Fabric Cell Bicycle Saddle: Performance & Comfort

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Once in a while, a brand comes along and creates something out of left field to try to scramble the marbles of the competition. Oftentimes, the "groundbreaking innovation" works just fine, but other times, it may just change the standards altogether. European industrial designers at Fabric are hoping to do just that.

 

A new company, as of early 2014, Fabric makes an array of enthusiast and up-market bicycle saddles to fit every rider's leanings—the ALM (designed by Airbus Group engineers), Line, Scoop, Tri, and Cell. Their philosophy is simple: Keep it simple.

Their latest, the Fabric Cell saddle adds something beyond foam and standard plastic to the mass market. And it's ideal for weekend warriors who don't follow the rules. Though a bit heavy for enthusiast riders where every ounce counts, the still light Hex-air cell design takes a page from the book of the Nike Air, adding rebound and spring, plus it's extra-wide and far more supportive for all-day comfort. Perfect for people with wider sits bones, too. The boon is a better, comfier ride for longer so you can crank out the miles.

 

The Tech: Based off of the below Nike Air Max technology, the Fabric Cell wants to gives your ride a lift with elevated, forgiving, responsive technology. "Each cell compresses individually to maximize comfort at all times and keep its shape throughout the life of the saddle," according to the company's website. 


This sweet saddle is out in September 2015.

The Feel:

When you sit on it, you notice it's a little wider and that if you have an actual butt (like I do) that this may be a promising ride after all. I sat on it expecting pillows, but it's not that, but the give that you feel creates a springy effect, like shock absorption when riding on uneven Brooklyn roads or off road. 

I took it for a ride around Brooklyn (on my partner's bike, which is a little small for me, but the things we must do for a story...) one fine Sunday afternoon. Eager to put a few miles on it right away, I made sure I had no destination in mind when I hopped on. (I did have a Bell bike helmet on, btw, just not while doing this photo opp.) It really did feel like an elevated ride. Not like on foam but with just as much, if not more, forgiving spring. 

Most "comfort" seats are anything but. Yet I did feel the cushion, flexibility, and give without sagging were standout features of the Fabric Cell saddle. A women's version with axis cutouts would be brilliant, but I can be happy with this one, no doubt. And if this is their first foray into consumer ad less enthusiast saddles, I'm excited to see how their vision continues to change the standard for biks saddles that give as much as you put in. 
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