Flite

road– EUR

Algupära

Early 1990s saddles were heavy (300-400g) and over-padded. Flite broke the mould with sub-200g weight, thin firm padding, flat profile. Immediately adopted by pros.

Verdikt

+Tugevused

35+ year proven design — flat profile validated by generations of professional and amateur racers
Flite Boost Kit Carbonio at 162g — very competitive weight for a carbon-rail race saddle
Extended Kit Carbonio rails (+10mm) give wider fore/aft adjustment — important for precise bike fit
Superflow central cutout: effective perineal pressure relief without making saddle feel unstable
Fibra-Tek cover: durable, low friction — doesn't grip shorts
Boost shape (250mm): shorter nose improves leg freedom and aerodynamics
Heritage 1990 model: authentic titanium rails + leather for riders who want the classic
MVDP endorsement: strong current pro validation
idmatch system: rational fitting approach — more than just width measurement

−Nõrkused

Flat shape is NOT suitable for all riders — wrong for posterior pelvic tilt / upright riding position
Thin firm padding requires break-in period — some riders need weeks to adapt
idmatch sizing adds complexity for first-time buyers without access to a fitter
Boost shape (250mm) reduces fore/aft range on some short-clamp seatposts
Kit Carbonio price (~€200+) — expensive for what is essentially a well-proven but not cutting-edge design
Ceramic rail coating helps but carbon rails still more fragile than titanium under aggressive seatpost clamping
No integrated saddle light mount or accessory compatibility

Kas teadsid

01The Flite was the most popular saddle of the 1990s — its sub-200g weight and flat profile were revolutionary when typical saddles weighed 300-400g
02When Selle Italia changed the Flite design in 2006-07, the backlash was so significant that they re-released the original 1990 design separately — now sold as 'Flite 1990' or 'Flite Racer'
03Mathieu van der Poel (multiple World Champion, Monument winner) uses the Flite Boost Kit Carbonio Superflow as his race saddle — fitted to his Canyon Aeroad CFR Tensor at 2025 Spring Classics
04Adam Hansen rode the Flite at the Tour de France — Hansen holds the record for most consecutive Tour de France participations
05The Flite shape (flat) was designed specifically for riders with an anterior pelvic tilt (forward lean, aggressive position) — not the same as Selle Italia's waved saddles for upright riders
06idmatch is not just a marketing system — it was developed with Prof. Luca Bartoli of Ergoview, using calipers to measure actual sit bone width and hip flexibility
07Selle Italia also owns Selle San Marco (another Italian saddle brand) and manages both under the Bigolin group
08The Turbo saddle (1980) was described as 'the first completely anatomic saddle' — it predated the Flite by 10 years and was ridden by Tour de France winner Bernard Hinault

Kellele sobib

road racercriterium raceraggressive sportive riderrider with anterior pelvic tilt (forward lean)rider who spends time in dropsdynamic idmatch profile (2 or 3)

Sildid

Seotud mudelid

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