3D Printed Saddles - How Are They Made?

3D-printed saddles, what are they and how are they made! With the help of our friends at Selle Italia, they've invited Alex to find out and show you the process of how we end up with a saddle just like this! What do you make of 3D-printed saddles?
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[@gcntech]

What other tech innovations would you like to see us cover?? Let us know in the comments! 👇

[@mikhailb1175]

Hello. I would like to see something about bike clothes. Especially interesting clothes for rain and wind wheather. And bike shoes too.

[@iamdmc]

seems like a resin-embedded TPU from the looks of it my concerns are: resin breaks down easily with exposure to UV Light (e.g. outside) so the longevity is in question I'd rather 3D print a carbon-fibre polycarbonate or nylon base, then print a solid TPU cover as they've done for maximum stiffness where it counts (base) and just enough give where it's needed (butt bones) Love all of my Selle saddles but will hold off for now on these. Especially considering that 3D printing is a cost cutting measure and the selling price of these will be enormous. Notice how they aren't leather-wrapped

[@marcm9074]

Thanks Alex and GCN for the show. Very interesting product that I will be investigating. I think the hit the nail on the head with offering customizable saddles.

[@robertgray9807]

Interesting timing! I ordered the Selle Italia 3D Carbonario last week and got to ride it once before you posted this video. Knowing how it's made doesn't add to my bum comfort, but I can say it was really great to learn what you included. Oh, and the ride is spectacular.

[@jonathan_guerrero]

Hi there, Can you provide an update after having it for a few months if you still have it? How does it compare as far as comfort?

[@jvogel431]

I have switched to the Specialized Power Mirror saddle recently and I must say that it is wonderful. I have done long rides on both my road and gravel bikes and I never notice or even think about about the saddle. I have ridden many saddles over the decades and nothing compares.

[@gcntech]

Great to hear that you've found the saddle that works for you! 🙌 Do you think shorter nose saddles are the way to go? 👀

[@cb6866]

Thanks Toke...and crew . Love the seats

[@Mavrik-60]

That's great i like all the little holes that way when I'm riding and pass gass it has some place to go. Lol Next time I'm near my bike shop I'll be checking this new saddle out. Good stuff people keepemcoming.

[@drusek57]

If we're ever in a group ride together, I'll make it a point to pull the entire ride! 😅

[@tinglydingle]

My main misgiving with these is that I ride a lot of gravel, and imagine that lots of small rocks would become trapped within the lattice fairly quickly. I've never ridden one, so have no evidence to support this, but I'm unwilling to spend £300 on an experiment.

[@Stirling1989]

Absolutely love this. I have an Selle saddle and it’s so exciting to see the future of cycling and the passion. Really interesting to hear that they don’t think this will eradicate regular saddles from the market. Fascinating.

[@richardggeorge]

That's because this is a loss making r&d exercise

[@slowcyclist4324]

Love all the negative comments from folks who seem to know everything about its performance, despite never having ridden one before. Who needs product evaluation engineers when you have KZbin experts!

[@tomasiskooo]

Exactly. I have 3 3D printed saddles. Fizik Antares Versus R1, S-Works Romin Evo With Mirror Black and few days ago I bought Selle Italia SLR BOOST 3D KIT CARBONIO SUPERFLOW. They are all more comfortable than their standard equivalent, but the difference is not that big. 3D printed saddle wont make a difference if the shape or fit is not right for you.

[@andreasolsson2336]

bro-science is strong ^^

[@mikecardwell6497]

I have tried at least 10 different saddles and ended up with the selle one . Then I was talked into trying a Specialized 3 D printed saddle it is by far the most comfortable saddle I have ever been on. They are very expensive but worth every penny l will never go back.

[@BleakVision]

Sorry Michele, but this is a little too obvious.

[@donwinston]

I question the assumption that these subtle differences in firmness makes any noticeable/significant difference. I've used carbon saddles with no padding an they are fine although it is nice to have some stickiness to prevent my butt from sliding around too much. In fact I believe that is the reason padding is even a thing on high performance saddles. Shape and weight is all that matters.

[@markmahoney5255]

Fascinating video. Well done. Would love to try one once the price moves down market.

[@gcntech]

Thanks Mark, glad you liked it!

