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I found the Mixed 5D the way a lot of people did, through Cam Nichols’ videos with bike fitter Neil Stanbury. I was skeptical. A full carbon saddle from AliExpress for about $30 usually means you get what you pay for.
My first ride on it was bad, and I almost wrote it off. That was back on my YOELEO R12. Then I worked out that the problem was my bike fit, not the saddle. Once that was sorted, the 5D clicked, and it has quietly taken over my bikes since. I now own more than five of them.
KEY TAKEAWAY
If you are looking for a narrow, short-nose saddle that’s lightweight, affordable, and has a prostate relief channel, I can recommend this one. After dialing in the position, it became my new favorite saddle, despite its not-super-high-end build quality. Continue reading for more info, or buy it here.
Pros and Cons
Main Features
- Lightweight
- Deep pressure relief channel that keeps weight off the perineum
- Stiff carbon rails
- Glued cover, clearly built to a price
- Fit-sensitive, so a wrong position can ruin it
- Shipping will take a while
- Consistency might vary
Technical Specifications
- Type: Short-nose carbon road saddle
- Shell and rails: Full carbon (Toray T700)
- Top: Thin EVA pad
- Weight: Around 126 grams on my scale (claimed 120 to 135g)
- Widths: 143mm and 155mm
- Pressure relief: Deep central channel
What I Like About This Saddle
The 5D is a short-nose carbon saddle with a deep pressure relief channel down the middle. The shell and rails are full carbon, and the top is a thin EVA pad rather than the 3D-printed lattice you get on pricier saddles, like the Posedla Joyseat. Mine weighs around 126 grams on my scale, against a claimed 135g.
The shape is on the narrow side (143mm), with a slim nose that flares at the back. That matters, and I’ll come back to it.
For me, the headline is that channel. It keeps pressure off the perineum better than I expected at this price, and that’s the main reason it stuck.
It’s light, it’s stiff, and it’s comfortable enough that I’ve used it instead of my Specialized Power Comp and my custom Posedla Joyseat 2. Both cost many times more.
The Catches
It’s still a cheap saddle, and it shows in places. The top cover is glued on, which is the cheaper way to build it.
The bigger catch is fit. My first attempt failed because my position was wrong, and the narrow shape won’t suit every anatomy. If your sit bones are wide, this probably isn’t the right saddle for you, and you should consider wider alternatives. You can check out this list of saddles suitable for prostate relief.
Buying off AliExpress is also its own small adventure in shipping length (about 2 weeks to Europe) and manufacturing consistency. Some units don’t feel 100% symmetrical.
My Verdict
The Mixed 5D is the rare, cheap part I keep going back to. It’s light, the channel works, and it has replaced saddles that cost far more. I even selected it for Kit, a curated gear list.
Get your fit right first, accept that it’s firm and built to a price, and check the shape suits you. Do that, and for around $30, it’s hard to argue with. It’s why I own more than five.
