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Selle Italia Turbomatic Gel Flow Team saddleSelle Italia Turbomatic Team Saddle

Selle Italia Turbomatic Gel Flow Team saddle

8
by Shaun Audane
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Jul 12, 2010

3
£116.99

VERDICT:

8
10
A classic reborn for the modern age that does a really great job on more upright bikes
Weight: 
257g
Contact: 
www.chickencyclekit.co.uk
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Selle Italia’s Turbomatic Gel Flow Team Edition maintains the basic original shape of the original Turbo but incorporates pretty much every conceivable technological refinement to satisfy the most discerning and demanding of pro, elite and amateur cycling bottoms.

It could be argued with some conviction that I am missing the point, but at this end of the market I expect to find a more tailored approach to sizing. While the relatively broad base was perfect for my Univega’s more upright stance and similarly for off-road duties generally, long, steady miles on the road and TT bikes encouraged uncomfortable chafing and even set to the recommended tolerances, our test sample had a disconcerting tendency to squeak over rougher roads and singletrack.

What we have here is a Lorica (faux leather) cover which might not breathe quite so well as the genuine hide but requires little more than periodic wiping down with a damp Jey cloth. This will win approval from strict vegetarian/vegans and seems hardy enough despite omission of the ubiquitous Kevlar scuff bumpers, taking regular frisking from foliage and brushes with street furniture in its stride. Lurking beneath is a very clever, variable density memory-foam padding that conforms perfectly to the shape of the rider’s sit bones. Speaking of shape, 275mm is plenty for those who like to shuffle about over longer periods too.

Tailored gel inserts and well-configured cutaway provide excellent ventilation, relieving pressure on your soft tissues while remaining very supportive. Several hours seated green laning couldn’t induce any numbness or tingling and this is also helped by carbon fibre rails and elastomer damping. These isolate the rider from road and trail buzz while keeping the overall weight competitive with minimalist siblings and extending horizons to competitive cross and possibly mountain bike duties. A great performer then on a bike with a more upright riding position as I found out it's not so comfortable with a more stretched out high performance stance, but as long as you take that in to account this is a really good saddle.

Verdict

A classic reborn for the modern age that does a really great job on more upright bikes

road.cc test report

Make and model: Selle Italia Turbomatic Gel Flow Team saddle

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

"The Turbomatic saddle has been a milestone for the last fifteen years and one of the most used saddles by pro riders, together with Flite and SLR. It's main features are the patented shock absorber technology that creates a suspension system ensuring maximum comfort for every cyclist. "

Statements I'd broadly agree with.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

■LORICA: covering in LORICA featuring high abrasion resistance and durability

■GEL FLOW: Inserts in silicone gel with differentiated thickness around cutout

■PF: Self-modelling padding - Perfect Fit

■30%: Shell made from 30% Carbon composite

Tech:

■top: Lorica

■rails: Carbon

■W 153 x L 275

■weight: 230g

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

To Selle Italia's usual high standards.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10

Very competitive (quoted 230g but 257 by my scales) without compromising comfort.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Basically it's the Turbomatic for the modern age, retaining the classic shape and build quality while bristling with state of the art technology. The carbon rails coupled with sophisticated gel padding and supportive cut out deliver a majestic ride over most surfaces and despite some initial reservations is more than hardy enough for the rigours of rough stuff touring.

However, the base is notably wider than my suggested ideal- fine on the tourer with its more upright stance but resulted in chafing on the TT or race bike for rides longer than a couple of hours.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Fantastic build quality, comfort and innovative design.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing but a choice of widths would be welcome at this end of the market.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Quite Possibly

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 36  Height: 1m 81  Weight: 70 kilos

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

Selle Italia Turbomatic Gel Flow Team saddle
Selle Italia Turbomatic
Selle Italia
Saddle
Shaun Audane

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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3 comments

Avatar
robbo764 | 13 years ago
0 likes

can buy on ebay for£74.95 bargain

Avatar
JJ the Flying D... | 14 years ago
0 likes

Selle SMP have something like that, they've got test saddles. Some bike shops might have some test saddles from other manufacturers as well or are willing to lend you a saddle.

Avatar
Martin Thomas | 14 years ago
0 likes

I was thinking about one of these after my backside was left in a truly pitiful state by my recent Lejog (ridden on an Arione, which has always seemed perfectly comfy to me before). But I just can't bring myself to shell out nearly £120 on something that might not prove as comfortable as the saddle I've already got. Doesn't one of the big saddle makers offer a 30 day trial? They all should if you ask me...

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