are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. Specialized romin and phenom are the favorite choices for maximum mounters. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Less than $50 (7) $50 - $250 (21) $250 - $500 (7) Size. Mimic technology attempts to replicate the soft tissue that the saddle comes into contact with. just doesnt match my bones at all. I need a new saddle, and it has to probably be a specialized because of the 168mm width option. WebCHECK OUT INSTAGRAM FOR BEHIND THE SCENES AND ALSO GIVEAWAYS FOR SHIRTS!!! BA1 1UA. Ive owned all of the above and found they all caused the same unwanted perineal pressure, to the point of pain on even shortish rides. No matter how much I praise this saddle, its crucial to repeat that were all different whats worked for me wont necessarily do so for you. Question from ITALY: Cape Town to Cape Point, back by public transports. Hollow titanium rails help reduce weight without passing on harsh road vibrations. I run Phenoms and they look a lot like the power arc, with a longer nose. Virtually every popular saddle brand now offers a comparable product to the Power, and a huge number of new road, gravel, and even mountain bikes come fitted stock with them. 3. The noticeable short length when you got your weight in the center and get the bike lean over, the short length is visible. **A subreddit about specialized bicycles**, Press J to jump to the feed. The Pro level gain a stiffer and lighter full carbon base, while retaining the titanium rails. | Terms and Policies, Thule introduces Thule Caprock the roof platform designed to support all adventures, Team Toyota Specialized rides to victory at The Absa Cape Epic. I love the power saddle, hate the Phenom. WebThe Phenom Expert was designed for comfort and strength over long days on the road or trail. Im assuming youve been measured. Specialized Power Comp - $100 Specialized Power Expert - $130 Specialized Power Pro - $200 S-Works Power - $300 I have ridden both . Kept the Power saddle on my MTB . I ride a lot of long dirt roads , as well as places like BRB and Modders . Find it very comf Specialized claims their testing showed saddle cutouts designed to relieve pressure on soft tissue can actually be the cause of labia swelling. The photos here will give you an impression of the effect, but still don't capture its full appeal. What is it that sets our sport apart from most of the other sports/hobbies/lifestyles out there? However, my experience was mixed and I struggled to find a comfortable position over two months of testing. When shes not scouting out the best long-distance and local off-road routes in the UK, Katherine works as a freelance writer, bike tester, presenter and guide. an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value with value determined by how a product Interesting, I had understood it was the same padding Level 2 across the whole range (other than the Elaston models). The last big material innovation in saddle design happened decades ago with the introduction of foam. Tell us what you particularly liked about the product, Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product, Would you consider buying the product? It's a little cheaper than some similar Selle San Marco saddles, but it's also a little heavier. Best road bike pedals. For me its the only thing that spoils an otherwise near-perfect saddle. A 155mm width would have given slightly better sit-bone support, but at that width, the saddle gets in the way of my thighs. to find the right one. A thin layer of memory foam is used on the nose to alleviate any hotspots here. Fundamentally there are two different shape versions of the saddle: the Power and the Power Arc. Help us to make it better. Its Body Geometry design, meanwhile, caters to both men and women and helps to deliver superior performance in all seating positionsespecially aggressive ones. Jul 18, 2020 So specialized discontinued the Henge which was the saddle I got along with best. And I can report that the Power Arc Expert performed wonderfully for me here. I have the Power Arc Expert and have used it on a road, mountain and gravel bike, and also both for intensive short rides, as well as a 24 hour race. The Power Arc Expert saddle is intended to provide long-distance comfort, and I can say that I tested this to extremes and found it delivered. Compare that to a regular Power Expert saddle (with Level 2 PU padding) which I measured at 53-55 at the most padded rearward part, and 62 at the nose. Tough, lightweight, and water-resistant cover. Actually prefer it on an all day ride than my old favourite SDG Bel Air. Rumour has it the Power design actually started off as a womens-specific saddle and was then realised to be superb for men, too. Tel 01225 588855. WebSteel (1) Price. Meanwhile, the Mimic technology provides an even softer, almost squishy, spot at the front. For me, the Specialized was more comfortable when I tried both back-to-back. The Elaston padding is made using small beads that are expanded into foam which Specialized describes as the feeling of sitting on 1,000 miniature pillows. Following that conference, I took Stewart Morton, head of Body Geometry fit at Specialized Australia up on an invitation to further investigate my hip pain and undergo a Body Geometry fit, including trialing a few saddles. You can trust Cyclingnews Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad. As a subscriber