Carbon Saddles: My Accidental Buy and What Comes Next
Carbon saddles are a hot trend in the weight weenie cycling world. They promise big weight savings with minimal materials. Recently, I accidentally bought a carbon saddle while checking the price from RMB to MYR. Yes, completely unintentional. But now that it’s here, I’m making the most of it.
Let’s look at what I bought, why it won’t go on my Dogma F12, and what I’ll do with it next.
What Are Carbon Saddles?
Carbon saddles are built almost entirely from carbon fiber, including the rails and base. They’re stiff, lightweight, and usually feature a minimalist design. Some have zero padding. Others include a subtle ergonomic shape or cutout to help airflow and pressure relief.
Their biggest benefit? Weight savings. Some models weigh under 110 grams. But comfort and long-term durability can be trade-offs.
My Redshift Carbon Saddle: First Impressions
I bought the Redshift 7DMax carbon saddle by mistake. But it turned out to be a surprisingly good deal.
Despite being incredibly lightweight, this saddle isn’t a pure carbon shell like those 80g models with zero padding. Instead, it includes a thin layer of padding, adding a bit of comfort without sacrificing weight. It strikes a balance between race-day weight savings and real-world rideability.
The design also features:
- A center cutout for airflow and pressure relief
- Streamlined nose shape to avoid thigh rubbing
- Textured surface and carbon weave detailing for aesthetics and grip
It feels firm, but not harsh, making it a potential upgrade for riders who want light weight without going full hardcore.
Why Not Install It on My Dogma F12?
My Pinarello Dogma F12 currently runs a Selle San Marco Shortfit, and I love it. It fits perfectly and offers all-day comfort. While carbon saddles are cool, I don’t want to sacrifice comfort for weight savings on my main bike.
This new saddle is too much of a gamble for long rides or rough roads. So it stays off the Dogma – for now.
Carbon Saddle Test Plan: Folding Bike First
Instead, I’ll install the Redshift carbon saddle on my folding bike. This lets me test it without risk. If it performs well, I might use it on a future custom road bike build. I’m eyeing the Delihea RB frameset, and this saddle could be a perfect fit.
Are Carbon Saddles Worth It?
If you want to cut weight and only ride short distances, carbon saddles can be worth it – especially at under RM103.36 including shipping (around USD $22) like mine, it’s a bargain I can live with.
Always test on a secondary bike first.
Coming Soon: Full Ride Review
Next, I’ll review the saddle after a few rides:
- Comfort and pressure distribution
- Any signs of flex or cracking
- Real-world usability beyond the weight
Stay tuned to Project9166 for that update. And if you’ve ever considered carbon saddles, would you try one?
