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Submitted by
beautifull loser
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix AZ
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Craigslist.org | | Strengths: | Great entry level saddle. Perfect for short commutes (under 20 miles) and running around town on the weekends. Plus it doesnt look like anything someone would want to steal. | | Weaknesses: | a little to firm on the long haul. Got periodic numbness after about 20 miles. | | Similar Products Used: | Flight Gel, Flight, Salsa, Velo | | Bike Setup: | 95 HardRock Ultra, set-up for commuting w/ Scott At4 aero bar's | | Bottom Line: | I rhode the 143 version of this saddle for 3 years straight. With no problem what so ever. It is a great saddle for a weekend warior or the short distance rider. We are doing a 700 mile tour in the spring so I thought it was time to get a newer saddle. I went with a Italia Gel Flight 130. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rod Munch
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Rosa, Ca.
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Came on '03 Epic | | Strengths: | Looks like a saddle | | Weaknesses: | Not comfortable in the least | | Similar Products Used: | WTB SST, Selle Italia Flite, TransAm, old Specialized Pro | | Bike Setup: | Came on '03 Epic Disk | | Bottom Line: | if this saddle weighed 146 grams I'd brag about it and show it off to all my buddies. But according to Weight Weenies, it porks in at 287 grams. A saddle at this weight should be comfortable. I'd love to throttle the "doctor" that came up with this "body geometry" stuff, or at least make him ride on this saddle for a few hours. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Double Oak, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Grapevine Northshore | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Came on Specialized Enduro 03 | | Strengths: | More comfortable than a bare seatpost | | Weaknesses: | Never truly felt comfortable for more than an hour (numbness would begin sitting in and generally uncomfortable).. seemed padding would compact into the center, negating the center channel.
Ultimately though durability, went to ride today and noticed something seemed wrong with it, looked more closely and the rails had buckled just behind the seatpost mount, slightly lopsided, about 2mm "depression" on the worst side. There had been no problems before my previous ride, and no crashes, so no apparent reason other than just I must have plopped down firmly on it (I ride mostly XC, no significant drops of more than a foot, which I take out of the saddle anyhow usually)... so I quickly pulled my recently purchased Koobi Enduro off my roadbike, put that on, and went for a 2 hour ride. The difference from all previous rides was night and day, I literally didn't notice the saddle the entire ride, and not a trace of numbness or any form of discomfort... I knew I wanted to replace parts on the bike as they wore out with better ones, and the saddle was on the list for when it "wore out", but it was a bit of a surprise to see the rails bent like that, but I'm glad it did, I'm happier to know that the Koobi works wonders on my MTB as well! | | Similar Products Used: | Ancient Selle on my roadie, new Koobi Enduro | | Bike Setup: | Stock Specialized Enduro, about to see significant new season upgrades on most of the parts. | | Bottom Line: | It worked for awhile, adequately (better than my old road bike saddle), but after repeated adjustment attempts, never could get rid of some level of numbness issues beyond about an hour of riding (would stop or just stand on flat parts whenever possible to alleviate).
Bending of rails under less-than-strenuous conditions surprised me highly, especially without a related crash or some other event to account for it. I did have the seat adjusted fairly far back (mounted towards the nose end of the rails), but within the limits (at the front limit). I do weigh 220+-, so I realize that even "moderate" stress from me is a lot (which is why i purchased a burlier frame than I'd have liked) but again, no big drops or anything I can remember about "slamming" into the saddle, they just somewhere along the way didn't like my weight. If you like the BG but don't totally love it, try the Koobi Enduro, (give it about 5 test rides to break it in), you will thank yourself for it. I'll give it a decent value, for someone lighter it would probably be a better deal | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alan
a Weekend Warrior
from CA,USA
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Still exploring | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | www.specialized.com | | Strengths: | Very reasonably priced and light, bought it on sale at www.specialized.com. The seat felt kind of too stiff at first, but actually feels great once after the firmness is get used to ( after 2 or 3 rides ). No numbness whatsoever. Easy to slide back and forth when climbing and going downhill. | | Weaknesses: | Poorly constructed. After less then a season, the rails got twisted off the seat after a minor fall. I can bend and force the rails back into the place but they pop off again easily. Trashed it. | | Similar Products Used: | Stock "too soft" seats from my trek and giant. WTB Speed V (good). | | Bike Setup: | The seat was on a Trek 4300. | | Bottom Line: | I believed the hollow middle design is great, at least for me. I guess saddle comforts varies from person to person. The firmness others dislike actually worked very well for me. But this seat is so poorly constructed and didn't even last one season. Maybe specialized have fixed that problem now but I think I will try something else. I switched to a WTB speed V and it feels great too, lasted two seasons and still going. I think I will stay with the hollow middle channel type design when I need to buy another seat. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andthereyouare
a Cross Country Rider
from Bear, DE
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Fair Hill, MD | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | www.specialized.com | | Strengths: | Well constructed, very light considering it looks so big. And comfy for short and long Mt. rides. No break-in process either. | | Weaknesses: | Can't seem to find any even after 2 1/2 years. | | Similar Products Used: | Selle Italia Ti Gel Flite, Fizik Pave, Specialized Gel Pro '03 and a bunch of no name brands not worth mentioning. | | Bike Setup: | Klein Attitude Race, Rolf, Easton, XT, Azonic, Chris King, Panaracer, Sid Race it's a nice setup. | | Bottom Line: | I played the seat game so many times and wasted so much money looking for that durable yet comfy Mt. seat. This is it and I wouldn't change it for anything. This was perfect right out of the box. I use the Gel Pro model on my Road bike and this one on my Mt. bike. Specialize makes some great products and I would certainly recommend them to anyone. Of course don't get me wrong they do make some bad things too, but this isn't one of them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Racer
from South Shore, MA
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Freetown State Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | has held up good for 2 years no rips. | | Weaknesses: | OK for shorter rides, Quite heavy look at the comp from the back of the seat and you will see why ...the cusion on top of the V is too pointy | | Similar Products Used: | WTB SST, SDG Bele Air(Ouch), San Marco | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Scalpel with carbon extras and those egg beaters ;-) | | Bottom Line: | The saddle has held up well but I need a saddle that will be good for those long rides with NO numbness. OK for shorter rides, but when I ride for 4 hours or more it makes me numb...which gets my wife mad...we can't have that now. Last week I rode a 40 mile training road ride (2 hours) and got numb around mile 30. Not good on the indoor trainer either. When you get numbness shooting up your thing It is not too easy to concentrate on much else. Enough goes wrong on the bike, I do not need that too. I believe I am going to get a WTB Laser Ti I have heard good things. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Palmer Fanatic
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Palmer Park, COS | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay!! | | Strengths: | The saddle is firm and the rails are strong. The rails are marked with measeurements. | | Weaknesses: | It doesn't make me any faster!! | | Similar Products Used: | None. Had a cheapy stock saddle before. | | Bike Setup: | '96 Schwinn, front shock, hard tail | | Bottom Line: | I like this saddle much more than the stock piece of plywood I had. I used to ride and feel it for days in my bum. Now (I'm not going to say all is well), but the pain goes away quicker. I guess I should just ride more. I like this saddle. Not worth the $100 retail, but gladly worth the $30 Ebay bid. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a
from Medford, Oregon
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Watershed Loop | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$39.00 | | Purchased At: | specialized.com | | Strengths: | Looks, price (it was on $ale). | | Weaknesses: | UNCOMFORTABLE! After all the hype with the "Body Geometry" line. somehow I expected more from this saddle. It's a "scrotum squeezer". The raised rails seem to align perfectly to each nut. After only 2 back-to-back rides I was left very saddle sore, not to mention the side lettering started to come off. Poorly crafted.
| | Similar Products Used: | SDG, Bontrager FS2000 and Race. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Stumpjumper | | Bottom Line: | Spend your money elsewhere. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a
from california
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Competitive edge cyclery | | Strengths: | Good shape and feel. A lot better than my old saddle. No numbnuts. | | Weaknesses: | A little firm.
