Fizik’s new R1 Light saddle range are lightweight and high performance bike saddles designed with traditional methods instead of 3D printing. There are three saddles available in the R1 Light lineup – the Alliante, Argo and Antares – and for this review we have the Vento Argo R1 Light. The saddle has a retail price of $229.99 and has a short nose 265 mm length with either a 140 or 150 mm width. As with the other R1 Light saddles, the Vento Argo R1 Light has carbon fiber rails and a carbon reinforced nylon shell. The saddle further reduces weight by using a unique raw EVA padding.
The Fizik Vento Argo R1 Light combines a carbon fiber infused shell with a minimal exposed EVA padding to create a lightweight saddle.
| Retail Price | $229.99 |
| Rating | 9.1/ 10 |
| Measured Weight (in g) | 158 (150mm width) |
| Likes | + Lightweight construction with carbon rails + Raw EVA foam exterior has unique texture and appearance + Stable and versatile saddle shape for high intensity riding |
| Dislikes | – Firm padding may not work for all riders |
| Where to Buy (US) | Fizik |
UNBOXING
The Fizik Vento Argo R1 Light saddle comes in a simple cardboard box with the Fizik logo printed directly on the top lid. A cardboard backing holds the saddle in place along with specs and warning information printed on it. Inside the box you’ll find the saddle along with a safety pamphlet.
FIT & FINISH
Visually, the Fizik Vento Argo R1 Light shares the same tapered design as the standard Vento Argo saddles. The Argo shaped saddles are one of the most racing-style saddles in the R1 Light lineup and one of Fizik’s most versatile saddles. Fizik has designed the Argo shape to prioritize stability and efficiency for aggressive bike geometries and high-intensity efforts. This is a short nose saddle with a 265mm length and is available in a 140 and the wider 150 mm width we have in this review. Fizik claims a weight reduction of around 17% thanks to the R1 Light technology that uses a combination of carbon-reinforced nylon bass, carbon rails and low-profile raw EVA padding. The exterior of the saddle is all back with white Fizik logos on the sides and a large center cutout.
One of the unique features of this saddle is the exposed EVA padding with no additional cover. This mimics the raw look of 3D printed saddles and eliminates the bunched up seam you normally see under the saddle where the cover attaches to the base. The EVA foam has a brushed aluminum like texture that looks distinctive and could even be confused with 3D printed artifacts. It is a dense and minimalist design which doesn’t have much give except for the edges so cyclists looking for a cushioned saddle should look elsewhere. There is a very large center cut out with additional support at the rear. The saddle also has a distinctive shape with a center groove that extends through the saddle along with a tapered rear edge.
On the underside of the Vento Argo R1 Light, there is a clean carbon infused nylon base with a glossy lip. Thanks to the lack of a traditional cover, there is a sharp edge between the base and the EVA padding. The saddle has oval carbon rails with about 2.5” horizontal adjustment range with markings on the saddle to help with positioning. The base has a minimalist design with a front cover and a rear U shaped hoop that cover up the rail to base attachment sections. Unlike the higher-end saddles, there is no exposed carbon texture on the base and only a semi-gloss black finish.
ON THE ROAD
Even though we are always weary of swapping out saddles on our bike, particularly once we’re happy with it, we’ve always been fans of the Argo shape. The wide rear profile, short nose profile and slightly curved edges of the saddle make it versatile and comfortable in aggressive or upright saddle positions. We installed the saddle onto our Trek Madone SL8 and pulled off the Trek RSL saddle that we’ve been using for several months. At least for our anatomy, we still prefer the Ergon SR Pro saddle and the 3D printed Fizik Vento Argo 00 as they have softer padding. The exposed EVA foam is quite firm which takes some time to get used to and may not work for all riders. With more miles, our body adapted to the firmer saddle and we found it to be stable and comfortable for longer weekend rides and weekday rides. Weight weenies will also be excited with the almost 30 gram weight reduction compared to the Fizik Vento Argo 00 despite the fact that it utilizes a full carbon base.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the Fizik Vento Argo R1 Light to be a stable and fast road cycling saddle. Fizik has taken their popular Argo saddle shape and created an even lighter version than the 3D printed version. The combination of carbon rails, carbon infused base and raw EVA padding result in a sleek and very light saddle. We found the textured exposed foam to be a clever approach at reducing weight and were impressed with the clean edges between the base and textured finish. The saddles wide shape and tilted rear result in a very stable design that helps riders stay centered on the saddle even during hard efforts or climbing. As far as negatives, the raw EVA foam is quite firm and may not work with all riders. That said, the Fizik Vento Argo R1 Light offers a lightweight and stable saddle design for road cycling.
Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by Fizik. The views expressed on this website are solely those of the authors and are here to help people make an informed choice before a purchase. The authors or the blog itself does not get any monetary compensation from the product manufacturer or third-party websites/vendor links that are posted here.