Weight Weenies

Just picked up a Fizik Kurve Bull over the weekend and so far so good after 50 miles. I'm still trying to get the setting just right. I did not have to adjust the height of the saddle (I was using an Aliante) but did have to move it a bit forward. The saddle is setup similar to where the tail and nose are level. Several noticeable things about the saddle in comparison to the current Aliante:

1) The texture of the saddle is very smooth almost slick. Still trying to get used to that feeling of moving around in the saddle.
2) The rear end of the saddle is more domed-shaped, whereas the current Aliante is a bit flatter before dropping off
3) The rear is a bit wider and get's wider quicker
4) The nose is a bit narrower
5) The notched area in the rear section is very flexible
6) The rear end rail area is not conducive to attaching a carry bag probably need to take a look at the fizik clip-on ones

Regards,

Ian in SD

I have the Curve Cameleon on my MTB which I used to used for 70-100km sportives, prior to getting the Cervelo. Its the most comfortable sadle I had used till then (SDP Bel Air, Flite, Flite Gel, WTB etc) but still not perfect. The chameleon is much closer in shape to your aliante, the Bull is designed for a more upright stiffer rider, there is also a snake for bendy whippits

The new vervelo has an Aliante on it and seems more comfortable but then again on the road bike your weight is further forwards and more on your hands and your resting on a different bit of your bum than the MTB

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madmole wrote:The chameleon is much closer in shape to your aliante, the Bull is designed for a more upright stiffer rider, there is also a snake for bendy whippits

I thought it clear on the Fizik site that:

Aliante : Bull
Antares : Chameleon
Arione : Snake.

theredmiata wrote:Just picked up a Fizik Kurve Bull over the weekend and so far so good after 50 miles. I'm still trying to get the setting just right. I did not have to adjust the height of the saddle (I was using an Aliante) but did have to move it a bit forward. The saddle is setup similar to where the tail and nose are level. Several noticeable things about the saddle in comparison to the current Aliante:

1) The texture of the saddle is very smooth almost slick. Still trying to get used to that feeling of moving around in the saddle.
2) The rear end of the saddle is more domed-shaped, whereas the current Aliante is a bit flatter before dropping off
3) The rear is a bit wider and get's wider quicker
4) The nose is a bit narrower
5) The notched area in the rear section is very flexible
6) The rear end rail area is not conducive to attaching a carry bag probably need to take a look at the fizik clip-on ones

Regards,

Ian in SD

Thanks for the information. I was seriously considering this saddle (the Aliante equivalent) to replace my 6 year old model but your review gives me pause. Two questions:
1). Why will the saddle rails not accommodate a saddle bag?
2). It seems that the usual on-line sources aren't stocking these (for some reason; perhaps clearing old inventory first). Where did you get it and does that place have a "no questions asked" return policy (always a consideration for me when buying a saddle).

Thanks!

KAC

Viewed from the top down, they do indeed look more like the list on the website, However the bull is massively curved and the cameleon much flater, so from the sides and to your bum that comparison no longer holds

Also the finish isnt as smooth as leather or vinyl, it is kind of micro rippled so its not too slippery, especially after a few rides and some use, I did find it slid at first but no longer

You also get 2 nose pieces (soft and hard), they change the tension on the cover over the frame and set the relative sag. Go for soft cos the Kurve is still bloody hard and rigid even on the soft setting

The frame is circular behind the mount rails and therefore may not fit saddle bags that assume traditional parallel rails. Bags with straps may still work. The seat does have the fi:zik mount system so you can use their bags and light (dont bother with the light, its too small and dim to be of any use, and falls to bits in 5 mins)

milroy wrote:

madmole wrote:The chameleon is much closer in shape to your aliante, the Bull is designed for a more upright stiffer rider, there is also a snake for bendy whippits

I thought it clear on the Fizik site that:

Aliante : Bull
Antares : Chameleon
Arione : Snake.

yes this is what I thought.

Shame to hear about the smooth texture, long-time Aliante user and I was going to give this a go. Not sure now, hmmmm.

giant man wrote:

milroy wrote:

madmole wrote:The chameleon is much closer in shape to your aliante, the Bull is designed for a more upright stiffer rider, there is also a snake for bendy whippits

I thought it clear on the Fizik site that:

Aliante : Bull
Antares : Chameleon
Arione : Snake.

yes this is what I thought.

Okay, I am confused. Fizik indicates the Bull is the Alliante;s equivalent and referencing the image below, I would say the curvature of the Kurve Bull is very similar to that of the Alliante, so how can the Chameleon be considered the equivalent of the Alliante?

where is it possible to buy a curve bull? everywhere i look, they say january or so

I purchased mine locally here -> www.nyrto.com. I just happen to drop by for some christmas shopping and they had one bull and one chameleon I believe. Give them a try.


Ian in SD

Been on a Bull for a month. Had to run the ''soft'' nose thing as the "hard" is aptly named. Rode the Aliante for years and the shape is not identical but.... it's close enought that I mounted it 30 mins before a ride hopped on and never notice a shape difference. The suspension effect is noticable with the correct nose thing in though.

Aliante=bull
Chamelion=Antares
Snake=Airone

I have several in stock. They sent them to the US dealers in a kit first and I *think* they limited the ditro to dealers that don't sell online.

Starnut

Look from the front and see the curved shape of the bull, Aliante is flatter in profile like the chameleon. When I sat on the bull, it pressed up into my groin to much, so I went for the flatter Chameleon, the Snake is flatter still

Still good saddles, seem hard wearing in the mud and rain (and the lack of padding means no soaking up water)

We have 5 stock and 3 display saddles from the range at the moment. I've ridden the Bull, and really liked it.

The 'type' thing is a crock of sh*t though - I can touch my toes quite readily, but prefer the Aliante and Antares to the Arione. Being able to touch your toes makes no distinction between core strength and potential for penile numbness.

Is the Snake Kurve as flat as the Arione? The Arione has been the best saddle for me so far and I've tried A LOT of saddles. It still gives me numbness on rides >2 hrs no matter the bike fit, core, or chamois. Does the Kurve provide any added comfort over the Arione?

Rich-Ti wrote:We have 5 stock and 3 display saddles from the range at the moment. I've ridden the Bull, and really liked it.

The 'type' thing is a crock of sh*t though - I can touch my toes quite readily, but prefer the Aliante and Antares to the Arione. Being able to touch your toes makes no distinction between core strength and potential for penile numbness.

Yep I agree. I have reasonable flexibility but prefer the Aliante. I've always noticed that the Arione seems to be preferred by those with no arse (ass) and thigh. Opposite for the Aliante.

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I have the Kurve Chameleon. I was planning on the Antares but a brief trial at the LBS convinced me the comfort of the Chameleon was worth the extra grams. There might still be an Antares Zero in the future for me though, don't know if i can resist the weight savings when i build up my main WW bike.

The Chameleons needed some break in, i could feel the plastic wingflex on my inner thighs the first hundred kilometers or so. After about 300km I don't notice it anymore. They're great for long rides and help lessen the overall fatigue.