I haven’t personally come across a saddle that I could truly say “this is the one!” in the last few years, but I think I might have finally found it after all this time.
I spotted this saddle maker while looking at the report on this year's Bespoked UK Handmade Bicycle Show on The Radavist.
The top is made of cork, the metal base and rails are integrated, and that dull sheen suggests titanium. Seeing it through my monitor, I felt an immediate spark—so I reached out right away and brought some in.
FRAME CYCLES FR-1 Cork And Titanium Saddle
Weight: 300g
Rails: Grade 5 Titanium, 7mm diameter
Materials: Cork, Titanium
Length: 268mm
Width: 133mm
Height: 60mm
Price: 23,650 yen (tax included)
A Plastic-Free Saddle: Cork + Titanium
FRAME CYCLES, a manufacturer of high-quality components and accessories based in Scotland, created the FR-1—a plastic-free saddle nominated for the 2024 Green Product Award.
Constructed with a molded cork seat and a Grade 5 titanium base, this is a groundbreaking saddle that leverages the natural properties of cork—lightweight, durable, cushioned, elastic, and water-resistant—to eliminate the need for the polymer materials commonly found in modern saddles.
The video above shows a portion of the manufacturing process. It isn’t 3D-printed; rather, it’s made by pressing, bending, and welding the titanium base, then compression-bonding the molded cork to it.
Should the cork surface ever become damaged through long-term use, it can be replaced with a new one.
Personally, I’m really tickled by the balance between the organic look of the cork and the ruggedness of the titanium base and rails.
The Durability of Cork
What comes to mind when you think of things made with cork? For me, the most familiar example was a fishing rod grip.
Because of its low water absorption, it’s prized for fishing in wet conditions, and since it’s highly heat-resistant, you don’t have to worry about leaving it out in the sun for long periods. Most of my own fishing rods have cork grips, and even with hard use, there’s no sign of them breaking down easily.
Given these qualities, you don’t need to worry about it getting rained on. I highly recommend it as a saddle for a daily-commuter bike.
As it is a natural material, the color may gradually change over time. If it ever gets muddy or wet and the cork darkens, you can clean it up using a floor cleaner. While the color might lighten with long-term exposure to sunlight and UV rays, this doesn’t affect the saddle’s performance at all. Much like the aging process of a leather saddle, I think you’ll come to appreciate the unique character it develops through use.
Cork: An Eco-Friendly Resource
Cork is harvested from the bark of the cork oak, which is stripped every nine years. Yes—cork production doesn’t involve cutting down the trees; it’s produced by harvesting the grown bark. Furthermore, it’s said that stripped cork oaks absorb three to five times more carbon dioxide than those that aren't, making a real contribution to the fight against global warming.
FRAME CYCLES uses sustainable cork sourced from a family-run supplier in Portugal, where the cork oak forests support a diverse ecosystem that includes the Iberian lynx.
So, What’s the Ride Like?
So, I immediately installed one on my own bike.
Regarding the comfort—you’ll notice as soon as you hold it in the shop—it feels quite firm at first. I’d compare the stiffness to that of a brand-new BROOKS saddle.
Like leather, cork breaks in over time. If you use it daily, it will begin to soften after about two weeks, and will settle into a comfortable level of softness after about two months. It doesn’t just soften uniformly across the whole surface; it changes based on how your weight is applied, meaning it shapes itself to your body, much like a leather saddle does.
FRAME CYCLES has some interesting data on these changes in hardness, so I’d like to share an update along with a review once it has broken in properly.
FRAME CYCLES FR-1 Cork And Titanium Saddle
Weight: 300g
Rails: Grade 5 Titanium, 7mm diameter
Materials: Cork, Titanium
Length: 268mm
Width: 133mm
Height: 60mm
Price: 23,650 yen (tax included)
