Test of the fi'zi:k Antares Versus Evo 00 Adaptive saddle

With its 3D printed padding, the fi:zi'k Antares Versus Evo 00 Adaptive is the first saddle to have been presented with this technology, supposed to revolutionize comfort and announce possibilities for customizing the seat. Let's see how it goes on trial, after several weeks on the home trainer and on the route.

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: 3bikes.fr

A few weeks before the Specialized S-Works Power Mirror already testee here, fi'zi:k presented a version of one of its flagship models that revolutionized the way we can design the seat on a bicycle. THEAntares Versus Evo 00 Adaptive, with its extraordinary price, its futuristic and refined look and above all its promising technology, was already making an impression even before it was put on the market and the possibility of being testée on the ground.

It is not entirely by chance that the Power Mirror and the Antares Adaptive are today the two most notable saddles of the year. They benefit from the same padding technology with 3D printing, created by the same company, namely the Carbon company based in the heart of Silicon Valley in California. However, the two saddles are different in spirit, even if the objective remains the same: to improve comfort. Lighter, the fi'zi:k Antares is also much firmer to the touch, at least at the level of its shell. Which suggests more sporty aims.

3D printing 

3D printing is the set of processes that lead to the manufacture of an accessory or an object, by gathering material instead of removing it to arrive at the desired shape, which is the case of traditional foam for a saddle. Instead of this foam normally placed between the hull and the covering, a complex 3D matrix is ​​here printed from liquid polymer, to create a frame with independent crosspieces, capable of deforming very precisely and very locally.

This technology offers much more personalized support than foam. Even if we notice by touch that fi'zi:k chooses different densities according to the positioning of the matrix on the saddle (soft at the very back, firmer at the crescent, medium at the beak), the very principle of the crosspieces and air holes leads to very localized deformations according to the anatomy which do not produce other deformations at the peripheral zones. This is a plus for comfort.

The fact remains that this technology opens up other perspectives, given that fi'zi:k, like Specialized, believe that they have reached the end of the possibilities for the evolution of traditional foam. We can therefore imagine that in the near future, 3D printing will allow the production of custom saddle padding in density for each individual, according to their weight, anatomy and way of riding.

Racing spirit

This saddle is designed on the basis of an Antares Versus Evo, which means that it retains some of its characteristics in terms of dimensions in particular. Relatively flat (a little less than the Arione however), the Antares is offered here with a crescent of 139 or 146 mm wide for a length of 274 mm, with a "saddle hollow" (or at least a reference point which represents the middle of the saddle with 75 mm wide) located 151 mm from the nose. Data to take into account when reporting dimensions for saddle adjustment.

The full central channel is taken from the Versus Evo versions, and helps relieve pressure on soft tissues, without however providing a lack of support, especially when adopting an aggressive posture (on the front) on the bike. And if the edge of the central channel is sometimes very firm or even hurtful in some cases with this type of saddle, the 3D printed padding erases this inconvenience here.

THEAntares Versus Evo 00 Adaptive immediately appears as a sporty saddle intended for experienced riders. The 148 g verified on the scale (which is very light for a saddle) are obtained thanks to carbon rails and a chassis of the same material, itself almost inflexible under pressure. It is stiff as stiff. Only the padding provides a little softness at first glance., but you still have to put your finger on the right place to be convinced. From the side, this very high-end saddle is very aggressive, even if the pastel color and the superb finish of the padding without coating indicate that we are in the presence of an exceptional product above all. In short, if the €390 requested seems very high, you have to take into account all the technology deployed to judge if the investment is worthwhile. Lightweight saddles at almost €300 are already not that rare...

Firm comfort

More than 1000 km done on home trainer and on route allowed us to get a fairly precise idea of ​​the qualities of this fi'zi:k Antares Versus Evo 00 Adaptive, very different in spirit than the Specialized S-Works Power Mirror, even if they are almost cousins.

Shorter and wider at the rear, the Power Mirror is also much more flexible at the shell level, which has the effect of providing surprising, even destabilizing, passive comfort, as you end up completely forgetting about the saddle after a few dozen kilometers.

The Antares is much more rigid here, with a shell that hardly moves, whether under the weight of the user or when passing over irregularities in the terrain. Only the 12 mm thick padding, the density of which is not the same everywhere as we said above, provides cushioning.

This does not mean that the saddle is spartan.. Its "comfort" is only more suited to a sporty and committed practice of cycling, when you appreciate stable and firm supports, and especially the impression of being well "anchored" on the saddle in a speed-seeking position. However, it is the kind of model that should be forgotten for a cycle touring practice, or if you are used to freewheeling on false flat descents.

The first few pedal strokes on the home trainer still show a slight floating of the ischial muscles which must get used to planting themselves in the padding rather than rotating around it.. An impression that disappears quickly, during a practice that is nevertheless quite demanding for the seat. A few hard points end up appearing after 1h30 without the slightest freewheel time and with the minimum of dancing: first the width of the crescent, which remains that of an Antares, and which is slightly wider than what we usually use (139 mm against 130) and then the central channel on the front part, which is also particularly firm. The fact remains that overall, in conditions of excessive perspiration and despite numerous frictions, not only do we not note the appearance of redness or other irritations, but We also appreciate this clever mix of grip and freedom of the polymer padding, which does not attack the coating of the shorts while allowing you to feel well secured on the saddle.

On route, the appearance of shocks due to irregularities in the bitumen does not darken the picture, quite the contrary. The relaunches while dancing and the few possible reliefs by getting up slightly from the saddle are enough to eliminate the discomfort felt on the front at the level of the central channel. It is clear that the holes and small shocks are well absorbed despite the very hard shell. It's firm and sporty, but still comfortable. Of course, the dimensions of the crescent can be more problematic, at least for those whose pelvic width is far from this fairly standard size. After a few hours, you can feel a certain pressure on the back of the seat, which you don't feel with our usual slightly narrower saddle.

The fact remains that the fi'zi:k Antares Versus Evo 00 Adaptive is the first of its kind for the brand, and it is likely that other saddle shapes will follow, such as the Arione or the Aliante, always with the same technology. A new way of designing saddles that can solve many seating problems, without distorting the very principle of a sports saddle. For us, the fi'zi:k Antares Versus Evo 00 Adaptive is in any case much more comfortable than the Antares 00, the other lightweight version of the same model., but with a truly minimalist traditional padding. And as for the very high price, we can bet that if this technology is well received, other versions with a synthetic shell or alloy rails could be offered, and therefore at a more affordable price.

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