Technique

On test: San Marco Aspide Racing Team Special Edition

Details

Parent Category: Technique

Category: San Marco

Published on Thursday, 29 July 2010 08:22

Written by Luca Salvatelli

 
A good saddle, light, with excellent support and efficient pedalling

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A novelty of the 2011 Selle San Marco Racing Team Special Edition collection. A collection of saddles are identical in every detail, both technical and aesthetic to those used by professional racers. Is this fact, the peculiarity of the new seats dedicated to the Pro Tour team sponsored by San Marco: Lampre, Katusha and Ag2r. The same graphics of saddles draws their teams. Blue-purple, blue and red-blue-brown, these shades are custom versions Racing Team Zoncolan, Aspide and Regale. The model we tested is the Aspide Racing Team in dedicated graphics team Katusha and used, among other by Joaquim Rodriguez. Like all models in the collection Rcing Team, also the model Aspide Racing Team Special Edition Team Katusha has the frame Xsilite, material lighter and stronger than titanium, and the boat loaded with carbon fiber, which thanks to its structural properties can obtain a light but with excellent performance for rigidity. The foam is made by the special structure of biodynamics, the Biofoam, which follows the movements of the pelvis during cycling. The hull is then achieved through a constructive process of bi-injection, which allows the saddle to be deformable in the middle, reducing pressure on the perineum. The surface coating is Microfeel, lightweight, durable and stable over time. The saddle has a size of 280x130 mm and weighs 160 grams indicated (+ / - 10% tolerance), 165 those we reported with our instrumentation. It's available in blue-purple (Team Lampre-Farnese Wines), Red-Blue (Team Katusha), Blue-Brown (Team Ag2r).

The road test

As other models the San Marco Aspide is well done and detailled. Beautiful graphics and colors, but mostly very low weight. The perfect combination of hull and top, beautiful sleigh-slip finish, but without scale, useful to better position the saddle. The width of the saddle, especially in the rear is good, so as to ensure better support, well formed, then the front, very close, so as to minimize contact with the inside of the thigh. Just shorter than other models of its length, but it poses no discomfort. Moving appreciates the high rigidity of the hull and good support that enables the buttock to better push on the pedals. This rigidity is found more in the back seat, while the center is slightly more flexible. This will allow some reduction in the compression of the perineum, also facilitated by the conformation of the saddle surface. Most sensitive to compression of the perineum, however, will do well to tilt the saddle nose down a few millimeters, further reducing the pressure on the perineum, or click the catalog San Marco saddles other relief supplies to the forum. Is to consider that we are in a seat designed for athletes, so for athletes who push the pedals a lot and this leads to a minimum, naturally, the compression of the perineal body. However, even taking a ride "relaxed" with a good pad does not feel discomfort even detail after several hours in the saddle. Good comfort even on bumpy, even in the absence of new sleds carbon, which in this particular case can filter the vibrations better. The comfort remains on high levels, however, even after many hours in the saddle. Good width of the rear seat, daltro hand, gives good support as well as in the boost phase for the distribution of body weight and this improved the comfort and pleasure of riding a long time. The padding of the saddle, to feel very stiff fine and in practice offers comfort comparable to other saddles foam thicker and softer, but remains a saddle coupled with a good base, so it would be even better comfort over long distances. The high rigidity of the hull provides extremely beneficial in terms of performance if it goes uphill or up while sitting in the saddle, when the buttock is always a substantial support to push. The front profile very closely, while it penalizes those who ride in the saddle point, the other is perfect in its normal use, where the legs are able to flow properly aligned without interference and with a reduced contact between inner thighs and the edge of the saddle. In conclusion, a great seat for sports athletes and weight-conscious. Even in the face of good comfort, though less than other models San Marco offers everything you need for an athlete. A rigid hull and supports the body well, a modest but adequate decompression of the perineum, a lightweight and a better profile for efficient pedalling. In view of a seat for a bike race you can not ask for more. The price of 122 Euros is proportionate to the overall quality of the product and excellent account of the weight.

Positive aspects

Support of the buttock
Rigidity of the hull
Build quality
Efficient pedaling
Low weight

Negative aspects

None

Selle San Marco

Website: www.sellesanmarco.com