Friday, October 14, 2011

Product Review: Fizik Kurve

It's rare that I'll review a new product but every now and then I feel that it is needed. Allow me to introduce my favorite saddle, the Fizik Kurve. We were lucky enough to be one of the first shops in the southeast to get a test ride on this saddle. Katie and I both spent 2 weeks on the Kurve Bull (Aliante shape) and the Kurve Snake (Arione shape). There are 3 shapes to this saddle that replicate the 3 shapes in the Fizik line. All of he shapes use 3 levels of carbon the achieve the perfect amount of flex where needed.

If you look at the first picture you will notice the saddle taken apart. This is easily done with a T-20 wrench. Why you ask? Because you can change out the nose clip which tunes the firmness of the saddle. The saddle comes with a soft clip and a hard clip.

Take notice of the seat rails too. You will notice a strange, yet brilliant shape. Most traditional saddles have seat rails that end right under your sit-bone causing a pressure point where you don't want pressure. The rails on the Kurve scoop through the very back of the saddle and the nose suspending the saddle like a hammock.

Looking at the top of the Kurve saddle you will notice that it has a plastic-looking edge wrapping around. This is actually a flexible material that is very durable, no more ripping up the edges of your saddle.

As far as the ride quality of the saddle, it feels great. I did a 122 mile loop around Mobile Bay without a drop of chamois cream and never felt a need for it. The saddle moves with you and has a very unique feel to it. I developed a preference towards the soft setting.

Unfortunately as with most test products we had to turn our Kurve saddles back in. We resisted but that's how it goes sometimes. Soon we will both be back on Kurve saddles and live happily ever after.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Ribbon Cutting

This morning the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce and the mayor came by for our ribbon cutting ceremony. It's a few months behind our grand opening but it's better late than never.