Interesting, I like the design, but I’m surprised that 3D printing it makes it more expensive. I would have thought it would have made them less expensive than traditional materials and manufacturing techniques.
The foam version looks pretty decent, especially if it goes on sale.
3D printing is absolutely slower than a traditional factory/assembly line. Couple that with the whole economy of scale thing (they’re probably making way fewer of these than they are traditional seats), and that might account for the price differences. Plus, they’re probably charging extra on top because Trek and because fancy new technology.
Is that fart exhaust channel patented?
I hope not!
Having experience with different brands and models of 3D printed saddles, in my experience this is just hype. The only thing I did find is that they make your bibs wear out quicker. I went back to my pre-3D printed saddles. The theory is great, but in practice; nope.
I think we forget that the bicycle industry have to keep inventing new gimmicks all the time to drive sales. I see the latest “trend” is going back to aero frames and ditching the do-it-all theory. Somehow all the claims are always “backed by science”, yet never cited by a double blind, peer reviewed, significant sample size study.
Bit of a rant but you get the drift… snake oil, baby!
