For decades, every saddle has been made the same way: a rigid base, a layer of foam and a cover. 3D printing has changed the recipe for the first time, and it is not a fad: it is a different way of solving the most delicate contact point between you and the bike. We fit one as standard on the Cadí and the Carlit, and in this article we explain why.
How a 3D-printed saddle is made
Instead of foam, the surface is a three-dimensional polymer lattice printed layer by layer. The clever part is that the lattice is not uniform: the designer sets the density of each zone separately. Firmer under the sit bones, where you need support to pedal hard; more flexible in the soft-tissue areas, where pressure is the enemy. With injected foam that is impossible: the part has one hardness, everywhere.
What it really improves
Pressure where it belongs. Variable-density zones reduce pressure points and numbness on long rides, which is where a saddle earns its keep. Ventilation. The lattice is open: air flows through it, and in summer you notice. Consistency. Foam packs down over the months and slowly loses its shape; the printed structure keeps its properties far longer. Weight. Less material where none is needed means grams that disappear without sacrificing comfort.
What nobody tells you
A 3D-printed saddle does not work miracles: it will not fix a bad position, it does not replace choosing the right width for your sit bones, and if your seatpost or frame transmit every hit, it cannot absorb it all alone. It is a real upgrade on top of a proper fit, not a patch for a bad one. If you are unsure about your position, write to us and we will look at it with you.
Why we fit it as standard
On the market, a 3D-printed saddle usually costs upwards of €300 as an upgrade: it is one of the first extras people buy once the saddle hours pile up. On the Cadí and the Carlit it comes as standard because they are bikes built for long days: a climbing bike that lives in the mountains and an aero bike that asks for hours in a stretched position. If you want to see the lattice up close, come to the workshop in Taradell: touch it once and you will get it.