Review - RX3 short seat, carbon with colored stitching

[detours]

I ordered CSC's new comfort seat and it finally arrived ... the short seat with red stitching for $299. I installed it yesterday and went for a 45-minute ride. I'm taking a 4+ hour ride this weekend, and will have a better report after that.

My initial impression is that the new seat is more comfortable than stock. The foam feels softer initially and firmer when compressed, but not hard, like the stock seat. The shape is also flatter, which seems to support the sit-bones better. However, the back part of the seat seemed to press into my backside more than stock, though not uncomfortably. Someone smaller than my 5'10" height won't even notice.

The seat cover material is very tough and less stretchy than stock. It has a pebbled texture in the saddle area and a smoother, carbon fiber texture at the nose and along the sides. I ordered the red stitching and the threads are all clean and very high quality. The red really complements my bike.

As for height, the short seat feels maybe a little bit shorter than stock but is definitely no taller. This is the one to get if you have a shorter inseam. I actually felt like it was too short for my 30" inseam and I may have to order the tall seat.

Both front and rear seats are built on the standard RX3 saddle base. The seat cover is securely attached to the base with a continuous line of horizontal staples, and I'm sure this contributes to the saddle's solid feel.

More pics to follow!

[detours]

Here's a side view of the old and new seats. You can see the extra thickness at the back of the seat.

[detours]

The rear seat is included and also has red stitching and pebbled surface to match the front.

Strangely, even though it is also based on the stock seat, I found it more difficult to install and latch than the old one. But thinking back, I remember the stock seat had the same issue at first. I'm sure this one will bend into place with use.

[detours]

Here are the seats installed on the bike. They fit perfectly as expected and look amazing!

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Here's a side view installed. The front of the new seat looks loose in this shot because I didn't set the front hook properly. I took another shot with it fit properly, but it didn't come out. It fits as well as the stock seat.

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This shot shows a top view of the front seat, properly fitted. You can see it fits perfectly with no gap.

[SpudRider]

Thanks for posting the excellent review and great photographs. We eagerly await further updates after you gain more time in the new saddle.

[AZRider]

Thanks for the review. I'm 5'10", with a 32" inseam and the tall version looks like it would suit me better.

[detours]

Yes, if you have more than a 30" inseam, definitely start with the tall seat. I understand it's more comfortable too (with its thicker padding).

[SpudRider]

I can see where the taller saddle, with thicker foam, would level the seating surface more, thus preventing the rear of the saddle from pressing into your derriere.

[dave92029]

Nice review... thanks.

Your seat with the red stitching looks sharp!

[SpudRider]

Indeed, I really like the new cover material, and the colored stitching adds a nice touch. The stock cover material stretches too much to suit me.

[detours]

Thanks! The red stitching is nice and I much prefer this cover material. It is much stronger and I doubt it will scuff as easily.

[marzhere]

Thanks for the review and pics. Can't wait for the longer ride results.

I think the color stitching adds just the right amount of pop to the seat (sounds like my feminine side is showing )

[detours]

Long ride results are in, and with 4 hours (nearly) continuous hours in the saddle, the short seat is definitely more comfortable than stock.

Riding home at the end of previous 4-hour rides, I always had to stand on the pegs every once in a while to rest my sore bum. But not this time. I was much more comfortable and wasn't saddlesore after the ride

A big to CSC for developing this saddle!