| | Similar Products Used: | Trek saddle, flite | | Bike Setup: | Trek 6000 | | Bottom Line: | This saddle is a great value, considering that I got it in a bargain bin for $30. However, I would not pay the 100 bucks if this one got busted because 100 bucks is pricey for a hard saddle. The saddle has taken most of the other soreness out of my ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chiripa
a Weekend Warrior
from Bogota, Colombia
Date Reviewed: December 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | El Armario, Sutamarchan | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Shop in Costa Rica | | Strengths: | Little numbness. Light. | | Weaknesses: | Terrible shape on the rear. It actually is double puncher; one for each nut. And a plyer on the center too. Poorly constructed. It goes apart very easily. It stores lots of moisture. If you wash it, you'll feel like sitting on a curd, even after a week. | | Similar Products Used: | Selle Italia. MTB. | | Bike Setup: | GT i-Drive '00, Modified Z5 Bomber/RS Deluxe, STX/XTR | | Bottom Line: | What were designers thinking? It's better to stay away from it. Literally. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Geremy
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | 4 corners | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | I don't remember | | Strengths: | Wife is pregnant, what more can I say! | | Weaknesses: | Very popular with the poser peleton at Wash Park | | Similar Products Used: | Flite | | Bike Setup: | Klein hardtail with umpteen thousand miles. | | Bottom Line: | You may look like a dork, but at least your dork works. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jose Rodriguez
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta, GA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Sope Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$39.00 | | Purchased At: | Specialized Store | | Strengths: | Colors and original leather | | Weaknesses: | Weak construction. Weak Plastic. Rails too flexible, not designed with confort in mind. | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager and Coda | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F400 | | Bottom Line: | I am giving this saddle one flame because it is the minimun I can give it... After just seven months using this saddle the plastic base flexed so much that the rails went of the anchorin base (needless to say that it is impossible to put it back again). The plastic in the base shown signs of stress. The highly publicited "Body Geometry' is just an advertising claim, because such a design does not work with every body
If you plan to spend money in a good saddle and you appreciate your guts, don't throw your money on this model. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
O River
a Weekend Warrior
from ny
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | anu | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$79.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | no numbness what so ever on my 15th mile all i wanted to do was stand because whatever bones sit on this bike seat hurt but no numbness | | Weaknesses: | this thing hurts if it's your first time | | Similar Products Used: | botrager comp | | Bike Setup: | rockshox c shimono deore | | Bottom Line: | dispite all the pain involved in the 15th mile of cross country riding my nuts are not numb, sure my back bone hurts but i still have feeling down there. i recommended this seat for those who are about to start a family but if that is not a concern i'm sure there are more comfortable seats available. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Griff
a Cross Country Rider
from Sacramento, CA
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Downieville | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Upgrade over OE saddle. Comfortable on flats. | | Weaknesses: | Poorly constructed. The "S" sticker came off a couple weeks after I bought it. (That's ok, I have a lot of other "S"'s on my Specialized already). Saddle rails flex. Seat flexes. | | Similar Products Used: | OE Bontrager, OE Specialized, WTB Laser V Stealth. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized FSR-XC - Ball bearing upgrade, Fox Float-R shock. | | Bottom Line: | *I am reviewing the first year of the body geometry seat - 99?* The first time my father rode this saddle, he described it as feeling like a medieval torture device. My opinion wasn't that bad - HOWEVER, this saddle is poorly constructed (read above). The literature claims that this saddle shifts more weight away from the kids. I do know that once I got this saddle I started to experience back pain. It's a comfy saddle, but still leaves me numb. Also, the split rear hurts your chest when you have to ride behind your seat and makes it difficult to get back up on the saddle. Saddles are a personal thing, so maybe this one wasn't for me . . . this wasn't from lack of trying to make it work. I have a WTB Laser now, and it is TONS better than this saddle. Better in every category. You can get a really good deal on this saddle pretty much everywhere now . . . | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Downhiller
from the ham
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Huck | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | came with bike | | Strengths: | light | | Weaknesses: | this has to be the most uncomfortable seat ever | | Similar Products Used: | any seat is better | | Bike Setup: | enduro ht | | Bottom Line: | only buy it if you like getting boned up the ass | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Racer
from Richmond VA
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Poor Farm | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Keeps my ass nice and comfy on a bumpy ride, | | Weaknesses: | Heavy | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager Saddle | | Bike Setup: | 1999 Fisher Paragon | | Bottom Line: | bought this saddle used but not really, the guy bought it, neverused it and returned it so I got a pretty good deal on it.
I was previously riding on a traditonal saddle with no splits and I find that the split is much more comfortable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Racer
from Bellevue, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | anything that's not a road | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | performance | | Strengths: | No numbness
Extremely comfortable on my butt bones
Absorbes some shock | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Selle Italia- High quality if you like riding on bricks.
| | Bike Setup: | Yeti titanium ARC with full XTR. | | Bottom Line: | I don't understand some of the reviews and people saying that the seat isn't comfortable. I weigh 225 lbs and race about 10 times a year using this seat not to mention my training rides as well. It works better than any I've tried in the past. It's extremely comfortable and gives me the control I need to help direct the bike on down hills. Granted the initial price of $99.99 was a bit steep but these can be had any where now for under $50. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Logan Watson
a Cross Country Rider
from Raleigh, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | New Light, Rocky Road - Raleigh | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$29.00 | | Purchased At: | specialized.com | | Strengths: | Very comfortable. Ergonomic design. Lightweight(305g). Best deal on the web - $29 at specialized.com - regular price $99.
What a bargin! Looks awesome. | | Weaknesses: | none yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Vetta gel, Specialized Prolong | | Bike Setup: | Specialized SJ FSR Comp, Manitou Mars front fork, Fox Float R rear shock, all XTR/XT, Avid V brakes, Mavic 225's | | Bottom Line: | This is the best seat I have ever used. No soreness whatsoever, 15 miles on technical trail on the first day. It is a perfect blend of plushness and weight. It sticks up a little higher than my other Specialized saddle, so I trimmed my seat post 1/2" with the hack saw. You cannot beat this saddle for $29, get them while you can!! Specialized will even send you a free waterbottle, magazine, and a poster. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Brown
a Cross Country Rider
from Surrey, UK
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Three hills. | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Strengths: | Realy realy comfortable! | | Weaknesses: | Adjustment is CRITICAL | | Similar Products Used: | Various but most notably selle gel. | | Bike Setup: | Kona Lavadome Marzocchi Z4 forks, etc etc.... | | Bottom Line: | This is the second BG I have owned. The first was on my road bike and was the slim version. I hated it until I worked out that very careful adjustment was necessary. From then on I clocked 40 miles a day and never got numb again.
Reciently I put one of the WIDE BG's on my Lavadome. This realy suits the shape of my butt and is even better that the slim version.
An excelent product, but you MUST learn to adjust it correctly.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Obi
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Strengths: | Keeps my bits from going numb. Easy to move around on. Padding is comfy. Nose is fairly narrow. | | Weaknesses: | Heavier than most saddles. Not inexpensive. | | Similar Products Used: | Avocet and Selle San Marco saddles | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Santa Cruz Heckler | | Bottom Line: | I put one of these on my road bike last year, and the numbness stopped instantly. I put one on my Heckler this spring and even on 4 hour hell rides, I am very comfortable. I find that the saddle perfectly aligns with my sit-bones and takes pressure off of everything else. The nose is fairly narrow, and doesn't chafe my inner thighs. This is not an ultralightweight saddle, and it is not cheap, but it works great for me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | $99 | | Strengths: | Looks good. Okay saddle if you don't do much technical downhill or difficult uphill. | | Weaknesses: | Very uncomfortable on inner thighs if you have to spend any time behide the saddle --- their are points on the sides where the curve that starts at the nose meets the wider butt bone support. These points will rub you raw.
The nose doesn't round down enough, it is uncomfortable when doing the steep uphills that require you to slide all the way up to the point of the seat. | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager seat. | | Bike Setup: | Hardtail, Manitou EFC. Mostly XTR. | | Bottom Line: | There are definitely better seats that will also avoid putting pressure on those delicate nerves. Avoid this seat, there are better alternatives which are cheaper. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shawn Austin
a
from Milford, MA
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Vietnam | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Belmont Wheel Works | | Strengths: | None. A seat's only function is to be comfortable, and this
one is not. | | Weaknesses: | Very uncomfortable, no support, feels like you are falling
off the seat no matter where you put your but. The nose
feels like it is ramming into your crotch because it is
rounded the wrong way. Terrible feel | | Similar Products Used: | Tioga Multi Control (yuk), Avocet O2 (weak), WTB SST 98
(that's the ticket!) | | Bike Setup: | GT LTS 2000 (98) | | Bottom Line: | This seat is supposed to be comfortable and anotomically
correct, but it is simply the least comfortable thing I've
ever sat on. The sales person at Belmont Wheel Works said
it was a very comfortable saddle - I guess he never sat on
one. When I brought it back for an exchange, they only gave
me a 90% credit because there were marks on the rails.
Well, that's because specialized found the need to coat the
rails with some cheap ass paint. How are you supposed to
mount that without marking it up a little? Got a WTB SST 98
to replace it (120 buck, plus the 10 bucks I lost off the
credit, making it a 130 dollar set), but this seat is
awesome. No lamo "junk canals", just a good shape with
strategically placed solf spots. Put it on, and you
forget it is there, which is exactly what a seat's supposed
to do. Avoid the specialized comp at all costs. Can't
speak for the other seats in the specialized line, but
I will personally never by another specialized seat. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug Watola
a Weekend Warrior
from Powder Springs, GA
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Atlanta Cyclist | | Weaknesses: | This saddle has been a disappointment. I have just completed a one hundred mile ride and found myself standing off the saddle after seventy miles. For the money this is not a good saddle. | | Bottom Line: | Saddle is not worth the money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wade
a Cross Country Rider
from Brooklyn, NY
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | any XC w/ steep hills | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$89.00 | | Purchased At: | Roy's Sheepshead Bay | | Strengths: | Lightweight saddle; Sharp looking; Quality construction | | Weaknesses: | VERY uncomfortable | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Stumpjumper Comp M4; XT shifters; Dirt Rodz | | Bottom Line: | This saddle came on my Specialized Stumpjumer (one of the greatest hardtails you'll ever ride). While there is a lot of room to maneuver on it while racing, it's painful. I replaced this saddle after both short and long term rides left me hurting. I went for a $40 Specialized Sport saddle and now the bike feels like it should. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Weekend Warrior
from San Marcos
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Various | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Light Weight, Comfortable (2001 model), qulity saddle for the money, Specialized got this on right.
| | Weaknesses: | None yet | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized that came with the bike, Mongoose, BG comfort | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Enduro Comp, stock w/ Time ATAC and 01 BG comp saddle. | | Bottom Line: | No low back pain after rides, I have a compressed Vertebrae in lumbar spine 20 year old injury. Rides like a Cadilac to me love it. You do need to set it up corectly though, if not it is very uncomfortable | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Grant
a Cross Country Rider
from Gauteng
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$102.00 | | Strengths: | Looks amazing.
Thin enough to let me use it on my road bike.
| | Weaknesses: | well...er... lets just say it takes a while to get used to it(if u dont sit on it correctly it can be a rather uncomfortable experance | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bottom Line: | an excelant saddle if u take the time to get to know it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento, CA USA
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | not picky | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | got it with the bike | | Strengths: | Looks pretty. | | Weaknesses: | It is uncomfortable | | Similar Products Used: | Velo GelSof | | Bike Setup: | S-Works M4 frame with moderate components | | Bottom Line: | It's uncomfortable. I dunno, maybe it's light. Kinda
pretty. But I like my butt to be happy. This doesn't
do it. Today, my derailleur was messing up so I was
afraid to stand. I was thinking about my butt a LOT.
