New! Tri Saddle Review: ISM Adamo Time Trial Cycling Tri Saddle

Basic Info: New in 2011, the ISM Adamo Time Trial Cycling Saddle is a high performance tri saddle from ISM Adamo. The tri saddle has been designed to make your ride as comfortable as it can be and this is one of the most comfortable and technologically advanced triathlon bike saddles made to date.

Price Range: $250

What We Like:  ISM’s tri saddle design allows for easy and increased hip rotation, which helps with drag and also puts your chest and stomach in a position which makes breathing easier. The ability to rotate the hips helps dramatically with holding the aero position. This is one of the first triathlon bike saddles we have really felt this on while riding. The tri saddle also has sloped front sides that help with numbness and are very comfortable on the thighs lower areas. This tri saddle is one of the best triathlon bike saddles we have tested when it comes to reducing/eliminating pain and numbness.

What We Don't Like:  There isn’t much to not like about this ISM triathlon bike saddle. For some the sloped sides may feel a little awkward at first, but after spending time on this tri saddle you start to feel the benefits of them. Also the tri saddle can be a little wide for some smaller riders.

In Short: This is an amazing new tri saddle with some new modifications for 2011 and is priced very reasonably for about $250.

Thinking about buying an ISM Tri Saddle? Check out a ISM Time Trial Tri Bike Saddle at one of our favorite online triathlon gear stores and get one using our coupon codes below to get an ADDITIONAL 10 or 15% % off your order (you can use the codes for anything on their site!).

Tri Saddle Review: Fizik Arione Tri 2 Carbon Saddle

Basic Info: Fizik’s entry level Arione tri saddle with a carbon shell and made specifically for triathletes. Fizik added its carbon shell to the previous model Arione saddle which had a Titanim shell (see the review of the Ti saddle on this page too). This triathlon saddle can come with either a Kium rail or Titanium rail (which is slightly less expensive). This tri saddle is light (209 grams) and sleek. It also has improved thigh glides for more support and response during the triathlon.

Price Range: $165-$250 (depending on the rail)

What we like: After my brother bought his Arione Tri 2 saddle with the nylon carbon shell my brother-in-law one-upped him and bought this one. He has since moved on, but absolutely loved this tri saddle. Basically everything we liked about the earlier Tri 2 Wing Flex we liked about this Arione saddle, but this one is lighter, sleeker, more supportive with the improved thigh glides and didn’t lose any “substance” in the padding (as a lot of triathlon saddles do when trying to reduce weight). It is also has a seamless nose which is something you don’t notice until you ride it for a few hours, and then you appreciate it.

What we don’t/didn’t like: For those like me who generally compete shorter triathlons, until prices came down, it didn’t make much sense to spend an extra $100 for a bike saddle that was 15-20 grams lighter. The Arione Tri 2 saddle can also be a little finicky with positioning, so test the setup out on some shorter rides before heading off on a long one.

In short: You can definitely tell a difference between the full carbon shell Arione saddle vs. Fizik Saddle’s reinforced shell if you are doing any mid-long distance riding. With good pricing, cool looks, and the extra comfort it’s now worth the extra few bucks to get it.

Thinking about buying an Arione Tri Saddle? Check out a full line of Fizik Tri Saddles at one of our favorite online triathlon gear stores and get one using our coupon codes below to get an ADDITIONAL 10 or 15% % off your order (you can use the code for anything on their site!).

Tri Saddle Review: Selle Italia SLR Gel Flow Tri Saddle

Basic Info: It’s all about the gel. Selle Italia uses its tech lab research and development to make some of the most technologically advanced triathlon saddles out there. This tri saddle has a Lorica covering, Kevlar (the stuff they make bullet proof vests from) reinforcements, self-molding padding, a carbon composite shell, and Selle Italia GEL – pads made from silicone gel with different thicknesses (Selle Italia Saddles patented in 1984). These triathlon bike saddles are very sleek, very “Italian” and very sophisticated.

Price: $190-$215

What we like: The gel. The SLR Gel Flow is amazingly soft and is unlike any other standard padding. It’s softer, it molds to your body, it absorbs shock better, it’s just better. After doing her last Ironman 4 months pregnant on the Fizik Vitesse saddle, my brother-in-law surprised my sister with this Selle Gel Flow tri saddle after their daughter was born and she started to find time (at 4:00AM) to start training again. I want one. With all that technology and fancy additions, you just know it’s going to feel good. This Selle Italia SLR triathlon bike saddle has a large cutout in the center of the saddle and a vent in the back that really does cool you and keeps the gel cool around your body. The added support and the shock absorption seriously fight numbness and fatigue in the back and thighs.

