Flite Ti saddle, what's your next favorite

[tbike4]

I have a Flite Ti saddle on 5 bikes, the original version or the replica. Like in the photo. It works for my sit bones. At least 1 with the most riding time is getting worn out. I want to try something else that is similar.

If you ride this saddle what is your next favorite or what seems to work for you? I would like to keep it in a similar price range. $100 +/-. BTW I have tried different versions of this saddle, with a cut out etc and did not work for me.

[Andy sti]

Prologo Scratch and Fabric Scoop Shallow. Both have a similar profile to the flight

[Matthew]

I love flites too. I went to the Fizik Arione and like them too but think they are a bit flatter. If I could find some Flites that weren't so expensive I might switch back.

[mulp]

Fizik arione vs2

[avalonracing]

I rode Flites for years on all my bikes and moved on to Fizik Alliantes. Just last week I said to a friend, "I'm curious if I would still like a Flite saddle if I rode one again?"

I have liked the Alliantes (without the cut-out, that felt like two dull knives trying to saw me in half) but I'm looking for a change.

[mhespenheide]

Listening in here. I'm still running Flites on 5 road bikes and haven't found anything else I like as much (at least for rides of up to ~2.5 hours).

[DarkStar]

I recently purchased a new saddle, Fizik Aliante R3 Saddle. Once I got the Aliante was dialed in, it has been the most comfortable saddle I have used since my old Flite, and just feels right:banana:

[Jeff N.]

SMP Lite 209.

[mtechnica]

The flite is my favorite tied with the SLR

[Robot870]

Actually ran a MCFK for years but now on a slr.....

[Wakatel_Luum]

I’ve tried so many saddles but nothing beats the original Selle San Marco Regal for me.

[irideti]

Specialized Romin Pro 143.

[Ozz]

Prologo Scratch and Fizik Arione....

[wildboar]

Went from using flites, to fizik antares, now to fabric scoop flat. I think think the fabric is a sturdier saddle if you weigh a lot,(180+ lbs.) I was guessing my flites were getting a "sway-back" to them after a while, changing their shape.

[Dave]

I used the flite many years ago. Now I use an SMP Stratos.

[tbike4]

I think I am going to try the Fizik Aliante R3 Saddle. Not sure what K:ium means. How would you pronounce that? Doesn't matter. I am thinking I want the regular and not large. I am a tall lanky person, not a big butt.

I think $101.65 sounds like a decent price with MSRP of $175.

[ernmony]

Rapha classic saddle. Works good without a bib too.

[jtbadge]

I think I am going to try the Fizik Aliante R3 Saddle. Not sure what K:ium means. How would you pronounce that? Doesn't matter. I am thinking I want the regular and not large. I am a tall lanky person, not a big butt.

I think $101.65 sounds like a decent price with MSRP of $175.

If you like a Flite, you're going to hate an Aliante. The Flite is narrow, flat (tip to rear), and hard, where the Aliante is wide, round, and soft.

I like a Flite and also the Selle San Marco Concor Light and Brooks Cambium C13.

[tbike4]

I guess I should have known that it's too subjective of a question even with a concrete qualifier. Maybe I will order a new Flite Ti from PBK. $83.

[avalonracing]

If you like a Flite, you're going to hate an Aliante. The Flite is narrow, flat (tip to rear), and hard, where the Aliante is wide, round, and soft.

Not necessarily. I rode Flites exclusively for a decade and have been riding Aliantes for at least that long now.

[Spoker]

Not necessarily. I rode Flites exclusively for a decade and have been riding Aliantes for at least that long now.
Me too. Like both.

[gbcoupe]

I guess I should have known that it's too subjective of a question even with a concrete qualifier. Maybe I will order a new Flite Ti from PBK. $83.

I probably own as many Flite TT's and reg Flites as anyone. If you like them and they fit your bum, why go elsewhere? And $83 for a new one is a good deal!

[kramnnim]

First gen SLR

[Blue Jays]

If your butt works well on a Flite saddle, it will be fine atop a SLR saddle.

[mcteague]

I rode a Flite for years but moved on to Aliantes. Once went back to the old Flite and wondered how I was able to ride it for so long. The new Aliantes don't seem anything like the original so I now use SMP Dynamics on both my bikes. They are not so much comfortable as fully supporting. I certainly feel a firm pressure but never any discomfort. So, sticking with them for now.

