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TECH NEWS

Unique Essax Shark saddle launched… who needs a hole when you can have a fin

Essax Shark saddle uses shark fin shape to promote improved pedalling efficiency

Saddles, you think you’ve seen them all and then along comes the unique Essax Shark. Now, there are plenty of theories about saddle design, shape and width, but according to Jon Iriberri, a Spanish bike fitter, the unique shark fin design is said to evenly spread a cyclists weight onto the sit bones and reduce hip rotations, limb differences and inefficient pedalling techniques.

Some claims. This novel saddle design apparently eliminates such issues with the unique shark fin located at the rear of the saddle. The fin, the company claims,  helps to correctly locate the sit bones onto the right part of the saddle. Along with aligning the sit bones, it's said to prevent side-to-side rocking when pedalling and better align the knees to help distribute pressure evenly, and comfortably, through to the sit bones.

The company says its testing, hundreds of real biomechanical studies during the development, found the fin isn’t perceptible to the cyclists when pedalling. It seems to be the case that if you can you feel the fin, you’re not sitting correctly on the saddle. Think of it as a guide then, as seems to be the case, to ensure you're sat properly on the saddle. Doesn’t seem so bonkers now does it?

Essax are based in Alicante, Spain and is a company with 25-years experience in the manufacturing of polyurethane foam. They’ve applied this know how to making saddles, and produce the saddles in their own factory. They produce a range of saddles of the more conventional type too, including the Adrenaline Tech, Tudons and Eon, but they're pushing the boundaries with this new design.

The saddle is currently with the UCI technical committee who will judge if it can be allowed in UCI races and events. It's also being race by UCI Professional Continental Team Pro, Caja Rural Seguros RGA.

The saddle weighs a claimed 210g and is constructed with 3mm deep foam. The fin is 40mm wide and high, and 100mm long, the saddle itself is 140mm wide at its widest points. We’ve no word on availability or pricing yet.

We’re an open-minded bunch here at road.cc, we prefer to hold judgment on new products until we’ve actually had the chance to try them out, but we do have to admit this does challenge everything we know about how a comfortable saddle should look. But there does appear to be valid science behind the design. We'll try and get one in for test.

More at www.essax.eu

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

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28 comments

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JackBuxton | 10 years ago
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This saddle should be sponsored by Mastercard  3  3  3  3

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JackBuxton | 10 years ago
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This saddle should be sponsored by Mastercard  3  3  3  3

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JackBuxton | 10 years ago
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This saddle should be sponsored by Mastercard  3  3  3  3

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mikroos | 10 years ago
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There must be a typo in the name of this product. It should read A$$ Axe.

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sodit | 10 years ago
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Not April the first yet is it?  21

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jollygoodvelo | 10 years ago
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"Hello girls."

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Notsofast | 10 years ago
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Now I knoiw why they refer to the chamois as an insert!

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racingcondor | 10 years ago
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Reduces hip rotation by being spectacularly uncomfortable if you move around on it? Yikes.

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allez neg | 10 years ago
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Surely with the typical British arse bearing down on it the erm, technical feature will get squashed after a while.

At least you can take it back and say fins ain't what they used to be.

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philtregear | 10 years ago
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looking forward to the review. i have tried a variety of saddles and settled on charge spoon as being ( relatively) comfortable and easily affordable. i tried RIDO as i was getting back pain, but this " innovation" was not helpful.

if this works i will consider it, but i am sceptical.

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ridein | 10 years ago
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They should market this with their own bib short.  13
I can't see how the average chamois pad would work well with that fin. Cue the "Jaws" shark music.

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GerardR | 10 years ago
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How I love the smart cracks. regards from a wet Auckland morning (still about 21C, mind).

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jayonabike | 10 years ago
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Handy if you have an itch.

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Karbon Kev | 10 years ago
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i'd only buy it if it said Essex ...

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sfichele | 10 years ago
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A saddle that is described to
"evenly spread a cyclist"
 24

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MKultra | 10 years ago
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Hmmm...a saddle that lifts and separates.

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del_boy13 | 10 years ago
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 24

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jollygoodvelo | 10 years ago
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Well, it's... innovative...

If you're the sort of cyclist who's honking from side to side while sat in the saddle however, you're probably the sort of cyclist who's still using the OEM one and wouldn't think to change.

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Al__S | 10 years ago
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check's date um, nope, not April 1st?  7

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Simmo72 | 10 years ago
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popular as a warm up for those riding out to the heath for a meet up

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s_lim | 10 years ago
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Jeepers. If you're like me, you're none too elegant when hill-climbing. I can just imagine a hard out-of-the-saddle effort coming to a harsh end as you slam your arse down on the saddle.

Anyway, white - no thanks

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sunDOG | 10 years ago
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 39

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allez neg | 10 years ago
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I paid fifty quid for these shorts, and twenty quids worth is up me arse!

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Nick T | 10 years ago
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That old Yellow Pages advert came true after all.

Like sitting on a razor blade, indeed.

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sanderville | 10 years ago
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So do you use chamois cream with it or Preparation H?

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zagatosam replied to sanderville | 10 years ago
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"So do you use chamois cream with it or Preparation H?" KY jelly I think  20

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LondonDynaslow | 10 years ago
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Kinky.

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Nick T | 10 years ago
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Nothing new here - I've long held the opinion that if you can feel your saddle working it's way inside you, you're probably doing something very wrong.

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