Cutting-edge technology makes for a race-ready saddle
The Fizik Vento Argo R1 Adaptive saddle is part of Fizik’s race series and was designed with performance in mind.
The upper has been made using 3D-printed technology, and is glued onto a carbon-reinforced nylon shell that’s designed to offer excellent ride compliance. It’s said to provide enhanced comfort, especially over long distances.
Thanks to the way 3D-printing technology has developed, Fizik is able to create multiple functional zones on the saddle. This enables it to tune each area ‘separately for specific mechanical properties’.
With a claimed 60 per cent reduction in peak pressure due to better weight distribution, Fizik claims this tailored cushioning increases the comfort across the whole saddle, making it ideal for long-distance riding.
Fizik has worked closely with professionals and amateurs, and tested the saddle on various surfaces. It focused on different riding positions and geometries to get a greater understanding of how pressure patterns change in order to create tailored zones across the upper of the saddle.
This rigorous process grants Fizik insight into evolving pressure patterns, facilitating the creation of tailored zones across the saddle’s upper.
The Argo is said to be the brand’s most versatile saddle, making it suitable for road and gravel riding, and mountain biking – predominately XC and marathon rather than enduro or trail riding.
The R1 on test sits in the middle of the Argo range. There is also the Argo Vento R3, priced at £259.99, and the 00 for £399.99.
The R1 version on test has a carbon-reinforced nylon shell with oval 7x9mm carbon rails and weighs 197g – 7g heavier than claimed.
Fizik Vento Argo R1 Adaptive performance
This is a high-performance saddle with the price tag to match, but you get more than a unique look and cutting-edge technology for the price. The Vento Argo R1 offered excellent comfort from the off during my testing.
As the distance increased, so did the comfort, making this saddle ideal for long days and endurance riding.
I found it easy to achieve a comfortable and efficient position without the need to continuously move to find the sweet spot. It gave me a planted feel no matter what terrain I found myself on.
The carbon rails offered good vibration damping on rough terrain and contributed to the light weight of the saddle.
When out of the saddle, either climbing or descending, I experienced no rubbing on my inner thighs. There were no issues with clothing getting snagged when riding dynamically on technical terrain.
Although not marketed as a trail saddle, when sessioning more technical gravity-oriented terrain, the saddle performed well.
I really noticed the different mechanical properties of each area on the saddle, which made for a comfortable ride.
The area where your sit bones are is the firmest portion of the saddle and offers incredible support, while the back of the saddle provides a bit more squish for comfort when adopting a more upright position.
I never suffered from any pressure or discomfort in the labial area, thanks to the light layer of 3D-printed padding over a cutout in the carbon-reinforced shell.
This all sounds positive, but the Vento Argo R1 Adaptive has a few minor drawbacks. Despite Fizik claiming it’s easy to clean, I didn’t find this to be the case.
The honeycomb design is excellent at catching mud, and even after a good hosing the dirt remained in the crevices.
The price tag of £299.99 may also put some people off, but if you’re looking for a high-performance saddle with cutting-edge technology, you may feel it’s worth it.
One thing to note is the 7x9mm oval carbon rail may not be compatible with all seatposts. The Argo R3 has the standard 7x7mm rail, so is a worthy option if you don’t have a seatpost compatible with the 7x9mm rail.
Mountain bike saddles | How we tested
Rach tested these mountain bike saddles on a variety of terrain across the South West of England and South Wales.
She rode both a cross-country bike and trail bike to gauge how the saddles performed in different disciplines and conditions.
Saddles on test
- Fizik Vento Argo R1 Adaptive
- Ergon SM E-Mountain Sport Women
- SDG Allure V2
- Liv Approach SL
- Specialized Power Comp with MIMIC
Fizik Vento Argo R1 Adaptive bottom line
The Vento Argo R1 Adaptive is a high-end saddle that performs well on a variety of terrain and offers excellent support and comfort.
The high price may put some people off, but if you have the money, it’s well worth the expense.
Product
| Brand | fizik |
| Price | 450.00 AUD,299.00 EUR,300.00 GBP,300.00 USD |
| Weight | 198.0000, GRAM (140mm x 265mm) – |
Features
| br_rails | carbon |
| br_gender | unisex |
| br_length | 265mm |
| br_availableWidths | 140mm, 150mm |