Bike Setup: Fetish Cycles D&S Model with XT/Avid/SRAM gear.
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Submitted by
ANDREW
a Weekend Warrior
from BATON ROUGE, LA. USA
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2005
Strengths: LOOKS, DURABILITY, COMFORT, SHAPE
Weaknesses: BAD PRESS
Bottom Line:
MAYBE IT'S JUST BECAUSE I HAVE A PLUSH DUAL SUS, OR MAYBE ALL THE COMPLAINERS DON'T KNOW HOW TO ADJUST THE SEAT. I THINK THE SADDLE IS GREAT FOR MY 245LB ASS. THE TOP IS DURABLE LOOKING LEATHER. THE SHELL IS CONTOURED TO MAKE MOVING BEHIND THE SADDLE EASY. THE SHAPE IS PERFECT FOR TRANSITIONS WITHOUT CATCHING YOUR SHORTS. MY SADDLE IS NOT EVEN BROKEN IN YET. I CAN REMEMBER READING SOMETHING ABOUT ERGONOMICS WITH REGARDS TO INITIAL COMFORT VS LONG TERM COMFORT THROUGH PROPER SUPPORT. WELL, I CAN RIDE FOREVER ON THIS SADDLE WITHOUT A SORE GROIN OR LOWER BACK PAIN. SEATS ARE VERY PERSONAL, SO IF IT FEELS BAD, CHUNK IT. BUT BEFORE YOU DO, ADJUST IT PROPERLY WITH THE HELP OF YOUR LBS. POST HEIGHT, HANDLEBAR REACH, AND SEAT TILT ARE ALL INTERELATED AND IMPORTANT FOR COMFORT.
Weaknesses: This seat takes a while to break in, a little too firm ,
Bottom Line:
I got this seat for a good deal new , I got the cro-moly seat. This seat took awhile to break in and even still it is kind of firm , I was going to get rid of it and try and buy something better more comfortable but I read one review sayin to tilt the seat down a bit because I always put my seats level and it seems to have worked. Most people that ride my bike say the seat is like concrete but maybe the seat has formed to me I don't know..I would like to try the Fizik plateau because I read it is more soft than this firm seat.. Bottom line this is the best I have tried so far
Strengths: looks sexy. relatively light weight. generally comfortable for a light saddle.
Weaknesses: It broke.
Bottom Line:
I broke the damn plastic shell on it after about 2 years. There's a 3 inch crack all the way around the rear-left rail entry point. I liked it up until then. And good luck to me on the warranty ) ;
Bike Setup: Balfa minuteman. SC shiver. Cro-mo cranks.
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Submitted by
Zowie Newton
a Cross Country Rider
from Huntly
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2005
Strengths: I find this saddle so comfortable, I can ride 6 hours straight and have no soreness or tenderness. I am 190lb+ on a steel hardtail and this saddle has not made a sound despite plenty of abuse. I find it easy to get off the back and back on no snags or bruises. Really you just need to say comfort ....comfort ....comfort. Leather finish is in great condition dispite 100+ hours of use and plenty of abuse.
Weaknesses: It doesn't come with a refrigerated cup-holder
Bottom Line:
Sooo Comfortable and Ridable. If you spend time in the saddle grinding up hills and also plenty of it off the back, you do not need to look past this Italian Gem.
Bike Setup: KHS TEAM, Grimeca System 8, XTR Drivetrain, Truvative Stylo Crankset, SunRingle wheels
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Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2004
Strengths: Good shape
Weaknesses: In a word OWW! The padding is too soft for 200lbs plus riders. I feel like I am riding directly on the shell. The cover is way too grippy. Makes it hard to move around which just makes the comfort issues worse.
Bottom Line:
I wanted to like this seat and got what I thought was a good price. The more I ride it though the more uncomfortable it becomes. It feels good initially because the shape lets you pedal efficiently. After a while though the sit bones start to complain. I am now at the point where I am so sore that even sitting at my desk hurts. The cover also is way to grippy. The Boys have gotten squished a couple of times when trying to move around on the saddle, because my shorts hung up. It might be a good choice of saddle for a light weight rider who doesn't move around much but otherwise I think this thing is much to painful to ride.
Weaknesses: I have read that this saddle is prone to creaking, but this has not been a problem for me.
Bottom Line:
The thing about saddles is that no matter how they look, you never know how they will treat you until you've ridden them for a while. This one was no exception, but with a twist. I finally learned to adjust it with the nose a quarter-inch down. It was like day and night for my poor a** - the punishment was over! In relation to similar saddles, I think this one offers good value.
