Weaknesses: Butt hatchet that hurt me on every ride.
Bottom Line:
I hate this saddle but other love it. Go figure.
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Submitted by
Lucky
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2012
Strengths: Refer to above reviews. lightweight, sleek look etc. etc.
Weaknesses: comfort for the everyday MTBr
Bottom Line:
Looking at the reviews it seems like AC/BC and I are the only ones with this issue (on this site...) To me this means geometry plays a big role in deciding to buy this saddle - watch out!
Got the saddle with my bike. Could live past the comfy issue but the rear width causes pressure in the area where hamstrings is joined to the "sit-bone" ie. cuts of blood-flow to hamstrings and causing them to cramp - this happened for me after only 5-8kms.
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Submitted by
ClayP
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2012
Strengths: lightweight, good geometry, side protection
Weaknesses: so-so comfort
Bottom Line:
This is a minimalist saddle that gives good support. I bought a used one to try and it is ok. Not super comfy but very light and does what it should
Similar Products Used: Flite, SDG Formula FXR, San Marco Aspide
Bike Setup: 98 Zaskar LE
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Submitted by
Jazzist
a Racer
from Germany
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2012
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
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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.
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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!
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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
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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