Fizik Terra Alpaca X5 + Tool Carrier saddle review

The Fizik Terra Alpaca X5 is the brand’s trail and enduro mtb saddle that comes with a handy tool carrier as an optional extra. Fizik has kitted this saddle with several features that up the comfort, versatility and durability but some things didn’t quite appeal to me – which I'll explain later.

Fizik Terra Alpaca X5 + Tool Carrier saddle - Technical details

As a ‘Terra’ product in Fizik’s line, the Alpaca X5 has been crafted to cope with the rigours of trail to enduro riding, and Fizik even goes as far to say that it’s designed to offer control and support whether you’re in or out of the saddle. Fizik also states that this saddle is perfect for full-suspension mountain bikes but doesn’t mention how or why - I reckon it’ll work just fine on a hardtail MTB, too.

Fizik recognises that mountain bike saddles are responsible for control over the bike when the saddle is dropped, which is why downhill bikes still utilise them. To further this control, the brand has shaped the Terra Alpaca with a more rounded shape and built it with co-injected elastic wings for flexibility. This should help to avoid nasty bruises that can occur at the inner thigh under hard, flat cornering efforts while boosting durability. It should survive being flung down a hillside sans rider.

Speaking of the shape, the Terra Alpaca X5 gets a wide and flat nose to provide a better platform for steep uphill efforts and there’s a pressure relief indent cut into the surface. There’s also the Fizik Mobius closed-loop rail design that piles on the strength and evens out weight distribution. As for measurements, it is 248mm in length and 145mm in width.

Differing itself from a range of saddles is a very neat trick up the Terra Alpaca X5’s sleeve – it can accommodate a neat tool carrier. It’s an optional extra that’ll set you back another £30 (included in the review price) but if you’re a fan of moving kit out of your bag or pockets and onto your bike, it’s a rather comprehensive little setup.

Adding this to your saddle (it simply hooks and bolts on) allows it to carry a multi-tool that’s kitted with 2mm up to 8mm Allens, a T25 and T10, as well as a Phillips and flat-head screwdriver. On top of that, there’s also a CO2 inflator, which makes sense given that the carrier can then house two 16g CO2 cartridges.

Together, the saddle weighs 233g while the carrier with the multi-tool alone weighs 140g.

Fizik Terra Alpaca X5 + Tool Carrier saddle - Performance

Having ridden several Fizik saddles on test bikes, I approached the Terra Alpaca X5 with a bit of scepticism. I usually didn’t get on with them for one reason or another but the Terra Alpaca has surpassed my initial judgments. Its shape is a bit of a weird one, proving that it’s a matter of personal taste, as many saddles often are.

There’s a lot that makes sense about this saddle and generally, comfort is good. The saddle gets a comparatively flat-top section with a minimal curve which makes moving around when seated smooth and effortless. And because of that section, support from the outset is impressive.

However, to reap the full support of the 145mm width (which is the ideal size for me), I had to sit further back on the saddle which forced me to ride in a more hunched position. This is because the wings, where most of the width is found, are located further back. The more set-back wings do pose an advantage, however. Because they’re heavily rounded and rearward of the saddle, there’s a lot of room left for the legs to move and pedal and their shape is excellent for efficiency.

It wasn’t all rosy in terms of comfort as the Terra Alpaca X5 did get a little uncomfortable in the latter stages of most of my rides. Even though there’s flex built into the wings and rear of the saddle, I reckon that the whole saddle could benefit from a little more compliance. For me, the discomfort also stemmed from the saddle’s rounded edges. I appreciate a larger, flat area that offers more sit-bone support. This would likely impact the saddle’s seamless pedalling efficiency though.

When using the dropper post, I’ve also been pinched by the sloped and pronounced saddle wings. Granted, these occurrences happened early in my test period with the saddle, so it’s certainly a case of learning to work with it. Since then, my thighs have remained pinch-free. However, when it comes to out-of-saddle control, the Terra Alpaca feels no different from any other option on the market.

What’s far less subjective is the quality and excellence of the multi-tool that comes with the Tool Carrier, and the carrier itself. It’s a little fiddly to install and remove as it hooks to the underside of the saddle and bolts on, but once in place, it puts a comprehensive and easy-to-use multi-tool well within easy reach. The ability to store two CO2 cartridges on top of that is mega handy, too, and incredibly useful in a race scenario where it takes seconds to unscrew a cartridge and put the multi-tool to work.

Fizik Terra Alpaca X5 + Tool Carrier saddle - Verdict

To compare value, let’s ignore the optional tool carrier and critique the Terra Alpaca X5 in isolation – the price of which comes in at £90. This puts it squarely in the middle ground for similar saddles.

A favourite saddle of mine is the SDG Bel Air V3 which is £80. It’s similar in weight and, despite being a little narrower, its flatter top offers better support. I’ve also found it to be more comfortable over longer rides. There isn’t any flex built into the wings, however.

Bontrager’s Verse Elite is pricier at £115. This one gets loads of size options with interesting Austenite rails, which claim to be lighter than titanium. Regardless, in 135mm width guise, it weighs 235g which isn’t far off the Fizik.

But with those saddles in mind, there aren’t many on the market that come built with integrated tool storage and, for an extra £30, which is the price of many decent multi-tools, the one included with the Tool Carrier is comprehensive and pretty impressive, too.

Like all saddles, the Fizik Terra Alpaca X5 is also a matter of personal taste, however, it’ll suit many thanks to its well-thought-out shape and cool flexy features. During my time with the saddle, although comfortable enough to start with, a few factors mostly to do with its shape didn’t suit me wholly. With that said, Fizik's method of storing a well-sorted tool under the saddle will appeal to anyone who’s looking for a decent saddle, with easy-to-reach repair capabilities for hasty fettling or tubeless repair.