Last year I used the Selle Italia Model X — super comfortable for me, no issues with fit or pressure. But it started tearing holes in my bibs near the groins. A fitter suggested switching to the Novus Boost Evo TM Superflow.
I’ve done 3 rides (~200km) on it and it’s awful. Major perineum pressure, poor sit bone support, groins burns while pedaling. I had to tilt it -5° just to survive, now my wrists hurt from sliding forward (Model X was fine at -3°).
Is there any way to stop the Model X from ruining bibs? I really want to go back to it.
by BusComfortable1638
28 Comments
Yep same staff happen to me, i liked the shape so i bought the sella italia novus evo boost and have no problem with it
IMO the best Selle Italia Saddle is the SLR Superflow, might be worth the consideration. Never had issues with Bibs with the SLR Note: choose the right size for you; measuring your seat bones might be a useful help on sizing
This is the worst saddle selle italia makes and is renowned for destroying bibs. The Novus is basically the same shape so if you’re experiencing pain it’s likely some other adjustments the fitter made rather than the saddle.
Same experience for me, worst of all it ruined a pair of jeans from one ride when I made a mistake of trying it out on my commuter
I hate that saddle. It came with my bike and sold the saddle immediately
2 different saddles
Came with my canyon and I gave it away immediately
One of the worst saddles ever. It left a huge hole in the side of one of my favourite pairs of jeans.
Here I am, with this saddle on 3 of my 4 bikes currently and absolutely loving it. Have noticed no damage to any bibs or pants at all.
Get the Selle Italia SLR boost & never look back
Yes, i like to call it the “bib destroyer 5000”
Bought the Model X and instantly returned it. Did an install ride of about 10 miles on Zwift and it drove me crazy with how much my bibs stuck to it. I was in pain after 5 miles. I figured it might be a little less sticky as it wore in, but it sounds like all the comments in here affirm that isn’t the case.
I switched to a Fizik Terra Argo X5 and highly recommend. However, it definitely is a slick saddle.
Did they change your seat height? If it’s too high you might be rocking back and forth to compensate which can cause the wear and pain issues you’ve mentioned
Like everyone else, I also bought the novus to replace this pants destroyer. The novus is more slick. I put the model X in a trail bike since I’m usually out the saddle when mountain biking
Did the same to my bibs – trash it
Can confirm: came on my Canyon. O e ride and gone. Why make a saddle with a ridge of grabbing rubber? Mine actually seemed to open and close like jaws on the fabric of my bibs.
That saddle does that. Its the worst saddle around. Why it is manufactured at all is a mystery.
Removed that thing from my new bike as soon as I got home from the shop
Don’t blame the seat needle dick :p
I also had issues with the Model X tearing bibs. Supposedly it has to do with the recycled materials being more grippy.
Okay, since we all agree that Model X is pretty shitty, then my question is: Is Novus Boost Evo Superflow (Non-TM version) just the same shit with different pricetag?
https://preview.redd.it/2dzart0vveve1.jpeg?width=1076&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d0e489f679a17f782adf9d1a803b23faf6f9765b
Bike I bought had this saddle. Did 1 ride and ditched it. Why it’s so tacky is beyond me. You can’t move around on the saddle at all. Sold it with my old bike.
Brooks champion saddle and Levi’s medium stretch jeans/shorts. No need to thank me
Write to Selle Italia.
I had a similar thing going on with an SQlab one. After contacting and founding out what was the problem, they gave me a new pair of pants, a new saddle from them and even solved that problem in the production line.
Maybe the Model X Leaf has a less bib wrecking surface material?
Since the Model X is not for me, i dunno much if other variants of the model are less bib destroying. So i am just guessing.
I have the Model X base and with gel on two “normal” bikes which I ride without bib shorts.
I also have the SLR boost on the main road bike: same shape, better materials and feeling. Definitely the best saddle I have ever tried
Novus-lineup actually has a saddle called “Novus Boost Evo Superflow” (missing the TM). Its missing the extra padding comapred to the TM one (not sure what else is different). From my experience it did not ruin my shorts. The shape looks very very similar to the Model X. If the shape is good for you, id give the **Novus Boost Evo Superflow** a chance, not to be confused with the **Novus Boost Evo TM Superflow** you are using now.
I read from other posts that the reason for the Model X ruining bibs could be the surface turning sticky and therefore create extra friction. Selle Italia advertises the Model X as a “100% sustainable product using Greentech technology”. This could be the reason. The non-TM **Novus Boost Evo Superflow** I had, did not have this problem.
Its this one: [https://www.bike-discount.de/en/selle-italia-novus-boost-evo-superflow-saddle](https://www.bike-discount.de/en/selle-italia-novus-boost-evo-superflow-saddle)
https://preview.redd.it/qes13unetgve1.png?width=875&format=png&auto=webp&s=447727409fc1eaf2a736f4133dfe96207f0b1b73
Too grippy