Submitted by
Matt D
a Weekend Warrior
from Long Island, NY
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2002
Strengths: Looks good, feels good -- actually it's all good. Seriously, design, padding, shape are all perfect - for me.
Weaknesses: A bit on the heavy side but only if your a weight weenie. I think for someone like me, it'll translate into durability.
Bottom Line:
I'm a big guy, 6' 210 lbs, the problem is I have it all in the torso/upper body and no natural extra padding in the 'saddle-contact' area, so, I had to get rid of that torture device that came with my ride yet get something that would be strong enough to support me. My old saddle was so uncomfortable, I didn't want to get on my bike anymore. I wasn't shopping for this saddle initially, I wanted a 'Berzerker El Norte'. However, when I got to the LBS late on a Saturday, they had none in stock. The guy suggested I try this saddle and if I didn't like it, he'd take it back no questions asked. Bought it, mounted it and took it right out and put it through it's paces. It was a perfect fit for me. No problems shifting back off the seat. It is a bit heavy, but, I don't really care so long as it is comfortable. I recommend it, but not for those who are counting grams. 5 flaming faceplants for the value (especially if you pay by the pound - ha ha!) & 5 overall flamers just for the sigh of relief from my backside alone. See ya'
Similar Products Used: Velo crack buster that came with my ride
Bike Setup: Fisher Wahoo
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Duncan Smith
a Weekend Warrior
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2002
Strengths: Wide rear section provides excellent support for my particular anatomy, 6ft 2in, 130 kilos.
Weaknesses: Width makes it not so good for technical work and racing.
Bottom Line:
Great, relatively inexpensive training saddle. Definitely look at this saddle if you are six foot plus and feeling violated by the stock saddle that came with you machine.
Submitted by
Roger
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2002
Strengths: Awesome Seat! Very comfortable, soft, and tons of cushioning
Weaknesses: Weight - But for the comfort you get it's definitely worth it
Bottom Line:
This seat is extremely comfortable. The gel is firm but yet provides enough cushion to make riding enjoyable. I really love this seat and I think no matter what bike I purchase in the future, I will always end up buying one of these saddles. It's a must have if you can't surivive riding with one of those ball-breaking saddles.
There's a slit in the back of the saddle that also helps cool your rear end when riding. Very comfortable because of the way this seat is styled and angled.
Submitted by
William
a Weekend Warrior
from Tampa. FL, US
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2001
Strengths: Better than a stock saddle.
Weaknesses: Still uncomfortable. I do feel better after sitting on this one than my original stock saddle. I still, however, feel discomfort when riding for more than a mile!
Bottom Line:
Try and find another, MORE COMFORTABLE, seat. I am a big guy and this seat doesn't do too much. What it does do is lessen the pain and numbness a little, but that's it. All in all, my search for a more comfy seat continues.
Bike Setup: Gary Fisher Tassajara with seat post shock.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Rich
a Cross Country Rider
from Thunder Bay ON Canada
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2001
Strengths: lots of padding, channel in centre
Weaknesses: Too darn BIG, split in rear of seat, extremely heavy
Bottom Line:
Well I went to the bike shop and they said big ass big seat. Were they ever wrong. The split in the rear of the seat pinched my rear end. The sheer size of the seat made it impossible to move back on downhills. This seat would be good if you didn't do any off pavement riding and liked a big soft seat, but if you go offroad like me get a smaller more performance oriented seat.
Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from Derby, UK
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2001
Strengths: Better than a bare seatpost, but perhaps not as good as a brick
Weaknesses: * VERY Hard * Since the two back halves are so hard for the pelvis bones to sit on, I find myself sitting with my pelvis bones in the hole * Not enough to sit on
Bottom Line:
Don't buy it. If you want somthing that is firm, uncomfortable, with not enough space to sit on, then stick a brick onto your seatpost.
Sure, I have no pressure on my tailbone or private-parts, but I have one sore butt!
1 Chilli because ut us better than no saddle at all.
Submitted by
Shane
a Weekend Warrior
from Richmond, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2001
Strengths: Very comfortable, changing from the stock saddle to this one has made riding much more fun.
Weaknesses: It's not lightweight. Compared to the hard thin seat I had, this one weighs about 4 times as much. I don't worry too much about weight on my bike, but I almost didn't buy this one because of it.
Bottom Line:
If you aren't trying to keep the weight down, it's definatly worth trying. I don't wear bike shorts anymore because I don't need the padding (or the diaper feeling) The seat is that comfortable when adjusted properly. I no longer worry about hurting my chances to reproduce thanks to this soft split seat!
I was experiencing lots of discomfort with every seat I tried. I usually do a 50 mile road ride each week and after the first ride with this seat the pain was gone. I put this seat on my mountain bike and rode some very technical trails...I took some nasty spills and while every part of my bike took a beating the seat held up the best. If you're experiencing discomfort you owe it to yourself to try this product.
The seat is very comfortable, but without eevn falling one of the side sepearated from the seat. The next week when i did crash it tore off the whole left back side.
Strengths: Good price, good quality, excellent comfort.
Bottom Line:
I'm 6'-3" and 225 lbs, over the years I tried several saddle models, gel cushions, short inserts ... without any possitive results. I would suffer numbness even on short rides no matter what I tried. Since I switchde to the Specialized saddle I can ride 30- 40 miles comfortably without any numbness. It has worked great for me and for other big bikers that I have recommended the product. I higly recomend it to others.
Strengths: This saddle completly took away the pain, numbness and discomfort I had from the stock saddle which came with my bike. After five miles on my bike with the old saddle, I could hardly walk, but with the saddle, I can do 30+ miles and feel as good as new. I got one for my daughter too and she is very happy with it. It took a few trys to get the correct position set, but now I am up on my sit bones and not on my crotch. It has good sturdy rails and a firm but comfortable seat pads. Also, it looks kind'a cool and have received numerous complements on it. People think it looks "Hi Tech".
Weaknesses: A bit pricy, but worth it.
Bottom Line:
Thanks to this saddle my bike is out on the trail and not in the garage. I am pretty happy with it.
