Fizik ramps up bike saddle personalisation with 3D printing

Over the years, there’s been a fair bit of innovation in that major contact point with the bike – the bike saddle. Fizik has just revealed a new take on the genre of bike saddle personalisation which involves 3D printing and – happily for dealers – retailer participation.

Fizik’s One-to-One saddle programme has been three years in the making, part of its Concepts research programme, leaning on industry experts and academics to optimise saddle tech, design and fit.

One-to-One involves riders undergoing a personalised measurement session at a select fizik dealership so they can be paired with the most suitable saddle in fizik’s Adaptive range. They then conduct a pressure mapping session, where biometric data is captured, assessing how forces are distributed across a whopping 64 touchpoints on that saddle – and in a variety of riding positions and motions. Focus areas include peak pressure hotspots, instabilities and asymmetries.

Data captured, it is then analysed and a bespoke 3D padding structure is designed – the rider can then choose carbon or Kium rails and the order is sent to fizik HQ in North Italy and then shipped to the chosen address. After said saddle is arrived and mounted, the rider can return to the dealership a final time where their new pressure data is compared to their former saddle setup, highlighting the improvements they are enjoying.

“We know that a good, accurate fit depends on many factors,” explained fizik Brand Manager Giovanni Fogal. “Bike geometry, intended use, saddle shape and position. 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 dreamed of: bringing to life customised support available to every cyclist.”

Prices start from £459. Fizik distribution is handled by Extra UK in that territory.