Summary: the ultimate solution for sit bone discomfort, but with some positioning limitations.
This review is limited to the E2 model. Infinity produces several other saddles, but the E2 is best known. The claimed weight is 245 grams, 145 grams with carbon rails. Price is toward the upper end of the market at $327 US. Another $50 US gets you the carbon rail version. There is choice of natural leather or synthetic covering.
Infinity is a saddle brand that is well known among the ultra-cycling crowd. Hang around at the start of RAAM or any other ultra distance event and you will see a few of these relatively strange looking saddles. Strange in that rather than a relief channel of some sort between the sit bones, the Infinity E2 features a massive cut-out that encircles the sit bones allowing them to drop into open space. Pressure on the sit bones is non-existent. For sufferers of ischial bursitis, ischial hygroma (cycling cyst), pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome, saddle sores, etc., this design can mean the difference between continuing to cycle or being forced to quit permanently. In fact, the design is so good in this regard that it is possible to recover from these ailments while riding the Infinity E2. So, whether your riding RAAM, Paris-Brest-Paris, Cent Cols Challenge, or just spending long hours on the bike, I recommend keeping Infinity in mind. (The saddle is also popular among cyclists who have undergone surgery in the perineal area.)
First impressions were sublime. While you might expect a saddle missing so much material in the middle to concentrate pressure on the remaining contact surfaces, that is not the case at all. Rather the sensation is best described as a gentle cupping of the buttocks. Add in some significant suspension from the inherent flex of the minimal saddle shell material, and you have a supremely comfortable ride. On my maiden voyage with the E2 over an hour passed before I realized I had not lifted myself out of the saddle once to de-pressurize my undercarriage, a remarkable thing for someone who as a matter of habit likes to keep the shady side well refreshed. I move around a lot.
Unfortunately, the promise of the perfect comfort experienced on the first few rides was not maintained. With a couple of weeks and 1000km under my 77kg, the fore/aft curvature increased, and the saddle settled into a more pronounced hammock. As the center dropped, the nose of the saddle became more prominent, to the point of creating some excess pressure where you least want it. The sensation of the front of the saddle reminded me very much of various SMP saddles I have tried, not terrible, but far from ideal. Gone also was that extra suspension that was felt initially – presumably the saddle shell was now permanently at the bottom of its flex range.
I prefer an aggressive position and find that to get my torso horizontal, it is necessary to lower the nose of the E2 to near level to achieve perfect comfort. And while I was able to eliminate the excess frontal soft tissue pressure, this amount of forward tilt resulted in an unacceptable amount of weight on my hands resulting in discomfort. (Interestingly, the ultra distance Infinity setups I have seen have the saddle very much in this position, but of course handlebar extensions with elbow rests take sore hands out of the equation.) Ultimately, I was able to find a reasonable compromise between my desire for perfect aero and perfect comfort, but it’s clear that the E2 (like many saddles) cannot provide 100 percent of both.
Observe the first photo below of the saddle set in the “neutral” position (Infinity's terminology). It’s hard to imagine riding this saddle in that position. In my case, it would require my pelvis be dead vertical as if sitting perfectly upright. Reaching the bars would require significant forward bending of the spine. I often see other cyclists in this contorted position. They always seem uncomfortable and struggle to reach the bars. Perhaps it's saddle setup related. I’ve met some that “have never used the drops”. That’s not surprising. Getting horizontal on that would surely drive the nose of the saddle into your navel.
I prefer, as do many others, to have the pelvis and spine in better alignment. The photo above of the “TT” position (also Infinity's terminology) is close to how I have positioned my E2 saddles. This provides good comfort with my torso at about 45 degrees. This also makes an acceptable aero tuck possible, that while not completely comfortable, is sustainable for ten, maybe fifteen minutes at a stretch, certainly long enough for my turn at the front.
The Infinity website addresses this issue of soft tissue discomfort, the desire to lower the nose of the saddle, and the resulting excess pressure on the hands. The website identifies excessive saddle height and a thick chamois as the culprits. Rest assured; I have eliminated these factors. I run a saddle height that is nearly a full centimeter lower than is typically recommended for my inseam, and I experimented with bibshorts ranging from zero padding to Assos C2 with 15mm of padding. The different levels of padding resulted in no difference in soft tissue sensations. If anything, addition padding seemed to “soften the blow”. However, I can see how a poor quality or narrow pad could bunch up and cause a problem.
This requirement to lower the nose of the saddle introduces another potential issue: the design of the saddle results in downward sloping saddle rails almost regardless of saddle position (again refer to the photos above), and this downward slope only increases for riders seeking a more aggressive position. This might seem irrelevant until you consider that many, if not most, seat post clamps are simply not adjustable enough to achieve the rail angle that the Infinity E2 may require. Certainly neither my Parlee seatpost, nor my Roval Alpinist seatpost could be used with the Infinity E2. I suspect that the rail design is a necessity to avoid the rider contacting the head of the seatpost. Perhaps a revised rail configuration can solve the issue.
But choosing the ideal tilt angle of the E2 is not the only challenge. As seen in the first photo, the saddle features a tail that rises dramatically and ends in two points. The elevation of the tail is further enhanced by setting the saddle in the TT position. For every millimeter that the nose is lowered, the tail rises by a similar amount. Even in the neutral position, it is difficult to pass your crotch over the tail of the saddle when your pedal is at 6 o’clock – even with the knee locked. With the saddle in the TT position, literally getting up on the tippy toes and some gymnastics are required. If you like to slide your weight back for high-speed cornering, or perhaps in some braking situations, etc. you are pretty much out of luck. This raises questions about mountain bike and gravel applications where moving behind the saddle is often a requirement. Of course, it’s all doable with the feet at 3 and 9, but the saddle is wider than normal so slipping it back and forth between the upper thighs is still tricky. And the little points at the top of the tail of the saddle don’t help matters. Saggy bibshorts could leave you stuck back there for the rest of the ride. I can see how some additional material beyond the point of the rail attachment is needed to attach the saddle cover (photo below). But if these points could be reduced even a small amount, it would be a big improvement.
Despite the challenges of my experience with the Infinity E2, my feelings about it are relatively simple – it is an indispensable tool if I hope to continue any significant endurance riding. A few years of exceeding 30,000 km per year have left their mark. Prior to riding the E2 I would often experience long lasting saddle contact issues, sometimes from just a few consecutive long rides. This forced me to modify downward my cycling habits, vacations, etc. I was forced to say goodbye to 12-hour epic mountain adventures – the element of the sport I enjoyed most. But with the Infinity E2 there simply are no issues at any distance. The limitations around positioning, and having to buy a new seatpost or two, are small inconveniences. On balance the saddle provides me with good all-day comfort.
For overall comfort, bike handling, and the ability to get and stay horizontal, I still prefer my SQ Lab saddles and keep them on my Factor Ostro (and my gravel rig). But I am careful to avoid consecutive long days on them (or any conventional saddle). And it sure is good to know that should I encounter the slightest saddle contact issue, the Infinity E2 is there to keep me on the road.
Note: all photos are stolen from the internet. If photo owners object, please contact me through WW messaging and I will be happy to compensate you for any damages you may have suffered.
