Fi'zi:k Aliante Gamma, Nisene HP and Saddle Pa:k
By James Sharp

Have you ever taken a close look at the saddles that professional cyclists use? They will almost always look like a sponsor’s saddle, but sometimes they are merely recovered to look like a saddle that they aren’t. Why is that? A comfortable saddle is an absolute must. Every one has a posterior that is unique to them. Some people need a wide saddle, some can get away with a narrow one. Some people are only happy with full leather — similar to Brooks or Leper — that forms to the individual rider, while others seem to be able to ride anything. Some like a curvy saddle, something shaped a bit, while others like a flat saddle. Fi’zi:k makes saddles of almost any type. Carbon rails, Ti rails, Cro-Mo rails. Carbon reinforced shells. Saddles with flexy bits to make pedaling easier and some without. Some that are swoopy shaped and some that are almost flat as a board. They recently sent us two saddles that couldn’t have been more different and a saddle pack that works with both of them. Both the Aliante and the Nisene have been in the Fi’zi:k family for a while, but this year they both get revisions — in the case of the Nisene they completely redesigned the saddle.

Aliante Gamma

Nisene HP

Saddle Pa:k

Aliante Gamma

While the Aliante has been around for a bit, the Gamma version of the saddle brings the comfort of the original to a price that is a little easier to swallow. Rather than using leather for the cover, Fi’zi:k chose to use Microtex. Microtex is lighter than leather, about as tough as leather, doesn’t fade in sunlight like leather, doesn’t need the special care that some leather saddles do, is breathable like leather, doesn’t absorb water and resists odors. And, if you worry about such things, no cow dies for the sake of the saddle. I, personally, care about having a saddle last more than one winter of riding in the pouring rain, in the mud and gritty road grime and holding up to my abuse in general without complaining. Microtex does that and looks good to boot.

The rails are Titanium. The older Aliante had carbon fiber rails, so the Ti, while not cheap, do help bring the cost down without sacrificing much in the weight department. Speaking of weight, the Aliante Gamma weighs in at 270 grams.

The shape of the saddle is nice and curvy, the way all saddles used to be. There’s a little tail to push against while riding uphill and a enough curve elsewhere to... uh... support sensitive areas without being intrusive. The nose is a little on the narrow side, but not so thin as to be uncomfortable. I really, really like curvy saddles. Really. The shape of the Aliante reminds me of the venerable San Marco Regal saddle without all the bulk and weight.

I found the Aliante Gamma to be a very, very comfortable saddle. More so than, dare I say it, the very good Arione. As I said earlier on, everyone is made differently and this saddle fits me and my riding style better. You can’t move around as much as you can on the Arione, but the trade off is a sweet spot that is comfortable enough for l-o-n-g miles in the saddle. Part of this comfort comes from the shape and part of it comes from the Twin-Flex shell. Instead of having a cutout or gel insert, the middle of the shell (when looking from below) features a White Graphite weave to allow the shell to flex, providing support without being too hard. This works so well that the new Arione Carbon features a variation of the Twin-Flex shell.

Summary: At $135 the Aliante Gamma isn’t cheap. Sure it costs less than the carbon railed version, but it is still up there price-wise. What you get for you money is a light saddle that is comfortable enough for the long haul and is very durable. This is a saddle that you’ll want to take with you as you upgrade your bike. Making the saddle even friendlier, the Aliante Gamma accepts the new Saddle Pa:k.

Nisene HP

I think its time to let you in on a little secret. I was not exited to review this saddle. Normally, I love Fi’zi:k saddles, but I have a bit of a history on the Nisene. I personally own two older Nisene’s and I like neither of them. One is too hard and the other is too soft... but, taking a page out of Goldilocks’ book, this one is just right. Actually, it’s a little more complicated than that. I do have two older Nisenes and it is true that one is too hard and the other is too soft, however, I think that the lack of comfort has more to do with the shape than the amount of padding. The new Nisene is a complete redesign. Fi’zi:k has taken some cues from their other newer saddles and added some elements that are unique to the new Nisene. Starting at the top, the saddle is flat, front to back. Gone is the narrow, rounded nose and in its place is a broad flat nose, perfect to perch on during steep off road climbs.

Moving back from the nose, we come to the Wing-Flex sides. Until 2005 Wing-Flex was only available on the Arione and Gobi. Now it’s made its way down to the more plebeian Nisene. Like a good parent, Wing-Flex allows the saddle to be more supportive without getting in the way. Wing-Flex does quite a bit to improve the overall comfort of the saddle.

