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On test: fi'zi:k Vitesse, January 9, 2007
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Bike jewelry - the fi'zi:k Vitesse HP wing flex
fi'zi:k's new version of the Vitesse saddle is a lightweight, high performance, showy bit of bike jewelry for women. Cyclingnews' Laura Weislo puts the Vitesse HP through the paces.
Years ago, when I was just getting serious with my road riding, I purchased one of those saddles with the cutout and some squishy gel in an attempt to get comfortable enough on the bike to train for several hours at a time. When instead, my legs went completely numb, I realized that softness does not equal comfort in the realm of saddles.
It was then that I purchased the first in a long line of fi’zi:k Vitesse saddles, and have been faithful to the brand until just recently, when tendonitis at the hamstring attachment sent me searching for something to alleviate the pain of sitting on the bike.
It turned out the saddle wasn't the problem, so when I was asked to test out the new Vitesse HP, I was happy to go back to a shiny new version of my favorite saddle. Through its history, the Vitesse is one of the few high-performance saddles that have been specifically designed for women's sitbone width.
Pretty in pink
When I took the saddle out of the box, I was struck by its pure beauty. With a snow-white cover, hot pink Microtex thigh-glides and shiny titanium rails - what's not to love? Although I have to admit, I was kind of hoping for the gold 'snakeskin' Microtex with white thigh glides - that's pretty bling-bling, too. Both are a nice departure from the boring black - but black does go with everything, and the HP comes in that color, too.
At 265 grams, the HP is one of the lightest women's (i.e. wider) saddles on the market. Chalk the light weight up to the titanium rails, which have been available on the Vitesse for years, the newer carbon reinforced shell, and the absence of any thick gel padding. This is a firm saddle, but as my behind has learned, this doesn't necessarily make it uncomfortable.
The scuff guards on the back offer damage protection from from a wide range of sources, from leaning against a concrete wall or the occasional pavement surfing - and on our test model were a matte chrome that added a nice glint to an already attractive saddle.
It's in the bag
New for 2006, the Vitesse includes the fi'zi:k Integrated Clip System (ICS) - a clever system that allows the optional ICS saddle bag to clip straight into the saddle. I found the system to be really handy because it keeps the bag off the seatpost and away from the saddle rails, eliminating the irritating clacking sound of inflator cartridges or mini-tools banging against either of the two on bumpy roads.
The ICS also sets the bag further back, keeping it from hitting your legs, but it also retains easy access to the seatpost bolts - something that I found was pretty much essential to using this saddle, since finding a comfortable position for this saddle was incredibly tricky.
The ICS port will also accept a space-age style taillight called the 'blin:k' , but the port will only accept one accessory at a time. This means you have a choice - saddle or taillight - not both. The saddle does have a loop to attach a non-ICS light, however, and the fi'zi:k logo and a patch on the saddle bag are reflective, adding a bit of safety for nighttime riding.
Setup tips
At first glance, the shape of the HP didn't appear to be much different from my old Vitesse. I was assuming that the HP would be just like my old friend, and I set up the position using my old measurements. Be warned, however, this is not your old Vitesse saddle.
If you're upgrading an old Vitesse, you'll need to carefully measure the saddle height from the top of the saddle and not the rails, because the new compact, sleek design of the HP puts the saddle rails a full 16mm closer to the body of the saddle than my 2004 version.
The more compact profile also affects the fore/aft adjustment, because raising the saddle moves it further away from the bars, so it's a good thing the titanium rails are longer than those on many saddles - there's plenty of room to move.
Once you have the height and fore/aft adjusted, you might find that you'll have to adjust the tilt. The HP (according to my measurements) has a profile that is nearly 2 degrees flatter than the old version. That might not sound like much, but if you're not used to a flatter saddle, it will take some getting used to, and you may need to tilt the saddle a bit nose-down to find comfort.
The ride
The Vitesse base is slightly narrower and flatter toward the rear of the saddle than the original version of Vitesse, and according to the company website, this was a direct result of feedback from athletes. Unfortunately, the narrowing didn't agree with my anatomy.
I also found that midsection of the saddle is more convex or maybe just has less 'give' than before (perhaps a function of the carbon reinforced shell), putting uncomfortable pressure on my more tender bits when in a more aggressive/aerodynamic position, and making the saddle hard to bear when riding in the drops.
However, it's perfectly fine for mountain biking, where the position is far more upright and the rides are usually shorter. It's even great on bumpy trails, and the white cover comes clean even after a good dose of Carolina red clay.
On its sides, the Vitesse, like the more famous Arione, incorporates fi'zi:k's 'Wing Flex' technology: a series of small slits in the shell that allow the saddle to flex on the sides during the down-stroke, eliminating any uncomfortable pressure on the back of the thigh.
This, combined with the thigh-glides, makes the saddle feel almost absent between even my massive quads (ok, this is a joke, but any girl will like the fact that it makes her thighs feel skinny). This is far and away my favorite part of the saddle, especially on the mountain bike, where I tend to do more seated climbing.
Although the Vitesse has been a staple of the women's peloton for years, the new version might not please everyone who has owned one in the past. But if you're after a lightweight, race-ready saddle with all the bells and whistles of a high-end men's saddle, then the Vitesse HP Wing Flex might be a good choice. Just don't expect it to be comfortable on the first try. Prepare yourself for numerous adjustments, and when you hit the sweet spot, you'll have a well-constructed, firm saddle that offers optimal power transfer and an invisible feel on the thighs.
Weight: 265g
Price: US$99.99 (Vitesse HP Wing Flex); US$19.99 (small saddle pa:k); US$19.99
(blin:k)
Pro: Lightweight, ICS system a good idea, Wing-flex adds comfort
Con: Stiff midsection, tweaky to set up
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More information: www.fizik.it
