SELLE ITALIA SLR CARBON 3D

Classic saddle gets a racing redesign that trims weight while enhancing comfort

- Andy Turner

First introduced in 1999, the SLR is now an icon, popular both within the pro peloton and among wider cycling world. This fourth-generation model is heavily performance-oriented, with several updates designed with the racing cyclist in mind.

As has become a trend in road-race saddles, the total length has been trimmed down somewhat, primarily at the nose, to reduce pressure on soft tissues when tucked into an aerodynamic position. In this 3D-printed version, the lattice has been updated in both the pattern and degree of vibration damping to provide what Selle Italia calls the best weight-to-vibration absorption ratio. Further back, under the ischial tuberosities (sit bones), the padding is firmer, while further forward, it becomes less dense for comfort.