Contact points. Riding a bicycle can be a positive or a negative sensual experience. Grins and grimaces are often determined merely through contact points. And, consistent with Judeo-Christian theology and anything ever written by G.W.F. Hegel, there are only three: hands (in relation to which bar type and bar wrap must be fussed over) feet (which allows shoe companies to charge $600 for pedal pushers), and saddle (which I spend more time with than my girlfriend). For this reason you should always feel justified in over thinking your saddle selection. Some saddles simply get it wrong. Like, way way wrong. Some saddles get it right. While saddle choice is ultimately subjective, there are certain minimum requirements that should be objectively considered if you’re thinking about rubbing yourself on one for hours at a time through the seasons to come.
Weight and Comfort – At a claimed weight of 259 grams the Aliante Gamma Twin Flex isn’t among the lightest saddles on the market but, despite conventional weight weenie wisdom, I find that this plays to its advantage. The less-is-more mantra has been taken a bit too far in modern saddle technology. Average riders and even elite racer are more concerned with performance vis-à-vis comfort over performance vis-à-vis weight. And if they’re not, they should be. It’s more important that it doesn’t hurt to pee after a fifty minute criterium than having a 125 gram saddle that shatters when it touches the ground. Words of personal experience there. The Fizik Aliante is like Jennifer Lopez: it has a little extra in the rear, possesses firm solid padding, and looks really good on top of my bike. The extra width in the back and subtly rounded perch and nose allows for multiple comfortable positions to be assumed during a 30 mph motor pacing session or during a four to six hour ride. Whether J-Lo is equally as comfortable for this period of time I cannot venture to say, though I have my suspicions.
Various Engineering Feats of Awesome – Before sitting down to look at the Aliante Gamma Twin Flex I was of the opinion that a saddle is always just a saddle, so long as I can sit on it for a couple hours without noticing that it’s there. And since many unnecessary ‘advancements’ pan out like Mavic’s R-Sys, I typically ere on the side of simplicity and eschew products touting minor technological advancements. But this saddle won me over with three little sneaky things:
Side bumpers – We all have saddles that have worn out prematurely due to resting the bike against a wall in the same spot over and over. This eventually rubs away the leather and the saddle starts to unravel from the back. I discovered the Aliante’s side bumpers when after I ride I leaned it against the living room wall (yes, the living room, the bike’s rightful place) and I heard a clack rather than a dull thump. Fizik, not a good idea. A great idea.
Bag Clip – Fizik manufactures specially designed bags that clip in to the back of the saddle. The verb ‘clip’ as opposed to ‘hang’ is significant. The bag has a solid plastic mount that prevents the bag from swaying back and forth counter to the natural movement of the bike. I have thrown my share of saddle bags in the trash because of annoying counter swaying and am very happy that my tube, lever, and cartridge finally have their own secure cargo space.
Anti-slip texturing – I only noticed this one indirectly when it became evident I wasn’t migrating toward the front of the saddle as readily while doing hard efforts in the drops. These indentations in the top of the saddle, although not as aggressive as wrapping your saddle in sandpaper, do a pretty good job of keeping your butt in place. I suspect that these will lose their sharpness and functionality after a while but for now, I really appreciate their tenacity in keeping me put. Even if they don’t stop you from migrating you can always use them to determine which way is forward.
Verdict: The Fizik Aliante Gamma Twin Flex gets two thumbs up: one thumb for comfort, thanks to its wider rear and firm padding and one thumb for the added bonus of side bumpers, bag clip area, and textured top. Keep an eye out while watching ProTour races. There’s a reason you’ll see so many on the Aliante.
The elite amateur team sponsored by Embrocation Cycling Journal, International Bicycle Center and Mad Alchemy Embrocations. With contingents of racers in New England and the Pacific Northwest, Team Embrocation races road, cross and mountain throughout the US and a little bit beyond sometimes. Now entering their second season, the team features a deep and diverse roster.
