3 saddle review
 

Thought I'd share my saddle experiences so anyone looking at saddles would have a little more knowledge.

I've only used 3 saddles, but I'll talk about the here. Remember I am a cyldesdale and saddle fitting is often very personal. However they are expensive and many can't afford to go out and buy a new saddle every week. Most of the time I ride on the hoods, but do spend a fair amount of time in the drops.

Saddles
1. Fizik vitesse
2. Profile Design Tri Stryke
3. Fizik Arione Tri

Experiences:
1. Vitesse-- standard saddle that came on my bike. It initially feels hard, but doesn't give thru time and holds up well to weather. It is comfortable for rides up to 15 miles, or 1 hour. At 20 miles, it starts to feel uncomfortable and at 25 miles, it is a pain in the rear. You have to stand up frequently to relieve soreness.

2. Tri Stryke-- test saddle. It is a tad softer and has pressure relieving design for males. Cost is about $75. I only road it about 5 miles, but it was very comfortable throughout the ride in either the drop or hood position. If cost is a factor, or concerned about male pressure, then this would be a good buy.

3. Arione Tri-- my new saddle. It is similar to the Vitesse in hardness, but then the comparisons stop. It has a long nose, the longest of any saddle, so there are multiple riding positions when in the drops. It really rides well in that position. On the hoods, it gives you three positions. First up on the nose for a breather, second and standard position in the middle and third sliding back on the wide rear. It doesn't look wide as it falls away. The wide rear is very very nice. The fall away is perfect so there is no binding of the leg and the smooth surface means it is easy to slide forward or back at will. 27 miles yesterday without any soreness or even awareness of the saddle. Very pleased with it. It has a reputation of breaking away over time to fit the rider exactly, like the brooks leather saddles. Cost is about $150.

Hope this helps someone.

Thanks for the input...although I'm not currently looking for a new saddle I'll file it away for future reference.

OK, HiYo -

First, THANKS for posting your impressions - don't hesitate to post a follow-up as well. I appreciate you taking the time to post and find your information VERY helpful!

Second, your impressions would be more helpful if you also posted your weight. Different saddles (and PARTICULARLY the Brooks line and the Fizik Arionne) are intended to "break in" to the rider's unique sit-bone configuration. What "breaks in" for some "breaks down" for others who are heavier. Your weight is a very significant factor in your perception of the saddles.

Third, a brief background would be helpful - what bike? (obviously a road bike since you mention drops), and what saddles have you past experience with and how do those match up to the three you review here?

Thanks again for the information. Please keep us all posted as you gain more experience with the Fizik!

Not as much as you. Used to be about 225, now about 206. Bike is neither, it's a touring bike: Giant OCR touring. Again only saddles I have had are three mentioned. That is unless you consider an ancient default Schwinn varisty saddle.

I definitely will update this thread if I have any different experience with the Arione. I'ld like to get a tri bike next, so I wanted a tri saddle, so I wouldn't have to buy another saddle.