Selle San Marco targets gravel comfort with new Shortfit Allroad saddle range
Selle San Marco has unveiled the Shortfit Allroad, a new saddle family aimed squarely at the demands of modern gravel and all-road riding, with the Italian brand promising more stability, improved vibration control and greater freedom of movement across mixed terrain. The range launches in three versions, each available in two sizes, and is designed to cover everything from commuting and first-time gravel riding to longer and more performance-focused adventures.
At the centre of the new line-up is Selle San Marco’s Shortfit shape, which uses a compact platform and a waved profile to deliver a more planted feel on rough ground. According to the brand, that profile is intended to improve load distribution and keep the ride smooth when surfaces become broken, loose or unpredictable. The saddles also use the Bow Rail System, a design that allows the frame to flex around the rail in order to absorb micro-shocks and vibrations over long distances and varied terrain.
Selle San Marco says the structure is further supported by shock absorbers integrated into the body of the saddle, helping to filter high-frequency vibration and reduce rider fatigue. In a category where comfort can quickly become the deciding factor on long days out, that focus makes clear where the new range is pitched. This is a product family built not just for speed on gravel, but for control and consistency when the ride gets rough.
The entry point is the Shortfit Allroad Sport, which is positioned as the accessible option for riders new to gravel but keen to build distance without sacrificing support. Selle San Marco has equipped it with steel rails, prioritising durability, sturdiness and predictable performance on tougher surfaces. In practical terms, it sounds like the model for riders who want reliability first, with a price that keeps it within reach at £74.99.
Moving up the range, the Shortfit Allroad Racing is aimed at riders who want a firmer, more direct feel from the saddle, particularly on faster gravel routes and mixed-terrain rides where precision matters. It uses a carbon fibre reinforced nylon body, which Selle San Marco says helps deliver a stable and responsive ride, while the Xsilite rail is intended to keep weight down without compromising strength. That makes it the more performance-led option in the family, with a recommended retail price of £134.99.
For riders putting comfort at the top of the wish list, the headline model is the Shortfit Allroad Supercomfort Racing. This version is built for longer rides and bigger distances, with Selle San Marco adding integrated gel to improve pressure distribution and reduce pressure peaks at contact points. The brand says that should help absorb the repeated impacts that come with gravel tracks, hard-packed dirt and uneven roads, while the Xsilite rail is retained to provide a balance of low weight, durability and responsive ride feel. The recommended retail price is £144.99.
Taken together, the three-model range is a clear attempt by Selle San Marco to broaden its appeal in one of cycling’s fastest-moving categories. Gravel riders are asking for saddles that can cope with long hours, repeated impacts and constant shifts in body position, while still feeling efficient when the pace rises on smoother sections. On paper, the Shortfit Allroad range is Selle San Marco’s answer to that brief, combining a compact profile with rail flex, integrated damping and model-specific constructions to suit different budgets and riding styles.
There is also a wider brand story behind the launch. Founded in 1935 in Rossano Veneto, in the province of Vicenza, Selle San Marco is one of cycling’s longstanding names and has built its reputation on technical saddles with a strong Made in Italy identity. Since 2016, it has been part of the Selle Italia Group, and with the Shortfit Allroad the company is clearly looking to reinforce its place in a market where gravel-specific equipment continues to evolve quickly.
For riders weighing up the options, the range appears neatly segmented. The Sport looks set to appeal to newcomers and value-conscious buyers, the Racing targets a more speed-focused gravel rider, and the Supercomfort Racing is the obvious choice for those planning all-day adventures where fatigue management matters as much as outright responsiveness. If the real-world performance matches the claims, Selle San Marco may have produced a range that covers a lot of ground, both literally and commercially.