[@marks4471]

I got the Specialized S-Works Romin EVO with Mirror saddle....best saddle I've ever bought! I also have the Fizik ANTARES VERSUS EVO R1 ADAPTIVE, but I prefer the Specialized saddle. It's unfortunately a trial and error modus operandi when choosing the correct saddle. Not every ass is equal!

[@gcntech]

Its always a case of whichever one works best for you!

[@haksaw123]

I would imagine that the main benefit of lattice construction is to allow for strength, light weight, some flexibility and what I would consider to be the most beneficial, cooling. I not so sure expensive bib shorts are tough enough to withstand the rough finish, particularly in Muddy conditions which would act like a rasp. But I am willing to try it out for science 😉

[@mlee6050]

There is me who wants cycling stuff without padding

[@ChrisCapoccia]

what happens to that fancy lattice cover when you drop your bike or crash? does the edge turn into a bunch of barbs tearing your shorts?

[@yonglingng5640]

I don't think they can tear Lycra, they'll just dangle around. I remember seeing a slightly damaged one.

[@TheSamwild]

It would be interesting to see the next innovations in saddle development.. perhaps generative design to minimise weight and increase stiffness

[@Millicente]

Personally I love my power mirror and it’s infinitely more comfortable than other saddles I’ve tried. It really should be available cheaper though 😅

[@yonglingng5640]

For Specialized's saddles, they've now made this available on saddles with titanium rails. Still pretty expensive, but at least it's now compatible with almost every seatpost. Not sure if it'll ever trickle down to their chromoly-railed units (Comp-level).

[@SteveBrill]

Fascinating tech.

[@shauncrowther5299]

Got one love it! Love the tacky finish, could make a great TT saddle.

[@Emtbtoday]

Crazy eh 34p to pring 300 plus to buy! As a designer, printer and biker myself I know what they cost to print just aswell for the company as many would have had to be printed and tested to get it right for the one tester who thinks it's perfect! You would need 5 different people different sizes and hights to have a better selection for body type! 1 size won't fit all even in 3D printed technology! Love how they make it sound to special liquid resins cured with UV I'd be very interested in how long they UV cure the resin to get that perfect hardness!

[@galenkehler]

This will be really intriguing if they can leverage this technology to reduce the cost of saddles. Selle italia used to be able to make reasonably priced racing saddles, maybe this new technology will help them get back to that.

[@xueyue30]

worth to mention for those who plan to purchase 3D print saddle, it doesn't have silky surface, so instead of sliking our butt to find a sweeting spot during the riding without lift ass up, it requires a lifting motion. so for those who have fixed body position is it good. For those who always move a bit of butt postion like myself maybe is better keep traditional saddles.

[@SuburbaniteUrbanite]

I wonder if these will be expanded to flatter and commuter saddles.

[@Murgoh]

I think the possibility of making personal customized shapes is really the only reason to 3D-print saddles in the first place as 3D-printing is such a slow process it makes absolutely no sense for mass production. Yes, 3D-printing can be used to make shapes that are difficult or impossible with other methods but it's really not necessary for a bike saddle.

[@toslinked]

so how does it ride?

[@treyhorn5645]

Absolutely fantastic....

[@gcntech]

Thanks!

[@YoSpiff]

Fascinating. I think I'll stick with my leather Brooks for now.

[@TheMoodyedge]

Helloooo Hambini fans 👋🏼

[@BoomsRiddico4868]

You must be another hambini follower!🙄🥱did you like David Koresh also?? 😂

[@TheMoodyedge]

@@BoomsRiddico4868 Prefer Timothy McVeigh.

[@dundeedideley1773]

This is the marketing wank hambini talks about in its purest form

[@LouieBaLLz]

@@dundeedideley1773 And it'll only cost you $500 for that marketing hype. 🤣🤦‍♂

[@chrismadge7292]

Have I missed something? What’s the point of the 3d printed saddle?

[@michaelpeppersack8599]

very interesting

[@gcntech]

Thanks!

[@SrFederico]

As 3D printed saddles are quite sticky, you are sliding around in your bibs rather than the bibs on the saddle. I did not like that when testing, and I think it is the wrong interface for the sliding motion. If sticky saddles were a thing, why don’t they make their traditional saddles more sticky? I would like to see a 3D printed saddle with a classic closed overcoat, marrying the best of both worlds.

