We’ve seen a lot of interesting bicycle saddle designs in recent months, and the Dpardo T2 Healthy Saddle is in a word unique. It is a horizontal bar that offers two main functions – it is designed to eliminate friction on the groin but also pressure on the perineum.
It certainly does seem based on the concept that less can be more!
[Via BikeRumor: Make your Butt happy with the Dpardo T Type Healthy Saddle]
We’ve seen a lot of interesting bike saddle designs, and lately it has been about changing the profile of the seat. This has included making seats with slots and even holes. The Shark saddle from Essax goes the opposite direction and adds a fin that riders will sit on.
The fin (as seen above) will apparently find a place. The company says this fin will help evenly spread a cyclist’s weight onto the sit bone. We’re not sure we want to be the ones to test it out – and we think we’ll wait to see what people have to say!
At the Taipei International Cycling Show earlier this month WTB launched a new mountain bike saddle, the High Tail, which the company said is designed to give increased rear tire clearance on full suspension 650b bikes. It features a distinctive cut out at the rear to allow the extra tire clearance, making it ideal for downhill and other large wheel off-road bikes.
When we think of the concept of infinity we think of more or at least endless, but the Infinity bicycle saddle is actually about less – or maybe it is more because it is less? We’re really confused on this one, but designer Dr. Vincent Marcel basically reinvented the saddle by inverting it. So instead of a convex shape to sit on he created a concave shape that has the bones rest inside the cutout with support on the muscles.
We first spotted the Infinity last fall when Marcel launched his Kickstarter campaign. He ended up with 1,330 backers and surpassed his $25,000 goal and then some. In the end he raised $188,340 to make the Infinity a reality. Now that it is a success he seems ready to get in production.
We’ve seen other saddles that look to do more with less, so we’ll be watching to see where this Infinity concept goes next. It could be nowhere it could be to infinity… you know the rest.
Infinity Kickstarter Site
[Via BikeRumor: THE RADICAL INFINITY SADDLE – THE ANSWER FOR GOING THE DISTANCE?]
Kontact has been made… for cyclists. The Kontact saddle works on the theory that providing a flat surface to sit on actually prevents the center of the seat from pushing up in between the “sit bones,” which in turn causes increased pressure. Kontact claims by providing a flat surface there is more contact area that reduces the pressure. The company is so sure of its results that it is offering a 30 day 100 percent refund policy on saddles.
Riding a bike shouldn’t be in a pain in the you know what, but for many it is just that literally. A cushier seat doesn’t always help, but the Mograw shock-absorbing saddle could and should do the trick. It takes the concept of a suspension seatpost but utilizes elastomer inserts that sit between the rails and the saddle. This can absorb those bumps in the road and make for a softer ride.
Designers Martin Moravcik and Slawek Gawlik are now looking to bring out the Mograw via an Indiegogo project. Video after the jump
The technology behind 3D printing continues to change the world of fitness equipment, and while we have seen development in the printing of various parts in the design stage, now Giant Bicycles is using 3D printing technology for the bike saddles.
However, at this point the selective laser sintering (SLS) is mostly being used to create full size prototypes rather than finished goods. But it does suggest that in the future you could always pick a saddle at a shop and have it printed while you wait.
[Via PDDNET: New Saddle for Giant Bicycles Uses 3D Printing Technology]
When putting the long miles on a bike – whether on the road or off and whether going fast or slow – it can be a pain in the… well, you get the idea. The Infinity Seat, which was developed by Dr. Vincent Marcel of El Egundo, Calif. is reportedly the first bicycle saddle designed to minimize contact pressure and actually redistribute body weight for increased performance and comfort.
This seat weighs just 205 grams, and is thus lighter than most saddles on the market, while it also is designed to have no break-in period and should fit everyone.
We’ve seen many seats that look to provide more by going with less, and this certainly seems to be in line with Marcel’s thinking. He’s now taken his concept to Kickstarter where he hopes to get interest rolling.
Bicycle saddle maker Fizik has added some new colors for this season, and it has us thinking someone listening to too much music from the 1980s. The Highlighter Collection features saddles with just a touch of fluorescent pink, green, orange and yellow. Fizik’s Versus, Gobi XM and Vesta saddles will be available in the new colors.
A bike ride can often turn into a sprint to the finish, but going the distance for the long haul can be a pain in the – well, you know where. But to go the distance without the pain is what Dash Cycles is offering with its Strike 9 saddle that was recently revealed.
This road-bike seat offers a unique design with the promise to give the rider a full range of hip motion with zero perennial pressure. The shell and rails are also reportedly made of one piece so there is no bonding and no extra material, which means extra long rails while still being light weight.
The Strike 9 will dash to release next summer.
Australian saddle maker Thrones has introduced a speedy looking cover design featuring red racing stripes on a white background. With the white/red/black colorway flooding the bicycle market today, this new design will certainly be a popular choice among riders seeking a flashy aftermarket saddle. Continue reading Name of Thrones: The Fastest Saddle in the West
With a look out of last century – and we mean way before 1999 – the World Traveller B17 from Brooks isn’t designed to be the fastest, lightest or sleekest. This leather saddle is however meant for the globe trekker, as it builds into the WCR Grand Tour, the competitive bike race that started in February with riders vying to circumnavigate the world.
The new bike saddle features a 1920’s style image – but with the year 2012 still part of the motif. It is made of durable leather, chromed-cooper steel rails and frame, along with cooper rivets. It should be ready for a tour of the world, or just treks around town.