Aliante Vs. Arione

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Rudy
Hi all,

I know saddles are somewhat a personal fit but can someone give me a comparision between the two (Arion & Aliante)? Especially helpful if you have used both.

And yes, I have read some of the post here but none give a good description of the feel (firmness), and/or how the size shape of the saddle make it a good saddle.

Also, how much do you weigh?

Thanks!!!

Rudy, I'm sorry I can't help too much with the Aliante, as I have never used one. I can however tell you that I like the Arione a great deal. I switched to it after using Flites for years and years (as long as I've been riding) and really enjoyed it. It took a little tiny bit of getting used to with the "wings" flexing when you move back on it, but once you get used to that it was very, very comfortable. One thing I do notice as a difference between the two is that the Airione has a recessed stripe down the center (where the Aliante affords no up front relief of any sort). This can be good or bad, really--if you need relief its great, if not there is stitching on either side of the stripe that is not raised, but not quite flat either. I like the recess instead of a cutout, because at my weight (230 lbs) the cutouts tend to "cut in" a little too much for comfort. It took me a little while to get used to the stitching, but after that it was smooth sailing. I really like the extra surface area the saddle affords, and when you move all the way to the back, it feels more like sitting in a La-Z-Boy to me!! Hope this helps. If you decide to purchase one at a LBS, check out Outback Bikes in Little Five Points($119.99--not much cheaper, but anything helps. I think they also carry the full line of Fizik as well).

Jeff

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Rudy
Hi all,

I know saddles are somewhat a personal fit but can someone give me a comparision between the two (Arion & Aliante)? Especially helpful if you have used both.

And yes, I have read some of the post here but none give a good description of the feel (firmness), and/or how the size shape of the saddle make it a good saddle.

Also, how much do you weigh?

Thanks!!!

Rudy, I'm sorry I can't help too much with the Aliante, as I have never used one. I can however tell you that I like the Arione a great deal. I switched to it after using Flites for years and years (as long as I've been riding) and really enjoyed it. It took a little tiny bit of getting used to with the "wings" flexing when you move back on it, but once you get used to that it was very, very comfortable. One thing I do notice as a difference between the two is that the Airione has a recessed stripe down the center (where the Aliante affords no up front relief of any sort). This can be good or bad, really--if you need relief its great, if not there is stitching on either side of the stripe that is not raised, but not quite flat either. I like the recess instead of a cutout, because at my weight (230 lbs) the cutouts tend to "cut in" a little too much for comfort. It took me a little while to get used to the stitching, but after that it was smooth sailing. I really like the extra surface area the saddle affords, and when you move all the way to the back, it feels more like sitting in a La-Z-Boy to me!! Hope this helps. If you decide to purchase one at a LBS, check out Outback Bikes in Little Five Points($119.99--not much cheaper, but anything helps. I think they also carry the full line of Fizik as well).

Jeff

Thanks for the reply Martin. Does the long nose of the Arione become an issue? I figure since a lot of the time we sit up close to the nose. And if you slide back too far, I would think your arms'll be out of position.

Correct me if I'm wrong but the arione doesn't have any paddings right? The Aliante does have some firm paddings. I wegh around 160 lbs so the paddings can be functional.

BTW I see you're from Atlanta also, where do you ride?

I'm 5-10, 160, and struggle for comfort on saddles after 1.5 to 2 hours.

I've ridden both. The Aliante is the best saddle yet for me. The Arione was among the worst (but not the very worst).

Aliante has a thing layer of soft padding. Arione's padding is firmer. I think if I rode the aero position all the time, the saddles might be closer to equal because the Aliante hits me a little poorly when on the drops after 15-20 mins. But for normal riding with a variety of subtle position changes, the Aliante is about the best so far for me.

Length isn't an issue with the Arione. I never really used the tip of the nose.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Aztec
I'm 5-10, 160, and struggle for comfort on saddles after 1.5 to 2 hours.

I've ridden both. The Aliante is the best saddle yet for me. The Arione was among the worst (but not the very worst).

Aliante has a thing layer of soft padding. Arione's padding is firmer. I think if I rode the aero position all the time, the saddles might be closer to equal because the Aliante hits me a little poorly when on the drops after 15-20 mins. But for normal riding with a variety of subtle position changes, the Aliante is about the best so far for me.

Length isn't an issue with the Arione. I never really used the tip of the nose.

Thanks Aztec!! I 've been leaning toward the Aliante as well.

After a 35 mile ride yesterday, my butt is calling for a new saddle bad. That thin layer of soft padding, from what I understand, is firm enough not to cause trouble especially for someone who weighs around 160 lbs.

The key is that it's thin. It's actually very soft, and if thicker, might be a problem. I think it has more to do with whether you prefer a flatter or slightly curved saddle. The Arione also has this mysterious pair of seams in the middle that just can't help the comfort.

At $180, I better be sure that it's comfy. GGGRRRRRRRR

Rudy, I don't find the length to be an issue at all. The nose is comfortable enough to be on for sprints and short hard efforts. I enjoy the extra lenght. I found that I had to set the saddle a little tiny bit back of where I usually position myself on the bike to get full use out of all areas of the seat--being able to move forward and backward. It doesn't really mess up my position as I often move back or forward depending on what/how I'm riding. The Airione does have some padding as well, although its pretty minimal (comparable to the Flite I'd say--its there but its not too soft).

