Fizik Luce R5 saddle review

The Fizik Luce R5 was developed after extensive research into the needs of female riders and it's available in two widths, 144mm and 155mm. I tested the regular 144mm width Luce R5.

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This women’s-specific saddle consists of a central nylon backbone that's reinforced with carbon fibre and two thermoplastic wings, supported by S-Alloy Mobius rails.

Fizik designed the saddle to have these flexible thermoplastic wings to allow them to move in sync with the sit bones as you pedal, increasing efficiency. I found this design made the saddle a comfortable ride, despite the limited amount of padding, and experienced consistent comfort on long rides.

The Luce R5 features a wider rear platform, supporting a range of on-bike positions, from an aggressively low position to being more upright.

The wider area at the back also provides support for shifting around, which is good if you are a bit of a fidget in the saddle.

It has a narrow nose featuring a 1cm wide central cut-out, which Fizik calls its IschialFlex technology, and it offers flexible support under the sit bones and relieves pressure on the soft tissues.

I found the narrow nose made it less likely to rub against the upper thighs on either side while riding, which can be a common issue on saddles with a wider nose at the front.