How to choose the right saddle

The saddle is the most important contact point between you and your bike: the right one disappears beneath you, the wrong one reminds you of itself every single kilometre. The good news is that choosing well is not a matter of luck: all it takes is two measurements and three minutes. This guide walks you step by step to the Repente model built for your body and the way you ride.

Want the answer in one minute? There is also a quick test: three questions and we tell you your saddle. Take the test

Step 1

Assess your pelvic flexibility

It is the most important criterion of all, and almost everyone ignores it. How far your pelvis rotates forward when you drop onto the handlebar determines the saddle profile you need. And it is the difference between a saddle that "works" and a perfect one.

Quick test: with straight legs, try to touch your toes.

Test result	Flexibility	Recommended profile	Why
You barely reach your knees, or just below	Low	Round	Your pelvis rotates little: you need an enveloping support that holds you in position without letting you slide forward.
You reach your ankles	Medium	Semi-Flat	The best compromise: stability when you need it, freedom to move on the saddle to find your power.
You touch your toes, or your palms reach the floor	High	Flat	Your pelvis rotates a lot: a flat seat lets you hold a low aerodynamic position for a long time.

Step 2

Measure your sit bone width

Your sit bones are the two points of the pelvis you rest on when seated. Their distance varies from person to person (and has nothing to do with body size!), and it is the criterion that decides between the two available widths: 132 mm or 142 mm.

How to measure it at home: sit on a piece of corrugated cardboard placed on a hard surface, back straight and feet raised on a support, so your pelvis is fully loaded. When you stand up you will see two imprints: measure the distance in millimetres between their centres.

No millimetre anxiety: the choice is between two widths only, so no precision measurement is needed: a few millimetres either way will not change the verdict. As a rule of thumb: narrower imprints point to the 132 mm, wider imprints to the 142 mm. For borderline values, choose the narrower size for a sporty position with a tilted torso, the wider one for a more upright position.

And there's more: inside every Repente box you'll find a card to comfortably check and confirm your sit bone width at home. So you can order with confidence: the final confirmation is in your hands, when you try it.

Step 3

Finally, consider how and where you ride

We put it last on purpose: it is the least decisive criterion. Repente saddles are versatile by nature (the Artax was born for gravel, yet plenty of road riders love it), so your discipline never rules out any model: it only adds the final nuance, once profile and width have already narrowed the field. Below you will find the full range, model by model, each with its own vocation.

The Repente range, model by model

Prime 3.0, the classic par excellence

Round profileLow flexibilityRoad · Granfondo

Designed for those who want maximum comfort over long distances without giving up race performance. The glossy front flanks reduce inner-thigh friction.

Widths 132 mm · 142 mm
Ideal use Road, Granfondo, light gravel
Strengths RLS double-shell system that damps road vibrations, central anatomic relief, generous superlight EVA padding, long carbon fibre (LCF) shell
Weight ~160 g (carbon rail version)

Spyd 3.0, stiffness and total perineal relief

Semi-flat profileMedium flexibilityRoad · XC MTB

Its anatomic relief channel runs the full length of the saddle: uniform seating, zero numbness. Also much appreciated by women riders precisely for the shape of the central channel.

Widths 132 mm · 142 mm
Ideal use Road, XC/Marathon, gravel
Strengths RLS double-shell system that filters vibrations, very wide full-length relief channel, perfect for riders who move on the saddle in search of power
Weight 175 g

Artax GL / GLM, the gravel specialist

Semi-flat profileMedium flexibilityGravel · Cyclocross · MTB

Built to soak up the vibrations of unpaved roads: extra padding at the critical pressure points and a non-slip cover that grips even in wet and muddy conditions. The squared nose supports you when riding on the saddle nose uphill.

Widths GL 132 mm · GLM 142 mm (with Ergo Shape technology, which stays clear of your inner thigh)
Ideal use Gravel, cyclocross, MTB
Strengths RLS double shell with mechanical decoupling that absorbs micro-impacts from rough terrain, high grip in all conditions
Weight 165 g (both versions)

Quasar 2.0 family, the flat and lightweight icon

Flat profileHigh flexibilityRoad race · Criterium

Short design (260 mm versus the 275 of Prime and Spyd), flat and wide at the rear, tapered nose for quick out-of-saddle moves. Four versions for every need: from the CR with carbon rail, the lightest and raciest, to the S with a fully open central cutout that eliminates perineal pressure.

