Fizik Rondine Vitesse on Pave

[Nanci]

CP3's pretty expensive, then, if you're only riding 2000 miles a year...Isn't the MSRO about $120?? Hardly what I'd call "recreational." Well, we'll see how it holds up!!

Nanci

[ChainsOflove]

Nanci
Regarding the vitesse, you don't feel it has problems with the frontal pressure issue?

I tried a regular vitesse, the rear was fabulous but the front was like crushing the soft tissue. Maybe the gel is better?

I'm all for the narrower nose, I had problems with the wide saddles.

[Nanci]

No, it doesn't bother me. I get sore, on really long rides, in the crease where my underwear would go. I ride with the nose slightly up, too.

I don't think the gel does anything.

http://tinyurl.com/oy87m

I rode around the parking lot on this saddle for about five minutes and it was interesting. The front parts were all out in mid-air- not touching anything. I felt like it was wide, but couldn't say if that meant uncomfortable- it was just different. It felt like my ishial bones were taking all my weight- but more to the front of the bones, not the tuberosity-sit bones part. Again, not in an uncomfortable way, but really different.

The saddle itself is very well made- quality leather, ti rails. $149. Not a cheap experiment.

Blackwell also makes another saddle called the Flow, which is more traditional, which gets excellent reviews. $99.

[Nanci]

I sent the Vitesse CP3 back to Sierra Trading Post (sorry Carrie, I didn't see your question about where it was from, earlier) because it felt softer and was thicker than the one I have. I also noticed mine is finally starting to come apart at the back seam...

Also, I didn't like that it was synthetic, not leather. The gel looked cool, and felt soft.

[Fitmiss]

I'm noticing that most saddles are not leather. Rather, they are synthetic and water-proof. What is the advantage of leather? You can get a Vitesse in leather if you customize it from Fizik.

[Nanci]

It seemed fragile. Like, too stretchy/vinyly. Leather is strong. (Kangaroo leather is supposed to be one of the strongest, BTW! Used for some high-wear parts of expensive horse saddles.)

[Mags...]

Nanci, if you sent your new Vitesse back, and seeing as your old Vitesse which you've always liked is failing, what are you going to do now? Do you know of or have you tried any other saddle you'd like? I was just starting to get keen on this one for myself, but now I think I'm not so sure.

[Nanci]

Well, I'll probably have to order the expensive Vitesse, (which now has cordura side protection!!!) or find an older one on eBay. I'm looking at that Blackwell Adamo ISM, but it seems a little extreme, and I wonder how it is if you're not riding in aero position. I got to ride one for a few minutes in a parking lot- it was very weird but cool. Blackwell also makes a saddle called the Flow which looks interesting- but I am suspicious of the "only" $90 price...

Nanci