I've ridden a LOT further with my Velo GelSof (?) and
my butt be happy. So to heck with style. I'm going to
a nice gel seat on my light roadbike too. All of the
poseur nuts can have sore butts. Don't buy this seat
if you actually ride your bike and aren't into S & M. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Noah
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Lightweight, enables one to reproduce | | Weaknesses: | Extremely uncomfortable, very hard, not as light as similar WTB saddle | | Similar Products Used: | WTB Flite | | Bike Setup: | '97 Schwinn Moab 2, tricked out | | Bottom Line: | Body Geometry, my ass! If you enjoy two hard ridges riding on your tailbone, you'll love it. I'm short, so it might be better for larger riders. I traded it back for a similarly list-priced and featured WTB (the Flite model, I believe) which is infinitely more comfortable and lighter. Spend the xtra bucks on the WTB...you won't regret it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a
from Harrisburg, PA
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Dick's Sporting Goods | | Strengths: | Reasonable weight, was cheap at the time | | Weaknesses: | Uncomfortable | | Similar Products Used: | Selle San Marco Gel, Terry Liberator Ti-Race | | Bike Setup: | Paul Donahue Reynolds 631/'99 Campagnolo Chorus | | Bottom Line: | I bought this saddle nearly two years ago when I had a new road bike built, the idea seemed good. And Dick's for some reason had it priced the same as the standard Body Geometry Sport. But for me it isn't flat enough across the back, and it is very soft and flexible, you feel it moving around underneath you. I found it very uncomfortable for all but short rides. After three months of suffering, I bought a Terry Liberator Ti-Race, and it is a huge improvement. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
WRIDER
a Weekend Warrior
from Laguna Niguel, CA
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Strengths: | After two years I can still get it up, and I got my wife preggy, so it's doing its job. Lightweight considering it's size and padding. Pretty comfortable, too. | | Weaknesses: | Bends easily (I'm on my third). | | Bottom Line: | Go for it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fred
a Racer
from Kent,WA,USA
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$89.00 | | Purchased At: | Gregg' Greenlake Cycle | | Strengths: | None. | | Weaknesses: | Too soft. You must adjust your seat ht to compensate when you sit down the saddle will mush and thus you will be lower in your saddle. Especially if your in the saddle for long peroids doing a century. | | Similar Products Used: | Terry Ti-Race, Fly. | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale CAAD 3 with all Durace, Mavic Equipes wheels. Litespeed all Durace, Velomax Ascent comps, Richie WCS Bar and Stem. | | Bottom Line: | Good attempt by specialize but don't buy it. You'll waste your money. Check out Selli Italia Trans flite. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SCOTT
a Weekend Warrior
from OLD HICKORY,TN
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | lock4 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | NONE | | Weaknesses: | RAILS BEND,UNCOMFORTABLE,SADDLE SORES | | Similar Products Used: | SPECIALIZED PRO LONG | | Bike Setup: | FSR-XC | | Bottom Line: | THIS HAS GOT TO BE THE MSOT UNCOMFORTABE SADDLE MADE. I
THOUGHT IT WOULD BE CUSHEY DO TO THE THICK PADDING,BOY
WAS I WRONG.IT SEEMS TO BE SOFT WERE YOU NEED IT TO BE FIRM
AND FRIM WERE YOU NEED IT TO BE SOFT.THE STITCHING HAS GIVEN
ME THE WORST SADDLE SORES AND MAKES A 2 HOUR RIDE FEEL LIKE
I JUST DID A 24 HOUR RACE.THIS SEAT IS COMING OF MY BIKE TODAY, I'LL PUT MY PRO LONG BACK ON UNTIL I CAN GET A FLITE. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Derek Jones
a Weekend Warrior
from Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Hardwood Hills | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Toronto Bike Show | | Strengths: | -looks good
-low weight
| | Weaknesses: | -cheap construction
-uncomfortable on long or serious rides | | Similar Products Used: | -Flite Gel | | Bike Setup: | -Litspeed Obed / XT / Raceface | | Bottom Line: | I must admit it does take some pressure off the boys. However, it puts 3 times as much pressure on the rest of your butt. On the latter half of a long rides, I was spending most of my time and energy trying to find a comfortable position. It starts to feel like you are sitting on right on the titanium rails.
The only enjoyable part of riding on this saddle is getting off it when you get home !! What a relief !!
While it might be ok for going to the store to pick up some milk..... or something to get rid of the pain, serious mountain bikers will be disappointed. They should stick to a Flite or something comparable even if they are a little numb down there.
I see Mountain Bike mag feels the same way. They rate it unnacceptable regardless of any medical benefit ! Guess the new 2001 S-Works version is better but unless Specialized gives me a refund I'm not going to try it. Back to Flite for me ! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Philadelphia, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Wissahickon | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$79.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike, Keswick Cycles | | Strengths: | Good design, decent weight, obvious ergonomical / physical benefits, non-numb "saddle areas." | | Weaknesses: | Price -- but my latest one for my 2nd bike was about $20 cheaper than the 1st. | | Similar Products Used: | "Stock" saddles that came on my bike. | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F900Z, Magura Discs, Headshock w/lockout. Also, Cannondale M800, full rigid winter bike with Nokian studded tires. | | Bottom Line: | I actually have this saddle on both of my x-c bikes. Takes awhile to break in but when it does -- feels *wonderful* and works as designed/promised. Highly recommended. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
michael paul
a Racer
from grafton, va
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Blue Ridge Parkway | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Strengths: | cushy, excellent shape, looks cool from the rear | | Weaknesses: | heavy, doesn't have suspension, looks ugly from the side because rails stick out too much | | Similar Products Used: | vette tri-shock, San Marco suspension saddle | | Bike Setup: | Trek 5200 carbon (U.S. Postal) | | Bottom Line: | It's ugly, heavy, bulky looking, expensive and has no suspension (but the shell does flex quite a bit) but it's very comfortable and the rear of the saddle is perfectly shaped for my butt. When I want to stay in the saddle and hammer up a hill the saddle is shaped just right that I can get leverage off the rear. I think Specialized just needs to trim 50-100 grams off it and put suspension on it and make it a lower profile because it's really ugly from the side. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Mason
a Cross Country Rider
from Silver Spring, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Shaffer Farms | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Performancebike.com | | Strengths: | Lightweight, easy to manuver around and with, comfy, no soreness | | Weaknesses: | A bit pricey at $100, but awesome if you can find it for $50. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Body Geometry Sport = more comfy, less manuverable | | Bike Setup: | 1999 Specialized FSR Enduro Pro | | Bottom Line: | Nice upgrade from stock, which is not a split design. Find it at a good price (60 or less) and you're golden. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Loch Miwa
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago, IL
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | the-s-store.specialized.com | | Strengths: | Cheap at clearance pricing
Well built | | Weaknesses: | Definitely didn't fit me! | | Similar Products Used: | Selle Italia Max Flite Trans Am | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Rockhopper Comp A1 FSR | | Bottom Line: | Maybe this fits someone else better than it did me. Although it initially felt soft, after about 15 minutes of riding, it felt like I was riding on the edge of a 2x4. The soft padding squashes down under the parts that need supporting and ends up pushing on the parts that don't!
No saddle can be cheap enough to be worth the pain. I sent it back and bought a Selle Italia Max Flite Trans Am which fits me perfectly. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul M
a Weekend Warrior
from Fremont
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | comfortable, reasonably light, reduced numbness | | Weaknesses: | construction, appearance, comfort limited to one position
on saddle | | Similar Products Used: | Selle Italia Flite Trans Am | | Bike Setup: | 99 Santa Cruz Heckler | | Bottom Line: | I bought this saddle when it first came out. This early version of the saddle is okay, nothing exceptional, and certainly not worth what I paid for it. The workmanship is only average as the leather cover is starting to peel away from the rear of the shell and one of the seat rail rear anchor points deformed enough to pop out the "S" plastic badge. New versions appear to be improved in these areas.
It did reduce the ocassional numbness I was getting during
extended climbs but I've since found other saddles that
do the same with greater overall comfort.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed
a Cross Country Rider
from Cary, NC
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | RR | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Dick's | | Strengths: | Comfortable | | Weaknesses: | Construction | | Similar Products Used: | Various WTB offerings; Selle San Marcos; Coda | | Bike Setup: | Klein Attitude | | Bottom Line: | I tend to ride alot of rooty / rocky technical singletrack and this saddle is my favorite to date. Everyone's built differently so the validity of buying a saddle based off of a review is questionable. The benefits of this saddle are excellent overall comfort and, when climbing steep technical sections, you can slide to the front of the saddle and it's broad enough to support you comfortably. The only weakness is that the leather cover is starting to peel away from the saddle after about 18 months. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jon webster
a Weekend Warrior
from Staffs, UK
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Peak District | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Lightweight, anti-numbing, hardwearing | | Weaknesses: | Expensive | | Similar Products Used: | Some gel thing, and a Flite Italia XO. | | Bike Setup: | Trek Y-11 full susser and a GT Tempest | | Bottom Line: | This saddle took a couple of hundred miles to really bed in, but now its as comfortable as an old shoe.
Looks smart, and seems to take the abuse I've heaped on it so far without any harm. I weigh thirteen stone (it's muscle, really!) and it suits me very well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lloyd!
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise
Date Reviewed: December 21, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | you can sit on it | | Weaknesses: | does not work as advertised | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager FS+10 Race | | Bike Setup: | '99 Trek SLR frame, '00 SID XC, XT & XTR components, Thomson post/stem, Time carbon pedals, yadda, yadda, yadda... | | Bottom Line: | If you ride more than a few miles on any saddle and you haven't been professionally fit on your bike, then you will experience numbnuts. I bought this saddle in the spring of '99, right after they came out. Unfortunately, I bought the hype - my bad. After 2 years on this saddle and multiple adjustments, I still get numbness on long, steep uphills. The bottom line - it may work for you, it did not work for me. I'll probably keep it as a backup saddle, but I'm going back to the Bontrager FS+10 Race that came with my bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Racer
from Charlotte , NC , USA
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Any paved road | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Strengths: | If anything, it looks cool | | Weaknesses: | Way to much padding | | Similar Products Used: | Selle Italia Flite Gel, SDG Ventura Comp and Brooks | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Allez M4 | | Bottom Line: | I had the specialized saddle installed on my bike about 2 or 3 weeks after I purchased it because the saddle that came on my M4 was so hard it was like sitting on a wooden bench. I thought this saddle would make a difference on long rides. Boy was I wrong. The 2 biggest problems I had with this saddle was the amount of padding and that it felt like something was pinching me. The way the saddle is set up in the front does not work well with a rider that likes to stand. I would find myself hitting the front of the saddle when I would go back to sitting. I even tried to lower the front of the saddle but that did not work either. The nose of the saddle is just to BIG !!! I have seen the new designs for 2001 and after seeing them I believe that specialized had the same thought. The new comp saddle has a little less padding and the nose of the saddle is pointed down and it also has less padding. I'm going to see if the store where I got this saddle will cut me a deal on the new specialized pro saddle. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mephesto
a
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere and everywhere | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Tiong Hin | | Strengths: | -The body geometry design. For once it's not just all marketing BS as we've so often seen
-Relatively light
-Nice and padded yet not bulky | | Weaknesses: | -Price (S$110!!!)
