samsation7

My buddy said said it 1) helps with aerodynamics and 2) allows vertical stress to be distributed evenly, so it won't destroy your love toy. The dimpling is based on Zipp's testing of their rims so the same benefits on a saddle surface is not established but it does look cool. The Ti rails weigh a lot...so CF rails will definitely drop a good amount of mass.

toucci

My upper price limit would be $60 as long as my ass cheeks don't get sliced like sandwich meat in a crash.

J_J

Need any more testers? And if you make a 50 gram saddle I'm sure weight weenies would buy it just for bragging rights.

DanielS

I'm not sure how the dimpling helps with aerodynamics when you are sitting on top of said dimples? (and it doesn't look like there are dimples underneath)

Jacobi

Dimples underneath is actually a good idea...

The only time that dimples on the top would be beneficial would be when standing, and most standing speeds, climbing, are slow. I don't know if aero testing has ever been tested at full sprint speeds on various saddles, it'd be worth a shot as some would be parachutes I'm sure.

-Barry-

rickhigbee

I like the looks of that thing. I too would think the dimples would be better placed on the bottom but overall it's a fine looking saddle. If you need a Clydesdale to test one out for you, I'm 6'2, 210 and love to experiment with new stuff...

aprilm

Wouldn't it be more like kissing balls? (Not being a guy, I don't know where that part of the anatomy lies on a saddle.)

rickhigbee

I don't know what to do with this quote... I really don't. It just makes me feel so dirty reading that.

aprilm

Even with an avatar like that?

samsation7

He he. Sometimes, cyclists on this board have the mentality that we're all males. Besides BDG and Vega, I don't think I consciously think about any other "female" cyclists reading my posts while typing away happily. It's a shame really.

Kachunk

I rode past your dorm today. Twice.

brianallan

Sam, I'm interested, and I private messaged!

gcl8a

Your buddy is a lousy engineer.

Possibly a good marketer, though.

gcl8a

A) It's not dimpled underneath.

2) Dimples anywhere on a seat won't make a whit of difference.

Jacobi

Do you have a site I can go to to read your research? I'm sure the inventors of the golf ball thought the same thing.

I agree that it won't make much of a difference, but when we're already spending 10k plus on bikes, a little aero difference might matter. Who knows until we read this research you have to back up your claim.

prendrefeu

Yes, let's put in some yaw control in the seat as well, so your seat will have negative drag (if the wind direction is absolutely perfect, of course)... Who knew your ass can propel you forward without having to eat a burrito?

</sarcasm>

badkarma

What's the purpose of the dimpling? Is it to shave weight or an attempt to improve aerodynamics?

If it were comfortable and affordable, I'd ride it.

Bob Ross

Would I buy a dimpled carbon saddle? Possibly; would definitely depend what it felt like, what it cost, and what it looked like

...and I only mention looks because, Would I buy that dimpled carbon saddle? Hell no. That thing is fugly.

But I'll be a beta tester if you're serious.

gcl8a

Don't be ridiculous. The inventors of the (dimpled) golf ball were smart enough to realize where dimples could make a difference:

"Hey, Tom. You what would never work? Dimples on a golf ball!"

"You're right, Dick. No chance. That would be assinine."

"Let's ask Harry for money to make one anyway."

"Cool!"

Conversely, no one has measured the effect of a dimpled seat because anyone smart enough to do the measurements already knows how worthless it would be.

---

The serious answer is that the boundary layer around the seat is already so disturbed that dimples won't have any effect. That and the fact that the seat sits in the lee of the legs. Or, as noted for dimples on the top, under the ass.

vpiuva

Getting back to the all carbon saddle, I bought an Edge from some HK co on eBay solely because it was gold colored, light, and <$100. It's actually pretty comfortable. It's on my single speed that I generally use for rides <30 miles so I don't have any long distance experience.

If the dimples make the surface a little "sticky" that would be a good thing. I do tend to slide more on this carbon saddle.

Jacobi

All I wanted to see was your website with test results when you measured this. I remember when people used to believe that a pointed nose cone was more aero than a round one. It just seems so obvious, right?

I never said it would be a HUGE advantage, but it could be a slight one.

badkarma

Everytime someone says dimples are useless in one particular application, some enlightened idiot brings up the golf ball argument. Saddles and golfballs are completely different in terms of aerodynamics. Golf balls have dimples to trip the laminar flow turbulent, this keeps the boundary layer attached longer, thus reducing pressure drag due to a reduced wake.

A seat, however, doesn't really see laminar flow, and on the top-side, dimples won't make one iota of difference as most of the time, you're sitting on the saddle thus negating any negligible effect they make have in the first place.

badkarma

Why is it that people who don't know a lick about fluids want to dimple everything?

gcl8a

Alas. There is no such site. You "win".

As hard as it for you to believe, however, I'm still right. Despite the flagrant use of reason and theoretical principles over empirical evidence.

aballas

I'll test one too... PM me....lol...