What we don’t/didn’t like: It takes some time to get over the initial “squishy” feeling of the gel in this Selle Italia tri saddle. You have to give it a few rides before you really appreciate the molding capabilities and support of this bike saddle. The large cutout of this Selle saddle can take some getting used to as well and some who ride “center heavy” might feel the cutout on long rides. It’s expensive.

In short: I want one. It’s on my birthday, Christmas, and just about every other gift-receiving holiday list. For under $200 it’s still falls in the mid-price category of triathlon bike saddles and you are getting as close to a custom/specialized tri saddle as you can get without spending $400 plus.

Tri Saddle Review: Fizik Vitesse Tri-Kium Saddle

Basic Info: The Vitesse line is Fizik saddle’s women’s triathlon bike saddle line. The Fizik Vitesse comes in some of the same options as other Fizik tri saddles – you can get a nylon carbon reinforced shell (the Wing Flex saddle) or a carbon shell (the Tri-Kium saddle), or you can get a carbon/kevlar mix shell (the Tri Carbon Saddle). You can also either get at a titanium rail, the Fizik Kium rail system, or a carbon braided rail. This triathlon bike saddle, which is what my sister rode in her last Ironman, has a Kium rail system and a carbon shell.

Price: $120-$275 (depending on the saddle shell and rail system)

What we like: My pregnant sister did an Ironman on it. It has some added padding for increased comfort for the women triathletes that you can actually feel. The Fizik Vitesse triathlon bike saddle has a perforated cover and thigh glides help to cool the women riders. The seamless nose cover of the tri saddle also increases comfort. It is comfortable and you can definitely tell that it is made for a woman rider (I tried it and could without a doubt feel the added “benefits” for the women).

What we don’t/didn’t like: My ultra-competitive sister decided it was a little too heavy (up to 269gr, but the tri carbon saddle is only 199gr). The triathlon bike saddle doesn’t have a cutout which, now that my sister has a Selle tri saddle with one, she says would make it much cooler and lighter. Also, the thigh glides are suede, which had a tendency to “catch” on her shorts.

In short: Women should give the Fizik Vitesse bike saddle a try. You can tell the difference, whether you like it or not is the question. On the other hand, some women that I swim train have tried it and prefer to stick with the “men’s” saddles.

Tri Saddle Review: Fizik Arione Tri 2 Ti Saddle

Basic Info: This is is/was the entry level Fizik Arione tri saddle made specifically for triathletes. The “Ti” stands for Titanium, which is what the rail is made of. Fizik has since moved on to carbon shells for most of their triathlon bike saddles and their own Fizik Kium rails.

Price Range: $125-$140

What we like: Large surface area make it great for a wide range of triathlon bike riders. Soft padding (especially if this is your first true tri saddle). The Arione Ti Saddle is supportive without being too soft. Helped keep my back from being sore. This is an Inexpensive tri bike saddle.

What we don’t/didn’t like: It’s a little heavy (at 245 grams - a bigger deal for the longer riders/Ironmen/women out there). This triathlon bike saddle lacked any real thigh support so they could burn on long rides. A little outdated at this point as you can get the new(er) Fizik Arione Saddles for not much more money.

In short: Still a good tri saddle for your first one and the price. No real complaints in our early triathlon days.

Thinking about buying the Arione Triathlon Saddle? Check out a full line of Fizik Tri Saddles at one of our favorite online triathlon gear stores and get one using our coupon codes below to get an ADDITIONAL 10 or 15% % off your order (you can use the code for anything on their site!).

Tri Saddle Review: Fizik Arione Tri 2 Saddle

The Fizik Arione Tri 2 Saddle aka Arione Tri 2 Wing Flex Saddle

Basic Info: The current entry-level Arione tri saddle. It has a Kium rail (created by Fizik saddles only) which gets the weight down to 239 grams and a nylon carbon reinforced shell. My brother bought this Arione bike saddle after wearing out his Arione Tri 2 Ti Saddle and raved about it.

Price Range: $120-$160

What we like: This tri saddle was immediately comfortable and definitely helped the numbness when out for a long ride on this triathlon bike saddle. The “wing flex” actually seems to work and the middle of the saddle “gives” a little as you drop and peddle to cradle your weight, reducing pressure on your thighs – this Fizik bike saddle feels good. Good suspension and some neat Arione saddle features as well. My sister tried it and found it comfortable as well and found it fit her thighs well while pedaling hard up hill. Cool design and prices have come down since it was introduced. Great for long rides.

What we don’t/didn't like: Some people may prefer a narrower tri saddle. We found you may need to tilt the saddle downward slightly to cure some numbness. The “Arione” lettering wore off pretty quickly.