I most often ride out at Stone Mountain after work these days. Then on weekends I try and get out to some of the local group rides and such, if I can find ones that sound decent. Where do you ride?

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by martin_j001
Rudy, I don't find the length to be an issue at all. The nose is comfortable enough to be on for sprints and short hard efforts. I enjoy the extra lenght. I found that I had to set the saddle a little tiny bit back of where I usually position myself on the bike to get full use out of all areas of the seat--being able to move forward and backward. It doesn't really mess up my position as I often move back or forward depending on what/how I'm riding. The Airione does have some padding as well, although its pretty minimal (comparable to the Flite I'd say--its there but its not too soft).

I most often ride out at Stone Mountain after work these days. Then on weekends I try and get out to some of the local group rides and such, if I can find ones that sound decent. Where do you ride?

Well, if I can find the time. Cycling is one of my fav things to do and yesterday was the first time in 2 months. And I can feel it.

I do go to Stn Mountain from time to time. I usually go to the Silver Comet Trail or down in an area called Columns Drive.
Sometimes I ride around the Chastain park area.

Did you catch some of the Tour De Georgia? I have some pics and maybe I should post them here for all to see.

I have the arione and have ridden the aliante a little. The two saddles mainly differ in that they have different shapes.

The aliante is a curved saddle with one best fore-aft position. I found the padding to be great, but I couldn't find a best saddle angle. Either there was too much pressure on the nose or I felt like I was sliding off. This would have been the saddle for me had the nose been flatter.

The arione, on the other hand, is a flat saddle. Actually, it has a flat nose and slight upturned tail. I think if I could get one, I'd get an arione that is even flatter. The padding is a little thicker than the aliante and consequently firmer, otherwise it would be too mushy. I haven't found any problems with the length. I have caught my shorts once or twice, but no big deal.

I'm 5'10.5" and weigh 150.

As a side note. I didn't try one, but the head fitting guy said he's been selling a lot of the Serfas Stinger saddles. He said people really liked them.

I'm so confused!!! :eek: :eek:

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by dorian
I have the arione and have ridden the aliante a little. The two saddles mainly differ in that they have different shapes.

The aliante is a curved saddle with one best fore-aft position. I found the padding to be great, but I couldn't find a best saddle angle. Either there was too much pressure on the nose or I felt like I was sliding off. This would have been the saddle for me had the nose been flatter.

The arione, on the other hand, is a flat saddle. Actually, it has a flat nose and slight upturned tail. I think if I could get one, I'd get an arione that is even flatter. The padding is a little thicker than the aliante and consequently firmer, otherwise it would be too mushy. I haven't found any problems with the length. I have caught my shorts once or twice, but no big deal.

I'm 5'10.5" and weigh 150.

As a side note. I didn't try one, but the head fitting guy said he's been selling a lot of the Serfas Stinger saddles. He said people really liked them.

Even without having been on an Aliante, I can say with condifence that it's a much narrower saddle than the Arione -- I'm certain, because the striking characteristic about the Arione is that as a horizontal platform, it's about as generous as a performance seat can be. There's very little vertical curve to the thing.

Luckily, the shape of that platform is the key for those who love the Arione -- other saddles have always left me feeling that their narrowness, and the molded vertical drop-offs, leave my pevlis unnaturally straddling a stiff rail that inevitably falls front and center, where there's no bone to hold you up.

This baby is long, it's broad, and for the first time, it's given my bones some real support. Feels like sitting on a chair, rather than a rail.

Of course, that's just me and my crotch.

Rudy... an important consideration might be the type of saddle you're using now, and how it seems to feel to you.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by lokstah
Rudy... an important consideration might be the type of saddle you're using now, and how it seems to feel to you.

problem is ....hard for me to describe but I'm currently riding the Vetta TT Tri shock. It's an oldie. I've also tried numerous others but have not been able to find that holy grail of a saddle.. I can show ya my other 3 or 4 saddles that are laying around in the house collecting dust.

Heck! I'm not even looking for a holy grail of a saddle...just something more comfy than what I've tried.

What about the Fizik Gobi?

A LBS dealer toild me that the Gobi is same as the Arione except it's got more padding

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Rudy
What about the Fizik Gobi?

A LBS dealer toild me that the Gobi is same as the Arione except it's got more padding

Doesn't sound right to me... I've handled one, and the only notable difference is the shape. The Gobi doesn't have the elongated diamond tail that the Arione has; instead, it's got an aburpt rear with a bit of an up-turn.

Fizik describes it as sharing the Arione's thin, slighly flexy shell otherwise.

Go see some of the pics I have taken at the Tour De Georgia
here:

http://www.cyclingforums.com/t123135.html

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Rudy
Go see some of the pics I have taken at the Tour De Georgia
here:

http://www.cyclingforums.com/t123135.html

Those start-of-TT-shots are particularly cool, Rudy!

Didn't Jittery Joes race the TDG? Let's see some of those shiny orange Kleins!

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by lokstah
Those start-of-TT-shots are particularly cool, Rudy!

Didn't Jittery Joes race the TDG? Let's see some of those shiny orange Kleins!