Tim

[mastaliu]

I had the same question a year ago. I only rode flite saddles for almost 30 years. I made the jump to a selle italia SLR carbonio flow and I cannot believe I sat on the flites for so long without getting injured (I fortunately have 2 children). The SLR is the same length and has a sort of similar feel, but is so much more comfortable.

[weisan]

Former Flite user, now Specialized Toupe 143 or Prologo Scratch 2 CPC PAS for road, not sure if there's any correlation.

[saab2000]

Used to ride Flites. Now I’m on Fizik Ariones and like them better.

But I was an original Flite owner and happy. Tried later ones and didn’t like them.

Arione now almost exclusively.

[8aaron8]

The Flite is/was my go to saddle. I have them on two bikes currently. In search for similar saddles I have found that the 130 Specialized Romin and Berk Lupina have been as good/better, the Berk now my favorite saddle. Unfortunately 130 Romin's are no longer made and the Berk is much pricier then the Flite.

[OtayBW]

Selle Italia Kit Carbonio Pro. I have 4. Last saddle I will ever buy. :banana:

[flying]

I have been on some form of Flite since the early 90's
(San Marco Rolls before that)

I just switched from a Flite TM Flow used for last 3 years (145x275) to a
SLR Super Flow this week (130x275)

Really like it except one little thing
I wanted the slightly more narrow 130 but was surprised it is actually wider mid saddle than the old 145 TM Flow

Could feel it right away as pressure while climbing seated.

Not a deal breaker yet & hopefully I will adjust. I mainly notice in first 30 minutes then I must automatically adjust to it as I do not notice later in the rides.

But still given the spec I was surprised to find this.
I guess due to the large relief channel on the Superflow they had no choice but to flare out sooner from the nose

Where as the TM flow has a longer narrow section from nose before flaring out.

you can see the difference in 2nd pic...not much yes but felt :)

[DarkStar]

[QUOTE=jtbadge;2630671]If you like a Flite, you're going to hate an Aliante. The Flite is narrow, flat (tip to rear), and hard, where the Aliante is wide, round, and soft.
Not my experience, although it took a bit of time and experimenting with seat angles to dial it in. I find it even more comfortable than my recollection of the Flite:banana:

[Seramount]

my progression...Turbomatic II --> Flite Ti --> SLR Carbonio

[hoonjr]

This thread is so weird. I too am a long time Flite saddle lover. Why doesn't Selle Italia just break out the molds and make a new batch. Seems like it was universally loved?

[Gummee]

my progression...Turbomatic II --> Flite Ti --> SLR Carbonio

I miss the Turbomatic 2s. Bought a Turbomatic Team a few years ago (2 of them actually) and hated them.

Now I'm on another discontinued saddle: Bontrager Team Issue and am wondering about something else

The 30+ year quest for 'the perfect saddle' continues

M

[charliedid]

This thread is so weird. I too am a long time Flite saddle lover. Why doesn't Selle Italia just break out the molds and make a new batch. Seems like it was universally loved?

Pretty sure they currently make it in brown.

[Vientomas]

This is my saddle of choice. The gel version of the original Flite. It adornes all 4 of my road bikes and I have a spare waiting in the wings.

Out of curiosity, I tried an Alliante for a while. I did not like the Alliante. It felt like my sit bones were being spread apart. Perhaps the Flite is flatter.

Best of luck in your search. :)

[DarkStar]

[QUOTE=Vientomas;2631317]This is my saddle of choice. The gel version of the original Flite. It adornes all 4 of my road bikes and I have a spare waiting in the wings.
Just replaced the gel version, wanted to like it, but it was a rather unpleasant experience. After 15 years of sporadic use, the leather began to tear and snag my shorts, replaced it with the Aliante.

[rePhil]

From Flite to Prologo

[Geekonbike]

I've had good luck with;

Bontrager Serano RXL 130mm wide

Rapha Classic Saddle In 130 as well

I've been able to find both around $100-130

[tbike4]

From Flite to Prologo

Picked up a barely used Prologo Scratch 2. I was riding with a guy recently who was quite fast and he had an earlier version. He is 72 YO and said it was the best saddle he ever had. I figured that must count for something.

2 rides on it so far and it feels good. I got this version.