You–and everyone else–can recognize Selle SMP saddles at a glance, but can you explain why they look so distinctive? Selle didn’t design the beaked nose, high back, and large central channel for no reason, after all, and while all the above are common features on Selle saddles, each has been tailored to fit specific riding styles, anatomies, and disciplines. The Composit Road Saddle, for example, employs the same shape and materials as the SMP4BIKE series, but it ditches the foam to better suit aggressive road riders with narrow to average pelvises. The lack of foam makes the Composit slightly less cushy, but that’s not a racer’s primary concern. More important are support and stiffness, which the Composit delivers via an elastomer nylon and carbon composite shell. The beaked nose provides more space for your twig ‘n’ berries, and the pronounced center channel relieves pressure on other soft tissue areas so you can sit comfortably without loading up on padding. The raised “whale tail” back gives you something to push against, and the durable steel rails handle years of hard riding without getting loose or losing strength.

We’re used to seeing pressure-relieving cutouts on road saddles, and Selle SMP understands that trail riders might want the comfort of its signature cutout channel too. The Selle SMP Blaster Saddle blends the company’s renowned pressure-relieving design and a durable nylon/carbon composite shell for a resulting versatility to span both road and mountain applications. Like the all-rounder Stratos and Dynamic, the Blaster is best suited for cyclists with average-width pelvises, as it features a moderate profile and a fairly minimal amount of padding. At the nose, there’s the characteristic “beak” shape designed to provide a flat base while sitting that minimizes pressure. Down the center, SMP’s pronounced central channel further reduces pressure on the pudendal nerve and surrounding soft tissue. The back of the saddle is raised for an enhanced seated pedaling position, where body weight is divided between the rear and lower part of the ischial tuberosity region. This shape also helps reduce overall pressure on the coccyx while riding over rough surfaces.