Metro50

What's up fellow cycler's.
Specialized, Fizik, Carbon saddle makers have come out with
the new technology of 3D printed saddles but they are still too
expensive.

ZTTO has come out with their version at 1/4 the price.



Anyone have this saddle?
If so, any negative/positive opinions?

Saddle geometry works for me since I've owned a
Specialized Power Comp for over 5 years.
I am more worried about this saddle deteriorating in less than a
year or so as I'm assuming the material will be less than stellar
to cut costs.

So, quality and durability trumps over comfort and
any real time opinions are welcome.


Happy ridings.

Metro50

Bump

Iride01

The 3D saddles from Fizik and Specialized have been out for almost two years if not longer. So in some respects it's not "new" technology.

I've been somewhat patiently waiting to see them discussed here, but haven't seen but brief mentions in relation to other concerns. Maybe you'll get some more interest.

As for your comment about cheaping out on material, I wouldn't think Fizik or Specialized would do that to a new indroduction that is high dollar. I'd think they'd probably manufacture the new introduction with the higher standard and materials so it gets a good reputation. It only takes a few negative reviews to trash potential customers interest in them.

Or was that comment only for the ZTTO saddle?

icemilkcoffee 

I have a $20 chinese carbon saddle that I use regularly, so I am by no means dismissive of cheap chinese saddles. But the key for this 3D printing technology is that they are able to fine tune the firmness for different areas of the seat to alleviate hotspots etc. So there is a lot of engineering involved. It's not something you can easily copy. So I am skeptical of it.

Nyah

What is being offered here, scan the rider's butt and then use the data to 3D-print a saddle for them?

kahn

I believe that the small/fine print suggests that these saddles might need to be replaced in about three years. That might be another consideration of this new technology. Yes, here's their sheet. See the highlighted text. It might be the saddle or the rail material????

Nyah

Planned obsolescence right under your nose/butt.

Iride01

I'd be surprised if you didn't find similar in the documents for other high dollar saddles intended toward the high performance market. Maybe even for the low dollar saddles I've bought.

If you made a saddle, do you want me to think it should last forever and I come back fifty years later wanting to know why the rail broke and expecting you to replace it?

Nyah

Who said anything about a manufacturer's limited warranty? I pointed out that a warning against using beyond a specified use life is a form of planned obsolescence. Manufacturer's limited warranties imply a use life but don't give a recommendation of replacement.

Mojo31

My guess is that that recommendation has to do with the carbon rails. Would be interesting to see if all of their carbon rail saddles come with that rec. can’t see anything in the 3D printed cover that would cause a safety issue over time.

dmanders

I LOVE my Fizik 3D saddle. Best I have ever ridden.

kahn

I found it too narrow for my shape! Wider Specialized is working out.

Iride01

Obviously it was you in that sentence immediately above. I was saying that I'd expect on many other saddles you'd find the same statement in some of the other literature they give you with the saddle.

So? Your clothes wear out. Your car wears out. Your furniture in your house wears out. Why shouldn't your saddle?

kahn

I will wear out before much of my furniture. Actually, some of it came from not-quite-antique shops and has had more than one useful lifetime. The house itself is past 100 and has four temporary "masters"!

veganbikes

I mean if you feel like a cheap knockoff is a good thing than I guess you have already made your decision, if you want a 3d printed saddle get it from those who were on the frontlines developing it not someone desperate to copy them but really probably can't because of the nature of the saddles from Specialized and Fizik. Yes they may look similar but that is probably where things end the fit and function will be different.

Metro50

Thanks guys for the many different opinions.
Just want to stress, I am not looking for a saddle to last forever. common sense.
Just would like it to last a least a few years to justify cost.
I've bought a $15 china knockoff of the power comp and after
5-6 rides the entire frame started bending. and I'm only 170lbs!

So, "real time" opinions are more relatable & worth considering,
unless the company has a decent warranty.