Last week, I wrote about my accidental purchase of the Redshift 7DMax carbon saddle. It’s a superlight 91.4g saddle with thin padding not a pure carbon shell like those ultra-rigid 80g models. Now that it has arrived, I’ve installed it on my folding bike and put it through several rides.
So, how does it perform? Let’s dive into my first week of testing.
Carbon Saddles in Real-World Use
The biggest question with carbon saddles is always the same: can you actually ride on them for more than 10km without crying?
Surprisingly, yes.
The Redshift 7DMax offers a stiff base, but the minimal padding helps take the edge off. It’s not luxury-seat comfortable – but for short rides or lightweight builds, it’s manageable.
What I Noticed:
- Stiff but not painful: There’s road feel, but not bone-shaking harshness
- Lightweight feel is real: Every gram counts when pedaling uphill
- Zero creaking: So far, it’s silent under load
- Saddle shape helps a lot: The center cutout and curved profile reduce numbness
Carbon Saddle Weight Comparison
The Redshift 7DMax comes in at 91.4g, a huge weight saving compared to standard saddles.
For context, my Selle San Marco Shortfit saddle weighs 220g (listed at 218g) – and that’s already considered a relatively lightweight, performance-oriented saddle with decent padding.
That’s a 128g saving just by swapping saddles – significant if you’re chasing every gram on a folding or hill-climbing build.
Installation and Fit
Installation was simple. The carbon rails fit well on my folding bike’s seatpost clamp. Just be careful not to overtighten carbon rails need a torque wrench and a gentle hand.
Positioning it slightly nose-down helped avoid pressure buildup. The short nose also made it easier to mount/dismount, especially on stop-and-go city rides.
Who Should Use Carbon Saddle?
Carbon saddles aren’t for everyone but if you’re looking to drop weight and don’t mind trading a bit of comfort, they can be a smart upgrade. For me, this RM89.87 (~USD $19) saddle (with promotion) is a great fit for my folding bike. It looks sleek, performs well, and makes the bike feel a bit more “pro.”
Would I use it on my Dogma F12? Probably not. I still prefer my Selle San Marco Shortfit for long rides and overall comfort.
Final Verdict of RedShift Carbon Saddle
👍 Pros:
- Extremely light (91.4g)
- Padding included — not pure carbon
- Affordable price
- Sleek design and decent comfort for short rides
👎 Cons:
- Still stiff compared to padded saddles
- Not ideal for long endurance rides
- May not fit all clamp designs without care
Closing Thoughts
If you’re saddle-curious and weight-conscious, carbon saddles like the Redshift 7DMax are worth trying especially on a secondary bike or weight-focused build. I’ll continue using it and update if there’s any durability issue.
Next, I’ll be fitting it onto my indoor trainer bike to see how it holds up during longer Zwift or structured training sessions. That should really show whether the stiffness becomes a problem over time – or if it’s surprisingly tolerable.
Got questions or want a comparison with other saddles? Drop a comment below or follow my journey on Project9166.