In short: A good choice for those wanting a little more advanced tri saddle but still wanting to save some money over full carbon shelled triathlon bike saddle.

Thinking about buying this Fizik Arione Tri 2 Saddle? Take a look at the full line of Fizik Tri Saddles at one of our favorite online triathlon gear stores and get one using our coupon codes below to get an ADDITIONAL 10% or 15% % off your order (you can use the code for anything on their site!).

Tri Saddle Review: Profile Design Tri-Strike Ti Tri Saddle

Basic Info: Profile Design makes affordable tri saddles and this is their entry level triathlon bike saddle made specifically for triathletes. It comes with cutouts or no cutouts (vents for comfort and moisture reduction), titanium rails, and a lycra cover.

Price: $75-$85.

What we like: It’s inexpensive. If you are looking for a good, solid, comfortable triathlon bike saddle but aren’t ready to put up the big bucks these bike saddles are a good start. One of the triathletes I train (I coach triathletes in swimming) has this saddle right now because his wife made him buy an inexpensive tri saddle until he proves that triathlons are not just another “phase” for him. I’ve actually borrowed the Tri Strike saddle for a few weekends recently to try it out when I am off for a leisurely bike ride with the kids. It’s got a lot of padding so it is comfortable and the cut-aways (which most more expensive saddles have in the thigh area) do actually help with moisture. The Profile Design tri saddles also have areas on the front and back built for transition racks, which are handy.

What we don’t/didn’t like: It’s a little “thick” compared to most of the other tri saddles out there, which makes it one heavier saddles at 285g. After a while who really likes lycra that much on anything?

In short: If you are looking for your first upgrade to a true triathlon bike saddle and aren’t obsessed with saddle weight or the slimmest, sleekest ride out there, this is a fantastic place to start.

Note – Profile Design also makes the Elite saddle which is about $15 more with added padding (comfort) and at the same time actually reduced the weight to 250g.

Note 2 – Profile Design also makes the Kona saddles (one for the men and one for the women) which are the “official” tri saddles of Ironman (it has some cool Ironman logos on it) for about $90.

Thinking about buying the Profile Design Triathlon Saddle? Check out a full line of Profile Design Tri Saddles at one of our favorite online triathlon gear stores and get one using our coupon codes below to get an ADDITIONAL 10 or 15% % off your order (you can use the code for anything on their site!).

Review: Fizik Arione Tri 2 Carbon Braided Saddle

This is just about the only Fizik Arione saddle we haven’t had much experience with. We know a few triathletes who use it, but we haven’t been able to get on one for a long ride to really put our stamp on it. I’ll keep you posted as we hope to soon (or if you ride this feel free to contact us with your thoughts and we’ll put them up!).

Price: $250-$325

Tri Saddle Review: ISM Adamo Race Tri Saddle

Basic Info: ISM makes comfortable bike saddles and this is ISM’s saddle made specifically for triathletes. This ISM tri saddle has titanium rails and was designed specifically to help with comfort when riding on aerobars (leaned over on the front handle bars) during a triathlon bike race.

Price: $190-$235.

What we like: My brother-in-law swears by the ISM tri saddles since he has moved on from his Fizik Arione saddle. He’s a bigger guy (6’3 and 215-225) and even though he loved his Arione saddle, he was still having some numbness issues. He had the guts to try out a bike saddle with a somewhat “different” look and is a convert. His numbness all but disappeared and he says it is the most comfortable ride he has ever had. When my sister was pregnant (and still training for an Ironman) she put this tri saddle on and was able to ride about twice as far as with her (then) Fizik Vitesse without any pain or discomfort. Great padding, but not overly done. The ISM Adamo is one of our favorite tri saddles, hands down (my wife bought one too).

What we don’t/didn’t like: This ISM saddle (and most ISM tri saddles) It can take a while to get it set up just right – you will need to follow ISM’s instructions or take in to your local bike shop to make sure you are getting all the benefits of the tri saddle. Still doesn’t look as sleek as many other options, but does come in a variety of colors. Can be tough on your “butt bones” until you get used to it. You pay for the comfort with the Adamo saddle.

In short: Comfort, comfort, comfort. If you have numbness with other triathlon bike saddles and/or want to be able to ride comfortably in aero position, this is the tri saddle for you.

Note – the ISM Road Saddle is similar and still very comfortable, although it lacks some cushion and isn’t quite as “triathlete-engineered” as the Race saddle, it is about $50 less.

Thinking about buying an ISM Tri Saddle? Check out the full line of ISM Triathlon Bike Saddles at one of our favorite online triathlon gear stores and get one using our coupon codes below to get an ADDITIONAL 10 or 15% % off your order (you can use the codes for anything on their site!).