Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

3D printed saddles

Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

3D printed saddles

Old 01-01-23, 11:15 PM
  #1  
NoWhammies
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
NoWhammies's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 1,993

Bikes: Argon 18 Gallium, BH G7, Rocky Mountain Instinct C70

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 512 Times in 306 Posts
3D printed saddles

Anyone riding on a 3D printed saddle? I am looking at putting a new saddle on my Aerolight in the spring. I took a quick look at the 3D printed saddles from Specialized and yoooza! Those bad boys are expensive. Worth it though? What makes them so great compared to the standard Specialized saddle offerings? Thank you.
NoWhammies is offline  
Old 01-01-23, 11:28 PM
  #2  
mschwett 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 2,028

Bikes: addict, aethos, creo, vanmoof, sirrus, public ...

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1272 Post(s)
Liked 1,382 Times in 707 Posts
Originally Posted by NoWhammies
Anyone riding on a 3D printed saddle? I am looking at putting a new saddle on my Aerolight in the spring. I took a quick look at the 3D printed saddles from Specialized and yoooza! Those bad boys are expensive. Worth it though? What makes them so great compared to the standard Specialized saddle offerings? Thank you.
i have a couple, with maybe 10k miles on them. they aren’t magic, but they do have a very nice combination of support and give with the “give” tailored very specifically to the different areas of the saddle. that said, the shape/size and fit still matters more, one of the two types (the mirror) was much less good for me than the other (the romin).
__________________
mschwett is offline  
Likes For mschwett:
Old 01-02-23, 12:39 PM
  #3  
robbyville
Senior Member
 
robbyville's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Palm Desert, CA
Posts: 2,504

Bikes: Speedvagen Steel

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 429 Post(s)
Liked 248 Times in 156 Posts
I am currently riding the specialized mirror romin. I also have a fitzik 3d printed one if you want to try it. Both are manufactured by the same company but designed to the specs of spec or fitzik.

the fitzik is great if you like a more rounded profile the 3d printing is pretty comfortable. It didn’t work out for me and the mirror Romin has a more flat shape similar to the Toupe I loved from years ago but that they no longer make in the same shaping.

so far I’d say it’s worth every penny, heck if it lasts for 5 plus years like some of my other saddles absolutely. I’ve done the gamut of saddles and for my personal shape the Specialized Mirror Romin is pretty phenomenal.

just PM me if you want to try the Fitzik one, I’ve sent saddles to members all over the place to try and you can either buy it if it works for you or send it back and buy brand new, etc. this one was used by me for about 3 weeks before swapping.
robbyville is offline  
Old 01-02-23, 01:29 PM
  #4  
Sy Reene
Advocatus Diaboli
 
Sy Reene's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,611

Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4717 Post(s)
Liked 1,526 Times in 997 Posts
I (mistakenly?) thought the point of 3D printed saddles was to get a fit custom to your own ass? In which case, what would be the value of trying someone else's saddle?
Sy Reene is offline  
Old 01-02-23, 01:39 PM
  #5  
thin_concrete
Achtung!
 
thin_concrete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: New England
Posts: 1,673

Bikes: 60.1, Marvel

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 515 Post(s)
Liked 268 Times in 161 Posts
Originally Posted by robbyville
I am currently riding the specialized mirror romin. I also have a fitzik 3d printed one if you want to try it. Both are manufactured by the same company but designed to the specs of spec or fitzik.

the fitzik is great if you like a more rounded profile the 3d printing is pretty comfortable. It didn’t work out for me and the mirror Romin has a more flat shape similar to the Toupe I loved from years ago but that they no longer make in the same shaping.

so far I’d say it’s worth every penny, heck if it lasts for 5 plus years like some of my other saddles absolutely. I’ve done the gamut of saddles and for my personal shape the Specialized Mirror Romin is pretty phenomenal.

just PM me if you want to try the Fitzik one, I’ve sent saddles to members all over the place to try and you can either buy it if it works for you or send it back and buy brand new, etc. this one was used by me for about 3 weeks before swapping.
Which Fizik saddle is it? I’ve been looking for the Antares Evo Adaptive R3 in 149mm.
thin_concrete is offline  
Old 01-02-23, 01:49 PM
  #6  
Iride01 
I'm good to go!
 
