The Sky Lite range of saddles has been designed to meet the modern requirements of the performance cyclist’s, a rider looking for a revolutionary product where the quality of materials meets strength of design. The result is a product that stands above the competition in terms of performance, detail and finish. Astute are typical of many Italian brands in the cycle industry. Theirs is a product that is born of a passion.
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 a curved profile.
The SkyLite Classic saddles are a Flat shape and as such will suit riders with a mobile spine (high flexibility) and/or those that sit in a more aggressive position.
The Sky Line and Sky Lite saddles are both available in an SR (Closed) and VT (Cut-Out) version and choice will largely be down to your range of spine flexibility, pelvic rotation and the differential on your bike (the drop from saddle to handlebar). Riders with lower spinal flexibility and smaller differential may favour this SR version over a VT, for example.
The Sky series 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.
It is the U-shape profile that 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. One might expect a significant weight increase as a result of the extra padding but Astute have solved this problem by employing Tri-Density NES70. This material is extremely high-tech and is currently being used in the latest generation of luxury sports cars. It is an Ultra-light material made of 3 specially expanded foams each of which behave as Memory Foam and has no discernable negative impact on the weight of the saddles.
Ultimately the use of this specific material and the relatively large amounts of it, combined with Astute's original shape results in a saddle that eliminates the common pelvic problems experienced by cyclists. The SkyLite Classic is the understated version in the range, supplied in traditional colours of Black, White and red. It offers the key elements common to Astute saddles, those of comfort, design and technology. The SKYLite has a full 3K carbon rail, fully integrated in the front of the single shell: this allows an exquisite design and premium finish along with a weight reduction.
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.