|
Buy and Sell the Xenon from our Classifieds.
|
Shop for Similar Products
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Submitted by
Ian Mitchell
a Cross Country Rider
from Nashville, TN, USA
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Hamilton Creek, Tnasi, Tsali | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Jolly Cyclist (LBS) | | Strengths: | Great support and extremely comfortable. | | Weaknesses: | Durability of the rails and plastic | | Similar Products Used: | First "non-stock" saddle | | Bike Setup: | GF Wahoo with a load of upgrades. | | Bottom Line: | I was loving this saddle for a bout 3 weeks until I had a minor wreck at Hamilton Creek (going down hill had a moderate pace, hit a grouping of rocks and went over the handle bars - no, no, it's okay. I'm fine!). The right-rear rail bent and the plastic at the nose that wraps around the front rail broke. I could easily bend back the rail (not sure if it would be weaker now) but I'm not sure how to fix the plastic. The leather seat didn't even sustain a scratch. I'm very disappointed in the quality of the rails and plastic but I'm very satisfied with the actual saddle. I've sent mine back to Koobi for repair and am waiting for a an estimate. If the durability of the rails and plastic could have withstood the crash, it'd still be lovin' my saddle and would have given it more flaming chili's. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, Ut, USA
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | top secret | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$83.00 | | Purchased At: | Koobi web site | | Strengths: | Most comfertable seat I've used. I like that I sit on my sit bones, and the groove takes the pressure off the private parts. It is also light and looks good. | | Weaknesses: | Rails broke | | Similar Products Used: | WTB SST.k, some no name stuff | | Bike Setup: | Santacruz Superlight, Thompson seatpost | | Bottom Line: | I had this seat about 3 years and loved it. Then the rails broke, 5 miles into the 20 mile Porcupine Rim ride in Moab. I was able to tape it so I could use it a little to finish the ride. I weight 165 pounds. The break occurred at the rear bend in the rail, not at the seat post, so I don't think it was related to the seat post or how I mounted it. I called Koobi and told them what happened. They said they might be able to put in new rails. I asked if they could put in magnesium rails and if that would be stronger. The guy said maybe not stronger, but would bend instead of break. I thought that was a better way to go, a little heavier, but hopefully will not have catastrophic failure. I did not ask for a new seat as it was way out of warranty. I sent it in and Koobi put in magnesium rails for free, which was nice of them. The seat is back on my bike, now I just hope the plastic holds up. I would only recommend this seat for road riders. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Carl Mega
a Cross Country Rider
from Littleton, CO
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | nashbar | | Strengths: | fit, fit, fit - very comfortable | | Weaknesses: | if you sneeze on it, the rails will break | | Bike Setup: | Single Speed hardtail | | Bottom Line: | I have to echo Jon's review below. I purchased this saddle and instantly loved it. Fits great. The only problem was it broke in under 20 rides (maybe as few as 10). Rails and plastic bits cracked 1/2 through a 35mi ride. I had already purchased another one before the failure so when I called their customer service I wanted to know if this failure was common. Pretty unhelpful and rude customer service. I was told that even if it was a manufacturing defect the best they could do was put in new rails. Well too late for that - the plastic broke too. They also told me it was most likely my fault (mounted wrong - ha! I'm a wrench and have mounted 1000s of saddles - never incorrectly) but interestingly and contrary to what Jon wrote - they said they normally don't have problem with Thomson posts. They can't even get their story straight. If you own this saddle, look at the rails - it's pretty obvious that the method they (Koobi does not do the manufacturing btw) use to bend the rails into shape causes the thin walled Ti to 'pinch' in areas and causes weak spots - right where you need the most strength. In their defense, my second one has lasted longer but it's still suspect. If reliability and durability is important to you look elsewhere. Fine for around town but this saddle will not be going on any long epic rides with me. Here's a link to a thread and photo of the failure: http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?postid=479117#post479117
$100 retail for a saddle that has a tendancy to fail is insane. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rey
a Weekend Warrior
from Jersey City, NJ, USA
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Hartshorne, Chimney Rock | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$79.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | Very comportable(no pain), cooling ventilation inbetween you legs, great looks(color match my bike), strenght, lite weight. | | Weaknesses: | Non so far except it would be nice if it has kevlar on the seat side for added strenght. | | Similar Products Used: | WTB speed V comp(pain in my @$$). Koobi SI. | | Bike Setup: | KHS FXT Pro(2001) full suspension. Truvative Crank, Shimano XT drive train, Chris King headset, Raceface handlebar/stem/seatpost, Sun single track wheel with Shimano XT hub, Kenda Charisma 1.95 tire(red to match my bike). | | Bottom Line: | This is my 3rd year on this saddle(I weight 160lbs) and so far I haven't have any problem (no pain and very comportable) and still looks good compare to the other reviewer before me.
I highly recommend this product to anyone who want comport, style, and cooling effect on you bottom.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon Crane
a Cross Country Rider
from shelby twp.
