Astute Saddles?

[DeLuz]

Anybody riding an Astute saddle?
I am looking for a saddle for my tandem.
I use a Selle Italia SLR flow on my road bike but it doesn't work on the tandem because I am sitting more and need some padding.
I have tried Fizik Aliante VS, Prologo Zero (ouch!), Selle Italia Max flite so far but no luck.
The Astute Skyline looks similar in shape to an SLR and is just slightly wider, I am hoping the memory foam would provide the padding I need.
Chain Reaction and Merlin have them for around $130, it would be pretty expensive to return it from the US to the UK if it doesn't work out.

[Stolichnaya]

Wonderful shape and nice flex in the shell. Terrible design that squeeks enough to cause "Hulk SMASH!" moments. Skip them. I returned two to the retailer before finally giving up and tossing the third in a storage box in the garage. Astute was really on to something with the shape and feel. I wanted to keep it on the bike, but the loud noise - which stems from the design and interface of shell and rails - was intolerable. I might try to epoxy that interface solid at some point when I have some extra time (which means never.)

[tmchen]

My LBS loaned me a demo and I didn't get any of the squeaks. It was dead quiet for me. First 50km was fine but I developed soreness at 2 particular points. Couldn't get used to it so I returned to my Selle Italia Max. Really thick padding and heavy but it was great for long rides.

[LouisN]

I ordered a Skylite VT model although I suspected the saddle was "too comfy" in the center section.
Same hammoc feeling I once had with a Toupe.
Now I read this....:/

Think I'll try to change My order for the SkyCarb one with full carbon shell.
http://www.astuteitalia.com/en/product/ ... ack-carbon
But the price !!!


Louis

[prendrefeu]

140g!

SMUD carbon saddles provide the nice 'hammock' feeling. You may never need padding again.
~66g.

[wheelsONfire]

The new line of saddles doesn't sag like the first version (only one model) did.
Yes, i have the Star Skylite version. Very good saddle but for what you are talking of there is only one...
Selle Italia Turbomatic. I have 14 saddles and i can tell you right away, there is none that beat Turbomatic.
The Astute saddle is harder.
I ride my Turbomatic and Syntace P6 HiFlex carbon combo on my new bike.
Heavily recommended!

Astute is fine, but it's not what you are describing you look for.
Another saddle which is very nice is Bontrager Hilo XXX, but that is a TT saddle and also short.
So i think i can't recommend that for a tandem. But it's great for a road bike.

[Lafolie]

strangley my astute has started clicking, wondering if I should change it out

[Lugan]

New to me this year, I tried and have adopted across several bikes the SR series, including the Skycarb and two slight variations of the models below that. I really like them. They replace Bontrager Seranos for me (which in turn many years ago replaced Fizik Aliantes). So my preference is obviously for non-cutout saddles. The Astute SR series is indeed non-cutout, but under the cover in the perineal area there is a noticeable softer padding while under the sit bones on the slightly raised tail the padding is quite a bit firmer. So the effect, at least for my hind quarters, is some central pressure relief without going to an extreme. It's perfect for me, and I haven't been able to find anything else like the SR up to now. Oh, and also, so far no squeaking from any of mine. And you don't need to pay full prices. Do a Google search and you'll see they are readily available at 50% off or better.

[Apv]

Never experienced any squeaking or any sound issues myself. Pretty happy with it though I think I prefer a fizik arione personally. Love the colour variety of astute saddles!
I own the taca skyline vt.
For my butt, it goes fizik > astute > prologo > selle italia from what I’ve experienced.
Each to their own though.

[Lafolie]

I think the company has gone out of business - hence the deals

[silvalis]

I have a mudline vt and it's a rock. Zero hammock or squish from it.

[Lugan]

I think the company has gone out of business - hence the deals

That would be bad news for my undercarriage.

[TobinHatesYou]

That would be bad news for my undercarriage.

They started being cleared out of the US market a couple months ago via Competitive Cyclist, so if they aren't out of business they are doing some major internal overhaul.

[Sammutd88]

I think the company has gone out of business - hence the deals

I'd agree. Their website used to be decent and I vaguely remember it not being up last time I tried to have a look at it.

[WorkonSunday]

there are two main shapes in the astute line. i got on very well with the Sealite (flatter) but not much with the mudlite (curve). general build quality is miles ahead of other manufacturers.