-Stitching/finishing under seat doesn't look too well done(not for the price at least)
-Plastic trim looks abit tacky | | Similar Products Used: | -SDG Comp Ti (Kevlar)
-Velo Crossbow
-generic Specialized saddle | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Ground Control, LX/XT, Judy XC w/ Englund internals | | Bottom Line: | It's a great saddle, does what it's supposed to. The comfort is unsurpassed(as compared to my SDG Comp Ti), no soreness/numbness whatsoever.
The big downside is the price though... I mean this wasn't made with anything fancy, and the overall quality was wanting.
I can't comment on durability as I've had it for a very short while.
For the price(don't you just hate it when big companies spend tons on marketing and hype and the end user has to bear the brunt of the cost?)and the poor finishing. I can only give it a Value Rating of 3 peppers.
For saving my nuts and actually doing what they were hyped to do, I give it 4 peppers overall.
The bottomline is if you have seat problems and money to burn, go for it, you won't be disappointed.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike wingate
a
from bowdon
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | wiltshire downs | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | www.wiggle.co.uk | | Strengths: | comfortable and fits. once set up, same angle and just a bit further back, but 1/2" lower than previous spec saddle, due to construction. 3 months and some 490 miles, not a bad saddle. no numb nuts, no chafed (rubbed raw) thighs, i will be able to show this saddle to my grandchildren one day and say , without this, you would not be here | | Weaknesses: | so far so good,too many people seem to slag off the big S. | | Similar Products Used: | spec plastic saddle, ok but ripped up the top and gel in a 25mph road spill due to wasps in helmet and one handed front breaking in the dry with hope front disc brakes.
cinnelli leather road saddle on road bike(took some getting used too) | | Bike Setup: | spec 2000 stump fsr comp with riser bars, hope sport hubs, xc4 discs front and rear, pro levers,mavic 317 rims | | Bottom Line: | if it fits, sit on it, leather starting to wear in, slatted rear keeps rear end dry-ish.
people seem keen on knowing how it works and feels and does it fit ok.
i am happy with it, no problems,money well spent well done specialized, and wiggle for discounting the saddle | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alfonso
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakland, CA USA
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike, eBay | | Strengths: | works as it should on my rear end, durable, stands up well to weather | | Weaknesses: | heavy compared to others, a tad pricey | | Similar Products Used: | SDG, San Marco, various crappy stock saddles | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight (mtb), Airborne Zeppelin (road) | | Bottom Line: | I have two of these saddles, MTB model on my Superlight and standard model on my road bike. At first mount, you wouldn't think that this is a comfortable saddle, but as hours pass and thousands of pedal strokes later you'll probably never think about it nor need to shift your seated position. Best of all, I've never experienced numbness anywhere from the waist down -- EVER -- even after riding 4 hours straight. Just enough firmness and the contour of the wedge works perfectly for my admittedly small, round tush (for a squat, 165 pounder). Superb product, but could be a better value if it was less expensive. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig
a Cross Country Rider
from Ames, IA, US
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike World | | Strengths: | Eliminates 90+% of numbness for me | | Weaknesses: | Slippery surface | | Bike Setup: | '99 Specialized Stumpjumper Comp stock | | Bottom Line: | I was getting very numb after long rides of 35 miles or so. I had tried a number of different adjustments with my seat, but nothing was helping. I finally spent the money and purchased this seat. It fits me very well and eliminated most of the numbness for me. At first it will make your sit bones hurt because it puts more pressure on them, but after you get used to it, it really works wonders. It is a little slippery compared to my old seat, but overall it is a great addition to my bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Lebanon, Pa, US
Date Reviewed: September 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Douges casm | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$95.00 | | Purchased At: | Green Mt. Cyclery | | Strengths: | Comfortable(once you get ysed to it), Magnesium rails. holds up when you wreck.
| | Weaknesses: | price. | | Similar Products Used: | SDG comp. | | Bike Setup: | 99 GT backwoods,jett xc fork. | | Bottom Line: | took a wile for me to get used to it but now it is soft and comfortable. rip-off for the price, its a good seat but not worth $95.00 the mud flap keeps the mud and water off of my butt(unlike the other seats with no mud flap) I would recomend this seat to other people looking for a seat and have the money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MIke
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose, CA USA
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Demo Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Strengths: | Hmmmm.... I guess it looks cool. | | Weaknesses: | It f***ing hurts. Hurts my ass and back. | | Similar Products Used: | The basic Body Geometry (big cushions), many other saddles - too many to list. | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Giant XTC with MonekyLite Riser, Mavic X517 disc rims & WTB Motorapter's. | | Bottom Line: | The "low end" Body Geometry saddle is nice & comfy but weighs a ton. I thought that I would "step-up" to the BG-comp, BIG MISTAKE. Yes, it's lighter but hurts like a motherf***er.
Both saddles get "chewed-up" easily when you wipe out.
THE BOTTOM LINE: If you ride short rides (1hr or less), then you might like it. However if your killer rides require 30 minutes of climbing between long sigletracks and your ride time exceeds 1+ hours, then forget it - nothing but pain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ray Perry
a
from UK
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Any singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Colour matched my bike | | Weaknesses: | makes my sit bones ache like hell.The place where the leather is stitched to the kevlar edge is raised and makes my butt cheeks very sore.
It creaks alot. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Specialized M4 FSR | | Bottom Line: | Nice idea,works on short rides but stitching creates sore patches on my butt.It stops my tool going numb but seems to cut the blood supply to my cheeks instead.
I got hold of a specialized prolong which is supposed to be like sitting on a bit of wood, but is heaven compared to the BG. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jack Pfister
a Weekend Warrior
from Suffern, NY USA
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Ringwood State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Purchased At: | Ski Barn | | Strengths: | Comfortable when you ride in the right position. Lots of adjustment range with the long rails. | | Weaknesses: | Expensive. Not well-made. Labeling on kevlar sides already worn off. | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager FS+10 | | Bike Setup: | '97 Fisher Joshua XO. Only thing left from the factory is the frame, everything else modified. | | Bottom Line: | I purchased this seat because numerous falls had shredded the Bontrager that came stock on my Joshua. My first reaction was that the BG felt "funny" and not particularly comfortable... in fact, it seemed to squeeze the "target area" even more than a flat seat! Then... I sat back a little...
BIG difference when you ride the "sweet spot." Great support, no pinching and lots of wiggle room to shift on and off for downhills. I've put a few hundred miles on the thing and, aside from a little "pressure point" tenderness in the butt, I can do multi-hour rides with ease.
BG is NOT for everyone. If you like to sit in different positions on the saddle to relieve fatigue, you'll find this difficult... you're pretty much confined to one posture. Also, I NEVER get out of the seat, even when climbing steeply (20 tooth front granny ring) so I can't comment on the thigh-rubbing-while-standing issue.
But, it works for me. 5'11", 165 pounds, mostly fire road and trail rider. I think I made a good investment but I have to agree... it's a little cheaply made. We'll see how it holds up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig
a Cross Country Rider
from Maple Grove, MN
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything rideable in MN | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$85.00 | | Purchased At: | Local bike shop | | Strengths: | Nice and soft. Cut-out section really does work, no post riding pain. Helps cushion small bumps while pedaling in seated position. | | Weaknesses: | Rubs the insides of your thighs raw while pedaling in standing position or while standing during downhills. | | Similar Products Used: | SDG Grand Prix, and other SDG models. | | Bike Setup: | '00 GT Zaskar w/ XTR crankset and front der., Time ATAC pedals, Titec Bil AL stem, Specialized body geometry comp saddle. | | Bottom Line: | I normally ride relatively flat cross-country trails in the metro areas of Minnesota. For this type of riding this saddle works great because I spend most of my time in the saddle pedaling while climbing hills. It seems to absorb some of the shock that an aluminum frame will distribute from small bumps, rocks, roots, etc. Also, I no longer have a sore "taint" after two hour rides. I'd give this thing 6 flaming chiles for that benefit alone. But, I recently rode a ton of downhill this last weekend and this saddle really rubbed the insides of my thighs raw. It seems it may be a little on the wide side. While standing it always touches the inside of your legs and when your bike turns into a jackhammer on downhill runs it rubs a ton of times on your legs. Ouch.. But, I still really like this saddle because the majority of the riding I do is cross country. Others may disagree, but I think it depends on the type of riding you like to do and your style of hill climbing and descending. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erik
a Racer
from Madison
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Good Marketing | | Weaknesses: | Pick any strentgh you'd want in a saddle, and this doesn't have it. | | Similar Products Used: | Pick a saddle, I've tried it | | Bike Setup: | 5200/ fast forward seat post | | Bottom Line: | I tried this saddle, and it was so thick, I thought I was wearing a diaper. I was sooo uncomfortable, I can't imagine how the person who developed it, sleeps at night? And I try to be very objective when reviewing products!
DO NOT BUY THIS SADDLE!!!!
The saddle was heavy, but I thought I'd justify that with my package being happy. It wasn't! That made my wife very unhappy :-(
These ergo-ridges that run the length of the saddle were almost to the point of being 'sharp'. They HURT!
