Gravel has been a much-needed shot in the arm for drop-bar bikes, bringing wider tyres, disc brakes and tubeless tech to the world of road cycling, while opening up the possibilities of exploration and adventure on forest fire roads and bridleways, away from the hustle and bustle of traffic and motor vehicles.
One thing the burgeoning discipline has historically struggled with, though, is comfort in the backside department.
Lower tyre pressures and even short-travel suspension can take the sting out of some of the grittier terrain, but your posterior and undercarriage are firmly in the firing line when the going gets rough.
However, Selle San Marco has a solution – its Shortfit Allroad saddle range. Designed specifically for gravel and all-road cycling, and made proudly in Italy, the iconic manufacturer’s new line-up features three models that are each tailored to a style of rider and riding.
Whichever you plump for, all are packed with innovative features that help make the ride smoother – enabling you to go further and faster in the process.
From an anatomy-refined geometry to integrated shock absorbers, here’s how Selle San Marco’s Shortfit Allroad range will stop your butt being on the line.
Gravel-focused geometry
The Shortfit Allroad is a tried-and-tested shape that has been refined by Selle San Marco for its road, gravel and bikepacking ranges. Featuring a central, pressure-relieving cut-out, it keeps things comfortable downstairs in a stubby, compact package.
However, the Shortfit Allroad iteration has taken this one step further. A waved profile has been engineered with uneven terrain in mind, providing the stability and support needed when venturing off-road, improving load distribution and engendering a smoother ride as a result.
These improvements don’t mean performance on the asphalt has been sacrificed either, and the saddle retains its responsiveness when you’re laying down the power and taking advantage of some plush (or pothole-strewn) tarmac.
Funky flexible connection
Beneath the microfibre cover and biofoam padding lies a nylon shell that has been reinforced with carbon fibre to enhance its rigidity and durability without increasing weight. But it’s how the shell is connected to the rails that helps take things up a notch.
Using Selle San Marco’s innovative bow rail system, the shell is able to pivot around the rails rather than sitting rigidly in one place. This flexibility enables the absorption of micro-impacts and vibrations common on ‘champagne’ gravel and fast-flowing trails, smoothing the ride without impacting pedalling efficiency.
Additional absorption
The general chatter of a gravel road can become tiresome after a while. However, it’s the big, high-frequency hits and vibrations of broken roads and monster craters that can sap energy during a long-distance ride or adrenaline-fuelled race – impacting performance and with it your final placing.
The Shortfit Allroad has another trick up its sleeve (or rather, in its shell) to help with the bigger jolts. Selle San Marco has strategically integrated shock absorbers throughout the shell that help filter out the body blows. Designed to handle anything thrown at them, they keep you fresher and fatigue-free for longer regardless of terrain.
Six shapes and styles to fit your needs (and nether regions)
The Shortfit Allroad is available in three unique designs, helping you tailor your saddle choice to your needs. All three come in small and large sizings, meaning that out of the six there will be a saddle that should suit any posterior and usage.
The Sport is the entry-level model, combining all of the features listed above with steel rails to create a comfortable, durable and reliable saddle that won’t break the bank (or your backside).
For those looking to add some extra performance into the equation, the Shortfit Allroad Racing iteration swaps out the steel rails for an Xsilite alternative, lowering the weight without forfeiting any strength or durability.
Finally, the Shortfit Supercomfort Racing takes the Racing formula and adds an integrated silicone gel into the padding, ramping vibration absorption up even further while also improving pressure distribution at common contact points.
