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Fizik Arione VS review

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$150

Fizik Arione VS saddle

BikeRadar verdict

4 out of 5 stars

"How to banish unnecessary pressure while keeping the same familiar Arione performance"

3 comments
Tue 6 Nov 2012, 10:00 am GMTBy

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The Arione saddle has been around for a while, largely unchanged apart from some rail or covering tweaks, and Fizik have stuck to their belief that split or cutout saddles are inherently weaker and lack support. 

But to cater for riders who love the shape of the Arione, Aliante and Antares but suffer with pressure-related saddle issues, they have developed the Versus range, featuring a central groove designed to relieve pressure on the sensitive arteries, nerves and prostate.

With the usual features unchanged, we tried one in place of our original Arione, and despite a 6g weight increase it was hard to detect any obvious differences at first. The Versus saddles use the same base as their ungroovy cousins for stability. The padding feels a little more dense on either side of the channel, but is still generous, and although there was no eureka moment, over the many rides since fitting it we haven’t even noticed the slightest trace of pressure-related discomfort. 

A saddle should never be intrusive, so on that basis we can conclude that the idea is sound. So far, we can’t see a downside, but only you can decide if it’s right for you.

This article was originally published in Triathlon Plus magazine, available on Zinio.

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User Reviews

There are 3 reviews on this post

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 comments

  • I changed from my standard Arione to the Versus model and found it to be an instrument of torture. The built up areas either side of the grove made my sitbones excruciatingly uncomfortable, and the saddle quickly found it's way to ebay. I then purchased a replacement standard Arione and normal comfortable service was resumed. Buy with caution.

  • ... and I had the opposite experience - found the normal Arione very uncomfortable after 60 miles, but with the Versus I'm happy after 140. So the old Arione (as well as a Romin) went on eBay, both to happy buyers. Just goes to show that there's no perfect saddle for everyone.

  • As did I - great saddle, comfortable like other fiziks but with the bonus of no perinial pressure. Highly recommended.

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Specification

Name:
Arione VS saddle (12)
Built by:
Fizik
Price:
$150.00

Description:
*Cover: Black/Black Glossy Microtex *Shell: Nylon Carbon Reinforced *Padding: Low Density with Relief Channel *Rail: K:ium
Weight (g):
239 g

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