Chinertown
Other Resources => Component Deals & Selection => Topic started by: Sander2177 on June 06, 2025, 03:17:17 AM
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Hey everyone,
Just wondering if anyone here has picked up one of the full carbon saddles that are basically Berk or Gelu-style copies?
I just ordered a Kocvelo saddle that looks like a clone of the Berk Lupina Monocoque Open. It’s listed at around 90g ±10g, compared to the Berk’s 105g — and the price difference is wild. I paid just £43.45 GBP, while a real Berk is an eye-watering €622!
I’ve actually owned a couple of real Berks in the past and loved the ride feel, but both cracked and had to be warrantied, even though I’m well under the 100kg weight limit. That pushed me to give one of these budget options a shot.
Curious if anyone else here has tried these copies versions and how they compare in comfort, quality, and long-term durability to the originals.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
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No one here has bought an AliExpress Carbon Saddle I find that hard to believe!
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No one here has bought an AliExpress Carbon Saddle I find that hard to believe!
I find it hard to believe that Berk is now big enough that his saddles are cloned. I remember when he was more or less a kid.
I agree on his failure rate-its unacceptable for the price. The saddles are reasonably comfortable.
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I find it hard to believe that Berk is now big enough that his saddles are cloned. I remember when he was more or less a kid.
I agree on his failure rate-its unacceptable for the price. The saddles are reasonably comfortable.
Had two fail and I was 90kgs when i had them, I'm a bit lighter now but they are rated to 100kgs.
They are very flexible may the should test them in the UK ;D
But the new saddle at 622 euros!! will take my chances with this Kocvelo
Everything is being cloned these day!
Have seen some Darimo nexum drag aero bars but cannot find them AE again
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Bought multiple carbon saddles of alix and they where rock solid. Didn't try this clone tho.
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I got the Kocvelo clone of the Berk Lupina Monocoque Open. Unfortunately it didn't fit me. That edge where the support frame meets the crest at the rear (or really the sides) started hurting my ass after 1 hour. But that isn't the fault of the clone but on issue with the original construction. The quality of the clone seemed fine and otherwise it felt very comfortable.
The other thing to consider with this specific construction is how far back it seats you. That saddle seats you several cm backwards of most other saddles I know, increasing effective reach quite a lot.
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I got the Kocvelo clone of the Berk Lupina Monocoque Open. Unfortunately it didn't fit me. That edge where the support frame meets the crest at the rear (or really the sides) started hurting my ass after 1 hour. But that isn't the fault of the clone but on issue with the original construction. The quality of the clone seemed fine and otherwise it felt very comfortable.
The other thing to consider with this specific construction is how far back it seats you. That saddle seats you several cm backwards of most other saddles I know, increasing effective reach quite a lot.
That’s good information thabks.
I want to bring my position back on my bike. Im running 110cm stem but getting some new bars at 120cm. Have no movement on current set up so could be good
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No one here has bought an AliExpress Carbon Saddle I find that hard to believe!
I have multiple of the gelu 56g carbon saddles on my MTB and road bikes. 70kg 360w ftp racing UCI courses has held up well and are comfy but a bit too thin for my sit bones.
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Anyone know of a padded lupina clone?
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I also have a Gelu 56g saddle. Reasonably comfy for me but not so much for longer rides. Quality is good with my example. 82kg and use it on my hardtail. My fave saddle recently is the Ryet air code. (http://)
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Just checking in-have you used the mono saddle yet?
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Just checking in-have you used the mono saddle yet?
Hey @glepore, late reply!
I ended up returning the saddle after just 30km—felt a bit too harsh for me, to be honest. Probably ideal for a hill climb bike or lighter riders under 70kg.
I ordered the padded version instead arrived yesterday —only 5.9g heavier, so not much in it weight-wise. I wasn’t too hopeful, but I took it out last night and it felt decent. Got a 100km ride tonight (out and back to a chaingang), so I’ll see how it holds up over a longer distance. Price was pretty much the same too.
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I’ve been experimenting with a bunch of Ali saddle over the last couple of months - current count is 11, including 3 bare carbon models.
The 56g Ryet was the only one of those that didn’t suit me, with the left to right curve of it not agreeing with me at all. Seems like a totally solid saddle though, and I’d have loved that on my weight weenie bike. The Kocevlo and far flatter Ryet have been good though, and I’m 100% on board with padding being optional and not necessarily beneficial. One thing I found is that the bare carbon is super slick so the seat and my bibs slide past each other without any friction as opposed to the bibs sticking a bit to the saddle and that movement being shifted to between that bibs and my skin.
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Yeah, I've taken to using bodyglide type stuff with 3d saddles. I love the way they feel, but was getting a small bit of chaffing, I think due to what you mentioned, the bibs having more "stick" and the chamois moving a bit inside. The bodyglide type stuff is nice, not goopy like chamois cream but enough slide to prevent chafe.