Submitted by
jeffgothro
a Cross Country Rider
from Ventura, Ca
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2011
Strengths: It's alrite I spose, butt seems to get tired of the seat quick, gel doesn't seem all that soft, agree with previous post, WTB Pure V imo better.
Submitted by
DHmonkey123
a Downhiller
from San Anselmo, Marin, California
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2010
Strengths: good for DH
strong
light
Weaknesses: not good fro all day riding
hurts your groin
Bottom Line:
i had this saddle on my bike thinking: oh gee i get gel! but it turned into:hmm i think ill get a WTB pure v race. it was fine for the first month but as the rain washed away more dirt and made trails more technical, the saddle was a peice of crap. its good for DH because its easy to get behind the saddle. not good for any XC becuase it can be VERY painful on the jewels. get a wtb or something
Similar Products Used: Specialized BG Comfort
WTB Rocket V
Bike Setup: Eclipse HT1 Bike
Mavic Aksium Race
Shwalbe Ultremo Evolution DD Tires
Bontrager ACC Carbon Seat Post
Specialized Avatar Gell 155
Focus Carbon Fork
Sette 7 Carbon Spacer Kit
Kore Elite Stem
Avid SD2.0L
Avich Arch Rivals
Sram Power Chain 2 - Cross Step
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
smilinsteve
a Cross Country Rider
from Castle Rock CO
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2010
Strengths: Most comfortable saddle I have used in a long time
Weaknesses: Heavier than some, kevlar corners would be nice, doesn't look like anything special
Bottom Line:
I used my S.I. Max Trans Am for years with minor discomfort but figured it was as good as any.
This saddle has been much more comfortable. It is more flat across the back, so that my weight is supported over a wider area. The trans am saddle sloped slightly downward from the center which put more weight concentrated on the center. It might just be my anatomy, but for me it is surprisingly comfortable.
Similar Products Used: Sella Italia Max trans am, plus many others
Bike Setup: Santa Cruz superlight
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
chucko58
a Cross Country Rider
from Silicon Valley, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: December 12, 2009
Strengths: Reasonably comfortable under many conditions. Durable.
Weaknesses: Not so comfortable on long seated climbs. My sit bones were not happy after more than about 30 minutes of spinning. This particular saddle (150 mm) was too wide to easily slide behind on downhills.
Bottom Line:
This saddle was bought after sitting on the Specialized "butt-o-meter". Seems I fell between two sizes and the salesman recommended the wider one. In hindsight (pun not intended) the wider size was a mistake. Ultimately the saddle was too firm for long days of grinding climbs. Might be better suited for non-Clydesdales.
Bike Setup: Chumba XCL w/ Crank Brothers Joplin R seatpost
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
TrekSquid
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2009
Strengths: Different Sizes. Sturdy Construction. Durable covering. Focus on "Sit Bones"
Weaknesses: Even though it says "gel", it is still very firm
Bottom Line:
This may be a little early to review, but I'll probably forget if I wait too long. I have always had issues with seats. I guess I'm just lucky that way. I have always figured paying more didn't necessarily mean it would work any better. My objective with this purchase was to actually be sitting on my "sit bones"...which has never happened to date.
Bottom Line. I can feel that I am sitting on those bones.
- Is the saddle a miracle cure? I don't think so. I still find there are times when I am not on those sit bones.
- Do I probably need to tweek with my seat adjustments a little? Yes, I think I can get a little better performance after I fine tune it a little.
- An improvement over my existing saddle? Yes, I think so.
- Best thing since sliced bread? No. If it turns out to be after I've ridden it a little longer I will come back and modify my post.
- Worth the money spent? I think so.
Similar Products Used: Never purchased an "anatomical" seat. This is the first
Bike Setup: Trek 6700. Factory installed Bontrigger saddle
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
ctbarron
a Weekend Warrior
from Annandale, VA
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2009
Strengths: Good shape; like the cutout
Weaknesses: Slippery; seat rails flex a lot over big bumps
Bottom Line:
Seats are a personal choice, and this one didn't work for me. I tried it for about a month. It is firm, even with the gel padding. It never seemed to get "broken in." It was not comfortable for me even with padded shorts, and brutal without them.
It was also slippery - my but slid all over it with a couple different pants/shorts. It also felt like the seat rails moved a lot when I want over bigger bumps, although it never broke or sustained any damages.
I did like the cutout and it seemed like a well-made saddle. Just not for me...
Similar Products Used: Specialized Rival, a couple by Serfas
Bike Setup: 2009 GF Cobia
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
schnee
a Weekend Warrior
from California
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2009
Strengths: Perfect shape, comfortable, choice of widths, durable
Weaknesses: Older versions developed creaking noises (ones with gray oval pads, silver stitching and pronounced 'pinstripe' grooves).
