Having now notched up my 5000th km aboard the San Marco Zoncolan Ti saddle I can now now report on what has been one of the more comfortable tests we have done. I can understand why many of the top pro's on the likes of Astana, Quick Step etc ride San Marco "blanks" even though they are under contract to some big names in bike design.
The first thing that grabs you when unboxing the made in Italy saddle is the finish quality only the Italians can manage, every detail from rail point insertion, leather trimming to graphic positioning was perfect and gave of the right impression when considering changing the most important contact point.
The ample measurements provided great support on those longer rides, especially being able to easily slide back onto the rear of the saddle when climbing seated, then when charging along on the flat the added padding that is hidden inside the "almost tt design" nose ensured the feel of "saddle base" was never experienced.
Talking with Luigi Giardi the Grandson of the San Marco legacy the nose of the saddle is one of the key areas they looked to when designing the Zoncolan and the patented curvature of the tip stands out on the design. It looks to be a major coup for the Italian company, as 5000km on there are none of the usual signs of wear on both the sides of the saddle and on the bibshorts!
Available in three levels all with the modifications you would expect as you go up the range the Zoncolan offers extra comfort and padding in the "Power" series for those riders that don't ride everyday but want the benefits of a top end design.
The Pro level features in the "Race" Ti series deliver a saddle that wont need replacing for a couple of seasons and will more than likely become your best friend on the bike.
At the very top end of the range is the all new FX series that made it's debut in the Giro d Italia with Danilo Di Luca. The carbon fibre rails and base mount to a scant 145g, a definite bonus for those riding lightweight rigs but want a real saddle.
