Strengths: Flexible, yet firm - not soft or squishy, but surprisingly comfortable and forgiving.
Weaknesses: Only one I can see, can get expensive, too - it's wearing a seat-shaped pattern in my bib shorts, fraying the threads. Not good.
Bottom Line:
I really liked this saddle, until I saw that it's tearing up some of my favorite bibs!! I'm probably going to remove it and keep it as a "novelty", it is cool, and gets a lot of attention from other riders. It's surprisingly comfy - almost better than my Specialized Toupe - only, my Toupe doesn't wear away the fabric of my bibs. So, sorry Tioga Spyder - not made for road riders who like to save money, and not buy bibs all the time!
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Submitted by
BruceBrown
a Cross Country Rider
from Des Moines, IA - USA
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2011
Strengths: This review is for the Tioga D-Spyder saddle which is more off road oriented than the road version Spyder. The D-Spyder is light (165g), strong and weather proof.
Weaknesses: None in terms of performance yet, but quality added shorts are required. Rails are pretty short giving minimal fore/aft adjustment possibilities, but with proper seatpost height I was able to dial in my preferred fit.
Bottom Line:
BMX designed, yet durable enough for XC off road riding compared to the road version Spyder which is not as off road friendly. Combined with good quality XC racing bib shorts, this saddle feels a lot better than I expected. I have not been on any rides longer than 3 hours yet, but I have not had an issue with my usual weekly training rides in the 2 - 2 1/2 hour range. There is a trade off for the minimalist shell and weather proof saddle in terms of a bit of missed comfort, but my backside has adapted quite well and I'm going to keep it on for some upcoming races. I'd rank it a 4 out of 5 for comfort (which is higher than I was expecting when I ordered it). I figured for $32 if I didn't like it, the expense wasn't going to set me back. Turns out I really like it.
Similar Products Used: Minimal padded saddles such as the WTB Devo/Deva line, Titec (older models that were minimalist).
Bike Setup: Niner RIP 9 set up for XC and shorter Endurance races. I wanted a saddle that wouldn't absorb water and mud to use for events less than 4 hours.
So far I have had great service from this saddle. It was comfortable from the start and remains my fave saddle to ride. I'm a 195 lb rider at it has held up well for the year.
Similar Products Used: stella, bontrager, lots of cheapo saddles
Bike Setup: Cannondale CAAD7, Trek Madone 6.9
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Submitted by
jadamsmtb
a Cross Country Rider
from Medford, MA USA
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2008
Strengths: looks so cool people stop to take pics of it and discuss it's lackof merits
Weaknesses: like riding a cheese grater- my crotch is aching this morning! may be just a little better with cycling shorts
Bottom Line:
i work in the industry so i scored this saddle for free directly from tioga and will not be installing it on any of my sweet bikes. i am happy with my specialized toupe gel. will unload this on e-bay to some sorry buyer. 1 flaming value chilli even though i got it for free!
Similar Products Used: specialized avatar, alias, toupe, selle itialia slr, flite, bontrager saddles, so many more
Bike Setup: installed saddle on my single speed/fixed gear
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Submitted by
Bryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Salinas, CA, US
Date Reviewed: December 29, 2007
Strengths: Can move around great and super light!!
Weaknesses: A little bit hard, but if you wear padded shorts, your fine.
Bottom Line:
A good seat for a competor or weight weenie. No one should be complaing about the weight or feel. Compare this to some 200$ saddels and you find that this is lighter and cheaper, probally even feels better. I haven't had any bennding or breaking problems, but I just got it.
I put this saddle on my road bike for something different. I have ridden it for 1 season and have had no major issues. It is quite light, gets a lot of attention and is mostly comfortable. The only negative I have found is the outside edge of the saddle isn't rounded as much as my flyte. I had some chaffing issues until I got used to it, now it is comfortable. The "sag" caused by the "webbing" takes a few months to get broken in, but once there, makes the saddle much more comfortable. Sliding fore and aft is very easy. Anyone looking for a durable, long lasting MTB saddle probably shouldn't choose this one. If, however, you ride rode, or light off-road, you may be pleasantly surprised.
Submitted by
Garry
a Cross Country Rider
from Ohio
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2007
Strengths: Weight, Cool looks, Pretty comfy for the seasoned back side. Very smooth and easy to slide around on.
Weaknesses: Would not recommend for the new rider, Almost too smooth.
Bottom Line:
I would buy another, Great for the weight consious. Retail price is a little high for what you get. 4 chili's for value. 4 Chili's for overall, it's not the most comfy saddle out there, but it is LITE!
Submitted by
Emerson Howe
a Cross Country Rider
from Jericho, Vt
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2007
Strengths: Bithchin' looks, light weight, impress your friends!
Weaknesses: Uhhhh.... it broke. Also it was $75 f***ing dollars, which is still less than full price.
Bottom Line:
Although it looks amazing, I was rather disappointed with it. I could never get it do be dialed in so it was comfortable. I have a Fetish Cycles carbon fiber set on an old aluminum Cannondale road bike, so I'm not a wus about seats. Another downside is it's price; regardless of what you pay (anywhere from $45 on eBay or $110ish new), Tioga recommends that you replace it every season. I'm 15 lbs below their max weight and it only lasted for 3 light races. If you are a lightweight it may work better for you, but I really think it depends on your body build. Try one out first if you can, because not only is it expensive but if you race with it you won't want to sit on anything thinner than a couch the next day.
Bottom Line: If you are a light weight weenie with disposable income and a hard ass, buy it. All others: don't be seduced by its looks, it's not worth the pain.
