The wide and long nose is comfortable while you climb up and dropdown. The seat cover is made with a synthetic material that has no visible stitch and it is contained under the edge of the saddle. Lightweight and supportive PU padding for comfort and support on longer rides. Tough, lightweight, water-resistant Micromatrix cover. I love to read and write more. Thanks for all the feedback Theres a perceptible difference between the two when riding technical trails, and the 143mm is better suited to that task. At the same time, Specialized says the line-up has been simplified, with saddle ranges renamed in line with existing models. WebThe Phenom Expert was designed for comfort and strength over long days on the road or trail. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. We reviewed the second-tier Phenom Pro, The Specialized Phenom offers a rounded profile that offers a flat base for your sit bones. The rails give 5cm adjustment, be careful when shuffling the saddle to the right position as the black finish, and adjustment markings, will easily scratch off making saddle adjustment more of a guessing game. Basically, I ride like a mountain biker. Mimic technology, regardless of how much testing, research, and fancy materials are used, is a simple concept: Soft material where there is soft tissue to mimic our bodies. WebPhenom; Phenom Comp: Distance road or trail: 143. Lightweight, durable, and hollow titanium rails. The only issue I had was that the finish wore quickly on the model that I tested. Then stick with Specializeds regular Power offerings. Q36.5 Level 3 base layer review: seamless long sleeve performance. Available in either a 143 or 155mm width, the Phenom Pro saddles sit one model below the range-topping S-Works. The shorter nose is nice as well - the Toupe was just too long and snagged the shorts. Specialized Phenom Expert Sele:- Carbon-supported and the Titanium alloy rails are durable. 1 Continue this thread And when you combine this technology with the long-nosed, flat profile of the It feels like a much flatter platform on top while shelving off nicely away from the thigh area. There are two widths available. Body Geometry V-groove design improves comfort and increases blood flow in critical areas. As any cyclist will know, finding the right saddle is a completely personal choice, where the results can be unnoticeable at best, and the cause of much angst at worst. Elaston is currently only found in Specializeds Pro-level saddles. Geronimo October 11, 2019, 3:42am #16 They shouldnt. I will need to compare it to the 143 mm version a bit more before I decide which one to put on the new bike (currently out of stock in the black S-Works version, so I have both widths on order). WebNarrower than the power line for more comfort on the drops, but for l more forgiving and versatile than the romin when things get bumpy Would you recommend this product? WebIntro Specialized Phenom Saddle review and thoughts on Power, and Power Arc saddle Brian Maynard 661 subscribers Subscribe 73 Share 8K views 3 years ago This is my Took the Phenom off my road bike and put on a Power saddle .. still trying to get comfortable . 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. Fast forward to today and the gender-neutral short nose saddle has almost become the norm amongst performance road bikes. Did they keep you on the device a long time? We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. A great addition to the new Phenom S-Works and Pro saddles is the SWAT compatibility. I dont really get why Specialized made it that shape & width, because if it was more gently-curved and less wide then it wouldnt be a problem. Specialized may not have invented the short nose saddle, but the companys original Power saddle launched in 2015 can almost certainly be credited for making such things popular. Already have an account with us? Because both are specialized in mountains and have special features. But more importantly, the differing soft materials seem to provide a perch that makes me happier to stay in a single position. Were you wearing padded shorts? For me its the only thing that spoils an otherwise near-perfect saddle. All rights reserved. Stiff, carbon-reinforced shell for longevity and all-day riding efficiency. 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. Its Specializeds first saddle to combine both the Elaston and Mimic technologies into one saddle, and given the high price, I hope it wont be the last. Assos Winter LS Skin Layer review: Supreme comfort but does it justify the high retail price? The S-works Power with Mirror technology is the perfect reflection of you. Finally, you can get into the Phenom shape for US$100 / TBC / AU$120 with the steel-railed Comp model. Watch to get professional road cyclist Joe Dombrowskis view. My sit bones measured on the edge of the 143mm, so I tested both, Specialized uses a special low-friction material on the cover, There is a subtle pressure relieving channel that runs the length of the Phenom, Those two holes at the rear of the saddle are for Specializeds new SWAT system. Like many of Specializeds saddles, there are two threaded points for use with the companys range of SWAT accessories, such as the MTB and road Bandit straps which replace a saddle bag. Hollow titanium rails help reduce weight without passing on harsh road vibrations. It is the best choice for roadside racing but also suitable for mountain bikes and cyclocross use. And I sat there for like 10 sec tops. I have the Power saddle on my HT MTB and i get on with it very well. I just find they last longer, justifying their higher price. Saddle selection can be such a