What is the difference: Fi'zi:k Aliante vs Aliante Sport?
06-29-05, 08:51 PM
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What is the difference: Fi'zi:k Aliante vs Aliante Sport?
What is the difference between the Fi'zi:k Aliante vs Aliante Sport saddle? The Giant TCR line comes with the Sport version.
06-29-05, 11:46 PM
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I think there is a weight difference of 70 grams more for the Sport and the bottom shell is plasitc. The non-sport is carbon fibre. Can someone verify? A picture would be great.
06-30-05, 08:00 AM
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I have both the Ti and sport versions. The Ti has a carbon fibre shell while the sport is plastic. I don't have a scale but it seems the sport is a little heavier. The sport has manganese rails and I think the cover is not as soft as that on the Ti version. It could be that my Ti saddle is broken in while the sport is not. Both have the same shape.
But, somehow the sport just doesn't feel the same to my butt. I thought it needed some break-in time but I replaced it with another Ti version and it felt fine right out of the box. In fact, I did a century on it the second ride and it was great. So perhaps it is the rails, the cover, shell or padding that makes the difference for me. If I hadn't used the Ti version I probably would have tried to break-in the sport some more. Maybe it's all in my mind.
But, somehow the sport just doesn't feel the same to my butt. I thought it needed some break-in time but I replaced it with another Ti version and it felt fine right out of the box. In fact, I did a century on it the second ride and it was great. So perhaps it is the rails, the cover, shell or padding that makes the difference for me. If I hadn't used the Ti version I probably would have tried to break-in the sport some more. Maybe it's all in my mind.
06-30-05, 09:35 AM
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BikeWNC, What is the price difference between the two? Is there an easy way to see what the shell and rails are made of?
06-30-05, 10:47 AM
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Originally Posted by Rman
BikeWNC, What is the price difference between the two? Is there an easy way to see what the shell and rails are made of?
The rails are obvious. Ti is shiny, manganese is a dull matte finish. It also seems that the Ti rails are a little smaller in diameter and thus mount better in the seatpost clamp.
The shell difference can be seen by turning the saddle over. The cabon shell has the typical cabon weave and the plastic shell is just that, black plastic.
06-30-05, 11:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Rman
BikeWNC, What is the price difference between the two? Is there an easy way to see what the shell and rails are made of?
The Aliante sport actually comes with either Ti or Manganese Rails.
I think my Mn version weighs in at about 240 g.
06-30-05, 11:51 AM
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The Carbon Alliante saddles says "Carbon" on the side. The Composite weave fabric is obvious when viewed from underneath. Paid $129.95 from Zindig Cycles (An eBay retailer)
https://stores.ebay.com/ZindiG-Cycles...nameZWD5QQtZkm
https://stores.ebay.com/ZindiG-Cycles...nameZWD5QQtZkm
06-30-05, 02:26 PM
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The story I got was that the C fiber pan is structured as two plates with a flexible joint between them. The sport and "gamma" models have a single plastic pan to cut costs. I have not tried the plastic pan version. I have to say I really like the C fiber model aliante. When I first looked at the saddle, I thought that it would kill me for sure but it surprised me.
