Fikik has launched a new service called One-to-One, which will custom 3D print one of its adaptive saddle models to fit you perfectly. It is available on a range of saddle bases with carbon or Kium alloy rails.
In fact, many riders find it difficult to get comfortable with the best bicycle saddles. Although a bike fit can eliminate many sources of discomfort and cycling injuries and introduce you to a new saddle, until now you have been limited to what was ready-made on the market. You’ll be sitting on your saddle for hours, so getting it right can be crucial.
The new One-to-One service aims to address this by offering a saddle that is custom 3D printed to suit your anatomy, bike setup, riding position and the type of ride you’re doing, whether that’s on the road, on gravel, mountain biking or time trial.
One-to-One uses one of Fizik’s existing Adaptive 3D printed saddle models as a starting point and then forms a top surface to suit your individual needs.
This is how it works:
One-on-one first edition maps your own saddle while riding a Wahoo Kickr Rollr (Image credit: Fizik)
Firstly, a Fizik dealer equipped with the one-to-one system will complete a quick questionnaire and map your current saddle across the full range of riding positions while you ride a Wahoo Kickr Rollr trainer. This allows them to choose the most compatible non-custom adaptive saddle shape for you and your riding style.
They fit this saddle to your bike and then use pressure maps to see how you interact with the saddle across 64 contact points in a range of positions, allowing them to identify your pelvic tilt, as well as asymmetries, instability and pressure hotspots.
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Fizik uses the saddle pressure mapping system developed by gebioMized, which it claims is the most used system by professional bicycle mechanics. It has worked with the company to research and test the system, and says it took three years to develop.
The pad collects pressure data at 64 points on the saddle surface (Image credit: Fizik)
The One-to-One service then automates the analysis of the data to design the 3D printed saddle top surface structure that best suits your needs. You choose between carbon or Kium rails, then Fizik produces and ships your unique saddle to you.
You can return to the dealer later to see how the new pressure distribution compares to your original saddle fit.
The data can identify asymmetries in your seating position (Image credit: Fizik)
3D printing has the advantage over traditional manufacturing techniques that it can be used to manufacture one-off pieces, while producing a standard padded saddle requires the use of mass production techniques with a large number of standardized parts.
It has already found its way into pads and helmets, but also into a range of other components and even complete bicycle frames.
Saddle options and prices
One-to-One is available to suit a range of Fizik Adaptive saddles (Image credit: Fizik)
Fizik Adaptive saddles available in the service include the Vento Argo, Terra Argo, Vento Antares, Tempo Aliante, Transiro Aeris LD and Transiro Aeris SD, with all triathlon saddles except the Transiro available in two widths. Fizik offers the service for its R3 Adaptive saddles with Kium rails or higher specification R1 saddles on carbon rails.
The service is available at an additional cost on top of the standard price for the chosen adaptive saddle model. That brings the starting price for a One-to-One R3 Adaptive saddle on Kium rails to £459 / $499 / €459, while the R1 carbon rail saddles cost £499 / $599 / €499.