Bike Setup: 2001 Gary Fisher Paragon with Avid BB5's.
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Submitted by
yarrum nayrb
a Weekend Warrior
from somewhere in busharagua
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2007
Strengths: Lightweight, looks & believe it or not...comfort
Weaknesses: Friends & strangers want to take it for a test ride.
Bottom Line:
FOR MEDIUM TO ADVANCED XC sessions I've had no trouble with the Spyder and would buy one again. My Lands Down Under are fine with it. You might not pick it for your first saddle,though. Knew from MTBReview that this component was iffy for breakage, so I bought a month-old one for half price on eBay. I ride 4 times a week @ 2 hrs a session. Although barely tall enough for a medium frame, I'm close to the stated weight limit for these saddles. Why so many break reports? Theory: MAYBE Spyders are incompatable with carbon fiber seat posts and the whole set up is over-flexing & breaking at the rails (my post is a full-metal-Thomson. This is useful & stylin component for out-of-the-closet weight weenies with smooth riding technique... which is, c-mon, the target audience for all super light components of this type.
this saddle is garbage. i am 5.9", 160lbs when out of shape. conservative, smooth riding style. no jumps. bent rails on first ride and lost red rubber thingies on the back of seat. tioga does not respond to phone calls or emails. zero customer service. is there more to say?
what it is is what it is.... you wimps need to shut up and ride. it will break in and flex as good as any lite-weight saddle with a layer of leather. If youre a weight weenie then get it.
Bike Setup: litespeed tsali, mavic x 517, ti everywhere, scram xo, carbon bars, ti bolts, bla, bla, bla.....
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Submitted by
James Jones
a Cross Country Rider
from Asheville
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2006
Strengths: It Looks good but that's where it ends
Weaknesses: fragile, I'm on my 2nd saddle in 3 months
Bottom Line:
I've got to tell you this saddle is 1st uncomfortable which I expected but 2nd it's a piece of crap. I broke my 1st saddle when I layed the bike down on the trail and the rear of the seat clipped the ground. One wreck one broken seat. Tioga to there credit replaced the seat, by the way you have to bring it to a dealer not send it to them directly and just try and find Tioga's number on-line. PS here it is your gonna need it 310-719-1718 2nd seat Just broke I'm I have no idea what happened I'm just riding along felt a pinch in the arse and the saddle was broken. No wreck no nothing just broke. The problem is the webbing of the saddle just cannot support your body weight or take even a slight hit. You can crush this saddle with your hand it sooooo fragile. This seat has no use other than hey weigh my bike it's xxlbs then take the seat off and ride.
Weaknesses: rails bent after about 3months of use.
Bottom Line:
I WOUID HOPE FOR THE SEAT TO LAST LONGER THEN 3MON. I COULD NOT RECOMEND THIS SEAT MOST MTB RIDERS. I WOUID RECOMOND THIS SEAT TO SOME ONE WHO IS REALY LIHGT. THIS WOULD BE EXCELENT CHOICE FOR A SMLL MTN RIDER UNDER 163LB.
Weaknesses: According to Tioga's website it should be replaced annually.
Bottom Line:
I read a review for this saddle in MB Action magazine and I knew right then I had to have it. None of my local LBSs had them so I purchased it off eBay. It arrived in a box worthy of storing the most precious of jewellery. After removing it from the box, I thought to my self, "This is so small and uncomfortable looking, what was I thinking?" Of course, those negative sentiments were erased completely after I mounted it and went for I ride. I would be lying if I said this wasn't the most comfortable racing saddle I have ever sat my unworthy a$$ on. Moving around on the saddle is so much easier. Not to mention the fact that my riding shorts seem to stay much dryer with this saddle. Tioga recommends replacing the saddle annually. Well, I'd replace it far more frequently if I had to. I have sat on more comfortable saddles but they were banana seats and those do not belong on a mountain bike. So who should buy this saddle? Well, if you like to stare at something as much as you like to use it, then this is your saddle. If you must own one of the lightest yet most comfortable minimalist saddle available, then this is for you. If you demand the most in comfort and don't mind something 1 foot wide and 2 feet long under your cheeks, then this is not for you.
Similar Products Used: Specialized S-Works, WTB Laser, Selle Flight Trans Am, etc...
Bike Setup: Giant Trance 1
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Submitted by
Travis Barnette
a Weekend Warrior
from N.O., Louisiana
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2006
Strengths: Cool looking and light
Weaknesses: Exceptionally unconfortable
Bottom Line:
I've ridden some pretty uncomfortable saddles in the past due to weight issues and wanting a cool look for my ride, but the Tioga Spyder is ridiculously uncomfortable. The first time I saw it in a mag I thought to myself, wow that looks pretty sweet. The saddle looks like it will flex quite a bit due to its spider-web like design, and it does to some extent. However, if you tend to ride near the back of your saddle (like I do), you will not be able to feel any of the seat’s flexibility, but you will instead experience something totally unique (I hope) to this particular saddle. The seat’s plastic / carbonate surface is surprisingly hard, like one of those old school bmx saddles, and the spider-web like holes in the surface act like a cheese grater as you bounce along the trail. After riding on a trail for 13-15 miles I was surprised to see how just how much damage this particular seat did to my race-saddle trained posterior. I thought, I would definitely be tough enough to ride on this thing, but I was wrong. Tioga, you have created an exceptionally crappy product, but thank you for pricing it well under $110. This saddle may be suitable for road riding (I will not be subjecting myself to this), but I discourage anyone, without a kevlar reinforced butt, from using this seat on the trail. I am giving this saddle two flaming value chillies for being $65 and for giving me two flaming blisters on my rump.
