Fi'zi:k

Antares Braided Carbon Saddle

The braided carbon rails underneath this Fizik Antares Braided Carbon Saddle drop an appreciable amount of weight off the K:ium railed version while retaining all of its strength. It's a 30g savings, which equals 20% of the saddle's 145g total. It's a big deal.

They're made from braided carbon, then wrapped with another layer of carbon fiber cloth for even greater durability, and they're finished off with a rough surface for secure clamping. The oval shape, 9mm tall by 7mm wide also lends strength. People ask if carbon rails are durable enough for regular riding. Geoff Kabush, the estimable Canadian mountain biker who is one of the best North American performers on the international MTB circuit, has been using Fizik braided carbon rails for years without a problem.

Fizik designed the Antares to be one of the cushier high performance saddles in the market. There is 10mm of padding at the nose, where the typical Fizik has only 3mm. It's great for people who ride aerobars or the drops regularly, or for folks who have a not-insubstantial saddle-to-bar drop. It's also fairly wide at the nose, 45mm, where other saddles are barely over 40mm. The Antares also employs a new super-light high-density foam. All of this makes the saddle great for those who find themselves at the point where a traditional racing saddle isn't comfortable.

Another element that adds to the cush, the comfort, and the give of the saddle is the carbon-reinforced nylon shell. The shell flexes gently across the entire span between the front and back ends where the rails meet the shell rather than being stiff in some places and forgiving in other.

The Antares Braided Carbon Saddle is available in Black with White accents, or all-White and is 274mm long and 142mm at the widest point. The saddle possesses Fizik's Integrated Clip System (ICS), a means by which to attach a Fizik light or saddle bag directly to the saddle without the need for straps.