Continuing back from the Wing-Flex, the rear of the saddle is cut away to ease transitioning on and off the saddle. There are plastic bash guards on the rear as well, though in use I found them to be on the small size and I was still able to put a small hole in the cover in spite of the guards. The rails on our test saddle are Chrome Moly — not the lightest, but plenty strong for the abuse that mountain biking dishes out. The rails are also lower profile than the older saddle, giving the saddle a more tidy appearance. When the Nisene HP becomes available, however, the rails will be Titanium, still lower profile, but a bit lighter.

I am happy to report that I like this saddle. The new shape and the addition of the Wing-Flex sides have improved the Nisene leaps and bounds over its predecessor. The broad, flat nose is an especially nice addition. Frankly, any one of the changes would have made the saddle better, but throwing them all in has done wonders for it. This is not the old Nisene.

Summary: If you have ridden a Nisene in the past, you owe it to yourself to try the new Nisene HP. This saddle is an example of everything good with trickle-down technology. The manufacturer — in this case Fi’zi:k — introduces a new feature from a high end product — Wing-Flex in the Arione and Gobi, in this instance. Once the high end product has helped defray some of the development costs, said manufacturer puts the feature in the lower end product. Everyone benefits. If you are looking for a good saddle that won’t quite break the bank, check out the Nisene, but make sure it is the new one. The new Nisene will retail for $99 and has the integrated clip system for the Saddle Pa:k Look for it following InterBike, or sometime in October of this year, 2005.

Saddle Pa:k

Attaching a seat pack to a saddle has always been a shaky proposition. Think about it; typically there are straps around the rails, that wear out, a hook and loop strap around the seat post that can catch and wear out expensive shorts and often the whole thing sways and rattles. Not to mention taking the pack on and off isn’t all that fast. Well, Fi’zi:k has come up with an elegant solution. By making a receiver on the saddle, they were able to make a pack that attaches directly to the shell of the saddle. Not only does this hold the Pa:k securely, without shaking and rattling, but it enables quick attachment and removal of the Pa:k. This is great if you commute or park your bike outside and don’t want to leave the your saddle bag attached, or if you swap seat bags from one bike to another.

On saddles that are sold with the I.C.S logo, you pop out the nameplate to expose the receiver and slide in the clip on the bag. That’s it. To remove, you depress the release and the bag slides out. The Saddle Pa:k itself is made of waterproof resistance nylon with a water resistant zipper. There is reflective material sewn onto the Pa:k and there is also a loop to attach a blinking light.

One of the greatest features is the adjustability of the Pa:k. The clip angle can be adjusted to suit the user so it is possible to have the Saddle Pa:k hang nearly vertical or horizontal. No matter what angle you like your saddle, you can have the Pa:k out of the way.

There are only two drawbacks to this system. First, you need to own — or buy — a Fi’zi:k Aliante Gamma, Rondine or Nisene HP. Another saddle, the Pave HP, will also be introduced at InterBike and will accept the Pa:k. I fully expect other Fi’zi:k saddles to integrate the design as they are introduced or redesigned. However, that’s only a good thing if you like Fi’zi:k saddles. I do, but I realize that they might not be everyone’s cup of tea. The other drawback is the size. These come in small and smaller. Great if you are a minimalist who carries a road tube, small mini-tool and some money. O.K., a patch kit will fit too. Don’t expect to pack a lunch and a small pump in one of these. Since I normally eschew seat packs all together, I found the size just right. I’m hypothesizing here, but it seems that the limitation to the clip design is the amount of weight it can carry. Fi’zi:k trimmed the fat in this area to keep the weight down and gave up a little in the strength department. This isn’t a problem with the little packs, but could be with a larger one.

Summary: The Saddle Pa:k is a very clever idea. I haven’t been able to lose the pack on road or off, so it stays secure no matter what. It is simple to attach and very fast to remove. Being able to adjust the angle of the pack means that you won’t be brushing it with your legs, no matter how massive they are. The small Pa:k — $20 — holds 50 cubic inches and the extra small Pa:k — $16 — holds 25 cubic inches. Heck, if I were looking for a saddle right now, I’d buy a Fi’zi:k just to be able to use this bag!

For more information, contact:
Fi'zi:k
E-mail: fizik@fizik.it
www.fizik.com

James Sharp is a contributing editor who likes to ride in comfort.