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Submitted by
Hammerskulls
a Weekend Warrior
from Burnaby, BC Canada
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Incredibly comfortable. Great Look. Light. | | Weaknesses: | Wears Quickly | | Similar Products Used: | Selle Italia, WTB, You name it, I have used it at one time. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Enduro S Works, Full XTR, | | Bottom Line: | I just completed the 2009 Trans Rockies Race on this saddle.
7 days straight, 4-9 hours a day on the bike.
Not a single complaint from my rear.
Highly recommended. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rhadrj
a Racer
from Fenton, MO, US
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Chubb | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Sunset | | Strengths: | Very forgiving, length is great as you can switch positions but narrow enough to get behind it if need be. | | Weaknesses: | Pricea | | Similar Products Used: | Selle Italia Flite | | Bike Setup: | Mamasita Full XTR and Reynold Topo 29ers | | Bottom Line: | I have a Gobi on every bike I own (and have owned for the past 3 years). Also have the arione on my road bike and my cross bike. I do believe saddles are a personal preference and you have to find one that fits your rear end so it is hard to say one is better than another. But I have had these for years and they are absolutely the best I have ever rode. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
heilong
a Cross Country Rider
from Moscow, Russia
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | Velomarket-CSKA | | Bike Setup: | Custom-built MTB with Russian-made titanium frame | | Bottom Line: | This is a great streamlined saddle for an iron ass (I have one by now). Quality is great - looks almost as new after two years (did around 1000km during that time, though - not much).
It started creaking recently - I've taken the seatpost with the saddle out of the frame, turned it upside down and sprayed some silicone lubricant into the saddle where the rails go inside the saddle shell - silicone lube usually cures creaking and squeaking, cured my saddle's creaking this time.
I think choosing a saddle is very personal and individual - everyone's asses and hipbones are different, so I won't tell that this model is good for you or whatever, but I can tell that this is a well-made quality product. The saddle is rather hard, so those who like soft saddle probably shouldn't even try it. I've had a rather hard saddle on my previous bike and after daily commuting for a year on that bike my ass have gotten so iron I could probably ride a saddle of any hardness. Like Sheldon Brown's funny joke about a solid granite Real Man (R)saddles.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/real-man.html | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bikermancam
a Racer
from btv,usa
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Strengths: | Good length, broad nose for riding on the "rivet".
Just enough padding to make it a strong marathon contender. | | Weaknesses: | rear of saddle is ever so slightly turned up with what is otherwise a flat saddle | | Bike Setup: | Rush Team | | Bottom Line: | A great saddle with enough cushion to satisfy hardtailers, lightweight for the weight weenie, good width for forward in the saddle comfort. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dubdryver
a Cross Country Rider
from Pembroke Pines, FL. USA
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Markham Park, Alligator Alley | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | bike shop in Belgium | | Strengths: | Very comfortable, durable, flex wing is legit, lightweight | | Weaknesses: | price? A seat this calibre will cost atleast this much, I found it to be a lot better than seats that were more expensive, and haven't found anything cheaper that would even compare! | | Similar Products Used: | Titec, WTB, Specialized, Selle Italia gel. | | Bike Setup: | 05 K2 Razorback Team: 07 REBA SL Air U-TURN, XT CRANK, X.9 drivetrain, Mavic Crossland UST; 03 Santa Cruz Blur Classic: Fox F100 RLC, Truvativ Stylo OCT, X.9 drivetrain, Mavic 819/Pure XCR, | | Bottom Line: | I have been using this seat for over 3yrs now. This seat has made its way from my K2 to my Blur. I am so sold on this seat that I am planning on buying a second one brand new and just hanging onto it with this one's breaks or falls apart! It is seriously worth the money you invest on it, and yah you will regret it when you pay for it, and when you first put it onto your seatpost, but wait a couple months and you too will be swearing by them! THEY ARE THAT GOOD! They are a very strong durable saddle with great comfort, great flex in the wings "wing flex". They AREN'T Racelight at about 220g, but sacrificing a few grams for the added comfort that will let you ride all day is well worth it! Besides, if you are going to be racing, comfort isn't about the furthest from your priorities so this saddle isnt for you anyways! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dontheclysdale
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay - New | | Bike Setup: | Haro Mary SS, Thudbuster ST, Rigid Fork | | Bottom Line: | This seat was not for me. It's like sitting on a carved up 2x4. It should be called the "taint killer." I'm a big guy 6'3 250lbs and trail ride 20-30miles a week. I gave this seat about 10 miles and couldn't take it. I've read they have to be broken in but I have no interest in spending anymore time on this saddle. Even with the thudbuster this thing was NOT comfortable for me. I'll stick with the softer Laser.