Enough said!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hubble Bubble
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Jumpingpound/Coxhill | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | No more numb N*ts! | | Weaknesses: | Takes a bit of getting used to.
| | Similar Products Used: | None. | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountian Blizzard. | | Bottom Line: | Great seat.
It felt a little weird at first. Have to get used to the shape. After a couple of rides, what you feel is that you can still feel you... you know what.
I tried one as I have one kid and may want more. The specialized was recommended by the manager of my local store. Told me to try it twice, at least, before making up my mind. I did and I am sold.
For those of you who did not like it, make sure you are riding on the men's not the ladies (unless you like to cross dress when you ride). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gerald McMurray
a Racer
from Monterey, CA 93955
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Sea Otter Loop | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | None. I guess the company does market it well. All looks no perfomance. On second thought it is pretty strong. | | Weaknesses: | Does not do what it is designed for. Heavy. Too much padding. | | Similar Products Used: | WTB, Serfas comp, selle italia | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight with SRAM 9.0 SL kit. | | Bottom Line: | I have rode a lot of hard seats that never made my package go to sleep like this one. The design is apparently only for looks as it has no function. It is so soft that you crush all of the padding and then are sitting on a hard point anyway. I really never had a hard time with the harder saddles. I would not have switched but i was riding my wife's bike with the non comp version and I bent that one off a lousy 2 foot drop (another specialized piece of junk). I could only get store credit out of the losers at Performance Bike so i figured I might take the chance.
I will sell you mine that is hardly used for 50.00. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sarah
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Worth
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Bar H Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | none | | Weaknesses: | everything - poor workmanship/materials/design | | Similar Products Used: | trek 6000 stock, selle italia flite gel | | Bike Setup: | "98 trek 6000
Airbourne Lucky Strike, XT stuff, Bontrager wheels | | Bottom Line: | very disapointed.
I rode the women's saddle a couple of times when the nose began to loose the plastic base thing. this rubbed on my inner leg and wrecked my shorts. the seams at the back caused untold pain and skin damage on just a 2 hour ride. The fabric and workmanship is overall very poor. not what I expected from specialized. It is on it's way back for a refund I hope. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Endwell
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Jenksville | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Very comfortable and great value | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | stock mongoose seat | | Bike Setup: | to good to mention | | Bottom Line: | The seat is definetly a great value. Its very plush and it forces you to sit in the correct position. There is no post riding pain or soreness. Best seat i have ever sat on!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bjorndoggie Cruiser
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | undecided | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | It works. | | Weaknesses: | Price. | | Similar Products Used: | Stock Rockhopper seat. | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Rockhopper: Body Geometry Comp seat, upgraded Rock Shock fork. | | Bottom Line: | The seat that came with my Rockhopper was a rock. I was able to buy the Body Geo seat slightly used and I love it. When you ride it with your body mass forward it's just an average seat. But, when your center of gravity is towards the rear, (which I seesm to do alot in my riding) its great! I could see how you might catch baggy shorts on it going downhill, but I ride with cycling shorts and pants and that just is not a problem. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Regan Tanner
a Cross Country Rider
from North East, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Any single track | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light, cool looking, COMMFORTABLE | | Weaknesses: | Mud gets all over the crack of your A** | | Similar Products Used: | Vetta TT | | Bike Setup: | GT Pantera | | Bottom Line: | I received this saddle by accident, I ordered the sport model with a $20.00 off coupon for 19.95. They sent me the $99.00 comp model. The seat gives new meaning to comfort. It's not like you are in the saddle that much anyway but this seat makes me a happy rider. We will see how it holds up, the kevlar seems a bit high from where the seat usually rips. Overall very comfortable and quality manufactured. -1 for the mud in my crotch. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Blair
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Everybody asks you how your butt feels. | | Weaknesses: | See below | | Similar Products Used: | Giro Nisene, WTB SST, Selle Bassano mid-rande stuff | | Bike Setup: | Trek 5000 set-up for triathlon | | Bottom Line: | My first impression of this saddle on a trainer was that it was terribly uncomfortable. But my friends who have them suggested I wait to see what it was like on the road.
My second impression was that this thing was pretty good after all. 140km rides with no numbness was success in my book. There was some discomfort with the groove design. The two raised edges kinda pinch ....stuff, get my drift. But still a 5 start item. Ugly as hell, but it worked.
My third impression came from a 3 day 340km bike tour. Those slightly anoying raised edges have got me chewed up royaly. Going commando for a few days I guess.
And..the thing is expensive and ugly. Definitly hype priced.
The search continues.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tristan
a Racer
from Maine
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Local Mountain CC Networks | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | no more numbness!!! cushy. | | Weaknesses: | Cheaply Made, Expensively priced. | | Similar Products Used: | WTB Race | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn Homegrown. | | Bottom Line: | You want Kids?
Buy this saddle!!!! I have absolutley NO numbness since I got this. it is a little to cushy and heavy for racing, but screw it! the comfort is worth that little setback. As for the rail problems, I have no gripes about mine.
This saddle is great IF you have a well conditioned butt (used to being in the saddle) Maybe it just fits me right. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Glenn
a Weekend Warrior
from Gillette, WY
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Design- A good start...... | | Weaknesses: | Fit! Quality. Weight. | | Similar Products Used: | Avocet O2 K, Vetta TT TriShock, Bianchi Blanche | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale | | Bottom Line: | This saddle may help in the numbness department but that wad of stuff that mashes down between the groove and the inside of your butt cheeks will have you red and raw. You've got to stay in one spot toward the very back of this saddle to get any comfort. Its too soft toward the front for riding any distance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a
from Alameda, CA USA
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Hwy 1 in Marin | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | ? | | Weaknesses: | way too narrow in rear! Lacking craftsmanship and materials - I had to pick through a bunch of them at the LBS to find one without too much wrinking in the leather! | | Similar Products Used: | Selle Italia MAX Flite Transam, traditional racing saddles | | Bike Setup: | Bianchi Dedacciai cyclocross frame & fork, Chorus Ergo/Racing T 9 speed, Chis King HS, Phil Wood BB, PAUL Neo-Retro cantis, 3ttt Morphe bar, Cinelli Alter stem, Mavic CXP-33 rims, Edco hubs, Marwi 14 4 cross spokes, Continental Ultra 2000s for hard roads, Michelin Cyclocross Sprints for soft roads, Rock Shox Road suspension seatpost | | Bottom Line: | I was skeptical about the intended design merits of the Specialized Body Geometry saddle line when I saw them in the LBSs, but in an effort to be open minded about it, and putting my faith in Specialized's sense of responsiblity toward their customers, I bought one to try out.
Should have gone by my original gut instinct. This saddle is just plain strange. Looks like this Minkow guy that Specialized got to design this thing is not as good as they would like us to think he is. The "Minkow Wedge" offers some pressure relief on the precious "male root", but only if you sit way back on the narrow pointy (
Some reviewers have said that you get used to this unusual way of sitting on this saddle. After a couple hundred miles on mine, I've decided I *don't want* to get used to it.
I've got a Trico Sports TS-SRS Split Rail saddle on order, which seems to be a great design (they don't need to put a charlatan's name on it for validation). Can't wait to get it and give it a try.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Simon
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco, California, USA
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | For me, none | | Weaknesses: | Not comfortable | | Similar Products Used: | Terry Fly | | Bike Setup: | X-C | | Bottom Line: | I bought a Body Geometry saddle to solve the numbness problem, however, it didn't work for me, and in the meantime, Terry released their Fly saddle, so since I found the Specialized uncomfortable, I bought a Fly, and boy, what a difference. I highly recommend that over a Body Geometry.
The Specialized saddle is too hard and doesn't solve the pressure problem because the cutout is in the rear of the saddle, not where it's most useful. It's possible that the Specialized design works better with a more upright sitting position, but I'm leaned more forward with my setup. The Terry design, which I believe is patented, has the cutout in the proper place and is much more comfortable as a result. I had shied away from Terry saddles previously because they're ugly, especially the Liberator Race, with its yellow stripe, but the Fly is a more modern saddle design and quite stylish (maybe they had some input from Selle Italia, who makes it for them and who, apparantly, have licensed the cutout design. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BRIAN THOMPSON
a Weekend Warrior
from SPOKANE WASHINGTON
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | BEACON HILL | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | VERY COFORTABLE SEAT,MY BUTT DOEST GET SORE ANYMORE.I MEAN
REALY REALY COMFY. | | Weaknesses: | KINDA DUMB LOOKING,NOT A VERY SLEEK DESIGN.LOOKS LIKE ITS NOT PUT TOGETHER VERY WELL ALSO. | | Similar Products Used: | STOCK SPECIALIZED SEAT OF OF MY 98 STUMPJUMPER COMP | | Bike Setup: | STOCK EXCEPT THIS SEAT. | | Bottom Line: | I AM NOT GOING TO TRY A DIFFERENT SEAT,I LIKE WHAT I BOUGHT.
I HOPE IT HOLDS UP UNDER USE BECAUSE IT LOOKS AS IT COULD START COMING APART.ITS EASY TO SLIDE OF THE BACK FOR GOING DOWNHILL AND FELLS GREAT UNDER ME. $100.00 WAS A BIT SPENDY
BUT I COULD OF SPENT MORE OR LESS NOT BE HAPPY.THE BOTTOM LINE IS IT WORKS FOR ME. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Forgy
a Cross Country Rider
from Golden Colorado
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | slickrock | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | reasonably light weight
comfortable
good cushioning
great design idea
improves what it was meant to improve | | Weaknesses: | Hard plastic on rear of seat is unpadded(more on that later)
split tail catches shorts and tights
spendy, spendy, spendy | | Similar Products Used: | Serfas arc cross bow, avocet O2, bontrager race | | Bike Setup: | mantra comp w/ m747s, lx cranks, advent 45 degree stem | | Bottom Line: | This has to be the best seat for comfort I've found yet that is narrow enough to allow you to slide off the back for steep downhills. However, the engineers need to keep working. First, that split tail is a shorts-grabbing pain. I don't know how many times I've had to fight to get back in the saddle after downhilling a stretch of trail. Second, the hard plastic rear of the seat can be deadly! I was way back on the bike going down a steep section of trail the other day and at the bottom hit a sizeable rock that would have probably launched me over the bars, were it not for my body position. Unfortunately, instead I slammed parts very near and dear to me into the hard plastic points at the back of the seat. OWWWWWWWWW!!!! I won't go into graphic details, but suffice to say that is the first time I've seen that part of my body black and blue.
