Fizik Pavé Cp Saddle Review - BikeRadar

At 340g this is a comfort performance model aimed, Fizik claim, at riders who ride less than 2500 km per year. However, don't be fooled by your ego. I churn out a considerably higher annual mileage and found the comfort and support excellent with none of the intrusive bulk of some designs.

At first glance there's nothing remarkable about the spec - magnesium rails almost seem low rent these days. But never judge a book by its cover!

The slight weight penalty over minimalist designs was repaid in comfort. Tested along a few favourite routes the patented 'techno gel' coupled with the wing flex design felt more comfortable than my faithful Turbo from the late 1980s (possibly helped by a carbon seat post). There did seem a little more flex than usual and I initially thought the clamp bolts had loosened allowing the saddle to move slightly in the cradle. But these proved tight and I have since concluded the additional 'give' must be a design characteristic.

Support is firm and does not become spongy over longer distances, construction is to Fizik's usual high standards, the leather covering is resistant to the inevitable nicks and scrapes (although a bit of electrical tape over the major wear points would be a sensible precaution on an everyday bike) and I feel it unlikely the gel will do the displacement trick that some brands were guilty of in the early 1990s.

Saddles are a very personal thing and at a shade under £50 the Pavé Cp isn't cheap but if you can't get along with your present perch it may prove money well spent.

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