I would give this thing a 1 but I don't think that's fair considering you either like hard saddles or you like soft saddles. After this experience I'm definitely a soft saddle person. Good thing I didn't pay retail... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dtacmed
a Cross Country Rider
from Kannapolis nc usa
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Sherman Branch | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Strengths: | Looks | | Weaknesses: | Came apart no Customer Support | | Similar Products Used: | WTB | | Bike Setup: | Kona | | Bottom Line: | A overpriced saddle. Was fairly comfortable. No customer service from importer. Anyway go WTB | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
darkdaysahead
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, OR
Date Reviewed: February 7, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | bikewagon.com | | Strengths: | Very comfortable, lightweight, and available in many different colors. It is a narrow seat and is great for free thigh movement. Also, the rear of the seat is very comfortable and absorbs a lot of road noise and small bumps. | | Weaknesses: | I have two of the seats and one was purchased used off ebay. On the used one the rails of the seat squeak loudly and I need to put oil in there and tilt the seat accordingly so the oil absorbs in all the around the rails. This is a pain but I have a feeling the seller was rather large and thus abused the seat with his weight. | | Similar Products Used: | WTB Laser V Team Saddle, Rolls, Regal | | Bike Setup: | On One Geared Inbred, XT componets, Sun Ringle Charger Wheels with Dirty Flea Hubs, Thomson post, Hope stem, Avid bb7 Mechanicals with Alligator Titanium Nitrate Rotors, Fizik Gobi seat, Panracer Fire tires, egg beater pedals, answer aluminum bars, isis drive race face cranks with fsa platinum bb, speed dial levers, and salsa skewers and seat clamp. | | Bottom Line: | I love these seats. They are great for on the road and off the road. I have one on my cross bike and one on my mountain bike. When I need a new seat for my road bike I will be getting one of these. I read a review earlier on that mentioned how uncomfortable this seat was and I'm guessing he didn't have it set up right. I've found with this seat that positioning is very critical. If it feels a little off try moving it forward or backward and adjusting the angle. Once you get it right it will feel like a gentle hand holding your butt above the bike and it's magic. The price is steep but if you can find a good deal it's well worth it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
stingray4100
a Weekend Warrior
from Victoria Australia
Date Reviewed: January 12, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Saw Mill Gorae | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Comfort / wingflex really works / good looks | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Flite - ouch
WTB Laser - not too bad, but not suitable for this bike
Bontrager - OK
Selle San Marco Rolls - good for the roadie, not so much for mountain
Selle San Marco Due - ouch | | Bike Setup: | Stock Trek EX8 | | Bottom Line: | Comfort, Comfort and Comfort - is there anything else more important in a saddle. Not sure about the wear rate yet, but the thing is super comfortable. Also easy to move around on and easy to get over the back for descending - I will be keeping this one for a while. They are super expensive in OZ though which brings the value rating down to 4 - glad I found one on the bay. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
justanotherbikegeek
a Cross Country Rider
from wisconsin
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay, used | | Strengths: | Light weight, comfort beyond belief, long rails allow for a lot of fore/aft adjustment, cordura or whatever edges, very stylin' | | Weaknesses: | Gluing/stitching on underside of saddle | | Similar Products Used: | Selle Italia Flite | | Bike Setup: | Vassago Jabberwocky | | Bottom Line: | I'm 160 lbs. and have ridden on Flite saddles since 1992. Never found anything that worked better. Decided to try a Gobi after reading about the tail flex and found a lightly used one on ebay.
