Product Review: fi’zi:k Saddles
Tuesday, July 29th, 2008I Found The Missing Saddle’s
fi’zi:k
It’s time kids for another adventure of “TEST THAT PRODUCT”
Today we venture to the equipment that caters to the most important part of the human anatomy …………….your private parts and yes we are talking about saddles.
I don’t know about you, but I can force myself to ride under any painful condition for a short period of time, knees, arms, numbing of the hands, pain in my neck, you name it, and I know you have all been there, but if your twigs and berries are just a gnats ass under the weather, its grounds for divorce and your standing on the side of the road. The saddle has become one of the most important pieces of equipment on our machines, and we are willing to go through several saddles, and if you are not given them for free, find yourself reluctantly wasting tons of your bank account to find the Golden Fleece.
Let’s face it; this is one product that has been over gimmicked in the industry to the point of complete confusion, if you ride this saddle you won’t have kids, if you ride this saddle you will have kids etc. etc., its like the Bush administrations war on terror tactics to convince you to put more money into this cause to make his buddies fat pockets bigger, and I have yet to find a pro cyclist in retirement who hasn’t popped out a kid or two, so needless to say I do not buy into the “slotted saddle” philosophy and lucky enough neither has Fizik. What I do believe in is a proper fit and saddle adjustment regardless what equipment you choose that your equipment is sitting on.
I have tried tons of saddles in my days, everything from the old Brooks “force your crotch to mold the hard leather saddle, saddle”, the Selle Italia turbo, the famous Concor, Serfas models slotted and not, and many more. But recently, I was given three models from Fizik to take for a spin and see what I thought. I know what your thinking, shi*, here we go again a saddle review from someone with a completely different set up than mine, and the guessing continues.
So here is what I am going to do, I will describe the three saddles we are testing by means of design and intent, I will give you my feed back and input from other people in the Tucson area who do ride and race these saddles. Hopefully with this information you can get enough input to come close to your preferred riding style and the seat that best fits it, the rest is up to you for slight adjustments.
Fair? O.K. lets go for it.
First let’s get a bit warm and fuzzy with some history regarding Fizik.
Fizik saddles are a relatively new kid on the block for saddle makers. Fizik started research and development back in 1996 here in the USA, and are handmade in Italy by the worlds largest and one of the oldest saddle manufacturer, Selle Royal. You will find Fizik saddles on more professional team bikes than you have fingers and they have produced some of the most hip advertising campaigns for saddles that I have seen in the past ten years, pushing their product as the “High Fasion” for cycling. They were one of the few companies to make the hype about the top secret saddle the Arione during the Simoni reign in the tour of Italy back in the day when everyone wanted to know about his top secret saddle weapon. So let’s talk about this secret weapon and two other popular models from Fizik.
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Arione Wing Flex
Statistics:
Color Tested: Chalk white
Cover: White suede
Thigh Glides: White microtex
Rail: K:ium
Weight: 225 gr
Integrated Clip System I.C.S. (This is a removable plastic clip that allows for the mounting of special Fizik designed saddle bags)
The Famous Arione was developed with the input of Gilberto Simoni back in 2003 and was introduce during this particular Tour of Italy that he won. Fizik abviously was well informed about the UCI amended Technical Rule 1.3.014 that was passed on January 3, 2003 in which The length of the saddle shall be 24 cm minimum and 30 cm maximum. Well, most of your saddles out there at the time and today hang around the 27 cm mark in length, Fizik just decided to go for the maximum length and increase the rail lengths in the process. This length increase allows for more adjustment in the fore and aft position on the post and for the rider to move along the saddle itself with greater range. The slots in the saddle or “Wing Slots” are designed not for ventilation, but to allow the saddle to flex more and allow for your inner thigh to have a bit more range of motion. It sounds like simple stuff, but you have to understand know one tried it before so it put Fizik up there as the progressive thinkers.
I put this saddle on my bike and I have to say it is on the cool side to look at, but I will warn you, the increase ability to adjust this saddle can also increase the difficulty on finding that happy sweet spot. Since most people are used to the 27’ish saddles, this saddle will feel a bit on the weird side the first couple of rides.
Now, I have had heard mixed input from friends who have this saddle, from tons of praise such as “I love the ability to move farther back while climbing”, or “I love the longer nose for moving forward into the power position”. To the only occasional dislike “I had that saddle and got rid of it because my balls went numb”.
