For 2013, Italian manufactuers Fi'zi:k have released their stylish Arione R3 road saddle in the colours of the nine pro teams they're sponsoring this year – AG2R La Mondiale, Astana, Blanco, BMC, Cannondale, Française des Jeux, Garmin-Sharp, Team Sky and Androni-Giocattoli.
The Team Edition Arione R3 saddles will be available in the next two weeks priced at $US239/£159.99.
Fi'zi:k have provided their pro teams with team livery saddles in years past, to celebrate the Tour de France. In 2011 they supplied BMC, Liquigas and Cofidis with perches in various colours.
The nine Team Edition Arione R3 saddles
Cyrano R3 cockpit
AG2R La Mondiale have been testing Fi'zi:k’s first foray into cockpit components this year – and now a set has landed with BikeRadar aboard a fully specced out, team issue Focus Izalco Team SL 1.0.
Under the Cyrano model category, which already includes a seatpost the Italian manufacturers unveiled in 2009, the company have added the aluminium R3 handlebar and stem.
The bar will come in both carbon and aluminium. On the R3 we’ve seen, guides allow users to dial in correct tilt. The stem body features a square profile and the bolts sit proud of the face plate and on the steerer clamp.
The bar has a fairly deep drop, but if the company adopt their three-type flexibility classification of Bull/Chameleon/Snake then it’s likely there’ll be a style to suit most riders.
Fi'zi:k – known mostly for their saddles and shoes – say full specifications, including prices and production unit weights, will be unveiled at Eurobike in late August.
The aluminium stem is square in profile, with rounded-off edges
