Review of the Fizik Tempo Argo R3 Classic Saddle: Comfortable for rides on and off cobblestone paths
Fizik, a renowned name in the cycling world, has unveiled its Tempo Argo R3 saddle, a versatile and comfortable option designed for endurance and road cycling scenarios. This saddle stands apart from Fizik's Vento Argo range, offering a distinct design, construction materials, and intended use.
The Tempo Argo R3 boasts a medium-nosed shape, typical of the Tempo Argo line, balancing comfort and performance. In contrast, the Vento Argo (R1 Adaptive) features a short-nosed design, optimised for aggressive riding positions and pressure relief.
Construction-wise, the Tempo Argo R3 typically uses K:ium rails and conventional saddle padding materials, weighing approximately 213g (140mm width). On the other hand, the Vento Argo (R1 Adaptive) employs advanced Carbon Digital Light Synthesis 3D-printing technology for the padding, creating multiple functional cushioning zones tailored for different mechanical properties. It weighs around 190g (140mm width) and boasts carbon-reinforced nylon shell and stiff carbon rails.
The Tempo Argo R3 is designed for versatility and comfort, making it suitable for various cycling scenarios, while the Vento Argo (R1 Adaptive) is targeted towards high-performance road racers, where pressure relief and weight distribution are critical.
The Tempo Argo R3 comes in three versions: carbon-railed R1, Kium hollow-railed R3, and alloy-railed R5. It offers a wide fit, suitable for fast endurance rides with a slightly upright position, ensuring long-term comfort. The saddle's padding feels dense and unyielding, which is preferred on an endurance saddle.
The saddle's specs include a length of 260mm, a width of 150mm or 160mm, a height of 75mm at 43mm, a length from nose to 75mm width of 103mm, and a rail of 7x7mm. The shell is carbon-reinforced nylon with flexible rubberised wings, and the padding is Fizik's proprietary Type 2 foam. The shape is flat.
The faux leather cover on the saddle is smooth enough to allow for easy movement but grippy enough to prevent slipping. Notably, the carbon-reinforced nylon shell has little rubber inserts at the tips that cushion the rider's thighs on every pedal stroke, enhancing comfort during long rides.
The Tempo Argo R3, priced at £149.99/$159.99, is part of Fizik's Les Classiques collection, which includes a special edition saddle, a pair of mud-splattered Tempo Overcurve R4 shoes, and flecked Tempo Bondcush bar tape.
In testing, the Tempo Argo R3 has proven to be a comfortable choice, even with its comparatively wide stance, and it does not cause chafing. It has been tested on various bikes, including a stiff aluminium-framed Standert Kreissäge RS, a moderately stiff Ribble Allroad SL R endurance bike, and a compliant Wilier Jena gravel bike. However, the difference between Kium rails and standard alloy rails was not noticeable.
In conclusion, Fizik's Tempo Argo R3 saddle offers a traditional yet comfortable design, making it an ideal choice for endurance cycling. Its wide fit, dense padding, and robust construction provide long-term comfort and stability, making it a reliable companion for fast endurance rides.
- The versatile and comfortable Tempo Argo R3 saddle, a part of Fizik's Les Classiques collection, is not just designed for cycling scenarios but also pairs well with a lifestyle focused on low-stress, endurance rides.
- For the fashion-conscious cyclist, the Tempo Argo R3's Les Classiques collection includes matching accessories such as a special edition saddle, mud-splattered Tempo Overcurve R4 shoes, and flecked Tempo Bondcush bar tape, making it a statement piece in one's food-and-drink fueling moments or home-and-garden settings.
- As the Tempo Argo R3 offers a wide fit, suitable for fast endurance rides with a slightly upright position, and its padding feels dense and unyielding, it is an ideal choice for those looking for comfort and performance in both their cooking recipes and their fashion-and-beauty routines, ensuring they tackle both challenges with the same zest and poise.
