Fi’zi:k saddles have fast become the choice of the pro peloton – sponsoring more teams than any other saddle manufacturer & often selected as a sponsor by request from the riders. Teams that trust their riders butts to Fi’zi:k include Team SKY, Garmin Barracuda, Liquigas, BMC Racing, Francais des Jeux and Rabobank. Part of the appeal of Fi’zi:k saddles is their flexibility – there are over 50 combinations of saddle shapes, rails, bases & covers to suit every type of rider, though most of the pro riders find their favourite amongst three of the road dedicated saddles the Arione, Antares & Aliante.

The three shapes are based on Fi’zi:k’s ‘Spine Concept’ fitting system which approaches saddle suitability based on the riders flexibility – it’s three fit’s are Snake, Chameleon & Bull – the Snake being the most flexible rider, Chameleon in the middle & Bull being the least. This determines how much a rider is likely to move around on the saddle when riding, their hip movements and the comfort level they need.

 

SNAKES – You use the entire length of the saddle. Your body flexs easily and naturally to accommodate changing positions. Compression of your ‘undercarriage’  is not an issue for you as your weight is supported by the sit bones…

Suitable saddles - Arione

Riders that are snakes – Mark Cavendish, Thor Hushovd, Alessandro Ballan, Ivan Basso, Ryder Hesjedal, Heinrich Haussler, Christian Vande Velde

 

CHAMELEONS – You are not as restricted to saddle shape. For optimum comfort and performance you flex instinctively to manage the body’s weight

Suitable saddles - Antares

Riders that are Chameleons – Cadel Evans, Lars Boom, David Millar, Vincenzo Nibali, Johan VanSummeren, David Zabriskie

BULLS - You make one major adjustment on the bike by dramatically rotating the pelvis forward and then sit in the pocket of the saddle. Your sit bones interface with the rear part of the saddle increasing pressure. Your find relief in the pocket of the saddle.

Suitable saddles – Aliante

Riders that are Bulls – Peter Sagan, Philippe Gilbert, Mark Renshaw, Tony Martin, Marco Pinotti. Manuel Quinziato, Jeremy Roy, Daniel Oss, Juan Antonio Flecha

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COMPETITION

Our friends at Fi’zi:k have kindly sent us one of each team saddle to give to our lucky blog readers, each week we will be asking you a different question about Fi’zi:k saddles all you have to do is leave your answer as a comment below to enter the competition (comments will not be shown below to ensure the comp is fair!)

 

Question 4. 

The choice of Team SKY & riders such as Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome & Mark Cavendish is the Fi’zi:k Arione  - how much thicker is the Team edition bartape with the Team SKY Arione than standard tape?

need a clue? Check out the saddle HERE 

competition ends 5pm (GMT)2nd August 2012

Check out the full range of Fi’zi:k Team Edition saddles HERE