LCP

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Matthew Page's picture

Matt is an endurance nut who loves big rides and big events. Former full time racer and 24hr event specialist but now happy riding off-road on gravel bikes or XC mountain bikes and exploring the mountains and hills of Mid Wales.

2 comments

1 year 11 months ago

OnYerBike wrote:

I know saddle comfort is a personal thing, but I do wonder if reviewers could do more to indicate who this saddle would (or wouldn't) work for. This isn't a dig at this particular article - it's true of pretty much every saddle review I've read.

For example:

What other saddles has the reviewer found comfortable? Matt mentions he was using the Argo X5 (in the 150mm width?) so presumably he found that one comfortable too. Are there saddles that the reviewer has not got on with, despite others swearing by them?

What bike and riding style/position was used for the test? A saddle that is comfortable in a low, aero position might not be comfortable in a more upright endurance position, and vice versa.

What are the reviewer's seat bone measurements? How flexible is the reviewer? etc.

Bottom line is if I was looking to buy a new saddle I'm not sure I would have the information I need to decide if I want to drop £165 on this saddle - especially because Repente are still a fairly niche brand so there are few practical ways of trying before buying (there are a couple of local bike shops that lend out saddles of more common brands but none stock Repente). 

It would be impossible to list every saddle, as I will have used almost every saddle made over the years. This has however now replaced a Specialized S-Works Romin Evo (143mm) on the bike I ride the biggest distances.

1 year 11 months ago

I know saddle comfort is a personal thing, but I do wonder if reviewers could do more to indicate who this saddle would (or wouldn't) work for. This isn't a dig at this particular article - it's true of pretty much every saddle review I've read.

For example:

What other saddles has the reviewer found comfortable? Matt mentions he was using the Argo X5 (in the 150mm width?) so presumably he found that one comfortable too. Are there saddles that the reviewer has not got on with, despite others swearing by them?

What bike and riding style/position was used for the test? A saddle that is comfortable in a low, aero position might not be comfortable in a more upright endurance position, and vice versa.

What are the reviewer's seat bone measurements? How flexible is the reviewer? etc.

Bottom line is if I was looking to buy a new saddle I'm not sure I would have the information I need to decide if I want to drop £165 on this saddle - especially because Repente are still a fairly niche brand so there are few practical ways of trying before buying (there are a couple of local bike shops that lend out saddles of more common brands but none stock Repente). 

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