Great saddle that helped after injury...
Ater 30+ years of racing on the same tired old Selle Italia Turbo saddle, I developed a rough case of prostatatis. I needed an anatomic saddle (full central cut-out) to address that issue, which the SMPs did, so I fit them on all my bikes (road and gravel) However, after retiring from racing I started doing a bit of gravel riding as a more relaxed way to stay in shape on the bike. A particularly rough section of rocky trail at speed gave me a nasty pelvic floor injury that persisted for 9 months. To get back on the bike again, I wanted a saddle that gave excellent shock/vibration cushioning, but which also had a central relief channel. After exhaustive research, I decided to give the Ergon SMC core (sm/med) a try. So far, so good. Over two hour rides are fine and, although I thought the central relief might not be deep enough, I've had no problems. As well, the design feature of the Core padding being good for backs has been very comfortable for my lower back (S1/L5 deterioration). As an added insurance for my back and pelvic floor, I invested in an Ergon CF Allroad Carbon seatpost. The flex is quite subtle but - when combined with the SMC core saddle - it has made my vintage steel gravel bike my go-to ride for comfortable riding. I can certainly recommend this saddle for anyone who wants a comfy saddle that's good for older backs and sensitive nether regions, yet still allows for spirited cycling. Now, I have to save up and get a few more for my other bikes.