Iride01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,810

Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020

Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6100 Post(s)
Liked 4,732 Times in 3,262 Posts
Originally Posted by Sy Reene
I (mistakenly?) thought the point of 3D printed saddles was to get a fit custom to your own ass? In which case, what would be the value of trying someone else's saddle?
Yes you are mistaken.
Iride01 is offline  
Likes For Iride01:
Old 01-02-23, 03:36 PM
  #7  
NoWhammies
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
NoWhammies's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 1,993

Bikes: Argon 18 Gallium, BH G7, Rocky Mountain Instinct C70

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 512 Times in 306 Posts
robbyville PM sent! Thank you.

mschwett Good to know. Sounds like the 3D printed saddles might be worth the extra cake. But wow, they are costly.
NoWhammies is offline  
Likes For NoWhammies:
Old 01-02-23, 04:29 PM
  #8  
Mojo31
-------
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Tejas
Posts: 12,630
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9525 Post(s)
Liked 6,267 Times in 3,455 Posts
Originally Posted by Sy Reene
I (mistakenly?) thought the point of 3D printed saddles was to get a fit custom to your own ass? In which case, what would be the value of trying someone else's saddle?
They are not made for the individual. The point of the process is that the firmness of the saddle can vary from one area to the next to provide the type of support needed in each area.

I have the Fizik saddle and like it a lot. It conforms to my shape in a way that simply works.
Mojo31 is offline  
Likes For Mojo31:
Old 01-02-23, 06:21 PM
  #9  
Sy Reene
Advocatus Diaboli
 
Sy Reene's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,611

Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4717 Post(s)
Liked 1,526 Times in 997 Posts
Originally Posted by Mojo31
They are not made for the individual. The point of the process is that the firmness of the saddle can vary from one area to the next to provide the type of support needed in each area.

I have the Fizik saddle and like it a lot. It conforms to my shape in a way that simply works.
Thanks for the info. Though wouldn't this be one of the inherent advantages of 3D printing? Ie. couldn't programming yield every saddle coming out of the process customized on 1-1 basis with who ordered it and their dimensions?
Sy Reene is offline  
Old 01-02-23, 06:56 PM
  #10  
Mojo31
-------
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Tejas
Posts: 12,630
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9525 Post(s)
Liked 6,267 Times in 3,455 Posts
Originally Posted by Sy Reene
Thanks for the info. Though wouldn't this be one of the inherent advantages of 3D printing? Ie. couldn't programming yield every saddle coming out of the process customized on 1-1 basis with who ordered it and their dimensions?
You sure could. How much do you want to pay?
Mojo31 is offline  
Likes For Mojo31:
Old 01-02-23, 06:59 PM
  #11  
mschwett 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 2,028

Bikes: addict, aethos, creo, vanmoof, sirrus, public ...

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1272 Post(s)
Liked 1,382 Times in 707 Posts
Originally Posted by Sy Reene
Thanks for the info. Though wouldn't this be one of the inherent advantages of 3D printing? Ie. couldn't programming yield every saddle coming out of the process customized on 1-1 basis with who ordered it and their dimensions?
theoretically yes, practically, i'm not sure how you'd ascertain all the correct dimensions. the methods used to measure sit bone width are pretty primitive and give you just one bit of data - the center to center spacing of the sit bones, which corresponds roughly to the width of at least one part of the saddle. but the rest of the butt is soft tissue, and i'm not sure what various dimensions, could they even be obtained, would say about the saddle geometry. and, of course, building a parametric model of the many-layered honeycomb structure of the 3d printed seat would be no joke, especially with more than a few parameters. then you have printing to order, idling time on very expensive machines, increased returns, i bet such a thing would cost thousands of dollars with the current tech.
__________________
mschwett is offline  
Old 01-03-23, 08:44 AM
  #12  
robbyville
Senior Member
 
robbyville's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Palm Desert, CA
Posts: 2,504

Bikes: Speedvagen Steel

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 429 Post(s)
Liked 248 Times in 156 Posts
Originally Posted by thin_concrete
Which Fizik saddle is it? I’ve been looking for the Antares Evo Adaptive R3 in 149mm.
i have the R1 in 149mm with the carbon rails. For the extra cost it was worth it for me as the carbon rails seemed to allow a different flex when seated. That being said the overall shape (more rounded) still wasn’t quite right for me.
robbyville is offline  
Old 01-03-23, 08:47 AM
  #13  
robbyville
Senior Member
 
robbyville's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Palm Desert, CA
Posts: 2,504

Bikes: Speedvagen Steel

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 429 Post(s)
Liked 248 Times in 156 Posts
Originally Posted by Sy Reene
Thanks for the info. Though wouldn't this be one of the inherent advantages of 3D printing? Ie. couldn't programming yield every saddle coming out of the process customized on 1-1 basis with who ordered it and their dimensions?
i thought there was at least one company doing this; or at least a custom variation based upon some type of fit kit that would be sent to the consumer and then returned to the saddle maker. I don’t believe the saddle was 3d printed but a custom saddle nevertheless. I never tried it though.