Newer ones don't have it anymore (ones with smooth shell with two small arc-shaped printed silver labels on the rear)
Bottom Line:
I have big wide hips, and this is the first saddle I've found that really fits me. When I got measured using Specialized's 'sit bone' guide, I was barely on their chart.
Others made me feel like I was sitting on a hatchet; with the Specialized BG, I'm right on those sit bones and perfect from the start. I've gone on 50 mile, 5,000' climbing days on this saddle. I've also put on 180 miles in a single week on my road bike.
I have these saddles on every bike I own, from my carbon full-squish MTB and rigid single speed 29'er to my classic steel roadie. I see no need to try anything else.
Bike Setup: Specialized Stumpjumper (old bike), Ibis Mojo (new bike), Giant OCR Composite, Haro Mary
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Foxtrot3p051
a Weekend Warrior
from Detroit, MI
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2009
Strengths: Very, and I mean very comfortable! What a world of difference this seat makes!
Weaknesses: None at the moment, just recieved this seat. Been using it Only a couple days.
Look wise the 143 is sleek, similar to the stock seat. 155 is a bit bulkier. Not much but its noticeable. Not that its a big deal, Ill take comfort over style any day as long as I don't look too goofy heh.
I wouldn't consider this really a weakness, but it was something that caught my eye after putting it on the bike.
Bottom Line:
Wow, great purchase! Ive been using the seat that came with my bike for a little over a month now (just got the bike). My butt would get numb and Id have to switch sides constantly with the stock seat.
I have bike shorts, and while they helped a little they didn't totally relieve the pain over long rides.
I first ordered the 143. The moment I sat on it I realized how much better it felt. I decided to exchange it for the 155 though. The 143 was way better then stock, but the seat was a tad too small for my butt. The 155 turned out to be a better fit - It's ridiculously comfortable now! Great buy!
Submitted by
pakdoc
a Weekend Warrior
from Mountain Brook, AL USA
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2008
Strengths: Durable
Weaknesses: Still waiting on the comfort. Weight.
Bottom Line:
An average saddle....still trying to break this thing in as the Alias was way more comfortable due to the weak flexing rails (which broke). Defininely no flex in these rails and seems pretty durable.
Similar Products Used: Alias, BG comp, WTB's Rocket V
Bike Setup: Blt2, xo, ck isodisc on x 819, RF Next
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
PedroC
a Cross Country Rider
from London, UK
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2008
Strengths: Confort, does not rub on inner thighs, price
Weaknesses: Weight
Bottom Line:
Very confortable saddle for short furious riding or long XC days out. I have the 143 version and it fits perfectly! Only let down is the weight that made my very light bike not so light anymore but at this price it is an excellent saddle and at the end of the day the added 150g, when comparing to the Silverado I had before, is more than compensated by the extra confort it offers.
Bike Setup: Giant XTC C1, Time atac xs carbon pedals, RaceFace Next Carbon handlebar
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
allanz56
a Weekend Warrior
from New York, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2008
Strengths: Does what it's supposed to do: gives you a comfortable yet firm ride without numbness
Weaknesses: none yet
Bottom Line:
I'm over 50 years old and large framed but like to ride a couple of hundred miles a week. I started noticing some mild numbness and decided it was time to switch to a new saddle. I found this one in an excellent bike store and the salesman spent alot of time with me and I used the butt meter. I bought the 143. I realized from day 1 that this was a great saddle. The pressure is off my prostate/pudendal nerve/artery and I'm thrilled. It's well designed and comfortable. What more could I ask for?
Strengths: Comfortable. Stylish. Durable, I have owned it for 2 yeas and zero problems. grippy and slippy exactly where I like it.
Weaknesses: Maybe a bit heavy for some, but whatever. Maybe a bit expensive, but it lasts so you get your moneys worth.
Bottom Line:
I swap this saddle between all my bikes. I commute on it everyday and ride dirt whenever I can. No issues with it. It has only gotten more comfortable. One of the best puchases I've ever made. 2 years of hard use and still going.
Similar Products Used: All kinds of other seats, some good, some horrible torture devices.
Bike Setup: I have a few, it really doesn't matter, I use this saddle on all of them.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
José Pinteiro
a Cross Country Rider
from Recife, PE, Brazil
Date Reviewed: December 10, 2007
Strengths: Looks awesome, really confortable (if the proper angle is set) , does let the blood flow "down under", the gel pads are just where you need them (right in the seat bones).
Weaknesses: It's not the most lightweight saddle in the market, but I think if it where a lighter saddle it would also be less confortable, so it's a nice balance between weight and confort.
Bottom Line:
Initialy, I felt a lot of pain in the a** using this saddle, until I tilted it a little bit so it stayed just paralel to the ground, since them, its been the most confortable saddle I ever used. Highly recommended.
Similar Products Used: Some generic saddles that I wouldn't care to name
Bike Setup: Proshock xc frame with proshock ultra xc fork, deore xt group, specialized saddle and bar, truvativ team stem and seat tube, shimano PD-520 pedals.
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