Reviews You Can Rely On

Fizik Arione Review

A flat and narrow saddle designed for the racer who can spend hours in a low tucked aggressive position
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Fizik Arione Review
Credit: Fizik
Price:  $130 List
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Manufacturer:   Fizik
By Nick Bruckbauer & Curtis Smith  ⋅  Oct 24, 2019
76
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#6 of 12
  • Comfort - 30% 8.0
  • Performance - 30% 8.0
  • Versatility - 20% 6.0
  • Durability - 10% 8.0
  • Weight - 10% 8.0

Our Verdict

Stiff, lightweight, and ready to race, the Arione emphasizes power transfer. It scores high in the performance category, with minimal padding, and a long, flat profile that allows for multiple riding positions. The Microtex cover, Kium rails, and nylon carbon-reinforced shell make for a durable, long-lasting product. This is a saddle for the flexible rider who likes a low, stretched performance position. It is well suited to road, cyclocross, and mountain bike racing. Steer clear if comfort is your primary concern, or if you prefer a wider saddle.
REASONS TO BUY
Durable
Lightweight
Longer than average
REASONS TO AVOID
Synthetic suede Microtex running down center of saddle
Size Options
Fizik saddles come in a couple of options. R1 is a Carbon rail, and R3 is an alloy Kium rail. Sizes are regular and large.

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Overall Score Sort Icon
76
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56
Star Rating
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Bottom Line A lightweight racing saddle for the most aggressive ridersA uniquely shaped saddle that blends comfort with lightweight performanceAn economical option for riders not concerned about weight that provides all day comfort and supportA comfortable balance of stiffness and cushioning, at a price that can't be beatA highly-cushioned saddle with a soft and flexible shell that is ideal for cruising
Rating Categories Fizik Arione Prologo Dimension Bontrager Sport Saddle WTB Speed Serfas Dorado
Comfort (30%)
8.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
Performance (30%)
8.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
4.0
Versatility (20%)
6.0
5.0
9.0
9.0
5.0
Durability (10%)
8.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
6.0
Weight (10%)
8.0
9.0
5.0
4.0
4.0
Specs Fizik Arione Prologo Dimension Bontrager Sport Saddle WTB Speed Serfas Dorado
Dimensions L 300 mm, W 130 mm L 245 mm, W 143 mm L 275 mm, W 163 mm L 270 mm, W 145 mm L 280 mm, W 165 mm
Weight (grams) 241 g 191 g 350 g 379 g 382 g
Rail Material Kium Alloy Tirox Steel Steel Chromoly
Shell Material Nylon, Carbon Light foam Foam Plastic Dual Density Foam
Seat Cover Material Microtex Microfiber Microfiber Synthetic Soft Feel Microfiber
Anatomical Cut Out or Channel No Yes, full cut out Yes groove and cut out Yes, groove Yes, full cut out
Target Use (mountain, road, etc.) Road, Mountain, Cyclocross Road, Mountain, Cyclocross Road, Commuting, Touring Mountain, Road, Cyclocross Road

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Arione is built for the flexible racer who can tolerate hours in a very low stretched position. It is long and allows for multiple effective positions. Very firm with little padding, no effort is lost to flex or material compression. If you race it on the road, it will also suit you well for cyclocross, the lack of an anatomical cut out will save your kit, and the performance benefits will carry over.

Performance Comparison



Comfort


The Arione does not receive as high marks for comfort as some of the other saddles in our test group. The Arione has a unique shape, being relatively flat from nose to tail, and having an almost dome-like shape from side to side. Fizik places the Arione in their Vento Performance Racing Series of saddles, designed with professional cyclists in mind. We liked the many available seating positions provided by the long profile of the Arione. For the rider who likes to move around a lot or move forward on the nose while in the drops, this is a great feature.

The Arione incorporates what Fizik calls “wing flex technology” that, in theory, allows the lateral aspects of the saddle to flex under the movement of the inner thigh, creating a more comfortable ride. We found this difficult to discern during use. While the Arione provides a platform for multiple comfortable positions, our test saddle was equipped with a strip of rougher material running down the center of the saddle. We found this to inhibit easy movement fore and aft on the saddle, limiting the benefit of multiple position options.

Performance


The Arione received high marks for performance. It is an excellent platform for putting power to the pedals. It truly shines with the rider in the drops, putting in an all-out seated effort. There is no hint of power-robbing flex. Many riders shift their weight forward onto the nose of the saddle when riding in the drops, and the Arione is well-designed for this position and feels much more natural than some of the saddles we tested with a shorter nose. We did not like the Arione on long climbs; our testers struggled to find the sweet spot for extended seated climbing efforts.

Versatility


We did not find the Arione to be an extremely versatile saddle. While it shines on the road under the proper rider, we found it ill-suited to the more upright position held by most mountain bikers, commuters, and touring riders. It does have a niche for the cyclocross racer, where the lack of a cutout can be of benefit for muddy races, and the position is similar to a road bike.

fizik arione - the long strip on suede-like material running the length of the...
The long strip on suede-like material running the length of the Arione made position changes difficult.
Credit: Curtis Smith

Durability


The Arione scores high marks for durability, using the same Microtex cover material as the other Fizik saddles in our test group. The Arione does have a strip of Microtex with a more suede-like texture running its length, and while we did not prefer this feature, it was not a detriment to durability. A muddy, sandy pair of shorts rubbing on a saddle can cause quite a bit of abrasion, but we saw no signs of abrasion to the cover following extended use on the Cyclocross bike. The Kium rails and the nylon carbon-reinforced shell held up well with no structural integrity issues.

Weight


Despite its long length, the Arione only weighs 241 grams. Marketed as a high-performance racing saddle, we expect the weight to be low. It does not score as highly as some of our lightest models, which have a smaller overall size or utilize carbon rails.

fizik arione - arione on the scale; at 241g it is built for racing.
Arione on the scale; at 241g it is built for racing.
Credit: Curtis Smith

Value


Like the other Fizik saddles in our review, the Arione is not cheap, but Fizik saddles are well made last a long time. We feel the Arione presents a good long-term value.

Conclusion


The Fizik Arione is ready to race. High-quality and lightweight, it's just the ticket for aggressive riders.

Nick Bruckbauer & Curtis Smith