NoWhammies , response sent!
robbyville is offline  
Old 01-03-23, 11:27 AM
  #14  
Sy Reene
Advocatus Diaboli
 
Sy Reene's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,611

Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4717 Post(s)
Liked 1,526 Times in 997 Posts
Originally Posted by robbyville
i thought there was at least one company doing this; or at least a custom variation based upon some type of fit kit that would be sent to the consumer and then returned to the saddle maker. I don’t believe the saddle was 3d printed but a custom saddle nevertheless. I never tried it though.
!
That was what I was thinking, and have thought, as I've stumbled across 3D saddle conversations in the past.

I did bookmark this site a couple years ago, but haven't relooked at it since. I figured something like this though was what the 3D thing was about:
MELD_3d
Sy Reene is offline  
Old 01-04-23, 09:05 AM
  #15  
PeteHski
Senior Member
 
PeteHski's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,174
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4273 Post(s)
Liked 4,710 Times in 2,910 Posts
Originally Posted by NoWhammies
Anyone riding on a 3D printed saddle? I am looking at putting a new saddle on my Aerolight in the spring. I took a quick look at the 3D printed saddles from Specialized and yoooza! Those bad boys are expensive. Worth it though? What makes them so great compared to the standard Specialized saddle offerings? Thank you.
Simple question. Is your current saddle causing any sort of issue? If yes, then maybe it could be well worth the money if you don't have a sore ass after every ride (assuming it is actually more comfortable). But if you don't have any issues, then where is the benefit? This is what I ask myself when it comes to new saddle choice - especially super expensive ones!
PeteHski is offline  
Old 01-06-23, 10:47 AM
  #16  
Fox Farm
Senior Member
 
Fox Farm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Prague, Czech Republic
Posts: 2,750

Bikes: Merlin Extra Light, Orbea Orca, Ritchey Outback,Tomac Revolver Mountain Bike, Cannondale Crit 3.0 now used for time trials.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 126 Post(s)
Liked 55 Times in 34 Posts
I am not really convinced that this is necessary. What saddle are you riding that fits comfortably now?
Fox Farm is offline  
Old 01-06-23, 04:10 PM
  #17  
scottfsmith
I like bike
 
scottfsmith's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Merry Land USA
Posts: 662

Bikes: Roubaix Comp 2020

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 267 Post(s)
Liked 283 Times in 191 Posts
I agree they are not necessary for many people. But it was a huge help for me personally. I had a Specialized Power saddle that was professionally fit but I still did not last for more than an hour without needing frequent long standing sessions for the rest of the ride. So I got the Mirror version, the Power Mirror. Voila, no more standing required.

I hope it lasts a long time given the price. It still looks like new after about a year of use but if something caught on it it could rip. For transporting it could be handy to have a cover for the mesh to protect it.
scottfsmith is offline  
Old 01-06-23, 05:08 PM
  #18  
surak
Senior Member
 
surak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Seattle
Posts: 1,949

Bikes: Specialized Roubaix, Canyon Inflite AL SLX, Ibis Ripley AF, Priority Continuum Onyx, Santana Vision, Kent Dual-Drive Tandem

Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 871 Post(s)
Liked 725 Times in 436 Posts
I have a Specialized Power Pro with Mirror. I've tried basically every variation of the Power. I currently have Power Elaston, Power with Mimic, and Power with Mirror saddles on different bikes.

