What Saddle ----- with a difference.

[New Horizon]

That looks like a winner. I knew there was another maker using a very similar shell to the Charge, couldn't remember who it was.

Cheers

The Madison Flux is the same as the Spoon - with, according to Bike Radar, slightly softer padding.

 

[Kestevan]

The Madison Flux is the same as the Spoon - with, according to Bike Radar, slightly softer padding.

But looking at the photos...the same raised stitching - which is where the Prime looks to differ.

Thanks guys, I'll have to investigate some of these saddles.

 

[Globalti]

I love my Charge Knife, I simply don't notice it. My only criticism is that after about 4000 miles the leather covering is beginning to wear and look ropey. I'm planning to try re-finishing it with a rattle can, having seen my neighbour re-finish the cream leather seats in his Volvo very nicely using one!

 

[goody]

This thread got me thinking, I've got 3 bikes an MTB with a very old spoon my commuter with a new spoon and my best with a knife. The last time I was out on the best bike I noticed my shorts had some rubbing marks on the inside of the thigh, didn't think much of it till I read this last night. I don't really fancy buying a £60 pair of bib's every 6 months so had a look at the knife and the stitching is quite raised and not very smooth so I thought this is whats causing the wear. I put the old spoon from the MTB onto the best bike as I was out riding today (the stitching on the old spoon isn't as prominent and after about 7K miles not very coarse).
I was a bit disappointed really, it's hard to find a saddle that suits and I found the knife really comfortable. Anyway I took some pics of it and listed it on ebay then put a bid on a San Marco Ponza, it would do as a stop gap if I won it until I decided on which saddle to buy. I then went out for a ride, on the ride I noticed that the bit of wear on my shorts didn't get anywhere near the saddle and thinking back I'd had a inner thigh meets stem experience when a car braked suddenly with me close behind (slow moving traffic). So when I got home I deleted my ebay listing for the knife put the saddles back where they belong.
Does anyone want to make me an offer on a San Marco Ponza, haven't got it yet but it looks nice in the pictures.

 

[themosquitoking]

What colour is it?

 

[goody]

White, I'll probably give it a try to see what it's like before I sell it on. I think you can get new ones for about £18 on ebay seems pretty good value (but then I haven't tried it yet).

 

[New Horizon]

But looking at the photos...the same raised stitching - which is where the Prime looks to differ.

Thanks guys, I'll have to investigate some of these saddles.

Tried a Flux - the padding is VERY slightly softer, but still doesn't work for me. I'm now running a Passport Navigator, which again is the same base, built by Velo, but with quite a bit thicker, but still firm, padding. No stitching, nice Kevlar side strips. Ran the Flux and Navigator back to back on the same 15 mile route (badly surfaced lanes and B roads) and the difference was noticeable - the Navigator soaked up all the little ridges and dips which the Flux did not. Its pitched as touring saddle and is available from SJS or Spa at about £18.

 

[User482]

You could try recovering your Spoon with plain leather. You can buy offcuts from ebay, or maybe something like a handbag from a charity shop would do. Use the old cover as a template, and glue the new one on with contact adhesive. There are a few people on retrobike who have done this with old Flite saddles.

A faff admittedly...

 

[Moodyman]

The stock saddle on the Giant Defy is nearly identical to the Spoon - I have both. Think they're made by Velo.

There is a myth amongst Defy owners that the stock saddle is uncomfortable so many new ones end up on eBay for £10-£15. The Giant saddle has no stitching but uses adhesive.

 

[amaferanga]

It's the same saddle. don't tough the Knife, they snap in two if you use them regular. I've had two snap and Potsy has had one snap.

I moved to Selle Italia XR with cut out (less than £30) on the commuter - very similar flat profile to the Spoon. Got the Carbon SLR on the best bike.

I'm on my 3rd Knife, none have broken. Maybe you over-torqued the clamp or something because your experience with them is it seems different to that of 99.9999% of owners.

 

[jowwy]

The stock saddle on the Giant Defy is nearly identical to the Spoon - I have both. Think they're made by Velo.

There is a myth amongst Defy owners that the stock saddle is uncomfortable so many new ones end up on eBay for £10-£15. The Giant saddle has no stitching but uses adhesive.

i had the defy saddle and it was aweful - charge spoon for me all the way