The X-Bow Superflow is among the friendlier priced offerings in Selle Italia’s range. It offers excellent comfort thanks to the clever flexy crossbow design and supportive shape that makes it one of the best mountain bike saddles – but it’s seriously weighty and, when compared to other alloy-railed saddles, it’s a little more expensive.
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Selle Italia X-Bow Superflow – Technical details
Selle Italia’s X-Bow was introduced into the range in late 2021 to meet the burgeoning off-road saddle demand. This saddle features a new design that’s led to the brand submitting a new patent relating to how the saddle’s rails are attached. Instead of bonding the rails directly to the shell, the shell rotates around the rails, creating what Selle Italia says is a crossbow effect.
On the X-Bow, the rails are fixed as far towards the rear as possible to increase support where the ischial bones and perianal area press on the saddle. It’s said that this limits pressure exerted around these areas.
Mounting the rails in this way means that the brand has had to use rails that are 10mm longer than usual, which in turn offers a wider seat post clamp area. Shock absorbers have been placed between the rails and the body of the saddle to damp trail vibrations.
As for the X-Bow’s shape, it’s rather neutral and the rear is raised slightly to add stability, and a better-supported platform when climbing. The ‘Superflow’ in the saddle’s title refers to the central cutout that’s designed to further reduce perineal pressure. The saddle is covered with Selle Italia’s Soft-Tek polyurethane material.
There are two models on offer with one rocking Tl36 rails and the other using Fec Alloy rails, both of which come in two sizes with the S measuring 145 x 255mm and the L measuring 155 x 255mm, the latter of which is pictured here. It weighs 356g.
Selle Italia X-Bow Superflow – Performance
Even though the lengthy rails are a byproduct of Selle Italia’s placement of the anchor points, the extra 10mm of adjustment is seriously appreciated, from me at least. I like to run my saddle as far forwards as I can get it to place my weight centrally over the pedals – and the X-Bow delivers in this respect.
It also delivers an awful lot of support. Thanks to its great shape and wide rear, there’s no unnecessary rocking of the hips. The saddle simply supports exactly the areas where I would want support.
It’s surprising how well the rotating shell and shock absorbers work as you can’t really feel it thanks to the chunk of padding lining the top of the saddle. Regardless, overall comfort is excellent. I’ve been able to ride long days without any sign of discomfort. I’ve even ridden multiple times without a chamois and remained perfectly happy.
Cutouts are usually not really my thing, as I often find the outline of a cutout to feel very pronounced but due to the softer padding built into the X-Bow, I’m yet to find an issue. Though if I were to complain, I’d say that the nose could have a softer taper towards the rear as the edges of the saddle between its widest and narrowest areas can be felt on the back of the leg.
At 354g it’s far from the lightest saddle around. For example, SDG’s Bel Air V3 weighs 318g with steel rails and Fabric’s Scoop Elite Radius tips the scales at a comparatively measly 256g.
Selle Italia X-Bow Superflow – Verdict
For an alloy-railed saddle, it’s reasonably expensive but Selle Italia has made a solid attempt at justifying the price with those interesting flex and shock-absorbing features. But to bring up the Fabric Scoop once again, its known performance has made it a household name in mountain biking. The version that Rach tested is far lighter, comes with Chro-Mo rails and is similarly wide, so should offer a similar level of support to the X-Bow.
Though narrower, WTB’s Silverado with steel rails RRPs at £40 (here’s the review of the carbon-railed model). It doesn’t get the X-Bow’s flexy features, but again, it’s lighter at a claimed 310g.
If you don’t mind trading light weight for comfort and are happy to shell out a little more for features that are designed to further improve comfort, the Selle Italia X-Bow Superflow is a great choice. The brand’s efforts to improve support show in the saddle’s performance and it’s comfortable for those with wider sit bones.
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The flex isn’t noticeable but that’s likely a good thing. It’s certainly a comfortable saddle.
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