Fi'zi:k

Gobi M3 Saddle - K:ium Rails

Carbon saddle rails play their role to save you a bit of weight and help absorb vibration from the road or trail, but for those of us willing to "rough it" to save some cash, the Fizik Gobi M3 Kium Rails Saddle provides the same comfort of the carbon-railed version, just at a friendlier price.

We've always considered the Gobi to be a mountain-bike-friendly cross between Fizik's Arione and Aliante saddles. It features a somewhat flat profile with WingFlex technology like the Arione. The shell has tines, like a comb, which are suspended in place by an injected elastomer, creating controlled flex. Likewise, the TailFlex works the same way. These flex zones are designed to give more than solid plastic and as a pattern of use emerges, the sections soften to yield to your body. The rest of the nylon shell is reinforced with fiberglass to save a bit of weight and offer engineers greater control over the shell's flex.

The rails of this M3 were constructed from Kium, a light but durable alloy that's tougher than titanium and serves to reduce cost while only adding a tiny weight penalty over carbon rails. The Microtex covering provides just enough traction for your rear to be able to stay planted when you're digging hard on the pedals up rough climbs, but the slick finish on the thigh glides won't keep you from being able to shift yourself fore and aft on the saddle when you need to find the right weight balance.