Suzette of Fi’zi:k gives us a quick look at the limited edition team replica saddles that will be hitting the market soon (May ‘09).

Pozzoleone, Italy – Fi’zi:k’s 2009 Limited Edition Team Replica saddle and tape kits are scheduled to arrive in bike shops in early May. The annual collection, in its seventh year, features the new Antares road saddle in select pro team-issue colors, as well as an exclusively designed kit-only SPLIT:TAPE. The special handlebar tape, produced specifically for the 2009 Team Replica kits, will not be sold separately in the aftermarket.

The annual release of fi’zi:k Team Replica Limited Edition saddles honors fi’zi:k’s pro sponsored road teams. Color availability varies by continent and by country and is based on each pro team’s country of origin as well as respective distributor stipulations. The saddles are pre-ordered, traveling from fi’zi:k’s production facility in Pozzoleone, Italy to distributors worldwide where they are immediately shipped to independent bike dealers. Consumers desiring a specific saddle and tape color are encouraged to visit a fi’zi:k dealer to reserve a kit.

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Part 3: Accessorize - Fizik Antares saddle and KCNC quick releases
The next two were easy upgrades that actually saved a lot of weight.

Fizik Antares Saddle

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

The Antares is the newest saddle from Fizik. It is positioned between the ultra-comfortable Aliante and the ultra-popular Airione. I love the Aliante but the Airione never quite fit me. The Antares’ real competitor is a minimalist saddle like the Selle Italia Flite which weighs an astounding 135 grams. However, I find the Flite extremely uncomfortable. The Antares weighs a little more but I found it to be surprisingly comfortable–even on 50 mile rides. Plus, at 177 grams, it saves 38 grams over the Aliante. You can read my in-depth review here.

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.