comfy my Bontrager Aeolus is. Looks wider than it is because it's short.