Fi'zik Antares R3 Race Edition Saddle 7x9 Carbon Braided Rails

The Tour is undeniably the largest cycling event, and Fi'zi:k celebrates the race's 103 editions of heritage with the Antares R3 Braided Course Race Edition Saddle. In addition to the high mountains and time trials that typically define France's marquee event, several of the latest Tour courses have featured such varied terrain as treacherous flat stages along the Dutch coast punchy, Ardennes esque climbs or cobblestone epics across northern French roads we usually don't see in races after April. These routes make the race one for a true all arounder, and the Antares profile is similar in that it strikes the middle ground between the flat Arione and the Aliante's spacious basket. The Antares R3's flat profile bows into a slightly rounded transverse section that lets you cycle through your muscle groups by adjusting your position in the saddle. This is especially appreciated during long, grind it out climbs or those days when the gods of cycling have gifted us with a gap so we owe it to our future selves to suffer in the wind. Settling back into the basket engages the glutes while climbing and sliding forward keeps the engine on top of the pedal stroke while struggling to maintain every second's advantage off the front. The special edition Antares R3 features the same body as the standard model, which involves reinforcing nylon with carbon and fiber glass in order to strike a balance of flexible support that doesn't leave you bouncing like a trampoline when the RPMs get above 90. The carbon braided rails strike a similar balance but at a much lower weight than their K:ium counterparts, and the signature gills on Fi'zi:k's thermowelded Microtex cover are filled in with jaune in honor of the saddle's namesake.