LONGMONT, Colo. (BRAIN) — It's not often that foam is in the news, but when the world's largest bike saddle maker, Velo Saddle, says it has begun using its first new padding material in 35 years, it's worth paying attention.
Ann Chen, marketing manager of Taiwan-based Velo, told BRAIN recently that the company's new AirFoam material has advantages over traditional EVA and polyurethane padding when it comes to rebound, durability and heat dissapation. AirFoam will be used on Velo's own Senso and Angel saddles next year and will likely be used by many of Velo's OE customers. Velo makes 15 million saddles a year, for many well-known brands.
"Saddle foam has been a constant for almost 35 years," said Chen, who was in Colorado last week visiting with bike makers and retailers. "In past years, we have focused on designing new structures to house the existing foam, and have greatly improved how a saddle fits. The padding is one of the first things a customer checks on when buying a saddle, but it's almost unchanged in every model out there. This innovation will be a big step forward for the whole industry."
The AirFoam material has a softer initial feel than EVA, but a faster rebound, so it is better able to absorb shocks and vibrations without bottoming out. The company said the concept is similar to a progressive spring curve on mountain bike suspension.
Chen said the AirFoam retains its padding characteristics even when it's heated by the rider, an important factor when developing saddles for triathletes, she said.
Chen said Velo is continuing to establish its own brand in the aftermarket, in addition to serving its OE customers. The company is promoting a system that makes it easier for consumers to choose between its models based on saddle width and other characteristics.
The company also is showing off its latest Chinese New Year saddle designs, for the Year of the Rooster, which starts Jan. 28. It will be the third year that Velo has offered a limited edition Chinese New Year design, following the Year of the Monkey and the Year of the Sheep.
"Velo’s in-house designers took inspiration from the attributes of the rooster to dream up their design," the company said in a statement. "For the design team, the project is a welcome break from the subtle colors and designs that typically end up in consumer-facing products, and also allow Velo to showcase the talent of their graphics team."
The Year of the Rooster saddle is based on the Velo Angel series and will be among the first saddles on the market with the new AirFoam padding.
