Honestly, it’s a wonder nobody’s done this before. The new Fizik LINK bibshorts combine premium materials and construction with a 3D seamless chamois pad designed specifically to mate with their saddles.
Using the same “Spine” concept to pair the right shorts with the right saddle for the right type of rider, they offer it in Bull, Snake and Chameleon. Each is shaped and sewn to complement your flexibility and riding style, as are the corresponding saddles. Adding to that is a new performance matrix of power output to body weight to help you fine tune your selection even further…
All of the shorts use multiple panels and varied lightweight, quick drying and wicking fabrics. The back of the strap is narrow and seamless, making it comfortable and unlikely to hinder your movement. The higher end R1 version gets the seamless, breathable 3D pad with an average garment weight of just 155g. The R3 version comes in at 185g with a slightly less advanced chamois pad using a single padding material.
The Snake is for folks that aren’t getting pelvic rotation, instead rolling their spine to reach the handlebars. Paired with their Arione saddles to support more weight on the sit bones.
The Bull is for the opposite – folks that aren’t as limber in the spine but can roll their pelvis forward. Paired with Aliante saddles that match a more acute angle between the saddle and sit bones.
The Chameleon is for the rider that has both pelvic tilt and spinal flexibility, using more of the saddle. They’re paired with the Antares saddles, which are flatter across the front and middle, then kick up slightly at the tail.
It doesn’t show much more than the teaser video we posted earlier, but here’s the full video for LINK.
New graphics show off their new saddle pairing system, matching your weight and power with the appropriate sized saddle (regular or large). Click the lower image, we left it large enough to read at full size.
The R1B shoe debuted at Eurobike last year, using a dual Boa closure to allow for mid-foot volume adjust via the front dial and somewhat separated heel cup/retention adjust using the rear dial. Check last year’s post for more tech details, or just enjoy the pretty pics here on your way down to the MTB shoe.
The 2017 version appears to get a few more perforations, but is otherwise carries over the same. Unfortunately, it’s only available in smaller sizes, from 37 to 42 in half sizes plus a 43. You’ll have to go to the R3B if you want something larger.
The new M3B is almost too pretty to be a mountain bike shoe.
The Microtex and scratch proof leather upper pulls together using a single BOA dial. The materials and construction claim to be all-mountain tough, yet it weighs in at just 356g (size 42.5) thanks to a unidirectional carbon fiber outsole and otherwise lightweight materials.
Aggressive knobs hide a removable skid plate. Retail is $275 / €250, available in 39, 40-47, 48.