The tail flex is nice, and the long, contoured shape of the saddle lets you move around for a different feel in the saddle. No problems with numbness or pain in the tushie. It looks a little wider than the Flite, and I thought my thighs would be rubbing against the sides of it, but this hasn't happened at all. Just bought another one to replace the Flite on one of my other mountain bikes and will probably look for another one to put on my road bike.
Only thing holding this back from a 5-star rating is the glue/stitching underneath. No problems yet, but it just doesn't inspire confidence. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
turbokirbo
a Cross Country Rider
from Asheville, Nc, USA
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Nashbar | | Strengths: | looks nice (blue & silver), light weight titanium rails. | | Weaknesses: | uncomfortable, went numb and got butt cramps in only 7 miles | | Similar Products Used: | wtb shadow V & Bontrager race lite | | Bike Setup: | Lemond Versaille | | Bottom Line: | This saddle looks great, matched by bike (silver & blue) the reviews looked very good, many talking about comfort and great fit, but this thing had me numb at mile 7 of a 33 mile ride and I got a butt cramp at mile 9. It's not that I haven't ridden much, I had just completed 160 miles the week before on my Bontrager race lite seat and had no problem. I found a good deal on the Gobi and decided to give it a try. After my ride today, the thing is back in the box getting returned. Apparently this saddle works well with some body shapes better than others. I weigh 195 pounds and it was just too darn hard and uncomfortable. I can't imagine sitting on this for more than 2 hours. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Showori
a Racer
from da forest at 420
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | venados | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | local shop | | Strengths: | shape, comfort, look, design, weight, shock absorb | | Weaknesses: | if it only had a cutout! | | Similar Products Used: | wtb lazer, selle italia flite gel, velo comfort (cheap but awesome), selle san marco aspide (a damn rock). | | Bike Setup: | hananero titanium-xtr-sid07, a schwinn homegrown xt level comps, an italian road bike, s.cruz heckler. | | Bottom Line: | Let me state that i freak out with weight weeinies who, for shedding insignificant grams, like to sit on a rock (selle italia, aspide carbon, etc).
The Gobi´s been on my race bike for three years and for 250g, haven´t felt a saddle so comfy, it does absorb some shock and adapts to my shape real well. But after a couple of long distance bike marathons i have done that last around 4-5 hours, i did feel numb, and sore in my prostate afterwards. But only after 5 hours plus of racing, but anything under say 3 hours is just perfect, period. Just wish Fizik designed a goby with a cutout and came out to the market.
I only use the Gobi" on my "race " bike. For my other regular "training" bikes i use cheap Velo Comfort saddles, which can be a bit heavy and cheap, but they´re real comfy, and have a cutout, and i can ride for hours and hours and never feel any discomfort, but, racing and just riding are different things, and for "racing" the Gobi wins by far vs any other saddle. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
michael.inglis@innogence.com
a Cross Country Rider
from Canberra, Australia
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Strengths: | Absorbs shocks on the hard-tail bike.
Very comfortable on long rides.
No damage ofter a year of riding and falling over... | | Weaknesses: | The most expensive saddle in the shop. | | Similar Products Used: | Cheaper stock saddles | | Bike Setup: | Avanti 12kg hardtail. | | Bottom Line: | A really great saddle on a hard tail bike. The flex really reduced the bumps, meaning I can sit in the saddle more and keep power and control.
On rougher stuff I can still grip the saddle with the thighs to keep control.
