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Average Rating
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5/5
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# of Reviews
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6
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MSRP
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$
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Weight
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More Products from Specialized
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Description:
- Patented Body Geometry design
- Carbon reinforced shell
- Flush mounted scuff guards
- Lightweight hollow titanium rail
- Ultralight tuned density foam padding
- Tough, light and water-resistant Micromatrix cover
- Length 270mm
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Submitted by
kyle koontz
a Racer
from oklahoma city
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2008 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate Trail: | Drunen Dunes NL | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Piet de Wit | | Strengths: | design, comfort, looks | | Weaknesses: | weight | | Bike Setup: | Stumpjumper FSR '01, XTR & XT, Taurus 2000 & deore 525 hubs | | Bottom Line: | Very comfortable. A bit pricy but it's worth it. I have the gel version with Cr-Mo rails, which makes it a bit heavy. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dude
a
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$95.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Light, relatively narrow but comfortable, compact cushion and gel is surprisingly supportive. Nose provides great support for clearing steep climbs. | | Weaknesses: | It's pricey--that's it. | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager, Specialized BG, Sette Junk,WTB, Serfas, etc... | | Bike Setup: | 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 | | Favoriate 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'. | | Bike Setup: | 2005 Cannondale Optimo hardtail; Ultra Fatty DLR Headshok; Mavic XC717/DT Swiss wheelset; Kenda Klimax Lite 1.75" tires; SRAM X.7 shifters/mechs; SRAM PG-990 Cassette; SRAM PC-991 Hollowpin chain; Shimano XTR M960 Hollowtech II cranks/Race Face X-type BB; Thomson Elite seatpost; Ritchey WCS Carbon flat bar.....equals a 21-pound XC racer. | | Bottom Line: | 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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