Fizik Antares Versus Evo R3 Adaptive Saddle

Blending 3D-print technology with a tried and tested shape yields a lightweight and comfortable performance saddle. The Fizik Antares Versus Evo R3 Adaptive saddle is expensive, yes, but for those who like the Antares shape, the high-tech construction has some real benefits.

As with every saddle review, when it comes to comfort it's entirely subjective – what I find comfortable might, to you, feel like sitting on a bed of nails, or what is uncomfortable for me might make you feel like you're floating on a cushion of air.

> Buy now: Fizik Antares Versus Evo R3 Adaptive Saddle from Swinnerton Cycles for £231.39

So... 3D printed 'Adaptive' saddle padding. What's the fuss all about? Well, to quote Fizik: 'The evolution of digital 3D printing allowed us to develop a new saddle without the constraints or limitations imposed by traditional production methods and materials. The Adaptive saddle padding is crafted by Carbon using its revolutionary Digital Light Synthesis technology. DLS is an additive manufacturing process which uses digital ultraviolet light projection, oxygen permeable optics, and programmable liquid resins to produce parts with excellent mechanical properties, resolution and surface finish.'

There's no doubt, it makes compelling reading – if you're into 3D printing and the latest technological advances in saddle manufacture. Since Fizik unveiled its original Adaptive saddle back at Eurobike 2019, it's been hailed in some quarters as the future of saddle design, because of how this kind of construction can enable more detailed variation of padding while keeping bulk down.

I have to say that I wasn't convinced by it at launch. As a seasoned Fizik Antares (and Arione) rider, I'd never had any issues with the padding or construction on those saddles, which have ranged from the entry-level R5 up to carbon-railed R1s. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? Especially when it comes to a such a critical element of your bike fit.

But, now that I've covered some real miles on the Antares Versus Evo R3 Adaptive over the past couple of months, and really deliberated over my opinion of it (apologies to tech editor Mat, who must've been wondering when I'd file my review), I'll admit it: I'm a fan.

The shape is identical to my existing Antares R5 (save for the centre channel cutaway), which meant that I immediately felt at home on it. Leaning forward in a more aggressive position on the drops, or sitting more upright on the tops, the sensations are very much the same.

There are some real differences, though. First, that cutaway aimed at relieving pressure on the more sensitive perineal area. This is common across all Versus versions of Fizik's saddles, but as I've not had an issue with this, I've never felt the need to switch to a saddle featuring a cutaway. Now, though, I can really appreciate the intended benefits: the absence of ANY pressure at all on the perineal area has proven to be a bit of a revelation that I didn't know I wanted. I never really suffered from numbness anyway, but there definitely is a feeling of reduced pressure – going to show that you often only notice something when it's no longer there!

Secondly, the construction (manufactured by specialists in this field, a company called Carbon) allows for more cushioning to be engineered into the bits that you are in contact with. The honeycomb-like structure includes the outer layer that you can see, plus the airspace underneath it, which takes the place of more traditional saddle fillers.

Comparing the saddle with my old – and quite worn – Antares, I can really appreciate just how much more give there is in the new model. That doesn't mean it feels like a sofa, but it's able to mould and depress really effectively when it needs to, and in all the key directions too.

That cushioning is zoned, as you might expect. But here, again when I compare it to my old saddle (which has become slightly more compliant with age, understandably), there's much more variation in depression. Towards the wings especially, the construction is far softer and squishier, which I think really does improve comfort when you're sat more upright.

If you're especially sensitive to millimetre changes in saddle height, which could easily occur given this variation in the construction, then you'll probably want to compensate for this, or have it as a point to discuss in your next bike fit.

This type of construction keeps weight down too. Airspace weighs nothing, and a 216g weigh-in in its 139mm platform width (you can also have a 149mm wide version) is plenty light enough for anyone but the most discerning weight-weenie.

The R3 comes with a carbon-reinforced body, but alloy Kium rails.

All in, I do think that the new saddle as a whole is a little better at reducing vibrations from the road too; there's not much in it, but put it this way: I'm not planning on switching back to a non-Adaptive version.

Any concerns about washing it have been allayed too. You might think, as I did, that the structure would effectively be a trap for grit and dirt – but as long as you rinse it down after every dirty ride (even just using the remainder of your water bottle), grit does seem to find its way out very easily.

Of course, the constant difficulty with choosing saddles is that everyone is differently shaped – so if you're not sure whether a 3D printed saddle (or one with a cutaway) like the Antares Versus Evo R3 Adaptive is the right way to go for you, and you want to be sure before investing, I'd recommend having a bike fit to address the question, or at least trying before you buy from your local Fizik stockist.

> Buyer’s Guide: 24 of the best high-performance lightweight saddles

You'll probably want to do that too – because the saddle is a pretty punchy £250. That's not uncommon with this latest style of 3D-printed saddle (think Specialized S-Works Power with Mirror, which with carbon rails costs £100 more, while the carbon-railed R1 version is just shy of £300). But the reality is that you really need to be sold on the benefits of the new construction – especially when you can have a normal carbon-railed Antares R1 Versus for 'just' £190 – before committing to it.

Durability

After around eight months of use, the webbing of the Adaptive construction started to degrade, collapse and sever near the channel in the areas where I predominantly sit. When we got in touch with Fizik about the issue, it responded by telling us that:

“The saddle came from the very first batch of production of saddles with black paddings. After testing the black padding further, we noticed that the new material has a slightly different structure and response [to the original green padding]. We also found that in certain situations, some struts could be damaged.

“We intervened from the second batch onwards, with an increase in thickness on all the external cells.”

Fizik says that any customers who have reported issues with the first batch have had their saddle replaced with one from a later batch, while any saddle bought is covered by a warranty. Fizik says that it “will be happy to replace any saddles with broken cells, if the issue occurs”.

We’ll be receiving a new saddle from a later batch soon, and will be putting that through its paces too. 

Conclusion

The Antares Versus Evo R3 Adaptive combines the latest construction technology to produce a saddle that's comfortable and light. It'll cost you a fair amount, and you don't get carbon rails for your money, but as long as the shape fits you it could be a great upgrade.

Verdict

Brilliant saddle made using the latest technology, but it's expensive and you don't get carbon rails