Small Italian component maker Alpitude crafts beautifully lightweight carbon & ti bottle cages, GPS mounts, seatposts & saddles, but this new prototype saddle might take it to the next level with its unique 3D-printed titanium leaf spring rails. It’s a unique concept that promises to offer increased vibration damping and rider comfort without extra weight. And we’re very curious to see how the project progresses.
Alpitude also showed us a simple new finish option to increase stability on their lightweight full carbon saddles, a new ultralight seatpost available to upgrade both aero and conventional round posts, their oversized derailleur pulley upgrade, and an up-close look at 3D-printing the lightest titanium bottle cage on the market…
Prototype Alpitude Navene 3D Ti ultralight carbon saddle
Alpitude’s real highlight, of course, was this prototype Navene 3D Ti saddle mixing an ultralight carbon shell with unique 3D-printed titanium rails that serve as tunable leaf spring rails.
The basic concept is that the same 3D-printing of titanium that they use to make ultralight bottle cages, will also let them make ultralight hollow titanium rails that transition into leaf springs to filter out road vibrations before they make it to the rider’s butt.
The leaf spring idea could then be relatively easily tuned for less or additional support for lighter or heavier riders or even for road vs. gravel applications. Alpitude also suggests that tuning in damping in the rails could allow them to create a lighter carbon top, while maintaining a unique rider feeling of a saddle that feels both stiff and compliant at the same time?
The secret to any ultralight carbon saddle is often how the rails are bonded to the shell (almost none are made as a true monocoque). And Alpitude’s solution on this Navene-based 3D Ti prototype was to print a complex open structure in the titanium at both the nose and tail of the saddle to increase bonding surface area with the light carbon shell for robust long-term durability.
For now, it’s just a proof-of-concept. But Alpitude founder Andrea Sega assures us that he’s working on refining the details to create an ultralight carbon saddle that can deliver unmatched rider comfort, even without any padding.
New full carbon saddle grip
Soon available on either their traditional Gardena or newer short-fit Navene full carbon saddles, Alpitude has developed a new grippier finish that they will apply selectively to their saddle tops to add more grip.
Many weigh weenies love a raw full carbon saddle for its ultralight weight and often surprising comfort. But both raw carbon and shiny gloss-coated saddles often become incredibly slippery, especially when they get slightly wet from sweat. So Alpitude has refined a paint-on finish, not unlike incredibly fine grit sandpaper that helps keep your butt in place as you are riding, without shredding holes in your expensive bib shorts.
It doesn’t feel rough at all to the touch, more like if it were slightly rubberized. Alpitude says that they can spray it on in their own workshop, and will offer it on the full-carbon saddles soon in selective applications.
Alpitude Tonale ultralight carbon seatposts
Officially launched last month just as a lightweight upgrade for Specialized Tarmac SL8 owners, the carbon Alpitude Tonale seatposts feature a “superlight construction” to hit weights under 110g for a 400mm long aero seatpost or under 100g in its 350mm long version. It is a high-pressure hi-mod silicone bladder molded post with bonded-in 7075-T6 alloy threads, top-adjusted black ano titanium hardware, a full-carbon cradle, 0mm or -15mm offsets, and sells for 380€ in UD, 1K, or 3K Twill finishes.
But now there is also a new VAM version compatible with the latest Factor Ostro aero road bikes, with Pinarello & Cervelo R5 versions in the works. And most importantly in my book, a new Tonale 27.2mm post for classic round seatpost frames, with a weight claim of just 95g in its 350mm length.
Brandtal ODC carbon oversized derailleur pulley cage upgrade
The Brandtal ODC is Alpitude’s carbon oversized derailleur pulley cage upgrade kit with 14T upper & 17T lower machined aluminum pulleys that spin on hybrid ceramic bearings to reduce drivetrain friction. And the “semi-aero” cages are made entirely in-house in their workshop in the heart of the Italian Dolomites.
The Brandtal ODC uses a carbon molded one-piece, partially one-sided “Y” construction for light weight and aerodynamics – at a claimed 75g weight. It is currently available for 390€ only in Shimano 12sp and SRAM 12sp compatible versions, with your choice of 4 different anodized pulley colors – black, gun metal gray, turquoise, or gold.
But Alpitude also will have a SRAM 13-speed update very soon with a slightly redesigned carbon cage, as well.
“World’s Lightest Titanium” 3D-printed Alpitude Superleggero Ti bottle cages
This one’s just because it is fun to look at. We’ve already covered Alpitude’s 3D-printed titanium Superleggero Ti bottle cages, which they call the “world’s lightest titanium bottle cage” at a claimed 14.7g. (For the “world’s lightest” sticklers, Alpitude also makes a 99€ carbon Superleggero cage that weighed just 9g on our scale.)
The ti cages are just cool to see, especially with the 3D-printed ti supports still in place. If you want one, you have to buy two. They are sold exclusively in pairs, for around 400€ a set. But unfortunately, they are also produced exclusively in limited editions, and there are none available at the moment. But you can probably reach out to Alpitude directly to express your interest, and maybe even get on a waiting list for when they come around again, likely around the end of the year.
