For any rider, the touchpoints on a bike, where the body interfaces, are some of the most critical elements in comfort. We often change out grips, saddles, pedals, shoes, and footbeds in search of something that can help us ride more comfortably, or longer.
Specialized have taken it a step further by developing a system to create a 3D printed saddle that is completely unique to a rider. Specialized call the saddle "Mirror Technology" and it uses a process called Digital Light Synthesis, pioneered by Silicon Valley-based company Carbon, to 3D print a liquid polymer saddle. Specialized's engineers believe that this technology can replace foam in "every cycling touchpoint."
The saddle uses a lattice structure made up of 14,000 struts and 7,799 nodes to mirror a rider's buttocks region.
According to Specialized, the saddle is designed to perfectly reflect a rider's anatomy to improve performance, increase comfort, and reduce the chance of injury. The 3D printed saddle upper utilizes a structure that can infinitely vary the polymer's density in a way foam cannot. The resulting structure is a lattice made up of 14,000 struts and 7,799 nodes - each of which can be individually tuned. Creating a saddle this specific with foam would require thousands of different foams in a single saddle to achieve the same result.
Specialized say the Mirror technology has been tested to improve sit bone comfort for both men and women and offer the potential to stabilize the pelvis while damping vibration and reducing soft tissue pressure. They have been testing the new saddle with their professional teams and will have their new Power saddle available with the Mirror technology in early 2020.
Specialized say the Mirror technology has been tested to improve sit bone comfort for both men and women and offer the potential to stabilize the pelvis while damping vibration and reducing soft tissue pressure. They have been testing the new saddle with their professional teams and will have their new Power saddle available with the Mirror technology in early 2020.
Having already been using a set of Specialized's custom footbeds with a great deal of success, I'm looking forward to trying out one of the saddles when they become available. Once I go through the process and have spent some time on the new saddle, I'll post a full review.
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"Using a pressure-activated board linked to analysis software, we can identify where your sit bones are, your exact location on the saddle, and pressure points that are problematic."
flowmountainbike.com/post-all/new-gear-bikes/innovation-saddle-selection-app-unveiled
I am siting next to two printers here in my office.
There is no chance I could make a cheaper mass produced saddle than with conventional manufacturing like @jawzzy3 suggests.
Machine hours are expensive and printing is slow.
Considering that the saddles base is still conventionally manufactured and molds where created for those parts the one mold less for the padding is not making a massive difference in the overall investment either.
Especially considering the cold press EVA mold is the cheapest of all the molds compared.
that said I think its super cool.
Then there’s the whole economic issue of scarcity — there’s never enough of anything for everyone who wants one to have it, so the laws of supply and demand come into play. Suppose this is the world’s best seat and everyone wants one. Well there’s not enough for everyone who wants one — so they charge accordingly.
Simple and cheap to make isn’t always reflected in the cost. Lots of other factors.
A. It is Specialized
B. New or not new technology, it is for bikes, therefore $$ and very few pass on any savings to the retailer, especially when it is new and fancy looking
C. Probably stupid light weight, therefore that means more $$ as well.
But yes your are correct, these are all reasons why an S product, or any product form an established brand, is more expensive then a thing you would be able to find on Alibaba or amazon shipped form china directly.
To many folks her on PB don't want to acknowledge that and keep acting like there's and conspiracy going on aimed at pushing cyclists into bankruptcy....
lol
Will the price make your butt hurt?
Literally nobody:
Spesh: Lets make a saddle that no one can afford!!