I drive quite a lot of bicycle (already 5800 km in 2014; as of 12 July) and am years of satisfied drivers Brooks leather saddles on my bikes (currently models "Conquest" and "B67 Aged"). I recently discovered but the "Selle SMP TRK gel" seat in a bicycle shop and me - due to the very interesting acting concept - get carried to this saddle time to buy a trial basis. The manufacturer promises much good stuff: The central channel is to prevent any bruising or compression of the pelvis, avoid the top with "eagle's beak" shape bruising of the genitals, protect the rear lowering the coccyx against bruises and bumps. According on the packaging "the most comfortable solution for demanding touring bikers". Now it is not so, that I would be unhappy with my Brooks saddles in any way or me so far would have to complain about bruised pelvis or genitals. There would therefore be no reason to meet these leather saddles unfaithful. But perhaps I miss a whole new, ultimate comfort feeling here? After all, I'm after a tour of about 100 km, which corresponds to me a good 5 hours drive to the trekking, but time to get off the bike very happy because so slowly makes the butt then also with a Brooks saddle noticeable. Should the Selle SMP here so still a number have been better? My experience with plastic gel saddles saw in the past, however, quite different: The superficially comfortable and soft gel saddle always turned out a very short time to be extremely uncomfortable out. Pain in the tailbone, numbness in the genital area, burning buttocks. For Sunday Biergarten cyclists perhaps ok, for longer trips but absolutely not suitable. So let's see what this one has to offer, especially as (according to package 79 Euro MSRP) yes certainly expect a quality product at a price of about 60 euros. Well, the Brooks saddles cost all again significantly more, but most plastic gel saddles - are for much cheaper - and to such it is indeed now time here. After two tours of about 100 km length with the Selle SMP TRK gel the result is now clear: It is in fact an ordinary and relatively road proven saddle - to the long-distance comfort of a Brooks he does not come close, however. Specifically: after a good 3 hour drive the saddle but then began to be quite uncomfortable. The typical "plastic gel saddle symptoms", as described above, but in fact are completely eliminated. It's more of the same feeling of a general pressure on the rump of what I know of the Brooks saddles - but here it takes just some time earlier. The saddle is therefore not bad - but the best is the enemy of good, we can see here. So I have now yet again the Conquest Brooks leather saddle mounted and looked forward today with a renewed 100 km tour with Brooks about the actual "comfortable solution for touring bikers". Can I use the "Selle SMP TRK gel" saddle now recommend or not? Yes, if: - You do not want to spend so much money as a Brooks leather saddle - You do not want to enter only some time the new saddle before it is convenient (a main disadvantage of the leather saddles) - You want a relatively weatherproof saddle which has not or hardly be maintained - You're looking for a saddle that does not rub off even when wet - You drive not very long trips, or I can thoroughly recommend it to a leather saddle. Overall I give therefore 3 stars = "Not bad."
