Two years ago, Italian parts manufacturer Fi'zi:k unveiled their "Spine Concept" design philosophy and corresponding saddle lineup at their press camp, Fi'zi:k Ba:kstage (yes, that's how they spell it). For the 2011 Ba:kstage event, Fi'zi:k brought together a select group of cycling journalists from around the world to Follina, Italy to unveil their newest saddle range: Kurve. Armed with the mission to "change the way cyclists think about saddles," Fi'zi:k spared no expense, and if you're a Fi'zi:k fan or have been curious about "Spine Concept," then the Kurve certainly demands your thought, as well as your attention.

Three planes and a bus brought me to the small village of Follina, located 35 kilometers northwest of Treviso. After touching down in Venice, the Italian skies opened up for a day of sporadic rainfall that gave way to a brief glimmer of sunshine as my group reached Follina and the Hotel Abbazia. The village gradually grew around the Follina abbey, originally constructed in 1170 AD, and all of the buildings still possess an "old world" charm, even if most aren't quite as ancient as the abbey. The Hotel Abbazia houses 18 luxurious rooms with modern amenities and is decorated in a very eclectic style - the interior decorator was particularly fond of dogs.

As mentioned, the hotel's decorator had a serious penchant for canines. Statues, paintings and photographs of countless breeds of dogs line the walls and hallways. But the above photo is far and away the most interesting piece. Also, pop culture trivia aficinados will be delighted to learn that actress Sandra Bullock stayed in the Hotel Abbazia while filming some scenes for the 1996 romantic drama "In Love and War."

Upon arrival, it was apparent that Fi'zi:k had produced an impressive spectacle. Banners, flags and easy-up tents emblazoned with the Italian brand's logo lined the hotel's courtyard and covered neighboring city walls. Although the "top secret" new product wouldn't be officially unveiled until the following day, Fi'zi:k representatives were busy setting up a fleet of BMC Race Machines and Team Machines for journalists to ride the following day. We didn't know what we were testing yet, as Fi'zi:k employees remained tight-lipped and the bikes were built-up without any never-before-seen parts.

Having been instructed to bring our own personal pedals and cleats, we knew we'd have the chance to test a pair of Fi'zi:k shoes. After checking into our rooms, we met with Fi'zi:k's footwear brand manager (and shoe designer) Steve Delacruz for sizing into a pair of their top-end R1 or mid-level R3 road shoes. Those opting for the R1 were also treated to a pair of Fi'zi:k's customizable, heat-moldable insoles produced in conjunction with French company Sidas. Gone then was the notion that the "top-secret" product reveal would involve a new shoe model. What else could we possibly be here to see? We'd find out the following morning.

We awoke to cloudy skies, but the streets surrounding the Hotel Abbazia had dried and we were crossing our fingers for clear riding conditions in the afternoon. After breakfast, the journos were marched across the street to a large stone building (above) that serves as the city's community center, part of a grammar school complete with sports fields, some office spaces and store fronts. Like all of the town's edifices, this one demanded some respect for withstanding the test of time - or at least giving one such an illusion. Fi'zi:k had rented out one of the presentation rooms in the conference center portion and decked it out in some swanky trimmings.

After a brief presentation about Fi'zi:k's history by brand director Nicola Rosin, global marketing manager Alberto Fonte took the stage and unveiled Kurve, a lineup of three saddles featuring a construction and design that is dramatically different than Fi'zi:k's current models. Kurve's three key components are its "Re:Flex" construction, "Modius" (round) rail system and "Tuner" nose inserts. "Kurve is a dynamic interface, not static like other saddles," said Fonte. After a brief animated demonstration of the Kurve in action, with a striking amount of flex clearly visible during each of the rider's pedal strokes, Fonte continued: "Kurve stays in contact with the rider's body, supporting the up-stroke while making way for the power of the down-stroke."

Product manager Pierre-Henri Medas was next to speak, and discussed Kurve's "Re:Flex" technology, which involved an all-new carbon composite layup with strategic cutouts in the shell's hardest layer to alleviate sit bone pressure. Over three years in development, "Kurve is another angle of looking at [saddle] comfort," said Medas. "The biggest key of this idea is Kurve's construction, which is more flexible than previous Fi'zi:k saddles."

When taken apart to view its various components, the Kurve Bull model reveals its detailed construction. The padding (left) features a microfiber cover, and varying foam densities for specific areas of the rider's under carriage. The shell (middle) is comprised of several layers of composite materials, with the hardest layer (on top) featuring strategic cutouts for enhanced pressure relief, as well as a flexible plastic rim for maximum power output from the pedal stroke. The Mobius rail system (right) has a radical rear portion, which involves a circular rail surrounding the area where riders' sit bones will rest. This is intended to alleviate pressure points caused in the area by traditional twin-rail systems, as rider weight is more evenly distrbuted. Finally, all Kurve saddles will come with two "Tuner" nose inserts, which will alter the tension placed on the rail system and shell depending on how much flex the rider wishes to have.