Overall, I'd say the design is a success. It reduced and nearly eliminated blood flow problems, it's padded well enough to allow me to ride five days back to back totalling 15 hours on the bike, and so far, mine has held up well. Unfortunately, the unique design that make this saddle a success also make it hazardous to your health in other ways.
It's a great start to a saddle design, now finish it (and don't try to make up for design costs in the first week of sales, drop the price). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Killer
a Cross Country Rider
from Sedona, AZ
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Chicken Point | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | 1st seat was comfy | | Weaknesses: | 1st seat's rails came out of socket, could NOT get the rails back in - verified how strong they are I suppose. 2nd seat not comfy - amazing how different they are. | | Similar Products Used: | many | | Bike Setup: | 99 FSR XC | | Bottom Line: | Liked the first seat until it disembowled itself. Even recommended it to some friends. Regrets for that, all! Second seat makes me sore even after riding it 4 - 5 times a week for a month. For the $$$ I'm thinking of a Terry or Selle instead, these saddles are too much trouble! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tyler
a Cross Country Rider
from Ohio
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | mickeys mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | NO MORE PRESSURE!
Comfy
Tall Rails | | Weaknesses: | Price
Split ( mud shoots up your butt )
Pointy rear end ( catches shorts ) | | Similar Products Used: | Koobi ( cheap, uncomfortable ) | | Bike Setup: | Trek Aluminum Race hardtail
Marzocchi Z-2 | | Bottom Line: | I needed an ergonomic saddle design, and was willing to pay just about anything to get one that worked, otherwise I would never spend $100 on a saddle. That is definately too much, but it worked, and I love it! No more pressure, and it has decent padding on the nose for technical climbs. I bought the koobi, and it was lighter and worked in the back, but in the front you were sitting on 2 stiff plastic things about 5mm wide! OUCH! The Specialized works great, and I have no real complaints on it. It might not work so well for you, but for me it is the best! I will never go back to conventional saddles. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel Lu
a Weekend Warrior
from Taipei, Taiwan
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
The theory is REAL | | Weaknesses: |
Quality,
limited effective position | | Similar Products Used: |
WTB SST-K (a quality '98 version),
SDG BelAir,
SelleItalia Flite | | Bike Setup: |
'99 FSR XC Pro | | Bottom Line: | The 1st impression: that's not the quality of a $100 saddle. But after riding, the theory - to relieve the pressure of (...) - is real. No blocking anymore. However, like '98 WTB SST-K, the saddle has a very clear position for you. If you leave the position, all are gone as well. While climbing, you lose your chance to shift your position, for the poor design on the head/nod. The saddle looks fat, and doesn't couple their slim FSR XC. The padding is too soft for the long-distance ride.5 Stars for the Theory, but 3 stars for all others. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Augmented
a Weekend Warrior
from Princeton, NJ
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: |
S&S | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: | Relieves pressure
Comfy | | Weaknesses: | Cheap construction
too puffy
stacked too high | | Similar Products Used: |
Terry men's liberator | | Bike Setup: |
Sweet XC rig painted flat silver so you fucks don't steal it. | | Bottom Line: | I can't believe I got my post rejected for using the term a ss in a seat review. come on, guys.The seat takes the pressure off the boys and puts it on the derrier bones which can support it. BUTT (pun intended) it is the cheapest construction I've ever seen. My bike came with a Selle torture chaimber which wouldn't die no matter what I did to it, but this seat started showing wear on the leather within 2 wet rides, and the seams are splitting and the leather is coming separated from the plastic parts. The seat is stacked a little high compared to my Selle, so it was tough gtetting the seat dialed-in. It does do it's job of relieving the pressure from the boys and your gerbil hole (a ss would have been better, eh?), it greatly reduced my dependence on adult incontinence riding shorts (chamois shorts), but I tell you, after a year of riding this seat, it looks like a pair of 10 year old fruit of the looms. Hope Specialized replaces it for me. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
hb
a Cross-Country Rider
from albuquerque
Date Reviewed: December 24, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
uhhhh...it is a saddle. | | Weaknesses: |
walmart blue light special constructionbutt ugly | | Similar Products Used: |
lots | | Bike Setup: |
primo | | Bottom Line: | the groove works ok for reducing pressure on the perineum, but this is a one position saddle. not good for mtn biking where you shift body position frequently. also the junction of kevlar side protector and saddle is one of the worst sew jobs i've seen. if this was made in italy, it must have been on a saturday night after a few bottle of wine were ingested. this is not classic italian saddle quality | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd
a Cross-Country Rider
from Dallas, Tx
Date Reviewed: December 15, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
-actually works for me
-relative comfort
-claims that it MAY reduce impotence. | | Weaknesses: |
-insanely high price
-so-so construction
-weight
-life span appears short | | Similar Products Used: |
-Vetta TT
-Velo Crossbow | | Bike Setup: |
Klein Pulse with Marzocchi Atom Bomb | | Bottom Line: | If you purchase this saddle, give it a chance to work, but understand that for some folks, it simply doesn't (see below reviews). I had to get used to the initial soreness on my sit bones, but did notice there was no more numbness on the jewels. After a while, my sit bones got acclimated, and now I handle 2-hour rides in comfort. Some don't like all the cushioning, but it works OK for me. $100 is way too much for this saddle, even if it is made in Italy. The overall finish is cheap, especially the plastic accents on the front and back of the saddle. And the leather cover is wearing out much faster than on my $30 Velo teste-buster. Lesser evils are the weight and ugly-sister looks.So I love it and I sorta hate it. It works as promised, but its Ferrari price and Fiat construction are hard to swallow. So what does Specialized do? Come out with a $140 version that weighs 5 grams less! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed Bedford
a Cross-Country Rider
from Woodland Park, CO
Date Reviewed: December 14, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Bottom Line: | This seat is great for occassional riding or early-season rides but after the sit bones toughen up and the rides get long forget it. The split pinches in all the wrong places and it is simply too soft for long distance rides (40+ miles) where numbness really sets in. I have the seat sitting in my garage while I spend my long hours on a WTB ti-rail saddle. Maybe I'll try it again early next season or maybe it will end up on my wife's bike. Wish I would have passed on this product..... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron
a Cross-Country Rider
from Santiago, Chile
Date Reviewed: December 10, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Alameda | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Much better than a conventional Seat
Weight (vs. the Sport model) | | Weaknesses: |
Expense.
Sore Sits bones. | | Similar Products Used: |
Body Geo Comp
Terry Mens Liberator | | Bike Setup: |
Softride Powerwing MTB | | Bottom Line: | Good seat. Still looking for the ideal, but within the range of conventionalseats (that is, not getting into exotic designs that don't have a nose, etc.), this is a very good seat. Padding is decent and so is the weight (it's a lot lighter than the Sport model, which I don't like because it's split does not go down far enough). I'd like to try the Koobi seat, but since I don't have enough money to try every seat, I'll stick with this one. Recommended. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vince
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary, AB
Date Reviewed: November 27, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
all of them | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Rails stick out farther alowing more seatpost in your seat tube. Felt good right away. | | Weaknesses: |
I really don't know of any right now. Talk to me at the end of next season. It is heavier than other seats but I don't race so weight isn't a huge deal & having kids is. | | Similar Products Used: |
Just the factory instal seats that came with my '92 Marin and my '97 Kona | | Bike Setup: |
Kona Kilauea with lots of lovely little upgrades. | | Bottom Line: | I like this Seat alot. I'm a 225lb boy who rides his bike because it's there. Those hard little factory installs would hurt the spot after a couple hours on the trail. This one? ya, my a$$ gets sore a little bit but my spot is not! I did a 56km ride, 25k was all cross country and then I came back on 31Kms of hwy and I felt great. Fore me, a great seat. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Mountain View CA
Date Reviewed: November 19, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: |
The seat has quite a bit of padding, so it is quite comfortable. | | Weaknesses: |
The padding is a bit too soft, which causes my nuts to hit the seat and eventually go numb just like they do on a regular seat. I suspect the design would be more effective if the split went farther up the seat. | | Similar Products Used: |
Fizik Pave, WTB SST, Avocet 40R | | Bike Setup: |
Road | | Bottom Line: | It's a fine seat, but it's not the miracle we're all looking for. If it weren't so hideously expensive ($140), I would be curious to try the new model with the firmer padding. I suspect that would help. Overall, it seems like a good seat, but nothing more. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TMathis
a Weekend Warrior
from Alexandria,VA
Date Reviewed: October 29, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Shaeffer Farms | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Design | | Weaknesses: |
Weight | | Similar Products Used: |
non-memorable-brands | | Bike Setup: |
Cannondale SuperV 900 | | Bottom Line: | I swear by this seat; it is the absolute best upgrade a person can do for any bike. I was skeptical at first; but that ended readily. Yes, your bottom will get sore if you have been off the saddle for a while or after you first get it; but once you are broken in, you are broken in for good. I usually ride for 1.5-3.0 hours and yet to suffer from saddle-soreness. I suffer more from my chaomis drying up and chaffing me arse, then from soreness. I have two bikes and they both have Body Geometry seats. It is an excellent product, that can change your biking experience. Granted, I'm sure there are some people with certain butts that won't like this seat, but mine truly does! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Woodbridge, Ontario
Date Reviewed: October 25, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Ravenscliff | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Comfortable!!! (You have to get used to the new pressure points though) | | Weaknesses: |
A little pricey. I was a little sore the first couple of rides. | | Similar Products Used: |
Specialized Body Geometry, Bontrager ZPlus10 and generic gel type seats | | Bike Setup: |
Gary Fisher X0, full suspension & Mieli road bike | | Bottom Line: | I was a little pissed off when I first tried the seat. My butt was sore. However, I guess thats the price you have to pay when you shift the pressure points to the proper area. You just have to be patient and wait until that area toughens up. Now I get sore if I use a regular saddle. I had to buy another one for my road bike. I love the seat now. When travelling, I pack my shoes, pedals, bandito and seat. Just in case. When I'm spinning, I don't get as sore as I remember before I bought the seat. For those who did not give the seat a chance, too bad for you. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Bays
a Cross-Country Rider
from Bonneau, SC
Date Reviewed: October 24, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Tsali, Thompson Loop | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Very comfy | | Weaknesses: |
Not great for technical riding, cost, weight | | Similar Products Used: |
Flight | | Bike Setup: |
Cannondale Raven | | Bottom Line: | I think the whole perineum-numbness thing is rediculous. I bought the saddle because after an hour and a half in the saddle my butt hurt. The saddle is very comfy and I was willing to put up with the extra 75 grams of weight until I found that Just about every time I tried to come back over from behind my seat (technical descents) The edge of the seat would catch on my shorts, actually causing me to biff a few times. So I'm back to my Flight (and will stay with it) and have sold the Geometry saddle. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
El Santo
a Cross-Country Rider
from Santa Monica
Date Reviewed: October 18, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Hardesty Mtn. | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
-No numbness
-*very* comfortable | | Weaknesses: |
-Spendy
-Looks a bit goofy | | Similar Products Used: |
Bontrager Ti | | Bike Setup: |
Homegrown Hardtail | | Bottom Line: | This seat is *porno*. I have no idea what everyone is complaining about-- this seat is great. I love to mountain bike, but don't want to sacrafice having kids in the future. I am only 26 but think that having the option of reproduction might become really important sometime. I ride pretty long and hard, and have had my fair share of numbness on long climbs. Rode Corral Canyon last weekend and couldn't believe how different my bike felt- The seat is (1) just as light as the Bontrager Ti (not sure how that works), is (2) very easy to get off the back of for the steeps, and (3) is just cush. Be the ball. Get this seat and protect the boys. If you can't fork out the $100, wait for one of Supergo's sales and buy it. Deserves more than 5. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BASSMASTER
