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FEATURES: ROAD TRIPPING THROUGH ITALY PART 2: FI’ZI:K
Zap
May 25, 2009
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Born just 12 years ago, Fi’zi:k is an elite saddle brand developed in-house at Selle Royale. Whereas Selle Royale produces thousands of saddles daily in a complex but highly automated product line, Fi’zi:k saddles are produced in exactly the opposite manner—hand crafted and purpose-built in low volume numbers to satisfy the needs of the high-performance cyclist. Maximizing on their saddle culture, Selle Royale is also now the parent to the English made Brooks saddle—the saddle that still defines the very notion of “handmade.”
 Inside the Fi’zi:k factory you’ll find these women inspecting every saddle with dental tools to ensure that there is no excess glue or material.
First put on the map with the much-copied Alliante, it wasn’t until 2003 when Gilberto Simone broke out the long, svelte Airione to win the Giro d’Italia that Fi’zi:k’s popularity really took off. With its unique Wing Flex design and 30cm length, the Arione will forever be known as the saddle that forced a re-write of the UCI rules regarding their prescription for a “legal” saddle length (previously allowed at 28.5cm).
 Following in the footsteps of the Alliante and the much-heralded Arione saddle, Fi’zi:k introduced the Antares. With its wider platform, the Antares is designed to provide increased comfort while retaining the lightweight of a racing saddle.
Though offering nowhere as big a model lineup as Selle Royale, Fi’zi:k still offers twelve distinct model shapes in over twenty variations specifically designed for road, mountain and triathlon. Besides saddles, they also make some great handlebar tape. From the natural cowhide covers and performance enhancing designs to distinctive marketing efforts, Fi’zi:k is a young brand that put itself on the industry radar in short order. |
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