Arione Kium v Arione R5 v Arione R3

Elfed

I've ridden 4300 miles on an Arione Kium for the last year and happy with this saddle.
I'm wanting another for my other bike but not sure if I should get the same or spend more and get the R5 or R3, or even the Kurve Snake.

Anyone done the same thing?

trailflow

i have a Arione CX manganese, R3 kium (2014) and Kurve Snake alu

The comfiest is the Kurve Snake by far. The flex is definitely there and it helps quite alot. The rails btw are 7 x 9 so you might need a different seatpost clamp (i can confirm it works with a thomson elite/masterpiece + hongfu seatpost). Also the kevlar fabric underneath is prone to splitting and tearing in 3 places. The saddle still works normal as there is an extra support piece installed. You probably won't even notice unless you inspect it. Because of this, they can come up on ebay cheap. i got mine for £50.

2nd comfiest is the Arione CX manganese.

The R3 is quite firm and has less padding than the old Arione CX. I only rode the R3 for a month but i remember it being harsher than the others.

Elfed

trailflow wrote:

i have a Arione CX manganese, R3 kium (2014) and Kurve Snake alu

The comfiest is the Kurve Snake by far. The flex is definitely there and it helps quite alot. The rails btw are 7 x 9 so you might need a different seatpost clamp (i can confirm it works with a thomson elite/masterpiece + hongfu seatpost). Also the kevlar fabric underneath is prone to splitting and tearing in 3 places. The saddle still works normal as there is an extra support piece installed. You probably won't even notice unless you inspect it. Because of this, they can come up on ebay cheap. i got mine for £50.

2nd comfiest is the Arione CX manganese.

The R3 is quite firm and has less padding than the old Arione CX. I only rode the R3 for a month but i remember it being harsher than the others.

I thought Fizik had addressed the splitting problem? I do like the look of the Kurve and will need to buy the accommodating seat post mast ears for the rails if I purchase one.

I've looked at the CX but they seem hard to come by, especially in black but will certainly consider one if available.

Has the CX been replaced with the R5?

ugo.santalucia

I have an Arione CX which I inherited... the kevlar thing comes unglued from the foam, but in practice it is a non issue. If you want you can take a syringe and inject some glue in the area and let it cure

Elfed

The Arione CX seems difficult to get hold of, anyone know if the R5 is it's replacement, or are they different?

ugo.santalucia

Elfed wrote:

The Arione CX seems difficult to get hold of

I got one for free as it was all scuffed, but my wife recoated it with real leather... job done... not a penny was dropped... 8)