Technique

On test: Selle Italia Turbomatic Team Edition

Details

Parent Category: Technique

Category: Selle Italia

Published on Friday, 02 April 2010 08:22

Written by Luca Salvatelli

A rigid saddle, comfortable on bumpy

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The new saddle Selle Italia Torbomatic introduces a series of technical innovations, with a new suspension system of the hull, covered by patent. New rider, proposed in one version of Team Edition, black and white, under test, in hard Gel Flow, with hole decompression of the perineum, is composed of a hull in nylon and carbon fiber to 30%. The sleigh is carbon fiber and is joined to the hull in the classic three points with the interposition of elastomeric anti vibration inserts. The padding of the saddle is in gel thickness varies, the higher the back and lower in the front, while the lining of the saddle is in Lorica. The size of the saddle are 153x275 mm. The seat has a weight, declared by the company, of 220 grams, rising to 230 grams in the Gel Flow version, with a tolerance of + / - 10%. We detected weight, with our instrumentation, 240 grams, as Team Edition.

Road test

New saddle Turbomatic is well made and finished. No wonder, indeed, like other products that have an image of even higher quality (especially for highly polished surfaces), but has no weaknesses and lies on a strip of medium-high quality. Is treated in detail where other competitors are lower, as the union between the hull and the surface in Lorica. Too bad that there is a range of colours, but until now, has not prevented the saddles Team Edition (in all its various versions, but in one colour combination) to obtain a great success. The weight, in addition, despite the use of carbon fiber, is higher than other competitors, but it is true that in the Selle Italia catalogue there are a wide range of saddles by weight than the lower. Mounting the saddle requires, as usual, the special attention that must be placed with new sleds carbon fiber, durable, lightweight and comfortable, but it is better to tighten using a torque wrench to avoid tightening the screws too much and ruin, beyond repair, the slide itself. On the saddle one appreciate good width of the rear, offering good support to the buttock. The new suspension system, coupled with sliding carbon island to perfection by the vibrations and blows stronger coming from the street, a good conduct that places, this saddle in this issues, including the best products ever. The hull is very rigid, does not appear to compromise in any way its ability to filter the vibrations, a sign of the excellent work done by the inclusion of elastomer. The same rigid hull provides a great base when the push on the pedals becomes more powerful, as in the hill, where is the gluteus seems a support inflexible. The dimensions of the saddle, a cross between saddles very narrow or very broad, mean that the ride is natural and not particularly hampered by the shape of the saddle. The most powerful, with greater leg around, though, notice how the front, that is the tip of the saddle, is not very close and there is constant contact between inner thigh and the edge of the saddle, though not a problem, it would best to avoid or minimize, as happens on other saddles where the front area is very narrow. The conformation of Torbomatic, however, is useful for those who like to ride in the saddle point, as the generous sections of the same, that before we have criticized, are useful for ensuring proper support and comfort. Despite the insert gel, rigid hull, leading to a long-distance comfort that is only good if you use good bottoms gel, otherwise the pressure, dry and hard, on the buttock may begin to feel uncomfortable. On the other hand, the rigid hull, useful to enable better support in the boost phase, then leads to this result. There is no decompression of the perineum, and feels, especially those with reduced mobility of the lumbar area or who has a little ride and a powerful structure in the saddle "very sat". For these cyclists is better orientation Torbomatic Gell Flow, which effectively eliminates the problem. In conclusion, a saddle rather than good, a good compromise between comfort and performance. You can criticize the high weight, generous size or hull very stiff, but you can appreciate the comfort on bumpy, the support disk in the boost phase and still support the tip of the saddle. Depending on your style of ride this saddle to your needs and can, therefore, conquer or be a disappointment. The price, of about 100 Euro, is competitive and proportional to the value of the saddle and its build quality Made in Italy.

Positive aspects

Comfort on bumpy
Good support of the buttock
Good support in saddle point
Rigidity of the hull
Build quality

Negative aspects

Weight
Comfort over long distances

To learn more:

Selle Italia
Website: www.selleitalia.com