I have to be honest, in my 20 years of riding it is the only saddle I ever heard this kind of extreme feedback from, and during my testing I have to say I personally occasionally encountered the numbing of the balls thing as well.
My engineering brain can only hypothesis that the added length in the saddle causes slightly more deflection to happen in the middle of the saddle and possibly pushing some riders gently in the wrong places, this is even after I adjusted it several times to eliminate the issue. But again it’s a different design and therefore will have extremely different types of feedback to different types of anatomies.
This is one of those saddles I would start with the question: Do I naturally move around a lot on my saddle and find myself needing more space? or, do I typically like my saddles to hold me firmly in one or two positions? If your answer is the ladder go to the next saddle review for the Aliante, if not, then this saddle will allow you unquestionably to have one of the greatest platforms for full movement from any saddle out there, and you will be crying like Mel Gibbson at the end of Braveheart without the unpleasant rectal torture……….. Freeeeeeedoooom!!!!!!
Regarding color choice, the white suede center panel sweat stains way too easily and was not easy to clean, I would highly suggest another color for this model, and Fizik has a ton to choose from, even custom combos, so color away.
Arione Wing Flex
I give the Arione 4 out of 5 saddles
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Aliante Carbon
Twin Flex - Carbon Braided
Statistics:
Twin Flex
Aliante white
Cover: white perforated microtex
Rear Protection: Beige Scuff Guards
Rail: k:ium
Weight: 239 gr
Integrated Clip System I.C.S. (This is a removable plastic clip that allows for the mounting of special Fizik designed saddle bags)
Ahhhhliante, this is my new name for this saddle. I have to say after riding the Arione the Aliante was a cornucopia for my Bottom. It is more the traditional 27’ish cm length and has a traditional subtle lip to the back of the saddle to cradle you into a more focused position. A feature that was not found on the Arione but again obviously to allow for the freedom of movement it is designed for. The Aliante has a good amount of padding where you need it and they eliminated the suede material on this model, so no more sweat stains that need cleaning to maintain that fresh new look. The shape reminds me of the older saddles, and I stress the word “saddle” in the traditional sense because the curvature of this seat really wants you to find the center, it will push back at you when you are at the rear of the saddle and pushing on the peddles, and will want you to sit more centered if you try to go too far forward. For some riders this will work great for people who like well defined zones on a seat, for those who like the more open and subtle approach, once again take a look at the Arione.
Again check out the colors online, The Aliante also allows you to customize to your hearts content.
Aliante Colors
I give the Aliante 4.5 out of 5 saddles
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ALIANTE XM Gamma
Statistics:
Twin Flex - with Technogel
Aliante XM Gamma white
Cover: White Perforated microtex
Rear Protection: Anthracite Cordura Scuff Guards Black Soft Touch
Rail: k:ium
Weight: 259 gr
Integrated Clip System I.C.S. (This is a removable plastic clip that allows for the mounting of special Fizik designed saddle bags)
Specifically designed for MTB use on bikes with suspension travel from 80 to 120mm.
The new high shape on the central and front part of the padding provides optimal weight distribution while you are riding in hard conditions.
Squared and well-padded front zone with Technogel gives you amazing comfort and increased traction during steep climbs.
Patented Twin-Flex gives extra softness on the genital area.
Check out the information on this saddle and it looks like your purchasing a freaking fighter jet, but for good reason, this thing is beyond comfortable. It takes the saddle shape of the Aliante and puts it on steroids.
The most impressive thing I found about the Gamma is its versatility. “It wins the good for anything you do saddle award” hands down. The Aliante XM Gamma is designed for mountain biking, but I have already seen it on several road bikes during races, and I myself did two time trials on this saddle on my TT bike. I found that I liked it better than any TT saddle out there due to it having just the right amount of cushion on the nose and center. Too many TT saddles put a freaking pillow so large on the nose that their saddle starts to push back on the private area and forces you to tilt your saddle to the point where you look like a freaking rookie. I thought this saddle was gifted in that department. I would even recommend this saddle for cyclocross due to its slightly more padded than the road Aliante and its increased structural build for those “not so smooth transitions”. If weight is your fear, a friend of mine told me that some people remove the scuff guards to reduce the weight enough to be competitive or lighter than most TT saddles out there. I have to say if weight is no issue for you and you are the “I am hard on my saddle events” go with the Gamma, it’s the best all rounder.
