Bontrager has unveiled a new line of road saddles called Affinity. Following their release of their new mountain bike Evoke InForm saddles at Sea Otter earlier this year, the Affinity line is geared toward the pavement crowd and runs the full range from Race, RL and RXL models. Compared to their original inForm road saddles, the Affinity line is for riders that sit slightly more upright than a super aggressive racing position, which Bontrager says is the largest segment of road riders.
We just received a black RL and white RXL in the post to test out, and they do look very nice, particularly the RXL. Each model is available in different widths with both men and women specific models. The deal with inForm technology is that it not only measures width of the sit bones to help you get the right saddle, but it takes into consideration the tilt of your pelvic bone based on the type of riding the saddle is intended for, too. That, combined with pressure relief zones, claims to make their seats extremely comfortable for long hours in the saddle. Bontrager (ie. Trek) dealers should have fitting mechanisms in their stores to help you get the right size.
Full press release, actual weights for RL and RXL and more photos of every model after the break…
We received the Men’s medium width saddles to test. Above is the RXL in white at 204g. Claimed weight is 195g, which we’re guessing is for the narrowest size.
The Affinity RL medium width weighed in at 238g. Claimed weight is 235g. Claimed weight for the R series saddles is 260g.
The weight savings between the RL and RXL appears to come from underneath. Note the bolted on casing surrounding the bottom rear and nose of the RL (left) compared to the glue-and-staples only on the RXL. Even the nose section on the RXL is pared down versus the RL. Both have hollow Ti rails, and the RXL gets lighter weight padding, too.
The RXL has a premium synthetic leather cover versus the “regular” synthetic leather cover on the RL. There’s a slight difference in hand to them with the edge definitely going to the RXL. Also, the RXL’s cover mentions TempTech, which is a premium synthetic leather that Bontrager uses on their high-end RXL-level saddles. Tom Kuefler, Bonty’s soft goods manager, says “As a higher grade material, it’s a bit lighter weight than our standard covering material and has better heat dissipation, which means if you leave your black saddle sitting in the sun all day it’s not going to be as hot to the touch.”
PRESS RELEASE: Bontrager today unveiled the newest members of its inForm® Science of Comfort™ family: Affinity saddles. Featuring the full range of inForm innovation—Size Specific Curvature™, Posture Specific Design™, Contour Relief Zone™, and Zone Density™ padding—Affinity saddles target the largest segment of road riders, delivering ergonomic comfort and support to higher-hand-position riders.
“Affinity saddles are designed specifically for cyclists who have a more relaxed riding posture. Not everyone looking for a high-performance saddle sits in an aggressive, low-hand position,†noted Amanda Schulze, Bontrager’s Saddle Product Manager. “Affinity saddles combine Size Specific Curvature technology with Posture Specific Design to create a new class of inForm saddles that are the ideal fit for riders who prefer a slightly higher hand position. Affinity saddles deliver superior skeletal support, proper blood flow, and all-day riding comfort to riders in this category.â€
The new Affinity saddles have a similar riding posture profile as Bontrager’s recently released Evoke mountain bike saddles. But whereas the Evoke is aimed at the off-road rider, Affinity saddles are focused squarely on the road, featuring road-appropriate styling and graphics and a notched back to reduce weight.
Available in men’s and women’s Race, RL, and RXL models, with MSRPs ranging from $64.99 to $129.99, Affinity saddles are available through authorized Bontrager dealers and are backed by Bontrager’s exclusive Unconditional Comfort Guarantee.
PHOTOS & SPECS:
Above and at top are the men’s RXL models, directly below are the two women’s versions:
Affinity RXL – $129.99
- Lightweight, high-performance road saddle offering firm support for the weight conscious rider
- inForm Science of Comfort design based on pressure mapping and 3D motion capture data
- Saddle shape is optimized for road riding, featuring a narrower nose than the Evoke and a rear notch to shave precious grams.
- Available in three different, gender-specific widths for proper fit and support
- Size Specific Curvature supports the skeletal structure in a way that’s optimized for a slightly more upright yet still performanceoriented
- riding position, resulting in greater comfort and proper blood flow
- Gender-specific Contour Relief Zone (CRZ) gives added pressure relief to sensitive soft tissue
- Superlight Zone Densityâ„¢ foam provides superior cushioning without interfering with proper skeletal support
- Carbon fiber reinforced nylon base with hollow titanium rails
- Unconditional Comfort Guarantee
Affinity RL (men’s, top row. WSD, bottom row) – $99.99
- High-performance road saddle with more padding than the RXL for a more forgiving ride
- inForm Science of Comfort design based on pressure mapping and 3D motion capture data
- Saddle shape is optimized for road riding, featuring a narrower nose than the Evoke and a rear notch
to shave precious grams. - Available in three different, gender-specific widths for proper fit and support
- Size Specific Curvature supports the skeletal structure in a way that’s optimized for a slightly more upright
yet still performance-oriented riding position, resulting in greater comfort and proper blood flow - Gender-specific Contour Relief Zone (CRZ) gives added pressure relief to sensitive soft tissue
- Zone Density foam provides superior cushioning without interfering with proper skeletal support
- Carbon fiber reinforced nylon base with hollow titanium rails
- Unconditional Comfort Guarantee
Affinity R (Mens, top. Womens, bottom) – $64.99
- Performance road saddle available in three different, gender-specific widths for proper fit and support
- inForm Science of Comfort design based on pressure mapping and 3D motion capture data
- Saddle shape is optimized for road riding, featuring a narrower nose than the Evoke and a rear notch to shave precious grams.
- Available in three different, gender-specific widths for proper fit and support
- Size Specific Curvature supports the skeletal structure in a way that’s optimized for a slightly more upright yet still performance-oriented riding position, resulting in greater comfort and proper blood flow
- Gender-specific Contour Relief Zone (CRZ) gives added pressure relief to sensitive soft tissue
- Nylon/Composite base with hollow chromoly steel rails
- Unconditional Comfort Guarantee
- Black only