A great investment. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BartSimpson
a Weekend Warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Great quality, light weight | | Weaknesses: | Uncomfortable | | Similar Products Used: | Various | | Bike Setup: | Orange 5 custom | | Bottom Line: | I bought this saddle on the basis of all the good reviews it had received, and alas also on recommendation by a friend. However, no matter how I adjusted it, sitting on it was akin to mounting a bad tree stump in the woods. I guess my arse is misshapen or something... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin
a Cross Country Rider
from Farnham, UK
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | secondhand | | Strengths: | This is a narrow saddle which dispenses with all those nonsense slots and cut-outs and fits like a glove. It's the only saddle I've ridden which puts the pressure over such a long area. For me, all of the modern "flat" style saddles with silly cut-outs put intense pressure on a very small part of the pelvis. This results in sores and boils on sit bones. The Gobi is just superb, it's narrow curved shape really spreads the load. - Yet still hardly any pressure on the perineum. (Who needs cut-outs?). | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | WTB race
Titec Ithys Gove
Selle Italia Fluid
Similar unbranded ones - all just as bad! | | Bike Setup: | Alloy hardtail, off-raod. Saddle set slightly low at the front. You need to sit well back on the Gobi for it to work. | | Bottom Line: | This is the best saddle I've ever had. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Leonard
a Cross Country Rider
from the Netherlands
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | * comfy
* light
* wing flex
* looks | | Weaknesses: | * price
* not allround: XC only | | Similar Products Used: | selle italia, fizik pave, san marco, bbb, and lots and lots more. | | Bike Setup: | Cube Elite SCR | | Bottom Line: | If you are a XC rider, BUY THIS SADDLE.
Light and comfy, together!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris
a Cross Country Rider
from manchester, ct , u.s.a.
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | case mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | bens cycle | | Strengths: | the tail flex,side flex,long nose | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | fizik aliente,selle san marco & aspide,specialized gel toupe | | Bike Setup: | scandium kona kula primo,all xtr & bontrager xxx lite components | | Bottom Line: | this is hands down the best xc saddle ever.i've tried a lot of saddles (fizik aliente,selle san marco & aspide,specialized gel toupe) and just keep going back to the gobi.i'm a heavier rider (185 lbs.) and the flex in this saddle is great.this is the only saddle out that has tail flex and i love it.all other saddles i've tried are flat and my lower back starts to hurt about 10 miles into the rides, with the tail flex it doesn't bother me at all because of the flexing.it also has the wing flex to so there is no thigh rubbing.at 185lbs. this saddle flexes but not to much to cause sag in the saddle.the only draw back,if you call it that,is that the gobi weighs 250grams.my bike weighs 19lbs , so i've tried lighter saddles to cut weight to get in the 18lb. range but it's not worth it.the gobi only weighs 50grams more than other saddles but the results from this saddle are well worth the 50grams.this is my second gobi and i have nothing but great things to say about it.also at only $100 it's cheaper than other saddles.i've payed $250 for a saddle before and it didn't hold up against the gobi.after 25 to 30 mile rides you still don't hurt from this saddle due to the tail and wing flex.i HIGHLY recommend this saddle if your looking for a great xc saddle and it is also a great value at $100. 5 flaming chilis for value and rating!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney, NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Sparrow Hill | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Light, comfy... | | Weaknesses: | Shape wrong for me... | | Similar Products Used: | Fizik Arione, Selle Italia C2 Gel | | Bike Setup: | Was using it on my road bike. | | Bottom Line: | Overall it was a fairly comfy saddle, and thought I was going to really like it after my first few rides. In the end, I just didn't like the shape. I prefer flat saddles like the Arione.
