Astute Skyline Pilarga SR saddle review
The Astute Skyline Pilarga SR saddle is supremely comfortable, but you do pay for that comfort

The traditional flat shape might put off some riders who associate cut outs and grooves with comfort but they would be missing out. Yes the Astute Skyline Pilarga SR saddle is slightly pricy for an ‘entry level’ model but being handmade in Italy doesn’t come cheap. The Skyline is an incredibly comfortable saddle that feels great from the outset. The flat shape is a boon for setting up the position of the saddle and round rails are compatible with any make of seatpost.
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Incredibly comfortable
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Classic looks match any bike
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Available in different widths
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High price for a ‘budget’ model
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Heavier than some equivalent saddles
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Fully handmade in Italy with a carbon reinforced nylon base and softer almost rubberised sections to kill vibration, the Astute Skyline Pilarga SR saddle is full of innovation. The padding underneath the waterproof and soft touch microfiber covering is a type of memory foam that supports the body incredibly well but retains its shape.
>>> Buyer's guide to bike saddles (video)
The rails are solid Tivan, an alloy of titanium and vanadium aimed at deadening vibration. Etched measurement grading on one rail is a clever feature with no chance of the marks being worn off. The understated, almost all black look of the saddle mates well with any colourscheme.
Watch: buyer's guide to road bike saddles
At 145mm wide the Pilarga version targeted my sit-bones far better than the standard Skyline’s 135mm width.
>>> 10 best ways to make your bike more comfortable
You can often tell within the first half hour of a ride whether a saddle is going to work, the best thing about the Astute Skyline Pilarga SR saddle is it took nearly an hour before I realised I was on a new saddle! The padding is firm but yielding, the only thing noticeable is a slight raised area near the nose but it was not uncomfortable, just ‘there’. The rubber base, where the rails enter the body does an amazing job of softening any road feedback.
For more details visit the Saddleback website.
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James Bracey's career has seen him move from geography teacher, to MBR writer, to Cycling Weekly's senior tech writer and video presenter. He possesses an in-depth knowledge of bicycle mechanics, as well as bike fit and coaching qualifications. Bracey enjoys all manner of cycling, from road to gravel and mountain biking.
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