Road Cycling Academy - Are cheap AliExpress saddles as good as top-tier brands?

Description

Bike Fit Fundamentals: https://roadcyclingacademy.com/bike-fit-fundamentals/

Bike-fit expert Neill Stanbury puts three budget 3D-printed options to the test and explains who they suit — comparing shapes, cut-outs, carbon rails, durability, and comfort. Not sponsored.

What we cover:

AliExpress saddles vs premium (3D printed TPU, carbon rails 7×9)
Riot Air Code (Pro Stealth-style): broad back, wide nose, deep cut-out — great for riders who rotate pelvis forward and need perineum pressure relief
Riot Ultimate: narrower platform for riders with narrow sit bones
MIX 5D: ultra-light, flexible shell, big rear rise — for very narrow sit bones (100 mm) and lots of inner-thigh clearance
Why fit first (saddle height, setback, reach, drop, cleats) often fixes “saddle problems”
Cut-out vs no cut-out: when a channel is near-mandatory
How sit-bone width & wing taper reduce chafing and numbness
The reality: trial-and-error beats guessing — how to test smarter

Saddles:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806588404279.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.60.3a521802fqOsDG&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805023659024.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.2.43b1ceFCceFC6k&aem_p4p_detail=202509091752227522603052222160000820961&algo_pvid=35e0c3ed-3bf1-474f-b569-ae3c3f4f9121&algo_exp_id=35e0c3ed-3bf1-474f-b569-ae3c3f4f9121-1&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%229372%22%2C%22eval%22%3A%221%22%7D&pdp_npi=6%40dis%21USD%21120.14%2151.66%21%21%21850.83%21365.86%21%402103209b17574655424446761e4a8e%2112000034547244108%21sea%21US%210%21ABX%211%210%21n_tag%3A-29910%3Bd%3A7a17306a%3Bm03_new_user%3A-29895&curPageLogUid=g5TWXNYYRSJj&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A%7Cx_object_id%3A1005005209973776%7C_p_origin_prod%3A&search_p4p_id=202509091752227522603052222160000820961_1
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804405056554.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt

Keywords: saddle,cycling,road bike,aliexpress,cheap,bike seat,bike fitter,road cycling

Bike part mentions in this video

MIXED Full Carbon Fiber 5D Ultra Pack Light Weight Bike Saddle 143mm 135g for Road MTB Mountain Bicycle Carbon Seats

Created: March 07, 2025
AFFILIATE by MyBikePartsACTIVE
aliexpress.com
🇺🇸
$28.37
🇫🇷
€24.79
🇬🇧
£20.89
Rating there:
4.9 (120 reviews)
Last checked:
3 months
ago
ACTIVE
aliexpress.us
Rating there:
4.8 (47 reviews)
Last checked:
7 months
ago

RYET 3D Printed Bicycle Saddle Ultralight Carbon Fiber Hollow Comfortable Breathable MTB Gravel Road bike Cycling Seat Parts

Created: August 19, 2024
AFFILIATE by MyBikePartsACTIVE
aliexpress.com
🇺🇸
$52.27
🇫🇷
€30.39
🇬🇧
£26.14
Last checked:
about 1 year
ago
AFFILIATE by MyBikePartsACTIVE
aliexpress.com
🇺🇸
$50.95
Rating there:
4.8 (1024 reviews)
Last checked:
about 1 year
ago

RYET Carbon 3D Printed Saddle Ultralight 175g 7*9 Bike Seating For Men Women Triathlon Road MTB Mountain Gravel Cycling Parts

Created: August 23, 2024
AFFILIATE by MyBikePartsACTIVE
aliexpress.com
🇺🇸
$139.28
🇫🇷
€79.39
🇬🇧
£61.92
Last checked:
about 1 year
ago
AFFILIATE by MyBikePartsACTIVE
aliexpress.com
🇺🇸
$145.93
Last checked:
about 1 year
ago