a Weekend Warrior
from UTAH
Date Reviewed: October 2, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
SECRET | | Duration Product Used: |
tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: |
EASY TO GET OFF MY SEATPOST | | Weaknesses: |
INITIAL 50 YARDS DISCOMFORT BEGINS | | Similar Products Used: |
VARIOUS | | Bike Setup: |
99 KONA MOKOMOKO | | Bottom Line: | WELL SE IF SPECIALIZED TAKES IT BACK W/O RECEIPT..
HAVE NEW SDG COMP RED BLACK (STUUPID PLACE FOR SEAMS , SDG)RIGHT WHERE U RIDEI'D GIVE IT A NOSCORE- AT LEAST IT DIDNT FIT MY BUTT, OR I HAVE A DECENT SADDLE ALREADY | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chad
a Cross-Country Rider
from temperance, mi
Date Reviewed: September 20, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
design
profile | | Weaknesses: |
cost | | Similar Products Used: |
Body Geometry | | Bike Setup: |
mongoose NX 7.1
manitou SX-LE
LX/STX-RC | | Bottom Line: | Not as plush as the Body Geometry, but much better for getting back off the saddle because it's narrower than the B.G. I found this saddle mis-marked at a dept store, selling for the $40 of the regular Body Geo...shoulda bought two and sold the other one! Great deal for the money. Wait for the next year's line up. They look sweet, and there is some redesign, even one just for women. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Geof
a Racer
from Colorado Springs
Date Reviewed: September 8, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Wild Thing | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
It had some red stuff on it that matched my bike | | Weaknesses: |
Really bad rail insterts, too big | | Similar Products Used: |
WTB SST, Trek, gooey gel | | Bike Setup: |
C-dale, zokes Z-2, XTR, Mavic etc. | | Bottom Line: | Well, at first I liked this seat, Once my butt got used to the very direct placement on the back it was fine. Kept the tool's blood flow up too. BUT... As I rode this thing I realized that after long rides it became very fatigueing (sp?) to my pelvis. It felt as if my sit bones were being wedged out. THEN... on Sunday I was pre-riding a downhill for the next days race and took a little digger (really lame one too)and got up and my seat had come completely off of the rails. Another dude and I could NOT get it back on. I rode down seatless (shitless). none the less I panicked because I didn't have a seat and no where to go on a holiday weekend. So my wife and I finally managed to get this thing wedged back together. I epoxied the rails into place and rode the race. Today I returned it to Colorado Cyclist and they replaced it no q's asked. I traded for a Selle Italia Max Flite Trans Am. Rode it for 30 mins and was astonished hiow much better it felt.
Specialized needs to do some research on the rail set up before this seat is safe. Maybe there should be a recall, judging from other posts.2 chili's for the seat(cuz it had some red)
5 Chili's for Colorado Cyclist Great people great store. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
HAK
a Weekend Warrior
from Altadena,Ca.
Date Reviewed: September 8, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Mount Pinos | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
null set | | Weaknesses: |
split my buttocks in two.OUCH!!! | | Similar Products Used: |
SDG,Selle | | Bike Setup: |
Santa Cruz Heckler,White- Bros.sc92,Fox twin clicker. | | Bottom Line: | Used twice.It chapped my hide.$80 bucks for that ride.I want my $$$$$$$ back. What the f%#@ jack. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Griff
a Cross-Country Rider
from Sacramento, CA
Date Reviewed: September 6, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Downieville | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
1. hype
2. um . . . benefits. | | Weaknesses: |
1. Cheap construction
2. um . . . benefits
3. hype
4. wide end | | Similar Products Used: |
Bontrager OEM | | Bike Setup: |
Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo | | Bottom Line: | I guess none of us will really know if this product works until 15 years from now . . .
Numbness on climbs: Mostly gone; Comfortable: Sure. Ugly: Very!; Cheap: The stupid 'S' stickers on the back came off after my second ride, and the paint started peeling after a month. I guess I didn't buy it to look pretty though. For $100 I would expect a little more. This saddle feels more comfortable than my last, but I've got different pain further forward (not all the time though). Also, you can't ride behind this seat (mentioned earlier) because the end of the seat is too damn hard, and too wide to pop back up quickly. Overall, I'm pleased with the seat, although I don't want the rails to pop out like they did to someone else below. 4 chilis. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
A. Cruz
a Racer
from Safety Harbor, FL
Date Reviewed: August 18, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Numbness dissapeared! Confy too. | | Weaknesses: |
Expensive, not too light, build quality. | | Similar Products Used: |
San Marco Squadra, Serfas, Coda. | | Bike Setup: |
Merlin Titanium | | Bottom Line: | I can finally ride and have feeling on all my body parts inmediatly after the ride. Wish it was cheaper and a little lighter. I tried the Pro version but it was too hard an uncomfortable. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross-Country Rider
from Gilroy, CA
Date Reviewed: August 15, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Demonstration Forest | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Might work for certain individuals | | Weaknesses: |
Comfort(it hurts), looks cheap, expensive, doesn't work as advertised | | Similar Products Used: |
Flite
Avocet O2 | | Bike Setup: |
Litespeed Tuscany
Litespeed Hiwassee | | Bottom Line: | I bought it on sale for $70 on a promotion by Specialized (no tax). The Specialize rep said that there are many Flite riders who converted and love this saddle. Well it's OK for anything under an hour. It HURTS for any long distance or Time. Because it contacts only your sit bones, the softness of the saddle makes you sink into the saddle too far. I've never had a saddle that gave me so much pain. My Flite and Avocet are far superior seats and the Avocet O2 has a smaller channel for your potection. Why did I switch? I'm always looking for a better saddle. I did experience a bit of numbness and my Avocet was a better saddle in this regard; PLUS it's alot more comfortable. I don't recommend this saddle unless you have a serious numbness problem. Then again, you'll start having a new soreness problem on your sit bones. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RUSS
a Cross-Country Rider
from LONG ISLAND,NY
Date Reviewed: August 5, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
TECHNICAL CLIMBS | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
NO NUMBNESS | | Weaknesses: |
BUILT CHEAP
$$$$$$
NOT COMFORTABLE | | Similar Products Used: |
TERRY LIBERATOR
WTB
TITEC
SELLE ITALIA
AT LEAST 15 OTHERS | | Bike Setup: |
KLIEN MANTRA RACE
LEMOND CHAMBERY | | Bottom Line: | I AM ENDLESSLY LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT SEAT. MY JOURNEY STARTED WITH MY MOUNTAIN BIKE A CONTINUES
WITH MY NEWLY PURCHASED ROAD BIKE. I LIKE COMFORT MORE THAN PURE LOOKS BUT I CAN'T DEAL WITH THE REAL TUBBY BOY SEATS.TO THIS SEAT'S CREDIT, I WILL SAY I NEVER EXPERIENCED NUMBNESS IN THE GROIN AREA (AT LEAST 18 OTHERS I HAVE TRIED DID GIVE ME NUMBNESS).BUT UNFORTUNATELY I DID GET NUMBESS IN MY BUTT WITH THIS SEAT. AS MENTIONEDBY SOMEONE IN AN EARLIER REVIEW, THE DESIGN OF THE SEATING AREA ISOLATES THE USE OF A VERY SMALL SUFACE AREA OF YOUR BUTT, NOT ALLOWING FOR THE SLIGHTEST OF BUTT REPOSITIONING DURING THE RIDE. I FOUND THAT THIS ISOLATION MADE MY BUTT GET NUMB.THE BEST COMBO FOR NO NUMBNESS AN COMFORTABLE PADDING GOES HANDS DOWN TO THE TERRY LIBERATOR.SUPER COMFORT (I CAN RIDE ALL DAY AND FORGET ABOUT ALL DISCOMFORT.
HEY! AND WHATS WITH THIS CHEAP CONSTRUCTION...THEY ARE GETTING A $100 FOR IT.THE BEST I CAN GIVE THIS SEAT IS 3 CHILIS ONLY BECAUSE ITS POSSIBLE THAT YOUR BUTT COULD TOLERATE THIS SEAT BECAUSE MINE COULDN'T.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sasquatch
a Cross-Country Rider
from McLean, Virginia
Date Reviewed: August 2, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Depends on the weather | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Good design, stylish | | Weaknesses: |
Slightly oversized but I suppose to accomplish it's goal it has to be. | | Similar Products Used: |
Avocet O2, CODA, Tailbones | | Bike Setup: |
Cannondale MT3000 Tandem & Cannondale Multisport 4000. | | Bottom Line: | The family jewels are safe! The nice thing about the comp is that once you have it set up correctly (nose with a slight downward angle) if you feel numbness setting in you just slide back on the 'wings' and everybody has clearance. The wings are padded so they feel fine. I've owned three other saddles and have tried 3-4 on friends bikes and this definately works for me! I'm very happy about the comp (and so is my wife)! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Em
a Weekend Warrior
from Tel Aviv
Date Reviewed: July 31, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Well buildt,good materials | | Weaknesses: |
Expensive | | Bike Setup: |
Specialized FSR | | Bottom Line: | Not good for me. I returnered to the dealer after a week. The nose is to long and high. It isn't really body geometry.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Bays
a Cross-Country Rider
from Bonneau, SC
Date Reviewed: July 26, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Tsali, Thompson loop | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Very Comfy | | Weaknesses: |
A little heavy and not very technical | | Similar Products Used: |
Selle italia flight | | Bike Setup: |
Cannondale Raven | | Bottom Line: | As I said, this saddle is very comfy and appears to be a good technical saddle, however, on more than one occasion my shorts (lycra) have caught on the bach edge of the saddle even causing me to Biff a couple of times. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cadel
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: July 10, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: |
Very comfortable | | Weaknesses: |
ugly... | | Similar Products Used: |
WTB
Specialized prolong | | Bike Setup: |
RH A1 FS
RS Judy XC
XT/LX | | Bottom Line: | dun really care about the looks...it is really
damn f*** comfortable to seat on!!!won't feel
numb.....the WTB is sh8t!!!too hard
Buy the WTB and eat Viagra
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
hugh g. rection
a Racer
from big boulders, ca
Date Reviewed: July 9, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
rachet way | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
no pressure on critical vein. | | Weaknesses: |
too $$$ | | Similar Products Used: |
nothing compares. | | Bike Setup: |
old spec. stumpjumper | | Bottom Line: | I think others who've dis'ed the seat work at WTB, or something. This seat may not be flawless but it's the best out there. You'll ride it if you value your man hood. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg Katz
a Cross-Country Rider
from Billerica, MA
Date Reviewed: July 6, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Cascade | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Minimizes numbness and relieves pressure. | | Weaknesses: |
Soft padding, not completely thought out, cheesy quality, high price. | | Similar Products Used: |
Flite
WTB
Selle Bassano
San Marco Squadra | | Bike Setup: |
Trek 5200 | | Bottom Line: | I put this saddle on my road bike looking for some numbness relief. For the most part it does work. I can ride much longer now. However, the padding is too soft. Because of this, it allows part of the plastic frame (the V part) to protrude. This has not yet proved to be painful but if the padding breaks down any more, watch out. For a $100 saddle its quality is sub par. I think it was made on a Chinese assembly line next to happy meal toys. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross-Country Rider
from Oakton, Virginia
Date Reviewed: June 30, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Gambrill blue trail | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
no numbness
probably good for weekend warriors and old folks | | Weaknesses: |
too soft
nose is too bulky
cheap looking
too expensive
sharp protrusions in rear could do some damage | | Similar Products Used: |
SDG Comp Ti
Giro Nisene | | Bike Setup: |
Specialized M2-pro with Manitou comp-Ti fork | | Bottom Line: | I bough tthis saddle thinking that for long cross country rides, it would be a more comfortable alternative to my well worn Giro Nisene. I was also hoping it would be comfortable enough that I wouldn't need to invest major dinero in a shock post. After shelling out 100 bucks, I really tried to like this seat, and for the first couple of rides it seemed to work allright. On long technical rides though, the bulky nose area caused a lot of pressure and chaffing in the region it was supposed to protect. Also, the wedge in the sit bone area seemed to put stress on my lower back. The shell is kind of flimsy as well, which when combined with the problems noted above, makes for a losing combination. In other words, it stinks..(Who is this Dr Minkow anyway!?). How they can charge 100 bucks for this Walmart quality piece of trash is beyond me. I took it back to Performance for a refund and put the Giro back on. I'm glad to have it back! I haven't had numbness with the Giro, and will probably get a new one when the present one wears out. I may try the Twin tech version thats not quite so firm as the standard. Sorry Specialized; I like your frames, but the body geometry saddle needs some serious reengineering! I'll give it two rather mild chilis... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
james
a Cross-Country Rider
from radford va
Date Reviewed: June 24, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
comfortable relief from
numbness | | Weaknesses: |
ugly and a little too
plush in the middle. | | Similar Products Used: |
terry,trek,vetta trans-
verse,serfas,avocet o2 | | Bike Setup: |
trek 2120 trek 5500 | | Bottom Line: | have did several 25 to 40 mile road rides and can
still feel my groin. considering putting one on
my klein attitude. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
davec
a Weekend Warrior
from spokane, wa
Date Reviewed: June 10, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: |
plush
prevents numbness | | Weaknesses: |
expensive
uncomfortable on long rides
a little heavy (300+gr) | | Similar Products Used: |
giro nisene - firm but comfortable
trek seat - too hard
cheap san marco - too plush | | Bike Setup: |
trek road bike | | Bottom Line: | Like another post below describes, I really tried to like this product, but finally I had to give up on it. At first it felt really comfortable and plush on my roadbike (the extra soft padding was almost like having a suspension seatpost with limited travel), and it prevented numbness on very long rides. However after more than an hour of riding it starts to become uncomfortable since you really can't move around on it (you can only sit on the back of it in one position). I believe it relieves pressure in the sensitive areas by distributing the pressure onto other areas, but since you can't move around on the seat like you can on other seats, it becomes uncomfortable. I tried it on two more long rides just to see if I could get used to it but I still couldn't feel comfortable on it. Also, I think the middle is too soft and it caused me to sink forward if I didn't sit back on it all the way, which made me have to tilt it up farther than usual. Once on a long seated climb when I left it tilted up I started to feel numb - I think because I was sinking into the soft nose. I heard they have a new seat which is firmer and has titanium rails but costs around $150 - too much for just a seat... Overall it did the job (prevent numbness), but at the cost of comfort. I suggest try before you buy and if it works for you, get it, otherwise keep looking... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
al
a Weekend Warrior
from santa clara
Date Reviewed: June 3, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
great for the first ten minutes. | | Weaknesses: |
foam is to soft, long rides are not to good. the unique shape limits your ability to move around on the saddle. it seems to concentrate your weight into a couple of spots instead of spreading it around. i've got five hard rides on it, and thought i would get used to it. way too much money. | | Bottom Line: | good try speacialized, but i'm going back to a traditional design, probably a trico power saddle. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chas Spaz
a Cross-Country Rider
from Southington, CT
Date Reviewed: June 2, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Metacomet Trail | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Comfort, can still have children! | | Weaknesses: |
Rails pop out and can't be fixed!!!!! | | Similar Products Used: |
Advocet Lite | | Bike Setup: |
Built up Redline | | Bottom Line: | Anyone who whats to know what all the fuss is about should read Dr. Irwin Goldstein's article in Bicycling August 1997. This article basically states that bike saddle can flatten the arteries between the sit bones causing irreversable impotency. Now this article has been on the back of my mind for a while so I was excited (pun intended) when this seat came out. It works! After my first ride of the season, when I dreaded putting my sore butt back into a saddle, I installed this seat. Guess what none of the traditional pain of that 2nd tender ride of the season. Unfortunately, there is one problem halfway into the ride I flipped my bike on a switchback and the saddle nose poped off the rails. I didn't even fall hard, not a mark on the seat. The front of the rails are only held into a plastic pocket that they easily pop out of. It is impossible to streatch the plastic shell to put the rails back. I can't believe that there is no screw or nut connecting the rails. I'll just keep replacing this saddle because it truely works. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Precious Roy
a Cross-Country Rider
from Santa Cruz
Date Reviewed: June 2, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
not tellin | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
comfort
Kevlar edges
reflective tabs | | Weaknesses: |
Kinda ugly
Kinda heavy
Miss the rounded nose of my WTB
People will shout weenie saddle at you! | | Similar Products Used: |
Ritchey Vector
Selle Italia/Bontrager
WTB SST
Schwinn Stinger | | Bike Setup: |
Klein Pulse
Answer Bodyshock | | Bottom Line: | The darn thing works! Its extremely comfortable for those with well-seasoned bootys, though beginning riders might want to try the wider sport model. If youre having numbness during long climbs, its probably worth the $100. It makes rides more enjoyable -- one less pain to worry about. Its a little overbuilt for a high-end racing model. Im guessing Specialized will come out with a higher-end version of the saddle and relegate this to the mid-level, where it belongs.
The middle of the saddle is extremely flexible. So much so that Im thinking about going back to a rigid seatpost. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
C. Bell
a Cross-Country Rider
from Manhattan Beach, CA
Date Reviewed: June 1, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Sycamore Canyon | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
It works!
Able to ride and romance in the same day. | | Weaknesses: |
It's pricey. It's heavy. | | Similar Products Used: |
Coda butt-basher, Avocet nugget number | | Bike Setup: |
99 Cannondale F-1000 with Azonic Riser Bar, Shimano XT/XTR/545, and Answer Grip upgrades. | | Bottom Line: | Third saddle on my 3 month old bike and I've finally put an end to rear end abuse. I couldn't go much more than an hour with the stock (Coda) saddle before numbness set in. The Avocet wasn't much better. Now I can click off 2.5 hour 34 mile rides with no problems. I'm looking forward to having kids some day; any guy thinking the same should immediately head out and plunk down the cash for this technological albeit funny-looking gem. | | Overall Rating: |
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