Kinesis Elite Saddle

The Kinesis Elite saddle is an all-out speed machine, designed for racing and riding fast in harsh conditions. The minimal cushioning won't be to everyone's taste, but if it fits, you'll go faster.

Saddles have to be the most personal of cycle contact points, and not simply because of their region of anatomical interface. The variability in pelvic measurement even across people of similar stature / build, their relative flexibility and ability to rotate the hip and lower back, means that a saddle that is perfect for one may be penury for another. Many brands and bike fitters now offer try-before-you-buy programs for this most tricky of cycling components to get right.

My 10,000-mile tried and trusted saddle is a 140mm-wide Charge Spoon. The Kinesis Elite is the same width, so the fit was bang on for me. But the Elite is a very different beastie to the audax-friendly all-day Charge classic. The Spoon is at its best stopping off for cake and a chat in the sun, whilst the Elite blazes past in a tuck, looking for some rain or mud to rejoice in.

Kinesis have done a pretty good job of trimming the fat here. At 252g the chromoly-railed Elite is only a smidge off the weight of recent titanium-railed offerings hat cost twice as much. But I can't find a compromise – the construction feels top-notch. The seamless lines and lack of stitching on show make for a super-aero look. Side-on it's borderline Concord-like. There's not a straight line in the thing (apart from the rails) and the finish is exemplary. The shiny surface cleans up with a wipe. For a saddle recommended for offroad riding and racing, easily cleaning off mud before it permanently stains your shorts is a plus.

The obvious visible reference point is the full cutout, helping keep the weight down. I found it to be ideally-suited for my posture and posterior, spending extended periods in the drops without a regular need to stand or move around to find relief. The shiny finish afforded a good balance between friction to stay put while putting down power seated, and ability to fine-tune position with minor weight shifts.

The lack of padding is definitely noticeable at the start of a ride, as is a firm car seat, or pretty much anything else not resembling a couch. It's only after a period of time on a soft saddle or seat that you begin to notice numbness as excess padding rises around your sit bones, compressing the neighbouring flesh and cutting off blood flow. There's no chance of that happening here. Initially I'd find the Elite to be 'hard', but after maybe twenty minutes of pushing on I had to remind myself to think about it.

If like me you are suited to a 140mm saddle, are able to flex forward and appreciate staying aero for extended periods, and need a saddle that cleans up easily whilst looking fast standing still, at £40 the Kinesis Elite is a good option to consider.

Verdict

Very firm, fast saddle for racing or riding hard, on or off-road.