FlashBazbo

I've been away from the Fizik fold for over five years but, back in the day, I rode Fizik Ariones. They seemed to support my sit bones well and everything in between was thereby kept a safe distance off the top of the saddle. I didn't need a cutout or an indentation. The contour of the old, firm Arione kept everything properly separated.

This week, I decided I might like to give the Arione another try. (As much out of boredom as anything else.) I ordered an Arione R1 and it arrived today. But, to my surprise, today's Arione R1 large has a LOT more padding than I remember any Arione having before. I'm a little concerned that the new, cushy Arione will allow the sensitive parts to come into greater chafing contact with the top of the saddle.

For anyone who has ridden one of the newer, more padded Ariones, what do you think? Do they remain comfortable on 6- to 8-hour rides and races?

redlude97

Uh the large is 140mm wide. All older ariones are 126mm. That is the major difference, not the padding

FlashBazbo

I'm aware of the width spec. It is different, but not what I'm concerned about. It's a flat saddle.

The padding is markedly heavier on these saddles than on my old Ariones. Apparently, they changed the padding three years ago. You can push it down about 1/16". It is indeed the major difference. It's almost like a "comfort" saddle.

Perhaps you have no experience with the older Ariones.