you can read road.cc ad-free, from as little as 1.99. The short-nosed Power saddle is also now available at Expert level in a 130mm width, replacing the Toupe 130. The Elaston foam at the back certainly does make a difference in comfort but it can be somewhat subtle through a thick chamois. I have 6 of them or so. The Phenom is one of the top-performing saddles for bikers. AG2R Citron rumoured to switch to Van Rysel bikes for 2024, Best budget bike helmets of 2023 - look good and stay safe at reasonable prices, Russell Finsterwald and Heather Jackson win at Belgian Waffle Ride California. With any touchpoint on the bike, it's always recommended to try before you buy if possible to avoid investing in possible discomfort. Yes, it is for my canyon. We deliver! I yam quite ancient myself but enjoy the Be thankful At least that miserable,sour faced git who used to do that series about the coast didn't feature, he makes me want to kill myself! I have tried a few since but can't find something I like. Installation is key with these as the saddle is a few centimeters shorter than most saddles and that needs to be accounted for. Specialized Womens Phenom Evo Comp with MimicWidths: 143, 155, 168mmPrice: 84 / $130 / AU$130, Specialized Womens Phenom Evo Expert with MimicWidths: 143, 155, 168mm Price: 105 / $160 / AU$180, Specialized Womens Romin Evo Comp with MimicWidths: 143, 155, 168mmPrice: $130 / AU$130, Specialized Womens Romin Evo Expert with MimicWidths: 143, 155, 168mmPrice: $160 / AU$160, Specialized Womens Romin Evo Pro with MimicWidths: 143, 155, 168mmPrice: 158 / $240, Specialized Womens Power with Mimic CompWidths: 143, 155, 168mmPrice: 84, Specialized Womens Power with Mimic ExpertWidths: 130, 143, 155, 168mmPrice: 105 / $160, Specialized Womens Power Pro with MimicWidths: 143, 155mmPrice: 184 / $240, Specialized Womens Power S-Works with MimicWidths: 143, 155mm Price: 230 / $300. Innovative Mimic technology uses multilayered materials to maintain equilibrium and minimize swelling in soft tissue. Youve got a decent drop from saddle to bars that Id second the recommended power saddle. Extra-wide, ergonomic design for upright, relaxed comfort. Lightweight, durable, and hollow titanium rails. Like this site? I was able to ride all day or even longer without problems. The shape clearlyworks for me (although my injury has not completely disappeared, yet) and the 155mm version is something that Ill be purchasing for all my bikes road included. Theres a perceptible difference between the two when riding technical trails, and the 143mm is better suited to that task. Loving your detailed analysis P7eaven, nice to see Im not the only one who overthinks saddles! This finish looks mostly grey but, when it catches the light, shimmers with colours like a dragonfly's wing. Road, mountain, gravel, and many places are perfect for it. Stiff FACT carbon fiber shell is tuned for support and ride compliance. Body Geometry denotes products that Specialized have designed and tested to improve their ergonomic performance. The specialized phenom is a great choice for mountain bike saddle. The Power Pro is a unisex saddle and Specialized has satisfied themselves through their own blood-flow testing and pressure mapping that the Power Pro will offer comfort to both men and women alike thanks to the long wide central cutout. Having heard many raving reviews about the Specialized Power Pro I was looking forward to testing it myself. WebI cant compare against the Power Arc but a 143mm Phenom is almost identical in shape and width to a Charge Spoon. SWAT-compatible mounts molded into the saddle base allow for sleek and integrated storage solutions. Firstly there is Elaston, an almost bubbly looking foam that contains tiny inflated thermoplastic polyurethane beads which are placed at the rear half of the saddle inline with your sit bones. Thanks. I suspect that the wider and slightly flatter shoulders, when compared to the previously reviewed Prologo Scratch, is what causes my discomfort. I found with phenom after a long ride i would get numb around the gentleman area. if I am looking for a general topic like 'mudguards' Lightweight saddle with minimal padding, but cleverly shaped shell delivers plenty of support and comfort, Cheap saddle that's left me very cheerful: very comfortable, and excellent value, Impressively comfortable, and very, very light, If you are looking to upgrade your saddle, the price, comfort and quality materials here make it hard to overlook, Editorial, general: info [at] road.cc Terms and conditions of use. I found with phenom after a long ride i would get numb around the gentleman area. Tough, lightweight, water-resistant Micromatrix cover. I think appltn has hit the nail on the head, might just need to try it out. Its a very similar concept to what Adidas Boost shoes feature. Watch to get professional road cyclist Joe Dombrowskis view. I recently want from a Gobi to the Specialized Henge which is mtb specific. Thanks! Specialized Power Arc. The power saddle being shorter has sorted me out. Body Geometry V-groove design improves comfort and increases blood flow in critical areas. The shape slightly rises in the bottom. Specialized may eventually consolidate the range to ease confusion, but for now, Ill attempt to explain the extensive lineup. The sit bones slightly rise in the bottom cradles and deliver something to lift against when you climb up. Even if that were the case (not entirely convinced), OTOH I have a very different experience of the two saddles in use. Its worth noting that there is a lumpy transition from the Elaston to Mimic foam sections, and while I was concerned about this, the reality is that the sheer softness of the padding prevents this from causing issues. Cannondale SuperSix Evo 4 First Ride - has the flagship racer traded climbing prowess for all-round performance? Q36.5 Level 3 base layer review: seamless long sleeve performance. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. See SW Carbon Rail Saddle Guide for installation instructions. Im miserable when seated on them especially the widely hailed Romin. But for comfort I can't seriously fault it. Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Ergon Allroad collection review: Consider vibrations damped, Vaast R/1 road bike review: Magnesium tubing offers a distinctly cushy ride. It features the same channel, length, and hollow titanium rails as the original and Pro Arc, but where it differs is in its shell and padding. The results included swelling of the frontal labia when using saddles with cutouts and, in many cases, a pressure point on the nose of the saddle. Note how smooth the edges are to prevent short catching, Side on, the Phenom Pro offers smooth edges and a simple aesthetic, Specialized FACT carbon rails save weight but watch out for seatpost compatability, The saddle rails are made as a single piece; theyre extremely strong and well suited to off-road use, The Phenom is available in both 143mm and 155mm widths. I believe the phenom and bridge are like more traditional long [nose] Here are my entirely subjective findings in short: Haha, excellent, much better than trying to describe it in words anyway! I dont think the shortness has anything to do with it (other than making them harder to adjust due to shorter rails ) but I do think narrower noses that tape more aggressively and/or more clearance around the back of the thighs has a lot to do with it. How does that compare to your own feelings about it? So if Phenom feels like a Spoon then its probably similar to the Scoop which suggests it isnt quite as narrow/doesnt fall away at the sides quite as quickly as the Power Arc. Specializeds womens-specific Mimic technology caused a stir when it was launched in 2018, not only due to the popularity of the Power saddle it was incorporated into, but for the companys open and taboo-crushing approach to womens comfort. Were redefining comfort and performance with Mirror technology to take Body Geometry into the future. Out on the Power Arc again tonight, bloody hell but I hadnt realised how much easier it could be to reach the drops! But asking other people about saddle choice is like asking about underwear choice - very subjective. The saddle delivers the all-day comfort that Specialized aims for. Save 25% + DMR Trail Gloves + DeathGrips when you subscribe to MBUK magazine, *Spring Savings* Try 6 issues of Cycling Plus for just 9.99 | Save 74% today, Specialized expands Mimic womens saddle range with Romin Evo and Phenom Evo, caused a stir when it was launched in 2018, not only due to the popularity of the. This saddle is a high performance with special features. I just find they last longer, justifying their higher price. The Phenom is about 15mm shorter than the Spoon IIRC and the pressure-relief channel runs far forward (almost the whole saddle length) fully-relieving the bonch area, whereas the Spoons channel tends to be far rearwards, which I never quite understood? I shift forward when climbing and move back a little when descending. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Providing a softer material in place of what is typically a full cutout on the traditional Power helps to prevent these issues. Mimic is offered at all price points across the Power range. Yes, that's simpler. Pruitt, who is also known for his work with Specialized on the Body Geometry fit system, studied changes in female physiology over time on the bike. This saddle makes for consistent and excellent power delivery while pedaling. 155. Prices listed are indicative of the markets in which individual models are available. My overuse injury sits within my hip and hamstring, which has proven stubborn to healing and general treatment. However, I can attest that the new Phenom is a very well designed perch and I now look at Specialized saddles with interest, as opposed to the marketing cynicism of past. Although the Power saddle shape is the most popular in the range (with both men and women), Specialized recognises its not the best option for all riders, and is rolling out Mimic technology into more models for women. It lasts comfortably for an extended period saddle. WebSpecialized Mimic Saddles - Romin Evo vs Power vs Phenom - YouTube This video is a comparison of three female saddles from Specialized Mimic family. I found no problem in scooting to the nose of the saddle for steep climbs, and theres enough width for it to be comfortable for short periods of time too. 1. The round shape is very similar with romin, but phenom is shorter because it is for mtb. The Romin Evo with Mimic comes in Pro, Expert and Comp levels, while the Phenom with Mimic is available in Expert and Comp. The specialized phenom has long time durability. I found this worked very well and was quite comfortable on all my rides. 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