Saddle

Shiver Saddle Roadcc

Shiver Saddle III

FOR SALE: Assos clothing and Specialized Toupe saddle

Assos F1 Mille S5 bibshorts, size medium, red. Only worn 6 times maximum. £80

Assos Uno Jersey, size small, red. Again, only worn with above shorts. £40

Or £115 for both including postage.

The Biomax shape is the entry point of the new saddle range from Ritchey Designs the company which 30 years on is still led by living cycling legend and owner of the world’s finest mustache Tom Ritchey. Ritchey is a brand with an unquestionable pedigree and track record of race winning performance. The WCS model tested is the 200g, titanium railed, leather topped version which comes in at the princely sum of 90 fine English pounds, strategically placing it slightly cheaper and a touch lighter than the very comparable SLR Gel Flow from Selle Italia.

The WCS Streem Carbon Rail saddle is Richey’s top offering, with carbon rails and a carbon shell, it is light but that lack of weight comes at a price. Playing safe and adopting a shape similar to the SLR, it could almost be mistaken for the Carbonio version of the Selle Italia classic. However with the SLR’s following this can’t be a bad design move and being my saddle of preference, I was looking forward to testing the Streem out.

Ritchey Streem Carbon saddle

Diatech Gran Compe saddle

Diatech Gran Compe saddle - from rear

Diatech Gran Compe saddle - detail

There’s no doubt the Gran Compe is a fine saddle designed to capture the imaginations of the traditionalist and hipster alike thanks to the selection of flamboyant and more conservative colours coupled with sharp detailing including embossed logos and brass rivets at the rear. However, giving a penny change from £80 beauty comes at a price and there’s a weight penalty too thanks to steel rails.