Kore Fuze III Saddle

(discontinued)

by Justin Schroth



Kore has a 20-year history that is deeply entrenched in the mountain bike component game. We’ve seen some of the all-time greats rocking the Kore family of products, from Brian Lopes to youngster Jackson Goldstone, but with most components, you’re often flooded with a sea of options when it comes to selection, especially items like a saddle. Padding, construction, size, and materials all play a factor in selecting that perfect place to rest your rear, and, as one of the points of contact between you and the bike, the right saddle is always one of the key elements that can quickly make or break a ride. Using some of the latest technology in materials and construction, Kore’s Fuze III saddle aims to design an all-around saddle with durability and comfort, all while still offering their signature options for color choice that many have come to love.

Kore Fuze III Features

• Hollow 7mm Cr-Mo Rails
• Flexible Nylon Fiber Base with Super Lightweight PU Foam
• EA Pressure Release System Base
• Vacuum-Bonded Construction
• Waterproof Microfiber Cover
• Embossed & Printed Graphics and Logos
• Colors: Red, Blue, Green, Orange, Yellow, and Stealth Black
• Matching Rail Graphics
• Dimensions: 270mm x 135mm
• Weight: 302 grams
• MSRP: $73.99

Initial Impressions



The Fuze III is topped with a waterproof microfiber outer material, which is vacuum-bonded to the lightweight polyurethane foam. Although Kore is not the first company to manufacture saddles this way, the process results in a super clean look and also allows them to customize the base color of the saddle. In true Kore fashion, embossed and printed graphics combine with six color options, giving riders the ability to tastefully color-match their saddle to their frame or components.

Don't fear. If bold colors aren’t your cup of tea, Kore also offers a traditional black option. The matte-finish top cover seems almost like a rubbery “pleather”, which gives a nice non-slip texture. The sides of the saddle also have a raised pattern for those that like use the inside of their thighs to help finesse the bike or squeeze the saddle between your legs. As with most saddles on the market, the Fuze III utilizes a top channel and a cutout in the base for "relief" of those precious and sensitive parts. Not the lightest saddle in-hand at 302g, the Fuze III model uses a thicker foam than their Fuze II offering which is about 20g lighter.



On The Trail



As with most saddles, you will only really notice them if they are uncomfortable or get in the way of your riding. And, with the Fuze III, once installed we never really noticed it. No painful pressure points, numbness, or undercarriage chaffing. Granted, a good chamois is half the battle, but even after a three-hour-plus ride, the Fuze III was as comfortable at the end as it was from the start. The ample padding and bit of flex in the base provide a balance of compliance in the bumps while maintaining proper support. The microfiber material was great at keeping us in place during rough climbs, and its waterproof properties were crucial in maintaining grip when things got a bit moist. The length and width of the saddle fit our body shape without issues, and we never got hung up on the nose when we had to quickly shift behind the saddle.



Long Term Durability


After a few months of testing, the Fuze III held up great to abuse and shows minimal signs of wear. Even after a handful of unplanned dismounts and blown corners that resulted in the saddle taking a soil sample, the top cover remained intact with no tears, rips, or separation from the base. The microfiber material also makes it quite easy to wipe clean if things get messy. No creaky or loose rails imply that the saddle will perform for many seasons to come.

Things That Can Be Improved


The tradeoff of having extra padding results in a weight that is approximately 40-60 grams heavier than saddles that share the same size, materials, and price. But thankfully Kore realizes that padding is a personal preference and offers the slimmed down Fuze II model. But if you’re looking for additional length and width options all together, you won't find these available in the Fuze III. Aside from this, we can’t find any other faults with the Fuze saddle.



What’s The Bottom Line?


By utilizing the latest manufacturing processes, Kore is able to deliver a saddle that provides comfort and durability all while maintaining their variety of color options that most have come to expect. With a reputation and history that is longer than most riders have been on the trail, we think that Kore can add the Fuze III to their list of well-designed and properly executed products.

For more info, visit www.korecomponents.com

About The Tester

Justin Schroth - Age: 34 // Years Riding MTB: 22 // Height: 5'9" (1.75m) // Weight: 160lbs (72.6kg)

With over 15 years on mountain bikes, Justin has experienced first hand the evolution of the industry from thumb shifters and MCU cartridge forks to carbon fiber frames and single-ring all mountain bikes. As an East Coast rider, he loves trails with a combination of jumps, technical downhills, and the occasional loose corner for some foot out action. With a Mechanical Engineering degree, Justin's instinct is to always consider how it works over how it looks. After many years of racing the Northeast NORBA and Collegiate series, Justin hung up the race plate and his diploma to go behind the camera at Lucent Productions, creating mountain bike video content for several clients such as Highland Mountain Bike Park.