If you like something which back raises up, and nose raises up too, then this would be the saddle for you. If you like something flat. Run away... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Micrastur
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Barbara, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Jesusita or Knapp's Castle? | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Velo Pro | | Strengths: | light
comfortable
the wings don't get in the way of my thighs
kevlar on the back
sleek look | | Weaknesses: | no saddle should cost this much
sharp nose (a bad steep uphill dismount can end up very, very wrong)
they could have used staples in addition to the glue
needs something to protect the underside of the nose edges from chafing and wearing through. | | Similar Products Used: | WTB original style: like riding on a road button
WTB Devo: like riding on a plastic bench
WTB Pure V: nice chair, too wide
WTB Laser V: Just fine, but my Gobi feels better
Fizik Aliante: Superfantasic, but I can't afford one.
Terry Fly: Slid off the two ass-bulges at the back, forced to ride the nose! And the stiches broke through the leather to boot. | | Bike Setup: | S-works FSR XC, purdy nice, beefed up in the front | | Bottom Line: | You should be scared by the shape of this saddle, some people find it intolerable, but this is the most comfortable sliver of padding I've ever laid my cheeks on. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Carlos
a Cross Country Rider
from Dallas, TX
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Boulder Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$109.00 | | Purchased At: | RBM Frisco | | Strengths: | Comfort! | | Weaknesses: | Maybe price. | | Similar Products Used: | WTB Speed V, WTB Laser V Race, WTB Pure V SLT | | Bike Setup: | 07 Epic Comp | | Bottom Line: | I started riding about a year ago. My old bike had a Speed V on it that I thought was pretty comfy. When I got my Epic, I wanted the same seat, but lighter. So, I got the Laser V. For some reason, it just didn't work. So, I thought that going wider and thicker would help. Pure V. It was more comfy, but it really bothered my thighs when riding ... it was too wide.
I went to RBM looking for something new. I thought there was no way I was going to like something as narrow and hard-looking as the Gobi. One of the sales guys talked me into trying it. He told me to bring it back, if it didn't work. It was more $$ than I wanted to spend, but I needed to try something.
WOW! I still can't believe how comfy this seat is. It's narrow enough to let my legs move freely yet padded enough to be comfortable for the rear end. It's not nearly as rigid as it looks. I'm 5' 8", 175lbs for reference.
I recommend that even if you don't think you'd like a narrow saddle, give it a try. It will surprise you. Perhaps if you're a clyde, this might not be your first choice, but you never know.
4 chilis for value because how in the world can the materials and labor to make a saddle be more than $50??? 5 chilis overall because this is the market we live in and relative to other saddles I've tried, it was worth it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pink Dragon
a Cross Country Rider
from Warsaw
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | COMFORT, very very comfortable saddle | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Velo Carbon (painful) | | Bike Setup: | Hardtail Kona
Full Scott | | Bottom Line: | If u wanna great and comfort sadle you must buy it.
You can ride on it without cycling pants, and the wing flex real works, and its perfect saddle | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Weekend Warrior
from Fleet, Hants, UK
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | It's a secret ! | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$160.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Kingdom | | Strengths: | Light and kind on your rear. | | Weaknesses: | It creaks . . . and so did the last 2 it's replaced. The stitching/gluing is also poor. | | Similar Products Used: | WTB, Selle, Club Roost | | Bike Setup: | '05 Spesh Enduro S-Works, Fox 36, DHX 5 Air etc. | | Bottom Line: | It creaks . . . and the stitched/glued seams fall apart after only a few months riding. Don't get me wrong, it performs in all other areas, it's really comfy, great for your bot on long rides and looks cool (when new). However, I'm one of those that likes my bike to run smooth and quietly, especially on the climbs when you're digging in. My local bike shop replaced my last two due to them falling apart. Now I have a third and this one creaks too and not just a small creak either. And no, it ain't my seat post either. Am I just unlucky to get 3 duff saddles in a row because no other review I've read mentions the dreaded creaking? 3 in a row says 'no' to me. My advice is this, if you're like me and get distacted by squeaks and creaks, don't get this saddle + plus the stitching/gluing comes apart. Mental comfort sometimes outways physical comfort and if this applies to you, don't get this saddle, it will drive you nuts. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Basil Chua
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Strengths: | Light weight. Fitting. Crash proof. Cushion. | | Similar Products Used: | WTB. Selle Italia Trans Am. | | Bike Setup: | GIANT XTC Team fitted with Thomson Elite stem. | | Bottom Line: | The Gobi saddle is at its best when you ride offroad. The wing flex cushions your bottom as you ride, absorbing the trail undulations. The bottom line: it's the best shock butt absorber I've experienced.
