Fizik Saddles - Experience?

Dizeee

Hi all

I had a Fizik Ardea VS which came from Canyon and I transferred it onto my daily bike. I couldn't get on with it and found I continually burned and chaffed in the inner groin, it felt as if my skin was being trapped and rubbing. Over a few days I was red raw, and this carried on over a good few weeks.

Recently I entered the Fizik test saddle program and swapped my Ardea for an Aliante, which came with a "big sell" from the shop. I didn't want that particular model but they insisted. It was just as agonising and within 24 hours, I have replaced that with a Arione. This feels much better although because I am so sort it is hard to tell exactly how much better.

I have a Prologo on my decent bike and that causes no issues. I have never used Fizik before March this year but so far I have just made the sides of my undercarriage red raw and I am wondering whether I should avoid Fizik altogther.

I rarely use cream or chamois but have started to - it has improved things but not fully resolved. I have cycled thousands of miles over past few years with hardly any saddle issues, so this is not a "new rider" problem.

Any advice or experience of Fizik? I am supposedly a bull, however, the Arione made for snakes so far seems the best. Cheers

lincolndave

I have three Antares saddles and never had any trouble with them , they feel really comfortable, the main thing about saddles , as you well know we are all built different so what suits one does not suit another, I have never done the Fizik app test and I am not sure how bending over / flexibility can really work out what saddle suits
Sorry it's no help but it's just my thoughts, good luck with finding the right saddle Dizeee

webboo

I have an Antares on my best bike as that what it came with. Even though I have done ride up a 100 miles on it I'm still not sure about it. There are times when I feel I'm getting a sore arse but it wears off, I have a Selle Italia SLR and a Flite Titanium on my other bikes which seem ok.
I'm not sure whether riding style effects how a saddle feels as when I ride with a group social ride my arse hurts less than when I ride on my own and I tend to just get on with things.

briantrumpet

I ened up with a Arione Versus, and now have them on all my bikes. An ordinary Arione came with one of my new bikes, and though it was comfy (I like the way you can shift forwards/backwards on it), the groove in the Versus overcame the perineal discomfort I was getting on longer rides.

But, of course, saddles are completely personal - one person's arm chair is another's bed of nails.

daniel_b

Indeed, all extremely personal.

The Arione fits me well, and I have several cx versions, a couple with carbon rails, and one 00 model, super comfy for me. I tried their flexibility app a while back, and that also matched me to the Arione.

Too scared to try anything else, in case I prefer it, and then have to shell out hundreds!
Besides, they all match my bikes :-)

Riding High

Been riding on Aliante's for years doing sportives and long distance rides with no issues at all.

Think this is one that is each to their own!!!

ayjaycee

My Synapse came with a Prologo Kappa which I didn't really get on with from day 1. It wasn't exactly uncomfortable but I found myself sliding forward on it despite having what I thought to be the right setup. In the end, I borrowed a few Fizik saddles from my LBS and finally settled on an Antares. It felt good from the start and I haven't changed that view after about 12 months use.

Just goes to prove that saddle selection and comfort is a very personal thing. Apart from keep trying other saddles until you hopefully find one to suit, the only thing I can suggest is that you look at the Fizik website for set up instructions for your particular saddle - if I remember correctly, it is not always as simple as putting a book on the top and using a spirit level and varies from model to model.

dannbodge

I tried the Arione but it felt too narrow for me so switched to an Antares.
I've got the R3 version which is quite hard but I find It pretty comfortable and I am happy with it

Saddles are a very personal thing though so what works for us probably wouldn't work for you.

Midlands Grimpeur

As pointed out above, don't bother with what works for others. If the prologo gives you no issues then get another one. It seems Fizik is not suited to you based on your comments so I would give up on them.

Dizeee

Thanks all. My next move was to give up on them and go Prologo. Ill just give it a few days to give me a chance to go back to the LBS.

That said this Arione combined with Sudocreme / Udderly Moo ( not both together mind ) is working out ok so you never know.

StillGoing

Arione Vs is a great comfortable saddle for me. I had them on both my bikes, but sold my Wilier with the saddle before I was able to switch it to its replacement. Thankfully, the Prologo saddle on the replacement isn't a problem.

flasher

Good bibs make a lot of difference too.

animal72

4 bikes, all fitted with Fizik Antares.

ZMC888

I just finished a 220km ride on my Antares yesterday without a single issue. I've got an Arione on another bike and I like it almost as much. For most people an Antares for road and a Gobi for MTB work very well.

With Fizik saddles they need to be setup properly using a spirit level to get the nose tilted about 1 degree down.

Anonymous

Dizeee wrote:

Thanks all. My next move was to give up on them and go Prologo. Ill just give it a few days to give me a chance to go back to the LBS.

That said this Arione combined with Sudocreme / Udderly Moo ( not both together mind ) is working out ok so you never know.

You need a saddle thats comfy without Bongela, Durex Play, or padded shorts. You use those things to increase the time you can comfortably sit in a comfortable saddle.

Fizik work for me and loads of other people, but other peoples experience is totally irrelevant, and I am sure Fizik will not mind you giving up on them.

mr_mojo

This post has got me wondering about my Fizik saddle choice. Just downloaded the app and it's telling me I'm a Bull so not very flexible at all. I currently have the Arione of 5 bikes and never had an issue but by rights this is the totally wrong saddle for me.

Websta24

Measure your sit bones.

I tested various saddles and none where comfortable....When i had my bike fit he measured my sit bones. I was riding a 134mm saddle and i required a 155mm

Fizik saddles are generally quite narrow so this is possibly the cause

Now riding a Spesh Toupe 155mm and its perfect!

P.S....Sit bone width has no correlation to how fat or thin your arse is!

helmetberg

Websta24 wrote:

Measure your sit bones.

I tested various saddles and none where comfortable....When i had my bike fit he measured my sit bones. I was riding a 134mm saddle and i required a 155mm

Fizik saddles are generally quite narrow so this is possibly the cause

Now riding a Spesh Toupe 155mm and its perfect!

P.S....Sit bone width has no correlation to how fat or thin your ars* is!

Fat ars*

Dizeee

Well I give up. The arione is better - but not solved problems.

I have for now gone back to a saddle I have always had knocking around - Selle Italia XO whatever that is - a cut out middle section and very squidgy.

The arione was ok but has not resolved my issues.

Harry182

A rational resolution. As stated above, saddle compatibility is very much down to the individual in question. I personally get along with an Arione. But if it had chafed I'd have ditch it in a heartbeat and not look back.

Michael-B

I have an Antares R3. They're very firm but I've never had an issue. Even on all day rides I forget about it which is a good sign. It's obviously a personal thing though, as others say.

joey54321

I have tried, and hated, all Fizik saddles. I really wanted to like them as I think they look really good (stupid reason to choose a saddle I know) but they have been the least comfortable I have ever used (and I have used a lot of saddles!).

bbrap

I find Fizik Arione is great but only for up to 60 ish miles. No rubbing or chafing it just gets to the point where I need to get out of the saddle a lot more as I'm feeling a bit sore. My old broken in brooks is great for 150 straight and then again the next day, trouble is it looks pants on a modern bike.