Attach the lightweight F'izi:k Aliante Gamma XM Saddle to your bike. Space-age construction will deliver the comfort and performance needed for long days in the saddle
Submitted by
Psycho Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2012
Strengths: Comfortable, wider (for those of us with a wider spacing to our sit bones), quality construction
Weaknesses: Full retail price
Bottom Line:
When my last WTV saddle split down the central channel, I started looking around at different brands and makes...a direct replacement for the saddle I had was going to be about $100 anyway, so I thought I'd see how things have changed. At this price point, there are a lot of saddles to choose from. After trying a good number of them, I settled on the Fizik Aliante Gamma XM.
Ok, this isn't the fanciest looking saddle out there....it doesn't have a central channel (it flexes nicely like a Brooks), doesn't have a different shape to the nose (a la Cobb...which wasn't bad, but I found it much harder to get behind the saddle than the Aliante) or big butt-crack split up the tail end...but it works.
Yes, saddle preference will vary between folks, but Fizik seems to do a pretty good job. They do take a little bit of time to break in...it is a shorter time than a Brooks, but it's not immediate...but once it's set, you're set. I found it to be a little sensitive to the set up (and getting the saddles I tried set up helped me lose a couple bad habits I had when it came to saddle set up...and my butt thanks me for that), but once you have it set up, it vanishes under you.
Durability looks like it'll be good. I've had a couple "departures" from the bike and it has weathered the resulting landings well...a couple minor scuffs, but that's it. The bumpers it comes with seem to do their job well too.
This isn't a racing saddle, it's not a cushy saddle for a newbie...it is a good quality saddle that's easy to get around on, easy to get behind, long enough to allow for some good body english and supportive enough to keep your butt happy for the long haul without the privates getting numb.
Demo one if you can (I did and it was a big part of why I ended up going with this over another WTB), shop around so you're not paying the $150 US retail price (or $199 Cdn...wtf is up with that $50 difference?), take the time to set it up right and it'll treat your butt right.
Similar Products Used: Various WTB saddles, Bontrager saddles, Brooks B17, Cobb Plus DRT (demo only), Spec. Henge (demo only)
Bike Setup: Knolly Delirium T with a decent build that's adjusted to the riding...everything from 230 km charity rides to urban assault to AM and park goodness
Strengths: Very comfortable. Bought one a year earlier for my road bike and will never buy anything else unless they stop production.
Weaknesses: Nothing noted
Bottom Line:
Seats are extremely personal and one seat may not work everyone, but everyone I know that has tried the Aliante has loved it. I swore by my old Avocet O2 so much that I bought a couple when they stopped making them, but I have found my new love.
Submitted by
skiahh
a Weekend Warrior
from Colorado Springs
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2011
Strengths: Comfortable, comfortable! It's solid, doesn't creak or move at all. Did I mention it's comfortable?
Weaknesses: Maybe a little expensive, but for how comfortable it is, I'm still giving it a 5 chili value rating.
Bottom Line:
My Pivot came with the WTB Silverado and it just didn't suit me; it was too hard and flat (for lack of a better way of describing it) for my sit bones. I tried a bunch of different saddles and by far, this one was the most comfortable saddle I've ever sat on. Whether riding in normal riding gear or just out at the park in jeans, this saddle is the best I've ever had and will stay with me when (if?) I sell this bike!
Fizik calls this a "Bull" saddle, or made for those with limited spinal flexibility. I'm pretty flexible, but also a clyde, and I think that this is an ideal saddle for a clyde regardless of flexibility. Did I mention how comfortable it is?
Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from calgary
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2011
Strengths: comfort
Weaknesses: graphics wearing off
Bottom Line:
The saddle looks pretty similar to others of it's shape and size, but for some unknown reason it is more comfortable. I can pedal for hours without adjusting my position.
Bike Setup: Green Santa Cruz Nomad with Talas 36, Fox DHX 5.0, Rock shox Reverb seat post, and Chris King BB, Headset, and hubs.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
sundog7
a Cross Country Rider
from Buena Vista,CO
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2011
Strengths: Comfort for big guys
Weaknesses: None yet. Can't comment on longevity - only 400 miles on it so far.