Crashed once. Not a sign of scratch with the side protection.
Brilliant design! It's money well spent.
Well done, FIZIK! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Norman
a Cross Country Rider
from Fredericton
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Comfort, comfort, comfort. | | Similar Products Used: | Various | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Blur | | Bottom Line: | This is the most comfortable saddle I've ever used in terms of butt comfort, road or mtb. It came stock on my Blur, but that must have been 1st generation - it didn't have the cordura scuff guards at the back and the leather wasn't anywhere near durable enough for mtb'ing and soon sharp plastic bits were poking out. But it was so comfy that I got another when the new version with cordura came out. I had it on my road bike for a while, and it gave great butt comfort even on long rides and great freedom of motion (no saddle sores), but I got numbness -- personally, I need a cutout on the road bike. If you're not prone to numbness I'd recommend it for the road. Numbness isn't an issue for me on the mtb. The butt comfort is fantastic and with the cordura durability is good. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$29.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Light, comfortable. | | Weaknesses: | Retail price is steep. | | Similar Products Used: | many | | Bike Setup: | 1971 Fiorelli Campionissimo, 1995 Kona Kula Primo, 1993 Giant CFM 3. | | Bottom Line: | I had this saddle on my cross-country bike which I put away for the winter after the roads became too salty. I built an old Giant CFM 3 into a decent winter bike and I put on a cheap Cannondale saddle I wasn't using. I believe the rails on the Cannondale were aluminum.
The CFM 3 has carbon fibre main tubes but the chainstay and seatstay are built out of beefy solid aluminum. On top of that, I ride this bike in temperatures as low as -20 celsius, and at that temperature the Marzocchi MZ Comp fork just freezes right up.
The ride could be called unforgiving at best. After several rides on the winter bike my prostate was getting very sore. I never had any such issues on the Gobi so I swapped the Fizik saddle in for the Cannondale. The difference was amazing. My prostate has been fine ever since, which was the main reason for the swap, but the difference in the ride quality and comfort was truly astounding. Now I can stay seated over the roughest paths where I previously had to stand because the other seat would transmit too much information to my backside.
There is so much give in the titanium rails that I wonder if at some point they aren't just going to snap. When I bought that saddle I was 204 lbs and I now weigh 182 so if it were going to give it probably would have done so by now.