The vanilla Power shape works for my sit bones but is too firm especially the ridge around the cutout. Power Elaston is slightly more supple but cutout still too sharp. Power with Mimic has the best support at the stub nose and in place of the cutout but the support feels too soft after a long time in the saddle. Power with Mirror has more consistent support; it's not worlds better than the Power with Mimic but is kind of the best all-around for me. The 3-D printing means they've theoretically thought about and can tune different support at different locations on the saddle. Might be more noticeable on a Romin because the Power design is less geared toward sitting in different positions compared to the Romin.
surak is offline  
Old 01-11-23, 02:04 PM
  #19  
oris
I like speed
 
oris's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Eastvale, CA
Posts: 219

Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix Hi Mod, Specialized Allez Sprint, Bottecchia Emme 4 SL

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 77 Post(s)
Liked 121 Times in 61 Posts
I've been using the Fizik Vento Adaptive R3 for several months now; I also have the regular Fizik Vento R1 in use on another bike.

It's not life changing but is marginally more comfortable in comparison. Honestly you're better off finding the right shape and getting a good bike fit. The 3D printing allows for variable cushioning in specific parts of the saddle e.g. the middle perineal area is very soft and compliant vs. where the sit bones are much firmer.

Last edited by oris; 01-12-23 at 10:49 AM. Reason: Spelling
oris is offline  
Old 01-11-23, 05:17 PM
  #20  
Sy Reene
Advocatus Diaboli
 
Sy Reene's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,611

Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4717 Post(s)
Liked 1,526 Times in 997 Posts
Originally Posted by oris
I've been using the Fizik Vento Adaptive R3 for several months now; I also have the regular Fizik Vento R1 in use on another bike.

It's not life changing but is marginally more comfortable in comparison. Honestly you're better off finding the right shape and getting a good bike fit. The 3D printing allows for variable cushioning in specific parts of the saddle e.g. the middle perineal area is very soft and complaint vs. where the sit bones are much firmer.
So now I'm confused again.. these are custom variably produced for each customer, or not?
Sy Reene is offline  
Old 01-12-23, 02:15 AM
  #21  
kooby
Newbie
 
Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: Wroclaw
Posts: 17
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Liked 18 Times in 11 Posts
Originally Posted by Sy Reene
So now I'm confused again.. these are custom variably produced for each customer, or not?
That particular model is not specifically made for each customer. The 3d printing is used to vary the cushioning in specific areas better than other ways of making saddles (more stiff in some area, softer in others).
There are definitely some companies that are making custom saddles for individuals using 3d printing, but for a mass-market product like the fizik saddle, customizing it for each person is a little expensive.
kooby is offline  
Likes For kooby:
Old 01-12-23, 11:39 AM
  #22  
mvnsnd
Senior Member
 
mvnsnd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: WNY
Posts: 3,098

Bikes: Factor O2, Caad10, Caad2

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 365 Post(s)
Liked 122 Times in 78 Posts
Originally Posted by Sy Reene
That was what I was thinking, and have thought, as I've stumbled across 3D saddle conversations in the past.

I did bookmark this site a couple years ago, but haven't relooked at it since. I figured something like this though was what the 3D thing was about:
MELD_3d
Meld is one company, Posedla is another. The full customization is the true benefit of 3D printed saddles, but I don't think the mass supplied ones are made with any customization other than being able to have a variable "density/cushion" at any particular location.
mvnsnd is offline  
Likes For mvnsnd:
Old 01-12-23, 12:51 PM
  #23  
dbf73
TFO
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: MSP
Posts: 304

Bikes: Trek Emonda SL7 eTap, Felt AR-B, Colnago Master Mapei

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 44 Post(s)
Liked 20 Times in 7 Posts
Originally Posted by Mojo31
I have the Fizik saddle and like it a lot. It conforms to my shape in a way that simply works.
which model?
dbf73 is offline  
Old 01-12-23, 01:22 PM
  #24  
Mojo31
-------
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Tejas
Posts: 12,630
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9525 Post(s)
Liked 6,267 Times in 3,455 Posts
Originally Posted by dbf73
which model?
Antares Versus Evo R1 Adaptive.
Mojo31 is offline  
Old 01-28-23, 03:31 PM
  #25  
Polaris OBark
ignominious poltroon
 
Polaris OBark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 3,926
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2184 Post(s)
Liked 3,336 Times in 1,741 Posts
Originally Posted by mvnsnd
Meld is one company, Posedla is another. The full customization is the true benefit of 3D printed saddles, but I don't think the mass supplied ones are made with any customization other than being able to have a variable "density/cushion" at any particular location.
Thanks for the link. It would be far easier for me to justify spending $500 on a custom 3D print saddle than $450 on a Specialized generic two sizes fit all saddle.
Polaris OBark is offline  
Likes For Polaris OBark:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.