Submitted by
92gli
a Weekend Warrior
from west chester, pa
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2009
Bottom Line:
I'm 165 lbs. and use the 130mm wide version. This seat is too heavy for you weight weenies but the best thing about this seat is that you don't notice it. It distributes your weight very well with no hot spots. I'm able to use 2 very comfortable positions on mine, centered and way back. Its been very durable. I also have one on my road bike.
Submitted by
ctbarron
a Weekend Warrior
from Annandale, VA
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2009
Strengths: Comfortable, good shape, held up well thus far.
Weaknesses: None so far
Bottom Line:
This saddle works for me. It is comfortable, well shaped, has a good cutout. It took a couple of weeks to break-in but is now great. I ride on it for a few hours with no problems. It seems durable so far - no rails problems, tears, etc.
One weird item. The rails seem to be at some non-standard angle. It takes me forever to level the seat, and I've had it on a few seatposts.
Submitted by
beeglemania
a Cross Country Rider
from the south
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2009
Strengths: Comfortable, strong rails, tough cover
Weaknesses: none, maybe heavy?
Bottom Line:
I've had this saddle for 5 years, thousands of miles and many crashes. The sides aren't torn the rails aren't bent and it's still pretty comfy. I've even bent a post while using this saddle! I've tried WTB before and always tore the covers in crashes. This saddle has held up great.
This is by far the best saddle I have ridden on. The best saddle for the money IMHO. It's very comfy and the stitching has stayed intact since I bought new. I have used it for endurances, weekend rides for 6 months straight! At 280 grams it's a bit heavy but the performance has made it an afterthought. They are hard to come by so buy one when you see it. BG rocks!
Similar Products Used: i have the older version of this saddle that i purchased in 2003. i liked the comfort so i decided to get the newer version. the current version is much improved as far as durability.
Bike Setup: Soma Juice 29er 1x9.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dave Roskell
a Cross Country Rider
from North Vancouver, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2008
Strengths: Once I found the correct width it was the most comfortable, long lasting saddle I've owned.
Weaknesses: Last weekend I broke one rail and bent the other. I'm 190lbs and ride mostly XC and I think the saddle should stand up to the riding I do (never broken one before). I checked out my old smaller Rival saddle and it was bent too.
Submitted by
Justin
a Weekend Warrior
from Tampa, FL
Date Reviewed: February 4, 2008
Strengths: - Lightweight for CroMo - Extremely comfortable - Good looking saddle
Weaknesses: - Rails could be stronger
Bottom Line:
Best mounain bike saddle I have ever owned. Extreme value and comfort for the money. Rails could be a bit stronger, I bent one after a year of abuse. but will be buying another Rival saddle to replace it.
Similar Products Used: Bontronger, WTB, Selle Italia, Selle San Marco, you name it
Bike Setup: 2006
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Chelmsford, Ma, USA
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2007
Strengths: The most comfortable saddle I have ever used! Excellent fit, great for long rides, holds up well.
Weaknesses: None at all.
Bottom Line:
I'm a 6 ft, 215 lb rider and my prayers have been answered!
I've spent boat-loads trying ever saddle I could find over the years. None worked and most were quite painful - especially on long rides. This is so comfortable that it becomes invisible and I can focus on enjoying the ride instead of the pain.
Thanks Specialized and please don't replace this with a "new and improved" version. I've seen this happen time and time again with generally poor results.
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO, US
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2007
Strengths: Looks to be very strong and durable. Most comfortable mtn. saddle I've tried.
Weaknesses: None seen.
Bottom Line:
I weigh, with gear, about 240lbs. Of the saddles I've tried, the Rival seems to distribute the weight far better. I don't get any hot spots and the seams sewn into the bike shorts don't bother me at all. Longest ride so far has been six hours and I didn't have any problems.
Strengths: comfortable, light saddle with the same shape as the alias 143
Weaknesses: titanium rails bend very easily
Bottom Line:
this was a replacement for the alias 143 that i got with my bike. The alias was by far the best saddle i have ever used; light and very comfortable, unfortunately it snapped in half after a few months and i got this as a replacement.
this is the same design/shape as the alias, but supposedly stronger. although the alias snapped across the rails, the rails themselves were very weak. the same is true with this, after every ride, the rails are bent, so i have to unbend them by clamping my post on the bend.
the seat would be excellent if they would just use some normal crmo rails instead of the weak titanium
This saddle did not work for me. Although, may be great for you. Saddles are such a personal decision. My main complaint was that, I found the nose of the saddle to be too wide and not taper enough from the top of the saddle down. I found this only to bother me while spinning uphill. I switched back to my good old WTB SST 98.
Submitted by
Hanu
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2007
Strengths: Ability to have different widths for best comfort
Weaknesses: The white "S" on the front of the saddle is not going to last long at all. Don
Bottom Line:
This seat is much, much more comfortable than my Selle Italia. The Specialized retailer was able to measure me and give me the proper width, and it shows! I'm finally comfortable on my bike! I run with 100psi in my tires, and this seat, along with my USE XCR seatpost makes the 30 mile rides on gravel backroads much, much more comfortable than the Selle Italia! It feels like I'm finally getting use of my XCR suspension seatpost. Maybe the othe wasn't placed properly on the seatpost to make use of it, but the difference in incredible! 100psi on gravel roads has never felt this comfortable. Highly recommended!
Strengths: Great prouct,well designed,quality item
Weaknesses: none so far
Bottom Line:
I am a bit of and adventure cyclist and will try anything if the mood is there hence the collection of bikes no matter what ride discipline I have tried this saddle has never felt out of place.
About two months ago I took a bad crash. Ever since I've had creaking coming from the saddle. I've tighten (one of the screws} the saddle to the post and tighten the post, and st Read More »
The BG Rival saddle from my '05 SJ 120 Pro broke and the one that came with my '07 is not as comfortable. Anybody happen to have one of these sitting around that they would like to Read More »
Ever since I've had my 07 Stumpy, Specialized's BG Rival saddle is a real pain in my arse and is truly horrible. Barely 30 minutes into my ride, numbness kicks in and it is more co Read More »
Hi quys. I am considering a purchase of Specialized Rival saddle but I am not sure if Rival one is a good choice. I ride mostly enduro. I noticed that Rivals are made in two length Read More »
