Fizik Pave Saddle

Price Paid:  $20.00 at e-bay

Favorite Ride:
Any Cross race

Bike Setup:
Empella Bonfire cross bike, Sram Rival rear shifter, Thompson Elite seat post, Mavic reflex tubies w/ Grifo Challenge tires.

Summary:
I boiught this saddle off e-bay. I didn't want to spend a lot for a cross saddle. I had heard good things about Fizik saddles and this one looked close to the shape of my beloved Selle Italia Mythos that I have on my road bike, and getting it for what I did made me happy. It fit me quite well once I dialed it in (I had to tilt the nose up just a bit so i could stay back on it.) However, today's events have changed my opinion on it. The freaking thing exploded in my cross race and caused me to DNF. Saddle came off the rails. WTF???

Strengths:
Looks, fit (for me)

Weaknesses:
It broke. It shouldn't have.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
Molas Pass

Bike Setup:
Standard crit bike; cyclocross bike.

Summary:
I have never had problems with a saddle before. Never. I have toured, raced, and commuted for decades without a problem.

This saddle has changed how I think about saddles. I thought they were unimportant. Now I understand why people complain.

I have really worked to like this saddle because I figured I just needed to get accustomed to it. I was wrong.

I have well over a thousand miles on the saddle, and my sit bones are killing me. Killing me. As in, I look for cushions on chairs before I sit down, and I can barely sit in a car. I stand up on rides just to relieve my butt bones.

I should say, that initially this saddle was on my commuter, and for 20 or so miles it felt fine. Based on my commuter experience, I bought a duplicate for my racing bike and started using it for over 30 mile rides. That's when the problem started. I couldn't really believe that it was the saddle. I changed my workout routine. I changed my position repeatedly. Nothing helped. And, we are talking serious butt pain.

Strengths:
Looks good. Reasonably light.

Weaknesses:
Horribly uncomfortable.

Similar Products Used:
Brooks Pro; A Vetta, San Marco or two.

Price Paid:  $30.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
New Mexico

Bike Setup:
TCR Team Once alloy. Diamond back Response w/ Surly rigid fork, OCR2 single speed.

Summary:
ASS HATCHET. Rode the saddle for about 3000 miles and took it off after severe numbness (is that an oxymoron?) after riding it in a century. At best it was marginally comfortable and numerous adjustments didn't seem to help much. I moved it to my MTB but it will be retired for a Brooks saddle as it's unsuitable for even sub 25 mile rides on a MTB.

Strengths:
appearance, Y shape and mesh cover.

Weaknesses:
Comfort. For a saddle, there is no other measure than comfort.

Similar Products Used:
Brooks B-17, Other Fizik saddles, Forte SLX

Price Paid:  $40.00 at BikeSmart.com

Favorite Ride:
Without rain.

Summary:
I came from using exclusively Brooks saddles for a few years after getting discouraged with the normal Selle Italia offerings. I needed a light weight saddle for my track bike and this seemed to fit the bill.

It seemed too narrow as I was used to a 15cm wide saddle but after time I didn't notice it at all. I've only ridden 60 mile rides so I'm not sure on long term comfort but for the first few hours this saddle feels great.

The looks are nice and understated with no stitching/mold lines to chafe or get in the way.

Strengths:
Light (enough for me)
Looks (simple, understated)

Weaknesses:
Wear guards shouldn't be gloss, just shows the sratches but this is minor.
I'm not sure about the long term durability of the foam.

Similar Products Used:
Various Selle Itali stuff, Brooks.

Price Paid:  $40.00 at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
Mt. Sac

Bike Setup:
CAD 5 with dura ace, mavic cosmic expert, american classic ti seatpost.

Summary:
May not work well with everybody

Strengths:
Initially it felt narrow but I eventually felt comfortable after 10 miles. I Had an easier time climbing since I was able to slide to the back of the saddele without my ninner thighs being chafed. The saddle contact point firmly rested with my ischial tuberosities (sit bones) very well.

Weaknesses:
The leather became slippery after = 1000 miles.I felt myself sliding forward even with the saddle tilted slightly upward.

Similar Products Used:
CODA
Oktavia Gel