
My first ride on a 3T Strada Italia was the briefest of encounters in Tuscany. It was nearing the end of a fresh spring day in Massa Marittima, where I had the good fortune to be reviewing new bike components at Bike Connection, an annual trade event. Selle SMP’s product team was proudly showing off a new line of saddles, using a Strada Italia as a test rig.
I remember thinking it was a brave choice to demonstrate saddle comfort on what looked like an uncompromising aero bike, but what happened next blew me away.