Astute are typical of many Italian brands in the cycle industry. Theirs is a product that is born of a passion - the result of an Italian dream.
All Astute saddles are 100% hand made, 100% in Italy and all are the result of research into making the perfect product. They are innovative and you can feel it in the ride and see it in the aesthetic of the finished saddles; aside from the striking and unique look, there is an absence of glue, staples and other mess so often found on the underside of other saddles.
The Astute project set out to bring to the market, completely new and innovative solutions to saddle design in terms of design, engineering, technology and comfort. It also set out to offer a unique and distinctive looking range of 'Super Saddles'
Partnering the finest Venetian craftsmen with university engineers and using the latest research and F.E.M (Finite Element Method) construction, Astute have optimised their saddles to offer riders the best balance of comfort, weight and performance in a wide range of circumstances. The result is a range of saddles that mean to avoid any sort of pain even when riders are 'on the rivet' and testing themselves at the highest levels.
The superiority of Astute saddles is due to a revolutionary shape and padding design. The particular shape of the ASTUTE saddle is thanks to a new ultralight double-shell construction with a U-OPEN shape that allows three times more padding capacity compared to that offered by the market leader. This helps to keep the same dimensions of a traditional saddle while offering greater comfort. Importantly, the U-OPEN shape of the saddle allows a lowering of the central pressure point while making it more aerodynamic and increasing ergonomic features.
Astute are defined by their elegant look and impressive, immediate comfort. Their saddles are a world first Smart Saddle with novel construction, they are the benchmark of elegance, comfort, technology and performance.
The Astute road range includes the SKY and STAR models as the mainstays. With the exception of the SKY Pilarga saddles, both are based on a 135mm width with the Sky range employing a Flat shape and the new STAR pieces have a curved profile.
PILARGA
Based on the Flat shaped SkyLine and SkyLite saddles, the Pilarga versions are 10mm wider at 145mm. This additional width is better able to support a larger pelvic frame and sit-bone area. As such, if you sit more-upright in the saddle or have limited pelvic flexibility (ie you bend in the back rather than at the waist) then you may find the additional width of the Pilarga offers improved comfort.
The Sky Line and Sky Lite Pilarga saddles are both available in an SR (Closed) and VT (Cut-Out) version and choice will largely be down to your range of flexibility, pelvic motion and the differential on your bike (the drop from saddle to handlebar). Riders with highly mobile spines and large differential may favour this VT version over an SR, for example.
Like all Sky series saddles, the Sky-Pilarga saddles are based on a patented twin-shell technology, one internal and one external, with an innovative skeleton shape that avoids any kind of torsional forces and which reduces vibrations and increases shock resistance. In addition a pair of Shock-absorbing pads (SPAS) are placed between the rail and the shell for enhanced damping.
The unique Open-U-shape profile common to Astute saddles is the starting point for the signature comfort offered by Astute. The open profile allows Astute to place three times more padding on the base when compared to the current market leader and allows the maintenance of traditional saddle dimensions whilst increasing comfort.
In developing the Sky line and Sky lite Pilarga saddles, those models with an increased width of 145mm over the Classic models, Astute created a completely new padding layout and construction, which, unique in its field, affords the rider broader sit bone support for the maximum in performance and comfort, characteristics that distinguish all Astute products.
The padding of Pilarga saddles is made from Tri-Density dow chemical (Memory Foam System) that, unlike the saddles with a width of 135mm that use neS70 sandwich construction, displays different densities according to the different sitting areas. In this way Astute have tailored the comfort. At the rear there is a greater density and a progressive payload, in order to better hold up sit bones, combined with a counterbalance of the posture and an enhancement of blood flow. Meanwhile the frontal area remains very soft to offer the best comfort for the more delicate regions. In order to avoid road vibrations, an additional, softer component has been inserted that acts as a shock absorber making the saddle even more neutral to vibrations in this critical area.
The SkyLine is starting point in the Sky collection. It offers the key elements common to Astute saddles, those of comfort, design and technology. Tubular Titan V (Titanium/vanadium) rails are married to the unique dual shell construction, fine Italian microfiber and supporting multi density foam padding for strength, comfort and performance.
As with all Astute saddles, the finish is something very special indeed. Turn one over and the absence of mess is apparent: no glue or staples, just an incredibly clean finish that comes from meticulous construction and a genuine passion for creating an excellent product. The high quality microfibre covers are made from durable fabrics that are rigorously tested – each has between 1000-2000 'rubbings' with both wet (alkali 'sweat') and dry felts at a pressure of 1kg to ensure their longevity.