For my folding bike, upgrading the saddle was a key consideration. I needed something lightweight, given how often I lift and carry the bike. Comfort, affordability, and a cool aesthetic were also essential – because who doesn’t want their bike parts to look good? That’s when I discovered the Spyder Bike saddle online. It looked intriguing, and when I found it at a great price, I decided to give it a try. It sat in my parts bin for a while until I also invested in a new carbon seatpost to complete the upgrade on my folding bicycle.
Affordable Acquisition of the Spyder Saddle
The Vertu Spyder saddle is remarkably inexpensive. Available on platforms like AliExpress, Amazon, and eBay, you can typically find it for under $10 USD. Some local bike shops also stock them, occasionally priced higher around $25 USD, seemingly for the exact same product. The Spyder bike saddle comes in a variety of colors, and I opted for the blue version to match my bike’s accents.
Understanding the Spyder Saddle Concept
The Vertu Spyder is clearly inspired by the Tioga Spyder Twintail saddle, a much pricier option retailing around $90 USD. The core design philosophy behind the Spyder saddle is to achieve lightweight performance and comfort through a webbed matrix structure, rather than traditional foam padding. This approach is reminiscent of classic leather saddles and even modern designs like the Brooks Cambium range, which prioritize flexibility and ventilation.
The promise of a Spyder bike saddle is compelling: lightweight construction, comfortable support, and excellent airflow. However, there’s a potential trade-off. Tioga, the original brand, uses a material they vaguely describe as “Carbonite Composite” and surprisingly recommend annual replacement of their saddle. This raises concerns about the long-term durability of this design. Factors like rider weight and riding frequency would likely significantly impact the saddle’s lifespan.
Given that the Vertu Spyder is a knock-off available for less than 10% of the original’s price, it only needs to last a fraction of the time to represent good value for money. Even if it lasts just a couple of months, the cost-effectiveness is undeniable for budget-conscious cyclists looking for a lightweight saddle.
Spyder Saddle Inspection: Details and Differences
While the Vertu Spyder shares the name and distinctive webbed design of the Tioga Spyder, it’s not a direct counterfeit. It’s marketed under a different brand and incorporates some noticeable differences. The most apparent distinction for me was the saddle rails. They are very shiny and lack any markings, which felt a little out of sync with the overall aesthetic of the saddle.
The plastic construction of the saddle itself is also completely devoid of any branding or text. While there were small stickers applied, mimicking the original Tioga Spyder, the adhesive was so weak that they detached before I even had a chance to mount the saddle on my bike. This lack of branding, while differentiating it from a counterfeit, also contributes to the budget feel of the product.
Spyder Saddle Installation: Straightforward and Simple
Installing the Spyder bike saddle is as straightforward as any standard bicycle saddle. The two rails are designed to fit onto any conventional seatpost clamp. However, unlike many saddles, there are no position markings on the rails to help you precisely adjust fore and aft positioning. This means you’ll need to rely on your own judgment and potentially some trial-and-error to find your ideal saddle position. Despite this minor inconvenience, the installation process is generally simple and hassle-free.