No saddle is going to fit everybody but for my smaller bum (and prostate) this saddle is awesome. Some people might complain that there isn't alot of padding on this seat but I've gone on some long rides on this saddle and I've never felt uncomfortable on it. Because I got such a good deal I can't give any less than 5 flaming chilis all around! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jason
a Racer
from bracknell UK
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | wiggle | | Strengths: | strong, light,very comfy once broken in | | Weaknesses: | can scuff easily on nose | | Similar Products Used: | bonti, selle italia | | Bike Setup: | gary fisher marlin, reba forks,lx running gear, bonti rims, mich dry2 tyres | | Bottom Line: | give it about 5-6hrs of riding and get the nose slightly up and it gets very comfy all most more than big squishy DH saddles!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Kimsey
a
from Indiananapolis, IN, USA
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Hot Loop Trail, Sedona, AZ | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$85.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Nice leather, Made in Itally, Ti rails. Looks clean and simple. Long nose. The only seat that has ever "Cupped my Butt" It really feels great when the bike pushes through corners and ride over long bumpy trails. I dont get butt fatiuge as fast with seat. The best I have used yet. Much softer than my Fizik Nisene. | | Weaknesses: | Gobi and Wing Flex Decals wear off after 3rd-4th ride. I expected it since they were placed on side of seat nose | | Similar Products Used: | Fizik Nisene Cow seat | | Bike Setup: | 1999 Intense Tracer, Full 05 XTR, Chris King/317 wheelset, Custom Carbon Lefty fork. Easton Carbon seatpost, riser bar. Stiffy Stem | | Bottom Line: | Great seat it's home resides on both my Mootaineer and Tracer. Get the version with the Kevlar back. It resists tears better than than the all leather one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JP
a Weekend Warrior
from Finland
Date Reviewed: October 3, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$95.00 | | Purchased At: | a German webstore | | Strengths: | -Comfort
-Flexible tail
-Padded nose
-Weight/Strength ratio
-Street cred on road, too ;) | | Weaknesses: | -Wear & tear in the tail section
-Nylon lining in the back end: hard to keep it clean | | Similar Products Used: | Various MTB and road seats: Selle Royal, Fizik, generic. | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale R900 & Cannondale 1FG, w/ Tune Starkes Stũck seatpost. | | Bottom Line: | I think this seat was originally designed for downhill racing: and no doubt it withstands such punishment. I've used it for single speed mountain biking and road riding. For both applications, it serves great. Comfy curved shape (suits my bottom). No creaking whatsoever (w/ Tune seatpost). Generously padded nose makes it comfortable to ride it 'on the rivets', at the tip of the seat. The very tail flexes noticeably, making it cushy over harsh terrain. It's not too heavy either considering how sturdy it is. Can't objectively tell whether the (very attractive) titanium railing is just form over function.
My only grunt comes from the finish of the lining at the back of the seat: it's glued with not so elegant finish and being exposed to water, mud and soggy snow, the gluing came apart. Also, even being grippy, the nylon lining in the rear gathers a lot of sand and dirt. Not a biggie though. Got to give it a full five on value. A slightly more careful finish and I would've rated it outstanding overall, now it's just great... rating it purely for functionality it's by far the best seat I've used. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex
a Cross Country Rider
from England
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Aston Hill and Epping Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$129.00 | | Purchased At: | A bike shop | | Strengths: | Light , Super Comfy, Thigh guides that prevent chafing. | | Weaknesses: | My friend had the same saddle and it split when he propped it up against a wall after a year of use, but Fizik replaced it. :) No other weaknesses apart from takes some time to get used to. | | Similar Products Used: | A few other Fizik saddles. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Epic with fox forks, hope parts, magura discs, and some easton parts and handlebar. | | Bottom Line: | Great saddle, the best that I've ever used. Maybe a bit long , but it is really comfy when you get used to it (after a few weeks of riding) and my bum doesn't hurt the next day if I go riding again!
Serious XC rider? This is a must buy saddle! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Wilson
a Cross Country Rider
from Brisbane,QLD,Australia
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$146.00 | | Purchased At: | Epic Cycles ,Brisbane. | | Strengths: | Relatively light,well made and seems to be durable. | | Weaknesses: | None yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Fizik Nisene and Fizik Plateau | | Bike Setup: | Standard apart from Salsa seatpost. | | Bottom Line: | I am 6'1" and 90kg and this saddle is the most comfortable i have ever used.Narrow so no chaffing on the inside of your legs and very easy to change position for weight transfer.
Places you right on your sit bones so good for those long epic rides. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rudy selman
a Weekend Warrior
from san diego,cali
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3435.00 | | Purchased At: | rei | | Strengths: | i dont know,you can sit on it? | | Weaknesses: | this thing hurts, it came stock on my 1mx and i probably just need to take the time to get used to it but damn it is really uncomfortable | | Bike Setup: | prophet 1mx | | Bottom Line: | unless u have a really fat cushiony butt or are already used to these kinda seats i would look elsewhere | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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