Arte Selle Dakar Print saddle

The Arte Selle Dakar Print is a really good race saddle at a very reasonable price.

We reviewed the Arte Selle Dakar Double saddle earlier in the year and liked it a lot. This one is very similar.

The shell is 275mm long and 130mm across; about normal for a saddle of this kind. That plastic shell is carbon-infused and it flexes a little to reduce vibration and smooth over pot-holed roads.

There's a reasonable depth of EVA foam over the top; enough to add cushioning without feeling squashy or spongy. The amount of flex and cushioning you like in a saddle is a matter of personal preference but I found it enough for all-day comfort; no worries at all on that front. I've ridden 100+ miles on this saddle in one go a couple of times and felt comfortable throughout.

The rails are titanium which keeps the weight down and ensures durability while the cover looks leather but is, in fact, microfibre with a grained finish. It's faring well several weeks in with virtually no signs of wear so far.

The published weight of this saddle is 225g. Ours is nothing like that. It's 177g which is low for something of this price. We've reviewed lighter saddles in the past, such as the Selle Italia SLR, but they've been more expensive than this.

The thing I like best about it is the shape. The nose section, which bears most of your weight when you're leaning forward on the drops, is fairly flat rather than arched. I find saddles that are curved across the nose concentrate more pressure down the middle, and I don't like that when I'm settling in for the long haul. This one spreads the pressure for increased comfort.

Verdict

Lightweight and comfortable saddle at a very reasonable price