CADEX Takes Support and Weight Savings to the Next Level with the Amp 3D Saddle

Unless you’ve been living on a deserted island some place for the last six years, you’re probably familiar with CADEX. Giant had a carbon-fibre bike line called CADEX way back in the 80s, then revived the name in 2019 as a sub-brand that focused on high-performance cycling components and wheels. They also added the CADEX triathlon bike a few years ago, which Kristian Blummenfelt used to win the IRONMAN World Championship in St. George in 2022 (officially the 2021 championship race) and has continued to ride as he’s stormed to numerous long-distance wins.

CADEX is doing a lot of things really well over the years – including developing some really interesting saddles. They launched the Amp saddle almost exactly two years ago, which our very own Eric Wynn was suitably impressed with. Earlier this year CADEX released its latest version of that saddle – the Amp 3D.

This new attention now gives CADEX fans three saddle options.

As the name suggests, the new saddle meshes 3D-printed G3D gyroid infill (don’t worry – I’ll explain shortly) with a carbon base to create an impressively lightweight saddle (147 g) that offers lots of support and cushioning. To our knowledge this is the second lightest 3D printed saddle on the market today. And it’s coming on almost 50 grams lighter than some of the biggest saddle makers.

As we all know the saddle market is insanely competitive these days, and CADEX appears to be stepping into it on a very limited and somewhat calculated basis, even with the launch of the Amp 3D. As costs are concerned, 3D saddles are an expensive option on the saddle front, but when it comes to 3D saddles on the market, the CADEX price is right on the mark, if not a little on the “light” side. But with only one size – 145 mm – it is likely to be attractive to a very limited audience: those for whom a 145 mm width will work and who are looking for a high-performance saddle.

The Science and Design

We all know how important a comfortable saddle is, but CADEX looked for more than just comfort when it came to build on the original Amp saddle. Looking to ensure excellent power transfer and durability, the engineers tweaked the Advanced Forged Composite material used for the infill of the saddle. The gyroid structure of the material was found to be stronger and more supportive that the traditional hexagonal design that’s typically used. The new structure has a 2D “wavy line pattern that forms a strong yet lightweight framework with a superior strength-to-weight ration compared to traditional grid or hexagonal infill,” according to Cadex. Their tests found this new design could withstand 1.5 times more force to reach the same deformation levels as the hexagonal test pad.

The redesigned infill provides “uniform strength and material properties in all directions across the main support zone,” which allows for better pressure distribution, all of which should provide comfort as well as durable performance.

The 3D printing process allows the designers to vary the padding density in different parts of the saddle. In this case, the padding is softer at the back to ensure your sit bones are cushioned, while the centre section is firmer to provide support and help you pedal efficiently.

The carbon fibre rails are integrated to the base, which helps keep the weight down, and there’s an Ergonomic Center Cut-Out to reduce pressure on soft tissue areas. The saddle is relatively short with a smooth, truncated nose that really promotes easy peddling. That feeling of easy peddling is enhanced by the smooth (but steep) drop from the wings. You can see how the infill in the nose has larger spaces, which makes that part of the saddle a bit softer.

The Ride

All the science in the world doesn’t really matter if the saddle isn’t comfortable and you can’t spend lots of hours sitting on it, right? With one proviso, I found the Amp 3D to be excellent on that front. Let me explain:

This is a really firm saddle, so it’s critical that you get yourself set up properly to enjoy the real benefits. It wasn’t hard to figure out that I hadn’t done that correctly the first time I tried it – as soon as I moved to a more aggressive position a certain part of my anatomy made it abundantly clear to me that I needed to make some changes. A few tweaks later I had things dialled in and I was able to embark on some test rides.

I should also point out that I’ve always been a fan of firm saddles. For years I rode a Sella Italia carbon saddle that’s “cushioning” consisted of two tiny foam pads. I’ve struggled with may tri-specific saddles I’ve tried over the years because I’ve found them to be too soft and, in many cases, too wide. Which is why I was so excited to get my hands on the Amp 3D to review – it promised the right blend of what I look for in a saddle – firm support and a narrow nose.

Almost immediately I found that the Amp 3D lived up to the hype about providing lots of support around my sit bones. The 145 mm width works really well for me personally. If you are built differently, though, and are still looking for a lightweight, 3D printed saddle, you might want to look for some options that provide more customization. (Fizik offers a customization program, for example.) I enjoyed the support and narrow width at the front end of this saddle so much I even threw it on my tri bike, and once I had the angle dialled in, found myself spending lots of time in the aero position without any issues. (CADEX seems to be directing this saddle towards road use, and its being used by the Team Jayco AlUla and Liv AlUla Jayco World Tour cycling teams, so I’m not sure they envision it as a triathlon saddle. The softer material on the nose and the large cutout, though, certainly make it an option on that front, as far as I’m concerned.)

I do find that I have dialled in basically two positions on this saddle – one where I am sitting up and back, and another where I am sliding further forward. That’s it – I don’t seem to gravitate anywhere else. (I’ve ridden as long as three hours on the saddle and it’s been totally fine.) Once I am in either of those spots, I find the material to be quite grippy and I don’t find myself sliding forward. I really like the firmness of the saddle, but CADEX has managed to ensure that there’s still enough padding and support so you never feel like you’re getting beat up. What’s probably the best accolade I can give the Amp 3D is that I quickly stopped thinking about it and was able to focus on riding and my pedalling. I especially like the narrow front end, which makes it really easy to pedal freely. Regardless of where I’m sitting, I feel like the saddle enhances my ability to provide lots of power to each pedal stroke.

Are there downsides to this saddle? As I mentioned earlier, it comes in just one width, so if that’s not going to work for your sit bones, this most definitely isn’t the saddle for you. As I also mentioned, it’s really firm in spots, so you are never going to be comfortable on this saddle unless you’ve dialled it to your position. Then there’s the price – at $450 this is not a cheap addition to your ride.

If you’re a performance rider who likes a firm saddle and are OK with the investment, the Amp 3D is well worth a look. In a very competitive market, it will serve a somewhat limited niche, but if you fit into that cohort, you’ll likely be very happy.

Specifications

Weight: 147 g

Rail Material: Carbon

Rail Size: 9.5 mm

Shell: Advanced Forged Composite technology (AFCT)

Padding: G3D Gyroid and Lattice Structure

Width: 145 mm

Length: 245 mm

Stack Height: 41 mm

Price: US$450

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