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review

Rido R-Lt saddle

9
£69.99

VERDICT:

9
10
Performance saddle that'll help you avoid numbness and discomfort
Weight: 
230g
Contact: 
www.velobrands.co.uk

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The Rido R-Lt saddle is a reasonably lightweight performance choice that's built specifically to avoid numbness.

As we all know, saddles are a very personal thing. What works for one of us might not work for another and over the years there have been loads of design ideas to relieve pressure and numbness in and around the unmentionables. Rido's take on this issue with their 'Pressure Shift Geometry' that concentrates on supporting your bodyweight on your inner sit bones rather than on your perineum. There are some good graphics and explanations on their website which is worth a look.

The R-Lt is a race-orientated design that sits in Rido's range alongside the touring/distance R2 model. Looking at it from a side-on profile you can see how the rear end arcs up from the flatter nose section. This is how it lifts your weight off the perineal area. Rido also claim that the raised rear gives you a platform to push back against during hard efforts.

Once sitting aboard the R-Lt you do notice that shape difference and it does feel very comfortable even without any sort of breaking in period. As you pedal you can feel that you are sitting differently than you do on a lot of other saddles, only feeling any weight bearing on your sit bones as Rido intend. It is very stiff though, so poor road surfaces can transfer through to your rear end over time.

A length of 283mm allows you some fore and aft movement. Easing yourself back slightly while climbing does allow you to use that rear saddle height to push against and the lack of flex means there is no loss of power. The same is true when you are using your handlebar drops; the saddle allows you to get the power down because you have a platform to dig yourself in against. The 40mm nose width shouldn't see any rubbing for those with sprinters' thighs either.

The build quality looks very good and after 700 miles of use there isn't a single mark on it. The titanium rails are standard diameter and will fit pretty much any seatpost clamp, as you'd expect.

The Rido R-Lt is a brilliant saddle. It does what Rido claim with regards to comfort plus the shape and fit are spot on. It is low profile enough to be taken seriously as a race saddle and at only 230g it isn't going to add any unnecessary weight to your race steed. Colour choices of black, white or yellow are available to buy either direct from Rido or via online/local bike shops.

Verdict

I'm really impressed with the R-Lt and taking everything mentioned above, plus a price of £69.99, it's a bargain. If you suffer from numbness or saddle discomfort give one a go. If you don't suffer in this way, well, it's still worth giving it a go. It's perfect for any style of performance riding.

If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website

road.cc test report

Make and model: Rido R-Lt

Size tested: Black

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

It's a lightweight version of the Rido R2 aimed at performance riders. It uses Rido's PSG (Pressure Shift Geometry) shape to reduce weight on the perineum.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Pressure Shift Geometry shapes the saddle to rest your body weight on your sit bones.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Quality finish, no loose stitching or anything like that.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

Comfortable and a stable platform for performance.

Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10

No signs of wear at all yet; we'll keep you posted should any arise.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10

Certainly within the acceptable for a race saddle.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
10/10

One of the most comfortable saddles I've ever ridden.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Less than 70 quid for a titanium-railed race saddle backed up by performance and top build quality.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Brilliantly.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The comfort.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The slightly harsh ride on rough road surfaces.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 34  Height: 180cm  Weight: 78kg

I usually ride: Genesis Flyer  My best bike is: Ribble Gran Fondo

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed,

 

As part of the tech team here at F-At Digital, senior product reviewer Stu spends the majority of his time writing in-depth reviews for road.cc, off-road.cc and ebiketips using the knowledge gained from testing over 1,500 pieces of kit (plus 100's of bikes) since starting out as a freelancer back in 2009. After first throwing his leg over a race bike back in 2000, Stu's ridden more than 170,000 miles on road, time-trial, track, and gravel bikes, and while he's put his racing days behind him, he still likes to smash the pedals rather than take things easy. With a background in design and engineering, he has an obsession with how things are developed and manufactured, has a borderline fetish for handbuilt metal frames and finds a rim braked road bike very aesthetically pleasing!

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