Fizik Goes Full Custom With One-To-One Saddle Program

Saddles are very personal pieces of equipment. Everyone’s sit bones and anatomy is different and while brands collect incredible amounts of data to try and find ways to fit different riders, nothing compares to a custom option to perfectly fit you. Fizik now offers their One-To-One program to map your saddle touch point and create a custom, 3D-printed version of their saddles.

Saddles can be one of the most important components on the bike for comfort and performance. If a saddle doesn’t work for a rider, they are not going to ride. Most saddles consist of foam padding on a base, with some using single density padding, while others use multi-density foam. Some brands, like Fizik, are beginning to use 3D-printing to create structures to provide more customized cushioning and support.

Developed over the last three years, One-To-One continues Fizik’s Concepts research program to help advance their saddle design. The project combines industry leading experts and academics to push saddle technology, design, and fit. One-To-One takes this to the next level by using pressure mapping to help create a custom version of the brand’s elastomeric lattice honeycomb 3D-printed Adaptive collection for a rider’s specific needs for support and comfort. The 3D-Printed Adaptive saddle padding created by Carbon’s Digital Light Synthesis (DLS) technology allows Fizik the opportunity to take advantage of this production method that finally makes it cost effective to create one-off saddles.

“We know that a good, accurate fit depends on many factors: bike geometry, intended use, saddle shape, and position,” explains 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.”

To achieve this, Fizik works with select dealers in their network to offer a personalized measurement session, which can be combined with a full bike fitting the dealer offers. The dealer works with the rider to find the right model based on the shape of the saddle offerings within the range and initial measurements taken at the beginning of the session. From there, a cover is placed over the saddle that maps 64 points on the saddle to assess how forces are applied by the body across the saddle in various riding positions. Specifically, they look for peak pressure hotspots, instabilities, and asymmetries. This technology comes from a partnership with GebioMized, a world leader in saddle pressure mapping. The brands collaborated on extensive research, including hundreds of subject, balanced between men and women, and across all riding disciplines. Together, they helped define the parameters for the custom experience that led to the creation of the One-To-One program, including software and hardware used.

The process is fairly simple. The trained specialist will get your bike with your current saddle mounted up on a Wahoo KICKR ROLLR trainer and take various measurements and data and add it into a questionnaire on the digital app. From there, the rider jumps on and pressure data is collected from the current set up in all relevant riding positions. Next, a Fizik saddle shape is selected based on the app’s algorithm. Pressure mapping is taken again, and mounting suggestions are provided, and a final mapping session generates the data for the custom 3D-printed structure. The dealer will walk through rail options and the order is finalized and submitted.

Fizik then analyses the data and a bespoke 3D padding structure is created specifically for the rider. Each One-To-One saddle is created at Fizik headquarters in Northern Italy, and shipped directly to the customer. From there, riders can take the saddle back to the dealer for another session to show how the saddle has improved over their previous.

“It’s clear that a traditional one-to-many saddle design can only provide an approximate solution to very specific problems,” continues Fogal. “With One-to-One today we achieve what every saddle manufacturer has always dreamed of: bringing to life customized support available to every cyclist.”

Models available in the program are the Vento or Terra Argo, Vento Antares, Tempo Aliante, and Transiro Aeris LD or SD. The Argo and Antares are available in 140 and 150mm, Aliante in 145 or 155, and the Aeris in 135mm. During the fit session, the dealer will help you find the right model for your fit, and then it’s a matter of carbon or Kium rails. The R1 carbon versions will run you $599, while the R3 Kium rail versions will cost $499.

To find a dealer near you, go to the One-To-One page and scroll to the bottom for the list. For now, it is a small list, but it should grow as more dealers adopt the equipment and training needed to provide the custom fitting services.