Italian saddle specialist fizik has launched what it is being billed as ‘a game-changing service’ called One-to-One, which allows cyclists to have their own, unique 3D-printed saddle produced.
The service has been three years in the making as part of fizik’s Concepts research program which… ‘brings together industry-leading experts and academics to push the boundaries of saddle technology, design and fit.’
One-to-One is aiming to take fizik’s Adaptive collection of 3D-printed saddles to the next level, claiming to ‘achieve unparalleled comfort and performance’.
Fully custom saddle
The One-to-One service sees riders undergo a personalized measurement session at a select fizik dealership, which allows them to be paired with the most suitable saddle in fizik’s Adaptive range.
They then conduct a pressure mapping session where their biometric data is captured to assess how forces are distributed across 64 touchpoints on that saddle in a range of different riding positions and motions. Key areas of focus include peak pressure hotspots, instabilities and asymmetries.
Once that data has been captured and analyzed, a bespoke 3D padding structure is designed to match the cyclist’s needs, and they can then choose between carbon and Kium rails before completing their order.
As soon as that order has been processed, the saddle is produced at fizik’s HQ in northern Italy and shipped to the customer’s chosen address.
After the saddle has arrived and been mounted, cyclists can return to the dealership for a final consultation session where their new pressure data is compared to their former saddle setup, highlighting areas of improvement.
“We know that a good, accurate fit depends on many factors: bike geometry, intended use, saddle shape, and position,” said fizik Brand Manager, Giovanni Fogal.
“But most importantly every cyclist is unique: experience, sensitivity, history of injuries, body shape, riding goals. All of this can affect the way we sit on the saddle.
“It’s clear that a traditional one-to-many saddle design can only provide an approximate solution to very specific problems. With One-to-One today we achieve what every saddle manufacturer has always dreamed of: bringing to life customized support available to every cyclist.”
Prices of One-to-One Adaptive saddles start from €459 / £459 / US$499