[@SrFederico]

@slavelaboringkid7597 You may be quite right with the marketing/bragging rights, but it should be TPU and not carbon, and manufacturing - as seen in the video - seems to be quite costly in comparison to cutting some foam.

[@iamdmc]

seems like a resin-embedded TPU from the looks of it my concerns are: resin breaks down easily with exposure to UV Light (e.g. outside) so the longevity is in question I'd rather 3D print a carbon-fibre polycarbonate or nylon base, then print a solid TPU cover as they've done for maximum stiffness where it counts (base) and just enough give where it's needed (butt bones) Love all of my Selle saddles but will hold off for now on these. Especially considering that 3D printing is a cost cutting measure and the selling price of these will be enormous. Notice how they aren't leather-wrapped

[@mlee6050]

I would have to disagree on UV bit as depends on how you print it and the filament, from look they use UV light anyway to cure the prints

[@kennethward9530]

I would be interested in knowing how easy it is to clean out dirt and grit from long rides in inclement weather from this saddle’s open mesh. Surely the GCN team can get some data). I had a beautiful white Selle Italia Turbo saddle destroyed in a rainy double century weekend, would hate to lose a 300+ dollar saddle to a weekend of road splash.

[@edb8120]

It would be easy enough for them to offer a few (3?) base sizes and them print covers with a three of four customized variables (such as thickness and density). After all printing different variation would not cost any different than making them all the same.

[@KNURKonesur]

Anyone know the weight limit on those saddles?

[@ScotChef]

I want one ❤

[@ADVRaiderKTM]

Great episode. 3D saddles seem to be a bit of a gimmick

[@tiger2too18]

Did you get to keep the 3D printed saddle?

[@norsangkelsang7939]

I want to see a San Marco lite design with a depression down the middle

[@ignacio952]

This made me wonder... Why did disc brakes replace rim brakes? might be an interesting video

[@buzzman4860]

Waiting for a Max Flite 3D

[@EvendimataE]

what is that material, is it like a plastic or rubber?

[@gcntech]

a mixture of both!

[@darrenhill8503]

Interesting topic

[@gcntech]

Anything else you'd like to see us do a video on?

[@darrenhill8503]

Is there a chance you could do a video on the History of Bianchis and their new production factory in Italy please 🙏

[@williamhilliard7386]

That is the future and it's coming very soon

[@bikedawg]

I tried these Selle Italia 3D saddles and they are horrible. The whole concept of the mesh 3D print is to add to conformity, but the material is so hard and stiff it is worst than a traditional foam saddle. They need lessons from Specialized who uses a much more compliant material for 3D print resulting in saddles that are way more comfortable.

[@luukrutten1295]

I still dont get it. These companies are not scanning each individual pelvis geometry to then manufacture a perfect saddle made to fit you! Which is something I would pay the premium for. What is really the point of 3d printing these generic saddle uppers. Its just another padding layer, just with a bit more fancy alterations on regions of the saddle. Whatever you think about saddle padding. Saddle padding is mostly pointless! Its just there to solve the mismatch in shape between your pelvis and the saddle. If the saddle shape is right for you, you don't need any padding, or maybe only a tiny layer. Since you are allready wearing good quality shorts with plenty of padding.

[@BleakVision]

Si si, you can now a collect your cheque at a the marketing department. Ciao bella!

[@everydaycarryzilla1591]

I suddenly remember that Adidas Shoe...

[@rachelharvey71]

Did Albert get to keep a saddle??😂

[@AutiSam1974]

Emperor's new saddle

[@Hill_Walker]

Not entirely sure whoever at GCN liked this comment understood the reference 😅

[@AutiSam1974]

@@Hill_Walker i thought the same 🙂

[@NikolausLim]

Only an emperor can afford this saddle. It's a slang among Indonesian cyclists, I guess. Referring to s'thing crazy expensive only a sultan could afford. Some of the folks here on the comment section use "dentists".

[@luisll5171]

Anybody has a 3d prinzed saddle of aliexpress. How do you like them?

[@edwarding4355]

No the big question is whether the price can come down.

[@sadlfjasdfacv]

Fi:zik has been doing this for almost 10 years now, but they didn't buy a video from GCN.

[@hayes6262]

£400 saddle yeah cheers for this

[@markburrow5916]

Will this design not ruin bib shorts rather quickly?

