Fi’zi:k Antares saddle £144.99

The Antares is Fi’zi:k’s third offering in its top-end saddle range and completes a line-up that most cyclists should be able to choose a comfortable perch from. It’s a flatter, wider and lighter saddle than both the Arione and Aliante.

It’s an exceptionally light weight saddle and with a weight of just 145g for the braided rail version it’ll appeal to the racers reading this. Its shape will appeal to those who might not find favour with the other two offerings in the company’s range too, and especially so if you favour flatter perches.

Visually, it’s far shorter than the lengthy Arione, and adopts a very flat profile along its length with a wide back, protruding side sections and a squared off stubby nose. It’s almost like a squashed Arione. Keen observers will notice the absence of the Wing Flex which is one of the Arione’s key selling points – designed to flex during pedalling – but its omission didn’t adversely affect my comfort on the saddle.

The shape makes it a saddle you sit on, rather than in in, like some hammock-shaped saddles such as the Prologo Scratch for example. But dial the position on your bike and you’ll find your sit bones locate in the sweet spot and the high density, though firm, padding provides good support. The padding is continued into the nose too, which makes those ‘on the rivet’ moments bearable.

A Rilsan Carbon Reinforced shell further helps bring the weight down and provides just a little bit of flex along its length. The white microtex cover remains clean and so far appears durable, though the thin lettering along the nose has began to fade away.

The saddle tested here featured carbon braided rails which brings the weight right down, but you do pay dearly for the 30g weight saving over the more affordable (£129.99) K:ium railed option. Our choice, unless you’re really concerned about the weight, would be to go for the K:ium.

Available in the CX carbon railed (145g) version tested here, or with K:ium rails (175g ).