SMP Unisex – Adult's Martin Touring Gel Saddle, Black, Standard Size

I have an SMP pro that I've had for many years and some cheaper/low-end SMP saddles. I developed numbness and circulatory issues 10 or 15 years ago, looked around for comfortable cut-out saddles and really liked the SMP. I rode the SMP Pro to Chicago (from the Twin Cities) two years ago and, while passable, I felt my butt and it took some time to get used to multiple days of bike touring. So, this summer, before a bike trip from the Twin Cities to New York, I decided to try their Martin Touring medium Gel saddle. At first it seemed too wide. I did a short 40 mile ride on it and wasn't totally impressed but found that, if I wore bike shorts (especially ones with just a leather pad) with nothing underneath or regular shorts with boxers (as opposed to briefs), the seat was enormously comfortable. I also adjusted the pitch a couple times until I found a good spot. I then rode it 1500 miles in 25 days-- an average of 60 miles per day and I had no pain in my butt at all. It's more comfortable than most of the chairs (or couch) in my house. I can't recommend it highly enough.

This saddle is more comfortable than the other SMP models, but is still quite firm and can lead to soreness on long rides. Unlike some saddle designs, it doesn't crush your private parts.

Great bike seat from Italy. Makes your posterior feel like it is gliding through air.

I tried the Selle SMP TRK large, Selle SMP TRK Gel Large, and the Selle SMP Martin Touring Gel Medium/Standard widths. Of the three, the Martin Touring Medium was the most comfortable by far. Granted I have a wide butt, but the difference in widths (approx 2") is noticeable. As with all of the aforementioned, fitting the saddle to your glutes requires trial and error. I found the Martin did not require as great a negative (down) tilt angle as the narrower TRKs, but that is a personal preference using the butt test. All in all, great saddles once you find the right fit.Update: After 3 weeks I can report that it takes about three weeks to break in the saddle and your butt. There is definitely a "sweet spot", and you need to make a few fine adjustments during the break-in period. There are a number of really good SMP specific videos on proper set-up. Rode today over an hour - no discomfort. Note: invest in a pair of padded shorts too.