New lower-priced options for 3D-printed Fizik Adaptive saddles
If you’ve been eying one of Fizik’s fancy 3D-printed Adaptive saddles, but couldn’t stomach either the heady US$400 / £390 / €370 price or weird faint green color of the lone Antares Versus Evo 00 Adaptive flagship version, you’re in luck. Fizik has not only broadened the range slightly, but also added a far more palatable black color option.
The new Antares Versus Evo R1 and R3 Adaptive models feature the same lattice-like padding design as the Antares Versus Evo 00 Adaptive, constructed using a novel 3D printing method to provide variable cushioning, enhanced airflow, and a lower weight relative to other saddles that use conventional foams and separate covers. Like on the flagship model, there’s also a full-length channel to further enhance rider comfort and maintain blood flow.
Unlike the top-end model, however, the Evo R1 and R3 Adaptive come in a refreshingly normal black color, and the padding is bonded to a more wallet-friendly carbon-reinforced nylon shell instead of a true long-fiber molded carbon fiber base. The R1 mounts all of that to carbon fiber rails, while the R3 uses Fizik’s k:ium hollow titanium-alloy rails. Both are offered in 139 mm and 149 mm widths.
The 3D-printed construction of Fizik’s Adaptive saddle certainly makes for a distinctive appearance.
Weights creep up a bit as a result of the more attainable materials used, but they’re still quite light, with the Antares Versus Evo R1 coming in at a claimed 174 g / 180 g in the narrower and wider sizes, respectively, and the Antares Versus Evo R3 posting 209 g / 215 g figures. For comparison, the flagship model is 147 g / 157 g.
Retail prices are certainly less expensive than the Antares Versus Evo 00 Adaptive model, but still at the premium end of the spectrum with the R1 fetching US$300 / £300 / €300 and the R3 coming in at US$250 / £250 / €250. Both models are available now, with Australian pricing and availability still to be confirmed.
There’s also no word yet on whether Fizik will eventually expand the Adaptive range further still with Arione or Aliante-based models, but it seems like only a matter of time before those are announced as well.
Whereas the Fizik Antares Versus Evo 00 Adaptive saddle uses a proper molded carbon fiber composite shell with the company’s so-called Mobius one-piece looped carbon fiber rails, the Evo R1 and R3 versions are built with a fiber-reinforced nylon shell and more conventional rail options.
As is the case with most Fizik saddles, the logo clip at the back can be removed to reveal a port to attach bags or lights.
The Antares Versus Evo R3 is the least expensive of the range, built with k:ium metal rails.
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