What are the differences and which one is for you?

At first glance, the Solano and Solano SL bicycle saddles may look pretty similar, but  when you look closer you'll notice subtle differences built into the sleek and lightweight designs.

Both saddles share the same Fusion Form bases, providing a durable and supportive platform with which to build a comfortable and rider-focused saddle upon. Moving upward from the bases however, reveals a number of strategically implemented variations that when combined, tailor each model to different types of bike rider.

Who are the saddles designed for?

Let's start by outlining the type of rider each saddle is designed for, and it's actually pretty simple.

Solano SL

The Solano SL features a firm Fusion Form base and flat profile, making it a great option for riders with good flexibility. These riders tend to rotate their hips forward as they lean and lock-into the handlebars. The Solano SL is designed for riders who push hard on the pedals during shorter, more intense rides.

Solano

The Solano also features the same Fusion Form base with a flat profile, making it ideal for riders with good flexibility and hip rotation. Whereas the Solano SL is more suited to short and sharp rides, the Solano features a little extra padding to help optimize it for medium to longer days out.

The Difference is in the Details

Now that you've hopefully got a clearer picture of who the Solano and Solano SL bicycle saddles are designed for, let's take a look at how this is achieved.

The Love Channel

The first and perhaps the most visually apparent variation lies within the grooves that runs along the top of each saddle. The Love Channel built into the Solano has a wider diameter, particularly in close proximity to the sit bones areas. This is designed to work with the Solano's thicker padding, to help reduce perineal and frontal pressure during longer rides. The Love Channel featured on the Solano SL is visibly more narrow, and designed to complement the thinner padding on the slimline option. 

Padding Thickness

The second difference between the Solano SL & Solano bicycle saddles might be a little more tricky to spot, but a closer inspection will reveal that the padding used on the latter seems more full.

The Solano features thicker padding than the Solano SL, 4mm thicker in the sit bone areas, and 2mm everywhere else. This thicker padding helps improve comfort for those who are riding for a little longer, and at a medium intensity.

Designed for shorter and more intense rides on the other hand, the Solano SL leverages less padding for a very good reason. Pushing hard on the pedals while staying seated puts less weight through the rider's sit bones, so less padding is needed to achieve optimal comfort.

Wanna learn more in video form? You got it!

In Summary

To sum it all up then... If you are a bike rider with good flexibility and enjoys peddling hard during short to medium rides, the Solano SL could be your next match.

If you prefer heading out for a bit longer without pushing quite as hard on the pedals but still benefit from good flexibility on the bike, the Solano could be for you.

Decided on which model you want but unsure which rail material to choose? We've got you covered. 

Learn more about the three new saddles that we just launched!