Race Face Atlas Saddle

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When selecting components to build up my Gambler together I set three standards: #1 Light weight, #2 Strong and durable, and #3 Has to look good. For the majority of riders out there they don’t necessarily give two shits about what saddle they place their butts on (especially for DH riders) but building my dream bike, I was on the hunt for a top-of-the-line saddle. After a massive comparison, I landed on the Race Face Atlas I-Beam saddle. With a half season on it, here’s what I liked, not liked, and overall impressions of the Atlas I-Beam saddle.

Out of The Box:

Pulling the Atlas I-Beam saddle out of the packaging I was blown away with its weight, or lack thereof! It’s claimed weight of 156 grams is absolutely ridiculous for a DH rated saddle and the actual weight came in at 168 grams. Personally, I wasn’t too upset about the weight difference but I could see how some would be upset if they purchased this saddle solely because of its lightness.

The craftsmanship, although no brooks saddle, is very good for the price. The stitching is done very well and the cover is of good quality. The I-beam plastic is stiff and appears that it will handle typical use with ease and even minor to medium crashes pretty well. Possibly the best part about the Atlas saddle is that it doubles as a map of Whistler’s bike part with trails like Goats Gully and Freight Trains printed right onto the fabric.

Installation:

I-Beam saddles are possibly the quickest and easiest saddles to set up. It consists of loosening and tightening of just one bolt. Most Traditional railed saddles use two bolts and a lot more pieces that easily fall on the garage floor, never to be seen again. In addition to the one bolt design, the I beam has a forward and back adjustability that is hard to beat. All this, thrown into a light weight package makes I-Beams (and in particular, the Atlas) very appealing.

On The Trail:

No matter how light and fancy a saddle is, it all comes down to when your butt meets the fabric. Once throwing a leg over my Gambler and pedaled around a bit, I noticed first off how stiff the saddle was; and maybe even too stiff. Dropping my hinny on this saddle at the beginning of flat, more pedally section of a favorite trail, I was quickly reassured that the Atlas saddle is there to support me. After a while however, this hyper support began to feel like riding on an one inch thick sheet of steel. There was very little flex to this saddle and it made the bumps feel quite a bit harsher than traditional railed saddles I’ve used. I feel the Atlas I-Beam is something manageable for a gravity bike like the Gambler but If I have the I-Beam version of the Atlas on a trail or XC setup would be too rigid and unbearable. For what it’s built for (Freeride and DH) the Atlas I-Beam is still an excellent way to go but keep in mind it is an incredibly stiff saddle and your hinny may need a chamois pad if you are earning your turns.

Bottom Line:

The Atlas I-Beam saddle by Race Face is an incredibly light, sturdy, and good looking saddle. It’s made of very good material and the craftsmanship is there as there as well. Installing and adjusting the saddle is arguably the quickest and easiest in the industry. The only downside I see with the I-Beam version is how it’s overwhelming stiffness could translate to a lack of comfort after a full day of pedaling. Constructed for freeride and DH, this isn’t a deal-breaker but something to be aware of. Overall, if you are looking for a light weight, durable, and cool looking piece to add to the DH rig, the Atlas I-beam should be a saddle