Bottom Line:
Great saddle! I have ridden for many years and this is the best saddle I have used. Just the right amount of padding. Comfortable for even 6 hour rides. I am tall, about 200 pounds. Fizik advertises "Made for Bulls". Amen. Over time I have converted both my mountain bikes to Fizik saddles. The Alante Gamma XM is super!
Similar Products Used: Specialized Henge(hard,broke) and others, Terry Liberator (Just OK), Bontrager-several (not bad).
Bike Setup: MTB 29 and 26, Road
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
cydoniaab
a Weekend Warrior
from Canada
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2011
Strengths: Comfortable
Weaknesses: None so far
Bottom Line:
This saddle felt like what I needed when I seen it at the bike shop, Nashbar had a great deal on it so I ordered it.
I realized after that Fizik website would not have me on this saddle since i'm more likely a snake rider (at 5'7" - 150lbs and fairly flexible) then a bull rider.
I've search high and low online and guessing many others have this question as well. For the weekend warrior wouldn't comfort take priority on being able to move quickly on the saddle. I know comfort has to do with seating position but I'm thinking they have that chart setup for ultimate performance seeking rider.
Anyone using this saddle that doesn't fit the bull build and loves it. Thanks guy!
Submitted by
h2otaco
a Cross Country Rider
from Tulsa
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2010
Strengths: Shape/Size
Weaknesses: Price
Bottom Line:
Has a really good shape to it, perfect width (for me). Just the right amount of padding in the right areas.
Saddles are a very personal choice, and for me, this is just about the perfect saddle. If they made it with a true relief section then it'd be absolutely perfect.
Similar Products Used: some other Fizik saddles that came stock on the bike, some selle italia sadlles and some other stuff
Bike Setup: Cannondale Scalpel 2000 the 2005 model. stock.
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Submitted by
Jerome
a Cross Country Rider
from Montreal, Qc, CANADA
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2010
Strengths: Very comfortable, easy to maintain (synthetic leather), durable, clean looking
Weaknesses: A bit heavy compared to other saddles in the same price range.
Bottom Line:
I've always been a big fan of Selle Italia Flite saddles but lately, they stopped making the Flite Gel Flow in 143mm width, except in black. Since I was looking for a white saddle and already owned a Gobi XM, I decided to give the Aliante Gamma XM a try, based on the shape and overall level of comfort/quality of the Gobi. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the Aliante was even more comfortable than the Gobi (and the Gel technology plays the same role for the perineal area as Selle Italia "Flow" technology). Even though it could be a few grams lighter, it's my current saddle of choice. The best thing is that you forgot about it even on looong rides and, for a saddle, that's a big compliment. Plus, the white stays white, which is a good thing. All in all, I'm very satisfied with this product and would recommend it to anyone looking for a saddle that can be ridden for long hours.
Strengths: This saddle by far is the best out there for endurance racing, comfort in the right spots, not to heavy and great nose for climbing.
Weaknesses: Could be a little lighter, but after 12 hrs who cares!!
Bottom Line:
When we got the chance to try the new XM, it didnt take but a few rides after yrs on the Gobi to feel at home and more comfort for the long days in the saddle. If your worried about cost, your not in the saddle enough. I have the carbon on the road bike now...Fizik did it again, great saddles, for a company that has been around a short time compared to others, but dominates the saddle business by far with weith durability and comfort..
Similar Products Used: Road the Gobi for years, almost equal in weight, with better long term comfort.12-24 hr rides
Bike Setup: Cannondale Monavie Team Scalpel, Stans and Sram XO,FSR Bar and Margura Brakes with Scrub rotors... and Fizik..
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Submitted by
Surfas
a Weekend Warrior
from Portugal
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2009
Strengths: Quality, comfort, comfort, scuff guards, no channels great Twin-Flex system. Better than Gobi, and that was a great saddle.
Weaknesses: Mine with 1 year start to peeling off the back os the cover, but is a wear issue, normal!!
Bottom Line:
This was my favorite saddle so far, great for pedaling (way better than WTB Pure V but worst than Gobi), fantastic comfort (better than Pure V and Gobi).
If they make with Braided Carbon rails I bought ONE!!!
