Strengths: Talking about the 2011 version here.
Available in different sizes. Switched to it just before a 3-day marathon race on my Hardtail, without trying it before. Kind of stupid idea, but well, at least I have identified the right size for me.
It is just great! Had no problems whatsoever. Also for going behind the saddle the shape is ok. It is not too long or wide (especially compared to the in this regard awfull sqlab 611 active).
Weaknesses: Weight could be less.
Bottom Line:
Find out the right size and you have a comfortable saddle for long rides with enough room for difficult downhills.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Format, Selle Italia X0, SQlab 611 Active, Selle Italia Flite Gel Flow,...
Bike Setup: Hardtail
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
ehigh
a Weekend Warrior
from California
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2011
Strengths: Light, low profile, and the structure is slightly flexible. The seat doesn't get in the way while riding, like some of mine have in the past. Managed to get it for the price the bike shop pays for it, so that worked out rather well for me. Costs other people there $100
Weaknesses: I don't experience any. I probably would get a seat with more cushion on it if I had a hard tail; but fortunately I've got plenty rear suspension.
Bottom Line:
I love this seat. It is exactly what I wanted. I realize that when dealing with a full suspension bike that has 160 mm of front and rear suspension that the seat is not going to brake or save my balls. It doesn't give my any trouble and doesn't rub on me uncomfortably. I'm 6'3" and about 165 pounds; I realize not all seats work for everyone but this one is great. There is not a bunch of unnecessary cushion. I might think twice about getting this seat if I had a hard tail, but fortunately (in my opinion) I do not have one.
On a side note, there should be more types of cyclists to pick from. I am ride 4-5 times a week, but I'm not a downhiller, racer, cross country rider... I just do all mountain/free-ride/enduro. Oh well.
Bike Setup: Norco Range 3; few after-market upgrades.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Major Glory
a Cross Country Rider
from USA
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2010
Strengths: light weight, looks good in black or white, cut away middle adds to comfort. not the most padding but thats a strength not a weakness for me. make sure you get the proper width
Weaknesses: it doesnt come in other colors ?
Bottom Line:
Best saddle I've used. Get one, you wont be disappointed.
AC / BC said it best. If you are XC racer, this would be a great saddle for you. I am an ultra endurance racer, so sitting on this saddle for 6+ hours is painful. However, it does encourage one to jump out of the saddle and dance on the pedals. Over the last few months, it has really helped my out of the saddle climbing.
Submitted by
FreddyMac
a Cross Country Rider
from Princeton, NJ
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2009
Strengths: COMFY! Comfy! Comfy! Well made, light weight
Weaknesses: Um... Looks like wedgie waiting to happen...
Bottom Line:
Disclaimer:
I know that saddles are a very personal item, and no two bodies are made the same, so even great saddles will not work the same or be as comfortable for everyone.
Like others here, I was very skeptical of this saddle, but I could not find another of my beloved WTB saddle anywhere. At first glance, I thought that I had seen pizza boxes that would be sturdier (and probably more comfy too). But my LBS guy swore by it and I know that he rides 15-20 miles a day- almost every day. Plus, it came with a 30 day money back guarantee. So I figured that I would try it out and then when I hated it, I would just return it and I could at least ride and have 30 days to track down another WTB. Boy was I surprised! It was love at first sit. This saddle is soooooo comfy. All day rides in the saddle or a quick trip around the block, this thing just performs.
Submitted by
azdrawdy
a Cross Country Rider
from N. Augusta, SC
Date Reviewed: December 2, 2009
Strengths: Terrific saddle for long rides. Love the minimal padding and sloped nose.
Weaknesses: Well, it is starting to show some wear from my inner thighs rubbing the nose, but that is after over 200 hours on this saddle.
Bottom Line:
I had a Phenom on my '06 Stumpy FSR and loved it then, but wasn't sure I could use this minimalist saddle on my hardtail. Wrong! This saddle is perfect. Light (enough). Never snags (I wear lycra, not baggies). Extremely comfortable, even on six hour rides. I may stock up on these before Speccy changes the design!
Submitted by
panzer07
a Cross Country Rider
from Fremont CA USA
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2009
Strengths: Light, comfy, very comfy
Weaknesses: shorts - baggies or tights get caught on sharp edges of seat when doing scary technical decents and paper thin leather wears out quickly and is very expensive!
Bottom Line:
Great saddle but not recomended for mountainbiking as it gets caught on shorts on every technical decent. Have swapped it out and now is on my roadbike. Very comfy and can do long rides without getting numb nuts.
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.
Strengths: Very comfortable, not a bad price and cool looking.
Weaknesses: The nose might be a bit thick.
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!!!!
Bike Setup: GF HKEK, with a few good parts here and there!
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Century100
a Cross Country Rider
from Murfreesboro, TN
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2009
Strengths: Relieved the pressure I was having with my stock saddle.
Weaknesses: None yet
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).
Similar Products Used: Toupe, Alias, BGPro, Max Flite, Flite, SMP Pro, Rival
Bike Setup: 10.9 kg SJ FSR 04 and Sworks Road 08
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
boy1dr
a Racer
from toronto, ontario, canada
Date Reviewed: March 14, 2009
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.
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.
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
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Longbow
a Weekend Warrior
from Denham Springs, LA
Date Reviewed: January 25, 2009
Strengths: The fit & comfort.
Weaknesses: ZERO
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.
Submitted by
catnash
a Weekend Warrior
from Carmarthen
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2008
Strengths: Fit, comfort, durability.
Weaknesses: Can snag on the underside edges.
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.
Hi,
All is in the tilte.
I need a Specialized phenom SL white/grey in 143 mm saddle, but I don't find.
If someone know where buy this saddle on a webshop or has this saddle to s Read More »
I'm not a hardcore weight weenie, but have a few light components on my FS bike. I purchased a Specialized Phenom SL Saddle 143 a few weeks ago and did a 5.5+ hr ride yesterday at Read More »
Hi all,
I'm looking to buy a new saddle for my bike. I have it narrowed down to a Phenom SL in white with the grey scuff pads. What I really need is to figure out what size to Read More »
Has anyone removed the Micromatrix cover and the foam padding of a Specialized Phenom SL saddle?
How does it look like? Is it possble to "polish", paint and make it look good?
Read More »
Looking to replace my OEM seat on my Specialized Stumpjumper Elite with the Phenom SL. Anyone out there using one? Appreciate your review.
Thanks Read More »
