As with the standard SLR Teckno saddle, the SLR Teckno Flow is a truly minimalist carbon shell saddle, but in accommodating the Flow relief channel, the designers at Selle Italia had to design a thin, lightly padded top cover that sits around the channel. There are substantive reasons for this concession, just as there are legitimate reasons why riders choose the anatomical Flow design in the first place. The large opening requires that the shell must be stiffer than the standard SLR Teckno for strength and support. That minimizes some of the comfort the light flex of the standard version.

The purpose of the Flow channel is to virtually eliminate pressure on blood vessels and nerves of the perineal region. If the rider slides around too easily, the physical relationship of the rider to the saddle changes and the Flow channel can cause more problems that it helps. The combination of these factors dictate the thin cover. It supplies a thin, but dense layer of padding that replaces the comfort that the flex would have offered, and also prevents the rider from slipping, making it easier to hold the optimal position to take advantage of the Flow channel. This Fibra-Tek cover is durable and has been reliably bonded to the carbon shell. It doesn't cover the sides, so the legs can still slide easily along the shell.

While bare carbon shell saddles have been around for a decade or so, few manage to offer rider comfort in addition to cool looks and light weight. While the SLR Teckno Flow may not be a great fit for for everyone, SLR or SLR Flow riders will immediately recognize the feel and shape. The carbon shell provides a firm, stable base for a powerful pedaling platform. There are a few reasons why this carbon saddle may be the right saddle for you. First, you ride the SLR Flow now, or prefer the SLR, but have issues with numbness. Second, chamois pad technology and bib/short design have improved substantially, and with a great pad that works well with your anatomy, more saddle padding may be unnecessary. Third, the Carbo-Keramic rails and the carbon shell itself actually defeat road vibration and do offer impact reduction as well. A fourth consideration may be the comfort that modern carbon bikes, wheels, and larger tires offer. It is true that we are still looking at a fairly small number of SLR Teckno and Teckno Flow riders, but the same can be said for many saddles.... Read More