The saddle has got to be the most important piece of equipment for the cyclist when it comes to comfort and performance. If your ass is rubbing the wrong way, causing chafing and sores, or all circulation is cut off rendering you unable to locate vital organs for nature breaks, then it’s fair to say you don’t have the right saddle. And just as it is with significant others of the human kind, finding ‘the one’ is usually a trial and error process that can take years before you hit on the perfect companion for your nether regions.
Most pros will have a favourite saddle they will use throughout their career, and despite sponsorship commitments will often go to great lengths to ride the same model, perhaps disguised to try and fool the fans or appease said sponsors. Or they’ll just insist that their new team gets on board with the seat supplier to keep them happy. It’s that vital. Rumour has it that Mark Cavendish insisted on Sky teaming up with fizik when he joined them for the 2012 season. And having been riding on their Aliante for the last month, I can see why.
I’d had an early version of the Aliante on an old Giant TCR back in the mid 2000s, and it was a great fit for me. The curvy shape seemed to work with my riding style and/or body shape pefectly. I did a long road tour of Tasmania on it, riding 2500 kms in ten days with nary a grumble from downstairs. Then they released the Arione, longer, flatter and firmer, and I was attracted to it and switched over. While I never hated it, we just didn’t seem to get on as well and I consequently moved on to many more relationships, most not very long lasting and ultimately unsatisfying.
When the Keepers Tour partnership with fizik was in its conception, I was excited about their new shoes, but a touch apprehensive about the saddles; I checked out the website and looked into their Spine Concept, where you can enter information about your body type and riding style and be recommended one of the three shapes on offer. All my characteristics pointed me back to the Aliante, as I’m apparently a ‘Bull’. The shape and profile of it also was most compatible with the older school styling of my Profetta. I requested a black cover with braided carbon rails, as the weight weenie in me influenced my decision. But how would it handle the cobbles and long days ahead in Flanders and northern France?
Well, I think if I ever find the perfect woman, she’ll be a lot like the Aliante. Shapely, sexy, reliable and great to sit on. Ok, maybe not the last one. This sadlle is awesome. To be able to ride for over five hours in a sitting (pardon the pun) on the roughest ‘roads’ in Europe and still be able to tell what’s going on down there at nature breaks is all you can ask for. I didn’t get a hint of a saddle sore or any chafing, even without chamois cream. The carbon rails survived the constant pounding and the cover endured some pre-tour crashes with flying colours. When my seatpost head loosened and slipped a cpuple of times on our second Roubaix ride, our mechanic Matthias was leery of cranking up the bolt onto the rails. He asked what the torque was, and not knowing I replied “as far as you can go”. It was torqued so hard that when I tried to loosen the bolt to fix the seat clamp, it took an extra long allen key with a pipe on the end to budge it. That’s some serious torque, but the carbon wrap didn’t even have a mark. Impressive.
I think I’ve found my perfect match in the Aliante. At least that’s what my boys are telling me, and in this case it’s better to be doing the thinking down below than up top.
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Now let's talk real mens saddles !
A Brooks Team Professional from the late 60's. I recently acquired this from a clubmate whose behind, if he ever rode it, has left absolutely no impression. But this was the saddle of choice for the hard road man of the era and carefully taken with them when they changed bikes.
You can, ofcourse, buy a Team Professional today, and I have a couple and delightful saddles they are, but wimperly the nose is now covered in leather obscuring all that lovely exposed metal work. I am building up a 531 racer of the period at the moment and intend the Brooks to go on it. However, I have a feeling that I shall feel rather intimidated the first time I throw a leg over it.
Memories and experiences from those who have ridden these monsters would be welcome.
@Vin'cenza
I don't think I will, just in case it happens that they fit better! I'll then feel bad about stockpiling Aliantes. I do love the Aliante so much that I'll just stick with them.
@snoov
Five isn't really enough, whenever they come up on eBay I just keep buying them (just in case!)
@Clips and Straps
Watchoo talkin bout... I am looking at a two year old Swift and a four year old Team Pro, both with identical copper riveting at front and back.
If anything I would say the Team Pro is slightly more cut away in the mid section, but otherwise identical, with most of the screw exposed.
@minion
So your point is that of three choices one still should get a saddle that fits - and I have never done the bread thing. I just like perpetuating really stupid activities. By the way, how far do one's sit bones move laterally when ones body moves the few inches between being on the drops or on the top of ones bars? Millimeters? Which brings me to your question about "AFL" - the sport you refer to is actually Australian Rules Football. The greatest ball sport in the world. But I won't bother trying to convince you of that.
Mini, we would never throw you in a ditch - you would just end up working in one if you came over here. You are just another well balanced kiwi (chips on both shoulders) who would fit in with all your other countrymen over here who perform menial (your name is spot on) tasks in Australia. To paraphrase Judge Smails, our country needs ditch diggers too.
I changed from a normal Arione to the Arione Vs model which fits my body much better. I've never had any numbness though, only sore sit bones and soft tissue during and after a long ride, with the Vs, soft tissue pain nearly totally gone.
Copper rivets, yes, but an exposed screw ? I am suprised. None of Brooks current road saddles have this.
http://www.brookssaddles.com/catalogue-and-shop/saddles/road+&+mtb/
Perhaps you were able to get your hands on some old stock, in which case good for you.
@Marcus
It's like you couldn't decide if you wanted to play cricket or rugby so you combined the worst of both.
BTW, fuck digging ditches in this place it's be full of snakes and kill you. Seems like there's plenty of well balanced career minded Aussies willing to take on that task though.
@Marcus
@minion
Both of you could attempt to do some research concerning sit bones -- on your own merit. And then apply to your saddle as you see "fit" ((pun intended here)) and avoid sounding petty.
@Vin'cenza
No no, I like watching them fight about which island is better.
@Vin'cenza
Calm down Champ. You obviously haven't been around these parts long enough to understand the symbiotic relationship that Minion and I share. Our "petty" exchanges are a key part of this website.
And on that score things have been too nice around here for a long time. I couldn't give a fuck about a bunch of losers' having some shit trip to the bowels of Europe. I would like to argue with people about cycling matters. To that end I say that Australia is now the finest all-round cycling country in the world.