The Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow is a popular saddle among female riders, and for good reason. It is comfortable, supportive, and priced well.
In fact, I really like the Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow. It was my first road saddle when I got my first road bike in 2018, and since then it has taken me on many an adventure without so much as a hint of saddle soreness. As you can see it is a well-worn and well-loved saddle.
The Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow features a cut-out design and a good level of padding, however it does have one downside, and that is its weight.
Weighing a claimed 285g, the Diva Gel sits towards the heavier end of the saddle market, so if you are looking for a lightweight long-distance number, this might not be your first choice.
The Diva Gel is an absolute bargain, currently available for £37.99.
Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow: Design
Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow features a cut out which Selle Italia says reduces pressure on the rider’s perineal and sensitive areas.
Of course, as mentioned in our guide to women’s saddle, a cut-out may not work for everyone, so it is really important to try out what works for you.
The Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow comes in various black variants now, and since you ask, you can see my original is the white variant, just with a few marks of wear and tear.
It is available in two widths of 135mm (S3) and 152mm (L3). I ride a 152mm one and even though my seat bones measure 155mm, it just works.
In the Selle Italia sizing system, S is narrower than L, and the ‘3’ dictates that the saddle has a large central hole. The brand recommends these for cyclists with a high pelvic rotation.
Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow: Comfort
The Diva Gel offers a really good amount of cushioning and I have found the full-grain leather cover offers ample comfort.
It has dense foam padding with gel inserts which makes it very comfortbale in my experience.
It has a long nose, as opposed to a short nose, and the body and nose are very supportive. In the four years I have had this saddle I have never experienced any discomfort or chafing.
I have also found that this saddle works in a range of riding positions, making this an excellent choice if you are after an all-round women’s saddle.
Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow vs Liv Alacra SLR vs Fizik Tempo Argo R5
In terms of cushioning and comfort, as mentioned the Diva Gel really does come up trumps.
When compared to similar cut-out saddles in the same price bracket, it is more padded than the Liv Alacra SLR… but it is also much heavier.
Whilst the Fizik Tempo Argo R5 offers more padding than the Alacra SLR, it has a relatively flat profile which in my experience makes it less comfortable than the Diva Gel.
However, the Tempo Argo R5 is available in two widths (150 and 160mm) so would likely suit riders with slightly wider seat bones than the Diva Gel caters for.
Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow: Verdict
The Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow is a brilliant saddle and I am a huge fan. It is also an absolute bargain currently on sale at £37.99 (reduced from £99.99).
I haven’t given it five stars because it could do with some weight shaved off it and given its weight, I wouldn’t recommend it for a race or for riders after a lightweight option.
But, if you are looking for an all-round, comfortable saddle with a cut-out, and perhaps one for touring, I would highly recommend the Selle Italia Diva Gel flow.
- Buy now from Wiggle (£37.99)