[@lisa-janelait5822]

Alex I loved the vid,very informative as with most of your content! sit bones are not a issue. Not for me anyway (L2)! Not to embarrass you whist presenting but you need to include the issue of female soft tissue, this subject of soft front tissue for woman is still not addressed. I can't commit to trying the saddle as it could be a expensive purchase I may or may not regret 😊

[@BLITZKRIEG1]

lolol got mine on ali

[@brittle1]

Well how they're made is kinda apparent inside the name isn't it?

[@ebikescrapper3925]

They use 3d resin printing Resin printing lets engineers, designers, artists and hobbyists 3D print high-quality objects that they cannot get from filament-based fused deposition modeling (FDM) printers. The process beams ultraviolet (UV) light into a tank of liquid, resin, triggering a reaction that solidifies the resin into a hard plastic.

[@iamdmc]

resins are also ridiculously toxic, impossible to recycle, and break down easily with exposure to UV light

[@davidfink4963]

Did he say hard work? If you sont need boots and gloves, its pretty easy

[@iberiksoderblom]

Oh yes, its the future and more is to come.

[@advantagemarine7305]

All of that waffle and you didn´t even try it or show how it is attached to the rails?

[@nickc4716]

It’s clever I suppose, but mainly just seems like a solution looking for a problem.

[@chrisridesbicycles]

Custom saddles are the long awaited next step after custom insoles in shoes. In the hands of knowledgable bike fitters they have the potential to cure a lot of pain.

[@savagepro9060]

GTN: 3D Printed Saddles - How Are They Made? Answer: with 3 'd's . . . Delicate, Don't Damage

[@jirihutecka9020]

It looks like this saddle must destroy clothing by rubbing..

[@CyclingGeo]

I’ve had the Fizik 3D printed saddle for 1.5 years and it’s been okay on my bibs so far.

[@andreasolsson2336]

s-works romin mirror here, no problem, but the top layer is grippy. Works well if your style is to stay planted.

[@CyclingGeo]

@@andreasolsson2336 Yeah, mine is as well. I was worried about sweat making it slippery, but no issues.

[@Emtbtoday]

That's the only bad thing with 3D printing with Resins it is not recyclable! Once it's washed in the spinner as they call it IPA wash really the waste has to be dumpped at your local chemical plant! So it's definitely not "Green" for the planet if your concerned with all that!

[@RobertHopkinsArt]

What's the percentage of professional bike riders using 3D printed saddles?

[@slowcyclist4324]

Comfort doesn’t pay the bills for pro riders. Are we pro riders living on paychecks from our racing performance? No. So our priorities are drastically different. We ride our bikes to spend on toys and gizmos to play with. Performance isn’t our priority. Having fun with gizmos and comfort is

[@goofyridersshop]

Italians and talking with their hands :)

[@ionutcelgroaznic]

good news is that chinese printd saddles are as good as these expensive ones

[@jitterspec]

The video just teaches the chinese how to copy this tech. Im surprised that Carbon and Selle Italia didnt protect more of of the process. He says the tech is how to bond 3d structure to shell is proprietary. Thats it???

[@antonyarovyi6983]

Why are you so sure? China produces such carbon 3d saddle already several years. 😂

[@jitterspec]

@@antonyarovyi6983 you are probably right. AliExpress shows hundreds of China 3d printed saddles for sale.

[@BRMCaptChaos]

Losing me a bit here GCN. So you travelled to Italy to tell us all how great Selle Italia are for getting us out of motor vehicles? Why not just cut and paste the marketing blurb?

[@pikerflinn]

Sorry: too expensive. Anyone fancy sending me one for my birthday? 🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️

[@sepg5084]

Saddles designed to trap dirt in them 🤦

[@ShowMeThePony]

Don’t ride 3D saddles. Strap a brick to your seat post. Be a Man! 😂

[@Geo-di3lc]

Poop grinder 👍🏻

[@richardcarr6493]

SO MADE CHEAP AND SOLD HIGH PRICED well at least it can offer proper padding for a carbon model and maybe colorful options ??

[@stevemawer848]

You think those Carbon machines are cheap?

[@zukzworld]

No wonder why it is so expensive!

[@iamdmc]

3D printing it should actually make it cheaper they're overcharging because they're an italian brand and for the novelty

[@HeyHey-qp9eh]

How the saddle are make, and now how I make money for this saddle.