Currently, I ride a Performance racing saddle with a DeSoto cover, it’s a lightweight saddle with Ti rails, it works well with the cover. I recently bought an Arione which I placed on my beater road bike ( the sddle is worth more than the bike!). I love the Arione, I would rate it the best saddle I ever rode. Lately, I started wondering about tri specific saddles, the Azoto and Aspide with the gel noses. Is it worth the bucks vs. my $20 cover? I remember someone saying Fizik would be introducing an Arione for Tri. Any comments/opinions?
Try a Koobi Tri. I love mine and if you don’t they will refund your money within 30 days of purchase.
You wouldn’t consider the Arione for the tri-bike? I have a SSM Azoto right now that I am switching over to the Arione (on a tri-bike). The azoto is good, but I still found I was having problems with numbness from sitting too close to the tip. I got a zero-set back post to move the rear portion of the saddle underneath me, but now I am getting saddle sores from the wide nose, and also, when I try to adjust my position rear-ward, that spoiler shape at the back of it makes it uncomfortable.
I’m hoping the arione will be underneath me more than the Azoto, provide less chafing and also flatter so I can slide around a bit. Maybe I should wait for the “triathlon” model to come out.
I guess that’s part of my question. My original plan was to use the Arione on my tri bike, but I like it so muh, I’ve been riding on the road bike. Also, I strated seeing opinions that the long nose wasn’t good for a steep angle tri bike. I have yet to use it on the tri bike, although I will proably check it out with the saddle cover. I’m just looking for opinions on what different people use. Thanks for the feedback.
I also ride the Koobi tri and like it alot. I’ve been riding it for a year and it has held up well. Much better than the flight that I had before.
Arione on my Tri bike…best saddle I have ever had.
with a cover or not?
Try a Koobi Tri. I love mine and if you don’t they will refund your money within 30 days of purchase.
I use, and love, the Azoto Triathlon Gel. I ride far forward, and when I am really pushing…I tend to slide just a tad farther than normal, so the wide nose with gel padding is the only way to go. I tried about 15 different saddles when I purchased my new bike in October and this was by far the best for my tastes.
I tried a Fizik saddle, but I don’t remember if it was the Arione. It looked like similar if it wasn’t. It was too narrow up front for spending long durations in the aero position. I was looking at being comfortable for Ironman Florida, so spending a long time in the aero position was extremely important.
At the races that I have done this year (ranging from Sprints to Half IM) I have seen more Azotos than any other single saddle.
You should go to your bike shop and try one out, I don’t think you will be disappointed.
----->Trent
I just put my Arione on my tri bike last week. This morning I put on a saddle cover. I think it’s going to stay there but I have a bike fitting this weekend so I’ll see what the man says.
I love the saddle, though. I had a Koobi for 3 years which I liked but recently began giving me problems “down there.” No problems so far with the Arione.
I guess that’s part of my question. My original plan was to use the Arione on my tri bike, but I like it so muh, I’ve been riding on the road bike. Also, I strated seeing opinions that the long nose wasn’t good for a steep angle tri bike.
Frog,
I rode an old trusty Flite Ti for more than a decade with no problems at all. I experimented several times with Koobi, Tri saddles, etc, but always stayed with the Flite. I have never liked the squishiness of Tri saddles or covers for 2 reasons 1) they made me chafe when riding in a wet speedo, and 2) my “boys” would get stuck in the cush as I slide around on the saddle. I always liked smooth and hard like the flite.
3 weeks ago now, I tried the Arione - it is fabulous! All the advantages I liked in the Flite plus it is flat and has a longer sweet spot. Raced in a Speedo last weekend and it is the most comfortable I have ever been.
As much as I respect Dan, Tom, etc, I personally believe that the cushy tri saddles or covers are a gimmick (that may work) but that are not needed and for me have a bigger down side than up side.
Good Luck,
OK so my previous post didn’t show correctly after 3 attempts - had the Koobi on my Road and P3 for-around 3 years - with a saddle cover. Tried the Azoto last year and hated it - trying to sell it at the moment. Tempted to try the Arione on my road bike but not sure I like the length on the tri bike…
I recently switched out my old Flite Gel for the Aspide Tri Gel - what a difference! I’m more of a nose-rider myself, and I’ve found the Tri Gel to be far superior in comfort and in eliminating…um…post-ride numbness. Never tried the Azoto, but from looking at pix, the Aspide seems to be just a bit narrower in the nose - could be due to having a bit less gel up there, but it works just fine as-is for me. Anyway, the ‘boys’ seem to approve of the change.
From 85 to 91, I rode the selle Italia Turbomatic, the same saddle that all the TdF pros like Indurain and others used to ride. It was great. Then switched to the Flite titanium from mid 91 to 98. It too was awesome. No gimicks, just enough padding where you need it. Then from 98 to 2004, I’ve been on Avocet O2 titanium. Its a bit softer than the Flite where I need it, and affords a wider “base” in the rear, like the old Turbomatic. So far, the best of both worlds. Always seeking additional comfort, I plan to try the Arione this fall. I’ve been satisfied with all three saddles whether I ride way up on the nose or back in the “sweet spot”. As David suggests, the less gimicks, less padding and less stitching, typically the better. Lemond used to say that saddles are like mattresses. They should be hard to provide support, with just enough “surface padding” to mold to your body. All the above saddles seem to meet those criteria and have served me well.
There is a new tri version of the Flite saddle… you might thin abotu looking at that one too
My question to your question is “are you uncomfortable with your present setup?” if not than the answer is it probably is not worth the extra money
If yes then definately look into it
Tempted to try the Arione on my road bike but not sure I like the length on the tri bike…
I recently invested in an Arione and Aspide for my road/tri bikes. I find them both better than what i had before but still a long way from Cadillac comfort.
But then I’m someone that has saddle issues. In contrast my wife can be comfortable on anything.
I just bought an Azoto for my tri bike. It’s sooo smooth. It’s the first time that I’ve been able to ride 60 miles with no numbness. Coming from a Flite Gel I was worried that it’d be too thick but it’s great.