Fi'zi:k will offer the Kurve saddle in three different versions: Bull, Chameleon, and Snake, with saddle profiles and overall shapes akin to the Aliante, Antares and Arione "solid base" saddles, respectively. "Kurve is Kurve," said Fonte. "Each Kurve model has the same construction, price and weight, their differences only being their profiles developed from our 'Spine Concept' designs." As Fi'zi:k's marketing for Spine Concept has involved the terms Bull (least flexible), Snake (most flexible) and Chameleon (in between) to refer to riders' spinal flexibility, it's only fitting that the Kurve range be designated as such. Check out the subtle, black-on-black animal silhouettes on the padding. Kurve saddles will be available in the US in mid-October for $270 and will weigh 220 grams.

After Kurve was revealed, Fi'zi:k's footwear designer Steve Delacruz took the stage and discussed the finer points of the R1 and R3 road shoes. Unveiled last year at Eurobike, Delacruz didn't discuss any new footwear models, but instead talked about the various materials and construction methods found on the 20,000 pairs of shoes already Made In Italy since their Eurobike debut. Once his presentation was over, however, Delacruz offered to show us "one last, little thing." Ducking behind a curtain, Delacruz emerged holding a silver R3, complete with three sailcloth straps in lieu of a buckle system, and with a sticker declaring "Prototype - Do Not Ride." Soon to be officially unveiled at Eurobike later this year, the R3 SL (Super Light) will be the "next step in Fi'zi:k footwear's evolution," complete with an all-new outsole construction as well.

After all was said and done, we broke for lunch and put on our kits for an afternoon of riding through the streets of Follina and its surrounding vineyard-laden hillsides. The above road should be alluring to any cyclist, but immediately after that photo was taken, the skies unleashed their fury and the rain started coming down. We arrived back at the Hotel Abbazia courtyard to find that the Fi'zi:k elves had swapped our "solid base" saddles with Kurve versions. The bikes were ready, the new saddles were set and, despite the rain, the roads beckoned. Would we answer their call?

Of course we would! Well, some of us did anyway. Our ride group consisted mostly of the lean, bronzed Italians who make up Fi'zi:k's employee contingent. A smattering of slightly less bronzed journalists from the US, Germany, Australia and the UK joined up as well. As we click-in and rolled out, the Italian skies rewarded our tenacity by easing up on the rain, if only a little bit. Italian roads are narrower than back home, and they still have speeding trucks, but on the whole, local motorists in Skodas, Citreons and Alfa Romeos show cyclists a lot more respect than drivers in the states.

As our ride continued at a progressively more furious pace, the skies became offended at our bravado and rained harder than any other time during the storm's week-long campaign. Thunder, lightning and raindrops the size of almonds quickly humbled us, but couldn't dampen our spirits. How could we not be enjoying ourselves, with views of the Italian countryside (like the one above) surrounding us? We eventually completed our loop of the area surrounding Follina, arrived back at the hotel, and promptly cleaned up for a "pre-dinner surprise."

Meeting out in the hotel's courtyard again, we were greeted by a fleet of buses which transported us to the Vigne Matte winery. Located in the town of Rolle, Vigne Matte sits smack dab in the middle of Italy's two regions famed for producing the world's finest Prosecco sparkling wine: Valdobbiadene and Conegliano. After a tour of the factory by an incredibly passionate Prosecco maestro, we were treated to a tasting of some of Vigne Matte's most popular labels. It was the perfect way to cap off a cycling adventure in Italy - especially a stormy one.

Did I mention that Fi'zi:k provided each journalist with a BMC Race Machine or Team Machine in order to test the new Kurve saddles? Each bike was decked out with a sticker on the top tube displaying the journalist's name. I searched in vain for a bike with a "Michael White" sticker, but since none was to be found, I stole poor Michela's ride instead. You can't win them all, I suppose, but Fi'zi:k certainly came close with Backstage 2011. We at RBA are adamant that every cyclist should actively seek out a saddle that fits them like no other, and Fi'zi:k has developed three more options for your consideration.

Unlike during the launch of Cannondale's SuperSix EVO road bike, my tester's eyes were not blinded by an Italian holiday romance on this occasion. But they were blinded by torrential rain, flashes of lightning and foggy sunglasses. That said, my first impressions of the Kurve Snake are positive. It fit me comfortably and, initially, felt nearly identical to the Fi'zi:k Arione saddle. I definitely noticed some increased flexibility on the ride, as well as moderately softer cushioning, but the ride was by no means enough to form any solid opinion. If what Fi'zi:k claims is true, then that flexibility should mean increased comfort and greater power transfer over the course of your ride. Thus, we're definitely eager to get our hind quarters on some Kurve saddles for long-term tests.

In the meantime, have a look at the complete lineup of Fi'zi:k Kurve saddles: