Submitted by
azi
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia Date Reviewed: September 25, 2009
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
came with bike
Strengths:
Comfortable, durable, reasonably light
Weaknesses:
Wide at the back
Similar Products Used:
WTB Laser, Specialized Avatar
Bike Setup:
Specialized Epic
Bottom Line:
This saddle came with my bike. No problems with comfort on endurance rides. The rear of the saddle is a bit wide though - the wing reinforcements rub and catch on my shorts when I lean back for technical descents. This impairs confidence a little.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bdundee
a Racer
from wausau wi Date Reviewed: May 9, 2009
Favorite Trail:
9 mile
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$65.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
Very comfortable, not a bad price and cool looking.
Weaknesses:
The nose might be a bit thick.
Similar Products Used:
WTB and Bontrager saddles
Bike Setup:
GF HKEK, with a few good parts here and there!
Bottom Line:
Awesome saddle!! I was using a wtb pure and it felt like it was putting pressure where it shouldn't. So I thought I would try a phenom. I was very leary at first do to the lack of padding and minimal design, but wow I fell in love on the first ride. I can feel my sit bones planted in the correct spot on the saddle and no pressure anywhere else. Perfect!!!!
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Submitted by
Century100
a Cross Country Rider
from Murfreesboro, TN Date Reviewed: April 23, 2009
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$85.00
Purchased At:
Moab bikes
Strengths:
Relieved the pressure I was having with my stock saddle.
Weaknesses:
None yet
Bike Setup:
Haro V4 set up for road rides
Bottom Line:
I was getting a lot of pain from my stock saddle, so bad that it felt like I had a constant bladder infection. I went to my LBS and they recommended the Phenom. I was reluctant to pay $85 for a seat that looked like it had zero padding, but to my surprise, this seat was much more comfortable than my padded stock seat. I have only put ~150 miles on it, but so far I have not had any pain (other than the obvious pain of sitting on a thin saddle for 3 hours).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
beatnik_
a Cross Country Rider
from Alicante Spain Date Reviewed: March 17, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Marathon
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Comfy, well made and water friendly
Weaknesses:
Heavy
Similar Products Used:
Toupe, Alias, BGPro, Max Flite, Flite, SMP Pro, Rival
Bike Setup:
10.9 kg SJ FSR 04 and Sworks Road 08
Bottom Line:
That´s the best saddle i´ve ever tried in 20 years. I love Toupe, but it was uncomfy, that is stiffer and way better.
Buy it now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
boy1dr
a Racer
from toronto, ontario, canada Date Reviewed: March 14, 2009
Favorite Trail:
albion
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
very comfortable, shape, durability, flex and stiffness is just right, decent weight, just the right amount of padding
Weaknesses:
not quite the quality of a selle italia or brooks, but not as cheap as some other saddles.
Similar Products Used:
selle italia flite, wtb rocket v, specialized bg comp, specialized toupe, bontrager proform sl, fizik freek, a few other lesser known brands.
Bike Setup:
fisher hifi pro; serotta csi; santa cruz v10; specialized tricross single
Bottom Line:
subjectively i love this saddle so much that i bought one for all of my bikes. i love the wide flat shape, the cut out really works for a variety of riding positions and styles. for the price it's great bang for the buck.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Longbow
a Weekend Warrior
from Denham Springs, LA Date Reviewed: January 25, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Wild Azalea
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$93.00
Purchased At:
Specialized dealer
Strengths:
The fit & comfort.
Weaknesses:
ZERO
Similar Products Used:
Serfas Terazzo
Bike Setup:
Trek 69er single speed hardtail.
Bottom Line:
I could not handle the stock saddle that came on my Trek 69er SS after only a few hours, so I went to the nearest bike shop & ended up with this saddle. The bike shop owner told me to simply bring it back for a replacement or full refund if I wasn't pleased with this saddle. Needless to say, but I will not be returning it. What really impressed me most was that the owner was not trying to sell me one of his highest priced saddles, but asked me a lot of questions on the type of riding that I would be using it for & then made his recommendation. If you are ever in central Louisiana, stop at Red River Cyclery in Alexandria for honest service.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
catnash
a Weekend Warrior
from Carmarthen Date Reviewed: December 24, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Depends on mood
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
Leisure Lakes Chelte
Strengths:
Fit, comfort, durability.
Weaknesses:
Can snag on the underside edges.
Similar Products Used:
WTB. Rival. Funn, Selle Italia, Flite
Bike Setup:
Enduro SL
Bottom Line:
The best saddle I have tried to date. I don't notice this saddle at all. I dont even get the old lift off every half an hour to relieve pressure. This review is for the Phenom standard.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
team tortuga
a Cross Country Rider
from mi Date Reviewed: November 7, 2008
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Strengths:
everybody is built different but this saddle feels like its padded. no high spots or voids as minnimal as it is.
Weaknesses:
as of yet...none
Similar Products Used:
rovals, mtbs ect,
Bike Setup:
custom stumpy 29r
Bottom Line:
i am partial to all things "specialized" but this is different. i was always leary of thin saddles but this one makes me a believer.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
AC/BC
a Cross Country Rider
from Minneapolis, MN Date Reviewed: October 30, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Hillside Park, Elk River
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$140.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Light weight, looks cool, selection of different colors
Weaknesses:
Ti rails are weak and will break under hard bumps or smashing your ass against the seat coming off of small jumps. Lack of padding.
Similar Products Used:
WTB's, Bontrager, Fizik's, Selle, ect...
Bike Setup:
Trek Top Fuel 9.8
Bottom Line:
The reviews below must be from shills. This seat is adequate for riders who are often riding off the saddle or shifting there position in the seat quite often, i.e. racers. For those that ride sitting most of the time and or ride on road will find that it cuts off the circulation of blood flow to the lower extremities. After 10+ miles the saddle can become very painful. I really wish I would have not believed all the marketing hype about body geometry and the cutout before I laid down $140 on this saddle.
I would only recommend this saddle for someone who is looking for a race-only saddle. The saddle is far too uncomfortable for day to day riding and its strength is questionable. One hard hit or crash and you'll be out of $140.
I only had this saddle of my bike for 4 months before my ass hit the seat and bent one of the ti rails.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
fernando_mc5
a Cross Country Rider
from Goiânia-GO Brazil Date Reviewed: September 29, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Laboratório
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Very confortable saddle, ecxelent shape and beautiful.
Weaknesses:
could be a little ligher.
Similar Products Used:
Fizik Arione, Felt carbon and other specialized saddles
Bottom Line:
Fantastic saddle.I was afraid about confort when I bought this saddle, but after first ride..MAN!!Amazing!!!Nothing is confortable like this..Seems to be very durable too..Specialized RULES!!!!Highly Recomended!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
luis
a Cross Country Rider
from Gran Canaria / Spain Date Reviewed: September 28, 2008
Favorite Trail:
the next one
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
local shop
Strengths:
I have the normal Version , not the SL . Why ...easy . Because it have more padding and a Cromo rails more stronger that the ti version. The extra padding in this version is perfect to be in the bike for 5- 6 hours . The most time i spend in this saddle was 8 h . And this is a lot of time . The saddle is enough confort , but need a good shorts .
Weaknesses:
The white version is too dirty and in 2 months begin to look very old. And the padding loose the firm and the saddle begin to feel less confortable , but this in one year of very hard use , every day .
Similar Products Used:
Spec Rival SL , Selle Italia lots , San marco lots , fizik lots ,
Bike Setup:
Spec epic marathon full custom light version.
Bottom Line:
I think that this is a very good product , but for the price it have can be a little more durable the padding .
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Irawan
a Weekend Warrior
from Jakarta Indonesia Date Reviewed: September 18, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Desa Lulut Gunung putri
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At:
SBK Bike Roxy mas
Strengths:
Good looking and good workmanship ,Light, firm but comfortable ,body geometry fit/technology
Weaknesses:
non
Similar Products Used:
several Fizik and Selle San Marco
Bike Setup:
Specialized Enduro 2008 ,Stumpjumper 2008 with fox 32 float
Bottom Line:
Body Geometry concept works very well for me and I don't experienced any numbness with this saddle , keep you away from erectile dysfunction !!Power transfer is more effective because the saddle is firm and yet comfortable
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
kyle koontz
a Racer
from oklahoma city Date Reviewed: April 21, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Grapevine Northshore
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Came on my bro's sworks epic
Strengths:
Lightweight, super sharp looking, color options, strong rails, soft material
Weaknesses:
Pricey, but well worth it. How many points of contact do you really make with your body to the bike?
Similar Products Used:
WTB Pure V, WTB Speed V, Selle Italia Flite Gel, WTB Rocket V, Specialized Body Geometry
Bike Setup:
1998 Litespeed Obed, Fox RLC, Full XTR, Avid Juicy 5 front, Avid Ultimate Speed Dial/XTR Rear, custom wheels. 20.5 lbs.
Bottom Line:
I am really a die hard WTB saddle fan, having tried several models, they are on all my bikes, including my road bike. They make saddle discomfort a non-issue and seem to fit me well (6-0 185). I also tpyically favor a beefier saddle and sacrifice weight to ensure comfort but I decided to try this slimmed down saddle for my race bike, and have been blown away. I thought it would be comparable to the body geometry saddles, but it is a much better fit. I have the White/Red Ti Rail 142 version and have been on several long rides on very rough trails with a fast pace (and on a HARDTAIL), and still no complaints. Really a great piece of ergonomic engineering, will probably shed a little weight by throwng one on my road bike as well.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bas
a Cross Country Rider
from The Netherlands Date Reviewed: April 20, 2008
Enduro, Fox front and back, Hayes 9, King HS, King Hub, and mixture of Shimano and Specialized for the remaining components. Pretty standard, nothing fancy.
Bottom Line:
The design/contour of the gel version is fantastic. It looks like it won't be supportive but it is. I have done 25 mile rides, steep climbs, long decents and my butt and nads are feeling great. No numbness, no sores, great support and much lighter than my old saddle. The bonus is the nose, it's a bit wider and thicker than other saddles I have used and I can get great position on it if needed for steep climbs. My LBS has a 2 week return policy so I had nothing to lose but this saddle totally won me over.
I give a little lower value rating because you can get even greater comfort for less money if that's your main concern. But i'd buy it again in a heartbeat.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Zachariah
a Cross Country Rider
from Palm Desert, CA Date Reviewed: February 20, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Hurkey Creek Park (24hrs/Adrenalin Course)
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Sleek; light; comfortable; well-designed.
Weaknesses:
Super-dense EVA foam is very firm; pricey saddle.
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager Select; Fizik Nisene Wingflex; Selle San Marco Aspide; Selle Italia SLR Carbonio; Specialized Toupe'.
I was very sceptical about this minimalist-looking saddle, at first. After having retired the bulky, 310g Fizik Nisene Wingflex, only because it was starting to bring alot of discomfort- I took my chances with the new Phenom SL. When mounted precisely to your anatomic specs.....this saddle fits like a glove(to my buns) the moment I turned the cranks. No pinching, no numbness, no pressure sores, no nada....
I have the 130mm, hollow Ti rail version- and my digital scale still read 203g. Where the missing 13g went.....is anybody's guess. I have tried alot of high-end MTB saddles(see above) and I have concluded the Specialized Phenom SL offers the perfect compromise of weight savings, comfort, and optimal riding efficiency. It may feel like you are sitting on a wooden saddle- but the Phenom SL's carbon shell is exquisitely conformed to your sit bones, so circulation is NOT affected at all. This is of UTMOST importance. Ever wonder after long, uphill rides you may tend to stand on the pedals, when the hill plateaus? It's called briefly restoring circulation. But thanks to Specialized's Body Geometry- you can sit and continue pedaling without disruption. For racers, this is a big plus.
Also the unique nose of the saddle is slightly wider, and turns downwards, for mad climbing endurance and comfort. If XC Pro Christoph Sauser helped design it- it's gotta be good....and it IS!!! Those fancy, overpriced Italian saddle designers need to go back to the drawing board- because there is a new Sheriff in town....
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
billy
a Racer
from brentwood, tn usa Date Reviewed: February 5, 2008
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$145.00
Purchased At:
specialized.com
Strengths:
Comfort, lightweight (195 grams in 143 version), great looks (esp in white), ti rails, body geometry fit/technology, good flex in shell
Weaknesses:
might be too harsh for super long rides or hardtails- but I don't know for sure as mine is on a FS bike and have not been more than 20miles at a time.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Rival SL, toupe, toupe gel
Bike Setup:
'07 s works epic
Bottom Line:
Race oriented saddle that is surprisingly comfortable for everyday riding. Might not be the best option for comfort-comes-first seekers, but it's certainly the BEST option I have found for XC racing. Everybody's rear end is different though. Give it a shot, it's worth at least that!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Austin
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Maria, CA Date Reviewed: October 2, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
Friend
Strengths:
Light, comfortable, easy off the back, nose is comfortable during long climbs...MTB version of the amazing Toupe
Weaknesses:
None so far
Similar Products Used:
Older BG saddles, Specialized Toupe, WTB Rocket
Bike Setup:
Epic Marathon custom build
Bottom Line:
Amazing saddle. I have the ti-rail, non-gel version. I have over 50 miles on this saddle. I don't have to think about my saddle any more! Good flex, just enought padding w/out overdoing it. Body Geometry concept works very well for me. I was using a Toupe, but the plastic parts on the front and back were annoying (often caught my shorts).
I love this sadle...and I got it for a great price!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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