How Posedla's 3D Saddles Solve Gravel Comfort – Real Test Incoming

Words by James Ion - Photography provided by Posedla

In early 2020, as the world shut down and cycling surged, co-founders Jiří Dužár and Martin Řípa spotted a gap. "We were riding our bikes quite a lot and suffered from saddle sores... Why is no one doing custom saddles? We are all built differently," Jiří recalls. From their base in Varnsdorf in Czechia —right on the border with Germany —the duo launched Posedla in May 2022, delivering bespoke 3D-printed saddles tailored to individual anatomy. Their Founders Edition of 100 units sold out in a month, demonstrating strong demand from all riders, but especially gravel riders seeking all-day comfort on mixed terrain.

With backgrounds in geography and geoinformatics, Jiří and Martin ditched corporate burnout for entrepreneurship, despite lacking formal engineering expertise. "My background is natural sciences, geography and geoinformatics... I worked for 10 plus years in different communication roles, so more like marketing and sales," Jiří explains. They quit jobs, hired specialists, and kept manufacturing European, securing seed funding via Prusa Research's accelerator: "He gave us a lab... we had a demo day... then he said, 'Let's make a deal.'" Launch timing was key—"for a good idea, you need a lot of energy, and the right timing"—amid a cycling boom unmet by mass-market saddles with limited options. Their bold leap relied on management skills: "We used to manage teams... we ride bikes. We know people who ride bikes." Reality proved tougher: "Things take much longer... we learned the hard way how to run a manufacturing business."

Credit: Tomáš_Slavík

Traditional methods can't match the nuance, so why 3D printing? "The number of shapes and sizes... You would need hundreds of variants, or settle for a compromise," Jiří notes. 3D printing unlocks precision: "Even a two millimetre difference could be huge... It allows you to explore the space between the two sizes or shapes." Sustainability adds appeal—"additive manufacturing... without a mould... minimal waste... 80% recycled TPU powder." Upgradeability sets them apart: "Change the padding if the customer has a crash... or if they change their riding style... send it back and we replace the padding." No other brand offers this "extraordinary customer support." Bike fit remains essential—"if the bike is not fitted right, even the best saddle won't help"—so their process, co-developed with fitters, assesses biomechanics via rider data, only adding to the bespoke nature of the saddle.

The name? Czech wordplay: "Posed means position, sedla means saddles, posedla means obsession."

So how does it all work? Ordering is straightforward worldwide, with shipments to 55 countries. "You go to the website, put it in the cart... First thing you receive the impression foam, [or Smiling Butt Kit to give it its proper name]... scan it from eight different angles" using phone photos and QR grid - photogrammetry from their geography roots - they basically map the peaks and troughs of your butt!. 

You then answer questions on riding style, flexibility, pelvic rotation, and more: "It's not linear, there are so many different ways that can change the final design." Models vary: Plus (nylon shell, steel rails), Pro/Ultra (full carbon). Only the padding is 3D printed via German collaborators; the shells and rails are assembled in Varnsdorf or by Czech partners.

Credit: Tomáš_Slavík

Timeline? "On average, three to five weeks from imprint to riding"—down from the initial 8-12 weeks of the first iterations. Personalisation includes gravel-specific tweaks: "A slight curve... so you're more situated, not moving back and forth too much.” Add a colored clip and an engraved nickname, and it is truly a saddle just for you. Posedla has sent PRO. Gravel a Smiling Butt kit so we can test our own custom saddle firsthand - expect a review soon.

"No, overnight success takes five to 10 years." - Jiří Dužár, Co-Founder of Posedla

​The ability to upgrade emphasises longevity, something that Jiří and Martin wanted to include from the start. "Considering you have one bike, it could be a saddle for life. Ideally... two or three bikes," Jiří says, targeting multi-bike owners. Crash replacement is included with 50% off a new saddle, as well as full upgrades with 20% off repeats. If you just need padding, reprints are only €100.

Credit: Tomáš_Slavík

Looking ahead, it's accelerated growth, with Gravel and road dominating their base—"roadies and gravel riders are most represented" this is an area they want to expand into. "Next year... there will be a padding upgrade... lighter... more superior pressure distribution" created from Czech university research. The Pro Roadies will be getting a smoother ride too, with Jiří confirming the "Addition of two more continental road teams... internal goal to be [WorldTour] by 2027-2028 - we have a spreadsheet of contract expiries so we are keeping tabs on when to approach." Collabs are brewing with bike, apparel, and indoor brands (Rouvy's CEO is a fan). Production has doubled, with "Over 10,000 imprints... it is a healthy growth." It is clear to see that this is no gimmick, no flash in the pan, or overnight success. "No, overnight success takes five to 10 years." 

For gravel adventurers, Posedla promises obsession-worthy comfort.

For more information on Posedla, visit their website HERE