Prime 3.0 – 142 from Italian firm Repente is a wide seat saddle ‘designed to transform the freedom of movement of the legs into performance.’ The company adds that the shape, modelled on the basis of anatomical and ergonomic studies, provides necessary support at strategic points.
With an RRP of €154, and directly derived from Repente’s Prime 2.0, one of its best sellers, the main change concerns the width of the saddle. At 142 mm, ‘one of the sizes most in demand on the market’, the new offering completes the range alongside the more traditional 132 mm version.
The shape of the rear of the saddle has been designed to provide a uniform contact area for customers who require this saddle size. Repente’s R&D team has focussed on avoiding any hindrance to the free motion of the hip joint during the pedal downstroke, creating leverage for the cyclist ‘in terms of comfort and thrust effectiveness.’
The central anatomical channel, the key element of Prime saddles, has also been made wider.
The differential section rail is made of T700 unidirectional carbon fibre. The material used for the supporting structure of the saddle is PA12 polyurethane, reinforced with long carbon fibres (LCF technology).
Repente has also applied its proprietary RLS cover replacement technology to the Prime 3.0 – 142 saddle.
The thickness of the padding layer has been increased throughout the surface of the saddle, in consideration of the fact that the 142 mm width size is mainly used by cyclists with an above-average build.
To aid a more comfortable sitting position both on uneven ground and over long distances, EVA material, used for it lightness and shock absorption properties, has been used for the padding.
The tip of Prime 3.0 – 142 has a thicker padding layer with a square-shaped cross section to provide support when moving forward along the saddle. The Repente saddle cover is made of water-based non-slip PU, already used in other Repente models, including Quasar.
The sides of the middle-front part of the saddle feature a graphic pattern in glossy paint, which has the added effect of reducing any inner thigh chafing.