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | bloomer park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Strengths: | it light, and it looks great. | | Weaknesses: | the plastic and ti rails broke on a long ride. pedaling with out a seat sucks! there customer service will treat you like a jerk. | | Bike Setup: | 2001 kelly hard tail set up to rip | | Bottom Line: | there are no special instructions included with this saddle, but koobi told me that that bolts had to be costom fit when using it with a thompson seat post, and that it was my fault for it breaking. i mailed it to them to warranty and they sent it back with used rails replaced on it! now it just sits on the shelf because it will eventually leave me walking again! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy Cox
a Cross Country Rider
from Uk
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Alpine bikes | | Strengths: | Very light and dead comfy. At first sight workmanship is excellent. | | Weaknesses: | However, the plastic in which the rails sit has failed (cracked) during moderate use ensuring a long hack back home! | | Similar Products Used: | Flite Ti | | Bike Setup: | Scott pro racing - raceface drivetrain and hope wheels and stoppers. | | Bottom Line: | Great saddle - shame it broke | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
WACX
a
from SOUTHER JERSEY
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | Material, design, Quality, Made by Sella Italia, created by dudes that really care about R-Backsides proper | | Weaknesses: | None if you go back to the basics and make small ajustments until the height and angle match your tushhhy | | Similar Products Used: | Flites (Gel and non-jelly versions), Specialized (Bunn Braker machine), Brooks: Swift, B72, Profesional (all are great saddles and remain my favorites), Vetta (so-so), San Marco (hole in the middle thing-a-ma-jigg) and many, many others too painful to remember. | | Bike Setup: | C-Dale SAECO W/Campy Record/Aero-Spaokes and first aid kit with anti dog spray | | Bottom Line: | A Brooks it ain't but so far it's most cumfy especially when hard set on the rollers for the balance of the winter. the real test will come on the road. the materials and quality are there and the story of the Ladds that designed the things are worthy of an open mind and break-in period. I would say go for the Koobi if your current chair ain't gett'in it for you. BY the By, Jenson USA has earned their reputation for a great place to do business. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a
from The Bronx
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$26.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Sweet looking. Groove seems to work. Very light. | | Weaknesses: | Kind of hard. | | Similar Products Used: | Speed V, Flight Gel Ti, Slim Jim | | Bike Setup: | Road bike | | Bottom Line: | This one is staying on my road bike. It is great for riding along on smooth roads. I think it would be way too hard for bumpy offroad rides. Everytime I hit a bump on the road, it gives me a jolt. On the other hand, for cruising along, it's great. I can't decide if it's better than the Flite Gel I used to have, but it's definitely not worse. (I loved that Flite). One thing about it that's different than anything I've tried: it's FLAT. Kind of like sitting on a pancake. Seems to work, but feels weird at first. I'm getting used to it though. No complaints. I'll stick with my Speed V for my mountain bike. (I've got a weird Speed V that only weighs 275g!) I just couldn't pass this one up for the price! ($26 on eBAY. Mint condition. Sometimes you just get lucky). I'll give it 4 chilis for value though because I don't think it's worth the $100 that most places charge. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
purple paul
a
from New York, NY USA
Date Reviewed: October 28, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Strengths: | Fairly Comfortable. Beautifully made. | | Weaknesses: | Thick seams. Damn expensive. | | Bottom Line: | I don't know what Koobi were thinking when they sewed really thick seams across this saddle. It took a lot of work to get it to be comfortable enough to ride for a few hours at a time. The secret for me was to tilt it down in front quite a bit more than I ever had before. That way, the seams aren't hitting pressure points as much. Until I did that, I was actually developing a really painful bump where the seam and my inner thigh met. Since it's gotten colder here, I haven't gone on a really long ride to see if the saddle would remain comfortable longer. But it is more comfortable on the shorter rides than it used to be. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Brisbane Australia
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Still Searching | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$76.00 | | Purchased At: | Mud Sweat and Gears. | | Strengths: | Light.Supremely comforable.Stong, deep ti rails which place saddle body well away from clamp. Great choice of colours. A work of art. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Selle Italia Max Flight Trans Am. Many others over the years. | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn Fastback Comp. Stock except for Woodman Carbo Seatpost and Deathgrip clamp. | | Bottom Line: | I run this saddle on my road bike. I have a Selle Italia Trans Am on my mountain bike, and while it is an excellent saddle, I felt it was a little too chunky for my Fastback.
My Koobi Xennon felt just right from the first ride, I'm sure I heard my backside go "ahhhhhh!". Comfort aside, it is an object of great beauty. Even my wife, who usually fails to share my enthusiasm for new componentry, exclaimed that it looked good enough to hang on the wall.
Supurb!!!!!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don
a Cross Country Rider
from Philadelphia, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Wissy Valley, Round Valley, Idle Wood | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Purchased At: | Knapps | | Strengths: | Very flat profile makes it easy to move around on | | Weaknesses: | None so far. . . . I'm a little worried about the lack of kevlar on the corners. . . . . | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager, Coda expert | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Cannondale Jeykll w/upgraded drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | This is a great saddle. Firm padding and not to much of it lets you ride on your sit bones which prevents "parts" from getting numb. Ti rails and nylon(?) shell give the saddle just the right amount of flex for comfort. The flat rear of the saddle makes it a great saddle for technical riding, allowing you to move around easily. If it had Kevlar sides it would get 5 Flamin' Chilis. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
| |
|
Photo Caption Contest
(sponsored by Maxxis)
|
Enter here
|
|
|
$ 100.00