Width 142 mm (one size)
Ideal use Road racing, criterium, fast gravel
Strengths For athletes with high pelvic flexibility who push hard in a low aerodynamic position
Weight 129 g (CR) · 170 g (Quasar 2.0, stainless steel rail) · 185 g (Aeron) · 245 g (S)

Nomad 3D / FC, the technological avant-garde

Semi-flat profileMedium-high flexibilityAll-road performance

The evolution of the range: 3D-printed padding with modular density and differentiated support zones that relieve your sit bones perfectly, but protected by a cover, avoiding the dirt and wear issues typical of saddles with exposed 3D lattices. The FC version shares the carbon shell and rail, but mounts a traditional superlight EVA padding for those who prefer the classic seating feel. The 3D is also available in an elegant white.

Size 260 x 142 mm (short format)
Ideal use High-performance road, gravel, MTB trail
Strengths Patented and protected 3D technology, extreme versatility
Weight 180 g (3D) · 155 g (FC)

Nova 2.0, the green & comfortable alternative

Semi-flat profileMedium flexibilityE-bike · All-road · Commuting

The first high-performance saddle that is 100% recyclable, produced without glues or solvents thanks to bonded thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). Immediate comfort even without a heavily padded chamois, at a very accessible price.

Width 142 mm (one size)
Ideal use E-bike, all-road, fast commuting
Strengths 100% recyclable, flexible self-adapting shell
Weight 230 g (Aeron) · 285 g (ST4)

Aleena 4.0, the climbers' icon

Streamlined semi-flatLow flexibility132 mm onlyRoad · Climbing · Granfondo

A unique design with a suspended rear bridge, full carbon double shell and a central channel completely open all the way through, for total perineal relief. Made for riders with reduced pelvic flexibility who need stable support: the choice of lightweight road riders who suffer from strong pressure in the perineal area.

Size 275 x 132 mm (classic narrow format)
Ideal use Competitive road, climbing, granfondo
Strengths Full carbon double shell, total perineal relief, iconic design
Weight 150 g

Latus CL / M, the ultra-stiff short saddles

Semi-flat profileMedium flexibilityRoad · Granfondo · Gravel

Superlight short-nose saddles in autoclave carbon, born to hold a powerful, constant push in a forward position. Two shapes: the M at 142 mm for standard sit bone distances, the CL at 152 mm with a wider rear platform to spread your weight better.

Sizes M: 240 x 142 mm · CL: 240 x 152 mm
Ideal use Road, granfondo, gravel
Strengths Extreme stiffness, short format, autoclave carbon
Weight 140 g (M) · 145 g (CL)

Magnet, the triathlon and time trial specialist

Flat profileHigh flexibilityTriathlon · Time Trial

Designed for riders on aero extensions: thick front padding and a Grip Layer cover that keeps you stable on the saddle nose, without sliding, in the most extreme aerodynamic position. The lightest in the range for TT and triathlon.

Size 240 x 140 mm
Ideal use Triathlon, time trial
Strengths Stable front support, Grip Layer, 135 grams
Weight 135 g

Summary table: your choice at a glance

Cross-reference your flexibility test result (Step 1) with your sit bone width (Step 2):

Model	Width (mm)	Profile (flexibility)	Ideal discipline	Distinctive feature
Prime 3.0	132 / 142	Round (low)	Road / Granfondo	Maximum support and pelvic stability
Spyd 3.0	132 / 142	Semi-flat (medium)	Road / XC MTB	Extra-long perineal relief channel
Artax GL/GLM	132 / 142	Semi-flat (medium)	Gravel / Cyclocross	Damping shell and high grip in the wet
Aleena 4.0	132	Streamlined semi-flat (low)	Road / Climbing	Full carbon double shell, total relief
Latus CL / M	142 / 152	Semi-flat (medium)	Road / Granfondo / Gravel	Short, ultra-stiff, superlight
Quasar 2.0 family	142	Flat (high)	Road race / Criterium	Short saddle, from 129 g, also with open cutout (S)
Magnet	140	Flat (high)	Triathlon / TT	Stable nose support for aero extensions
Nomad 3D / FC	142	Semi-flat (medium)	All-road performance	Patented protected 3D padding (3D) or classic EVA (FC)
Nova 2.0	142	Semi-flat (medium)	E-bike / All-road	100% recyclable, super wide cutout

The RLS system: two shells, double advantage. The Prime, Spyd and Artax series feature the patented RLS system, built on a double support shell. The most immediate benefit is comfort: the vibrations travelling from the road to your bike are damped by the mechanical decoupling between the two shells: in practice the two shells are not rigidly joined, and this filters micro-impacts before they reach your body. The second benefit is practicality: you can replace just the cover while keeping the carbon shell. When the seat wears out you renew your saddle without buying a new one, and you can even change its colour.

Still undecided between two models?

It happens often, and it is the moment when two lines are worth more than a thousand tables. Write to us and tell us how you ride: we will reply within the day with tailored advice.

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