I give the Aliante XM Gamma 5 out of 5 saddle
Phew,
I have to say I am tired of typing, and I have enjoyed one hell of a rollercoaster adventure thanks to Fizik for letting us do the review. I hope that some of the information I experienced during this process gives all of you looking for a nice place to put your goodies that extra information for making the least painful choice. Regardless, Fizik has a saddle that will fit any style of rider and I guarantee the perfect cornucopia for your Bottom.
Even though Stefan Schumacher is rocking a slightly Buddhist look with the bald head, it might take a while to appreciate the Karmic justice of being 
Speaking of the Republic of Columbia, General Hincapie and President Stapleton must be incredibly happy with Captain Kirchen and the rest of the fleet so far. Garmin-Chipotle may be more of a sentimental favorite for the public but the former High Roaders are giving CSC a run for the title of Best Pro Team. In fact, the inclusion of the Women’s program makes Columbia a clear leader in the world of professional cycling.
By the way, I wasn’t kidding when I said President Stapleton - I would vote for him in a second. Let’s start a write-in campaign. Who’s with me?
I have been listening to the Eurosport audio in the morning and Sean Kelly completely calls him Cattle Evans. It’s not even close to Cuh-del. I’ve heard that Evans will correct people on the pronunciation from time to time but I wonder if he would have the stones to say anything to Kelly. Anyway, I recommend listening if you don’t have video for the morning coverage. Or can’t covertly watch it online at work.
For the record, Toyota United were the cool clique and swept the podium with Ben Day, Ivan Stevic and Jonny Clarke out of a break that consisted of Phil Zajicek, Colby Pierce and Jason Donald among others. Len Pettyjohn then mentioned that the TUP guys had done 5 hours before the race. Oh, okay…I guess that 6th hour is when you really start flying.
Actually, I’ve only listened to it once but I’m concerned that my style is a little more like the ladies from the “Delicious Dish” sketch on SNL. Good times. I’m glad it was Will and not Alec Baldwin (aka Pete Schweddy) on the other end of the line.
Specifically, the reverse-footage is exceedingly depressing, a little offensive and the song kind of makes me want to kill myself. Or start doing drugs to numb my ears and the resulting suicidal tendencies. Good job VS!! Only two and a half more weeks to go!! I hope we all make it. The riders might be clean but now the entire viewing public will be pill-popping alcoholics by the end of the month.
From the historically low-cut socks (a little triathlon-weird looking but still better than Moreau’s white tube socks), to the prematurely balding, yet oddly Jheri-curlish hair (just shave it off dude, trust me), to the overly-coordinated yellow, black and red of his new Spanish National Champion’s kit (the yellow on the bike and helmet make it seem like he’s trying too hard), the man who may or may not be DIRECTLY linked to Operacion Puerto has track record of questionable style (and nickname) choices. 
Anyway, despite the relative ease with which he won Stage 1 and coasted to the finish of Stage 2, I am sticking to my prediction that bad things will surface for Valv.Piti and he will not be sporting those garish yellow-gold Oakleys in Paris. ASO cannot be happy that he is prowling the top of the GC right now. “Umm…can someone get that Spanish judge on the line? Patrice Clerc would like to speak with him.”
This goes for just about everyone I’ve ever met but Thor Hushovd seems to reinforce this opinion. My guess is that the French like Thor quite a bit as well. Considering the publicity he has been able to generate for Credit Agricole over the last 5-6 years, he should be an honorary Frog at this point. I bet he’s more popular than Moreau.
It’s probably nothing compared to the Bus Stop Ride though and I think the start in St. Malo must have reminded him of the chapel with the same name on Peak to Peak Highway.
Often, a key element in effectively managing expectations is clearly acknowledging that uncontrollable events may occur which affect the desired Outcome. No matter the extent of due diligence, things happen from time to time which cannot be anticipated or avoided. Understanding this fact and being prepared to deal with the consequences of unforeseen events generally creates an environment in which the gaps between Expectations, Delivered Value and Perceived Value can be minimized, often resulting in a greater sense of satisfaction for the parties involved.
Specifically, the Tour de France is setting itself up for failure by instilling an Expectation that it will be an “incident-free” event. Not to be too pessimistic, but a precedent has been set for this race which is not likely to disappear in 2008. And the reality is that, despite all anti-doping efforts, the riders and the testers are human and prone to errors in both judgment and action. As such, it is historically unwise to create an environment in which there is an Expectation that no riders will test positive at some point during the next three weeks, either as a result of cheating or lab error.
Again, is it rational to fear that an unforeseen and uncontrollable event, isolated to one individual, will make all prior and existing efforts of everyone else involved in the sport less valid?