Fizik Antares Saddle Pro Review - By Twain Mein

• Cost: $199 MSRP
• Comfortable yet very light weight
• Natural Leather Seat Cover
• Made in Italy
• ICS bag compatible
• Weight: Claimed 175 grams. Actual: 177.

This is a review of the Fizik’s latest saddle, the Antares. It’s supposed to be the “third dimension” between Fizik’s excellent Arione and Aliante. I’m not sure what the third dimension really means but what I discovered that it’s really a comfortable alternative to minimalist saddles like the Selle Italia SLR.

I decided to compare the Antares not only to it’s brethren but also to the Selle Italia SLR. Here’s how they measured up:

Comparing the saddles
My first experience with Fizik saddles was the Arione. It’s a great looking saddle that is much longer (25mm more than the Antares and SLR) than most saddles. I suppose this is to give you more freedom to move for/aft for spinning or pushing big gear. But despite it being the narrowest of the four–and with it’s built in “wing flex”, I’ve found that this saddle hits in the wrong places and is actually a bit of a disappointment; I tend to “get numb” when riding this saddle, especially when on the trainer.

Fizik Aliante Carbon Twin Flex - By Twain Mein

• Cost: $250 MSRP
• Soft Gel-Like center supported by Carbon Frame
• Replaceable Scuff Guards
• Natural Leather Seat Cover
• Made in Italy
• ICS bag compatible
• Weight: Claimed 199 grams. Actual: 215.

Finding the perfect saddle isn’t easy. In the olden days, a hard saddle was said to be preferred because you don’t bounce in the seat. But at 40+ years, it’s nice to have a little cush for your tush! I’ve had the famous Selle Italia Turbo, a bunch of Avocets, Selle Flite (135 grams of masochism), and the highly acclaimed Fizik Airone (I find it too wide in the wrong places and numbness-inducing). My favorite of late has been the Selle Gel, but it’s a bit portly at 285 grams, and it’s no longer made.

I was in the market for a new saddle for my new rig, a Cervelo R3. I’d always been intrigued by the Aliante because, gad, it seemed to have soft padding but was reasonably light. Finally decided to get one—and I’m totally pleased.

The Aliante features a narrow though padded nose with a wide and high back. This essentially allows 2 positions on the seat. Sitting forward you can spin, Lance Armstrong style. Pushed back against the seat, you can use your quads to power up hills. In the middle you can cruise away happily. But the padding isn’t too excessive; you won’t bounce in the saddle losing efficiency.

It does take a while to dial-in the seat height, though. Because of the stepped up rear, the saddle is significantly higher in the back. It’s a good idea to set the seat height biased toward the (lower) front. Otherwise you can get knee pain from pushing from too low. Once dialed, however, it’s awesome.

Best saddle I’ve ridden.

Value:

Overall: