Bike Setup: Felt F35
7800 Dura Ace
Fulcrum Racing Zero
Pro Vibe bars and stem
Ritchey WCS post
Summary: I am 195 cm tall and was having trouble finding a perfect saddle to suit my riding style. I went through the Fizik website saddle fit system which I highly recommend.
Using the sit bone measuring system and doing some more research via Garmin Slipstream I purchased the Antares. The saddle is the perfect width for me. It is well padded, flexible and so so light.
Best saddle purchase ever made.
Strengths: Well padded, light weight, light clip system
Weaknesses: None so far
Similar Products Used: Selle Italia SLR Gel Flow
Selle San marco arrow head
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Bike Setup: Pinarello Dogma 55 cm, Reynolds wheels,
Summary: I've been trying different saddles for years, looking for that perfect saddle. When I found the Brooks Swallow I was in heaven. I had finally found the saddle that really worked for me. Then I became some what of a weight-weenie and my 400+ gram Swallow was not working for me anymore. I needed to find something light. So many people love the Selle Italia SLR I decided to try that in the Kit Carbonio version. That saddle said OUCH from day one. I wanted to like that saddle but it just wasn't working.
Then I decided to try the Fizik Antares with the Carbon rails. Right off the bat I was saying, "I like". It really reminded me of my Brooks Swallow. It has a nice flat back. The padding is just right. I set it up and rode my stationary trainer for a while and tweaked the saddle's height and angle. I got it really close to ideal. Then I went on some longer rides and tweaked just a little more. It turned out that I needed the saddle pointed down ever so slightly. Once I made that final adjustment I was in heaven. I recently rode 100 miles with the least amount of saddle pain I have ever had. Did the saddle completely disappear under my butt? No, but it was not uncomfortable at all. I'm a medium build rider (160 lbs.) with medium flexibility. Fizik's marketing idea to match the rider's flexibility to the saddle is what drew me to the Anteres. I really like this saddle and think I might replace the saddles on all my other bikes with the Anteres.
The Fizik Anteres is just a great saddle and I'm so happy I bought it.
Strengths: Light and comfortable. Need to have conditioned sit bones. It's not a commuter saddle, it's for an active rider.
Weaknesses: If there is a negative point to bring up, I would say that with the Carbon rails, you really should have a seat post clamp the clamps down vertically. A seat post that grabs the rails from the sides may not work so well as the rails are a deep oval shape and a side clamping seat post works best with a round rail.
Similar Products Used: SLR Kit Carbonio, Brooks Swallow (Awesome but heavy), Specilaized Toupe, Specialized Alias,
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Bike Setup: Cannondale CAAD9 Optimo 1, DA shift/brake levers, derailleurs, chain and cassette. Ultegra brakes. FSA compact carbon bars, FSA os-99 stem, stock cannondale seatpost (I have a 3T doric waiting for install), FSA SLK light crankset with speedplay zero ti pedals. Zipp 343 set up for race day and ksyrium elites for training.
Summary: This is for the k:ium railed version. I tried the Arione and it was ok after several adjustments to figrue out were to sit on that canoe of a saddle. Some people say they like the arione b/c you can move around on it. I like the Antares for the exact opposition reason. Not that there isn't some room to move around, but there is no need to. It is comfortable right out of the gate. I tried a demo version as soon as the came in and with in minutes I was convinced that it was the saddle for me (obviously, saddles are personal). I've spoken to other who picked up this saddle and all love it, with the exception of one guy who liked it but likes his specialized toupe saddle a little better. Also, the flat nose is good for hammering in the drops!
Strengths: light (even lighter if you get the carbon railed version). Tough! (I crashed in the state crit championships and it took me almost 5 months to notice that I cracked the carbon shell of the seat. I'm still riding it for now b/c the seat bolt is seized due to my neglect, but its holding up fine). Comfy!
Weaknesses: None, unless your body tells you otherwise
Similar Products Used: Fizik Pave Sport (came with the bike), Fizik Arione CX (was ok). Fizik Ares (on my TT bike) and Fizik Arione Tri gel (on my buddies TT bike which I used to borrow before I got my own rig)
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Summary: I am super happy with this saddle. Just rode 63 miles on it yesterday and I'm a bit scared to say, I was surprised that i experienced no numbness! I usually get a sore ass or numb nethers around an hour into a ride. Well, I rode for 4 hours yesterday, most of it in the saddle, and I was totally content. Best $165 I've spent on my bike recently. It feels like you're sitting on a suspension post and I really wondered if I was going to break the seat due to this feeling (I'm a big guy 6'0 215lbs). The seat performed awesome and while I was riding I was thinking "this seat is so great... maybe I should get the carbon-railed version for even more springiness..."
Strengths: Comfort, build quality
Weaknesses: None... but if this were a $120 saddle it would be the best deal ever.
Similar Products Used: Selle Italia Flite Ti (circa 90's), Flite, Flite Max Gel Flow Specialized Toupe, Fizik Aliante
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