Submitted by
Michael
a Weekend Warrior
from Mountains of TN
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2004
Strengths: Comfortable, easy on/off the back, nose is perfect for sitting right on it for the steep sections
Weaknesses: little long of a break-in, but then again, good things come to those who wait
Bottom Line:
This seat is just about the best seat I have come across. While it took a bit of time for me to break it in to conform to the contours of my rear, once I did, it has been well worth it. I have the plain chromo railed, Black nytex (?) top with leather glide area, and while the nytex has faded to a nice worn in looking tannish color, the rest of the saddle has held up well to all sorts of abuse. I love the fact that the rear end of the saddle is broad enough to give support, but not so broad that you can't get off the back in adverse situations. Plus the saddle narrows out nicely towards the front so that you don't have the shoulders of the addle rubbing uncomfortably on your inner thighs, and the nose is padded nicely so that sitting on the nose for those extra steep climbs is no real issue. It may be a saddle that requires a certain rider style/body type, but all I know is it works for me.
Weaknesses: Retail price can be a bit high, but there are usually some good deals if you look around. Found mine new on eBay for $15!
Bottom Line:
Great quality saddle thats firm and supportive - can ride for hours and hours without any discomfort. Didn't take more than one or two rides to get accustomed to it.
Submitted by
Geoffrey
a Cross Country Rider
from Westport, Ct, USA
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2003
Strengths: Light, durable, extremely comfortable
Weaknesses: none I can think of
Bottom Line:
This is an extremely comfortable saddle, well it is for me at least. I agree that it takes a little while to get used to, but after it breaks in it is like no other, it is so comfortable, by far the most comfortable saddle ever.
Bike Setup: 202 Schwinn Homegrown Comp w/ a mantou mars fork
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Submitted by
John W.
a Cross Country Rider
from Missoula, MT
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2003
Strengths: flat profile, relatively light, comfy, soft nose is good for climbing.
Weaknesses: could be a tad lighter
Bottom Line:
So far the best saddle I've tried, and I've tried a lot. I've had a long time problem with numbness that no saddle has been able to completely alliviate, but this one comes the closest. I have the standard CrMo railed Nisense that came stock on my Scalpel, but I have just ordered the Ti railed Nisense CP. The Nisene has a very flat profile which works best for me. If you prefer a saddle with a pronounced dip (flite, WTB, Terry Liberator) then this probably won't be the saddle for you.
Similar Products Used: Serfas Dual Density Pro, Specialized BG Comp, Terry Liberator, Selle Italia Tri Matic, Selle Italia Max Flite Trans Am, SDG Grand Prix, SDG Bel Aire, WTB Speed V, WTB Laser V Stealth, Brooks Swift (road), Coda Competition, Vetta TTT.
Bike Setup: C-dale Scalpel 1000 w/XT drivetrain and eggbeater Ti pedals.
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Submitted by
Bill
a Racer
from Littleton, New Hampshire
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2002
Strengths: I set my seats back pretty far, being a tall guy. I have been impressed with its strength and comfort.
Weaknesses: Something had to give. It just happened to be the Titanium rails. Also, the scuff guards broke off after one year.
Bottom Line:
Four years with one seat on a hardtail, riding and racing on the best XC trails in the country. Pretty good, I must say.
Submitted by
mtn chick
a Cross Country Rider
from connecticut
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2002
Strengths: comfy.
Weaknesses: a bit of getting used to, but now that i am, i heart this seat.
Bottom Line:
being a girl, the first time i sat on the saddle i was pretty bummed that i was going to have to buy a new seat. but after 30 minutes, my bum was happy and never looked back. i honestly wouldn't give this saddle up for anything now. and the key thing is that i don't know it's there, after 15 minutes, or 3 hours. and really, isn't that key?
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Scotland
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2002
Strengths: Well made,goodlooking, individual.
Weaknesses: none really that I can think of
Bottom Line:
I¬ve just read some of the other reviews and I¬m wondering if I`m reviewing the same saddle.Mine is as comfortable as hell and its probably the best saddle I`ve owned. Maybe its an arse thing.
Submitted by
Tim Griffith
a Cross Country Rider
from Longmont, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2002
Strengths: looks.
Weaknesses: leaves me wondering if I'll ever be able to reproduce.
Bottom Line:
I've given this seat 3 months "break-in" time. I'm still numb after anything over a 1 hour ride, and I'm only 155 lbs. Saddles are definitely an individual thing, but after sitting on a new Terry Liberator, I don't know why I tortured myself for 3 months with this saddle. Do your boys a favor, and avoid this saddle!
I have a brand new Fizik Nisene saddle from my MKIII. It's the 2005 stock blue and black. $17 gets it delivered anywhere in the lower 48 states. Read More »