fickle thing. On a performance bike, it's not the saddle's job to provide all the padding, and so I can't hold that against this model. Mirror technology utilizes 3D printing from liquid polymer to create a one-of-a-kind honeycomb structure that offers superior sit-bone support and comfort. Introduced in 2018, the Power Arc is for those that want less support across the back, likely due to suffering from the leg impedance thats common with wider saddles. Katherine Moore is Dartmoor-based gravel and bikepacking expert who judges her rides by stoke level, rather than speed. I've tried over 8 different saddles from various brands and never found the description to be an actual indication of whether or not the saddle will be comfortable. Thanks! . All rights reserved. Great all-day comfort can be achieved here. At least until I found the Specialized Phenom which for me, just works. The saddle is shorter in the nose than a lot of other saddles and has an obvious cutout to reduce pressure. They both rise up a little bit at the back, slope off at the sides. WebSteel (1) Price. Like this site? Specialized romin and phenom are the favorite choices for maximum mounters. Of course, every rider is different and my apparent incompatibility with the Power Pro is but a blip in whats otherwise a sea of rider praise, including fellow Cyclingnews tech writer Josh Croxton who has had many years of comfort aboard a Power saddle. Dont want the extra softness? That said, the general round profile and slippery cover still means its easy and safe to get your body behind the 155mm version in technical terrain and its surprisingly still better than many popular skinny saddles on the market. The base connects to black titanium rails in a standard 77 mm round size. SWAT-compatible mounts moulded into the saddle base allow for sleek and integrated storage solutions. Most will love the Power Pros shape but my experience goes to show there is no perfect recipe for saddle design, Large cut out relives perineal pressure effectively, Heavy considering it has titanium rails and carbon body. I didnt test this saddle on a TT bike but think that would be an ideal application. Actually, there is no perfect saddle for riding. BA1 1UA. And this brings me to the two optional variations in padding that are littered throughout the Power range that each aim to add an extra level of softness to the given padding. The round shape is very similar with romin, but phenom is shorter because it is for mtb. By Such a personal thing. I love the power saddle, hate the Phenom. But asking other people about saddle choice is like asking about underwear choice ), was also intended for women and coincidentally also seems rather great for men. Specialized has taken a great interest in the way a human body interacts with the bicycle. The saddle is really well constructed. Im returning it tomorrow, and Ill not be fitting one on a permanent basis. Did a desert Dash training ride with the Power saddle (160km) but still used the Phenom for the actual event 2 weeks later. So , as much as I love the Power saddle on my MTB , not 100% sold on the road bike yet !! The Power Saddle with Mimic is the same foundation as the Power Saddle sans Mimic. The Bandit Velcro wrap is one such example, and is a simple CO2, tyre lever and tube holder that remains out of the way. This finish looks mostly grey but, when it catches the light, shimmers with colours like a dragonfly's wing. I like how the Power Arc curves away at the sides quite quickly (as opposed to the normal Power which is apparently much flatter across the wings). How does that compare to your own feelings about it? Comp is a tier of a product. The shorter nose on the power works better for me. As a subscriber you can read road.cc ad-free, from as little as 1.99. Thanks! I used to sell power saddles like cupcakes at Revolution Cycles and they are extremely popular but if you visit a specialized concept store near you I'm confident they will have both power and phenom saddles for you to demo. Heres how it works. I even switched my road saddle to Phenom as well. The Power Expert is for people who like to stay in one optimal position during their ride. Level 2 Elaston foam provides unrivaled comfort and support on longer rides. Hate it. The sit bones slightly rise in the bottom cradles and deliver something to lift against when you climb up. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. The Power was AWESOME when sitting in one position to grind away at kms. The Romin Evo with Mimic replaces the Oura, the long-nosed model with a curved profile, while the Phenom Evo with Mimic replaces the Myth model, again long-nosed but with a flat profile. Then there is the newer Mimic padding, an alternative padding option thats compromised of three layers of differing density foam that are used at the nose of the saddle. The short 265mm length shouldnt be mistaken for forcing a set riding position. WebThe Phenom is the best IMO. We even took this ideology a step further via an extra wide and elongated Body Geometry channel that's been proven through blood flow testing and pressure mapping to reduce numbness and pressure on unwanted areas". Or sign up for one year for just 49 $79 59, Try your first month for just 1 / $1 / 1. Viewing 16 posts - 1 through 16 (of 16 total), Specialized Phenom vs. Specialized has moulded screw mounts on the base to mount their SWAT storage system giving added storage options for carrying road essentials or extra hydration. It was a really bold and arresting design choice and I immediately loved it. This saddle makes for consistent and excellent power delivery while pedaling. . Hunt 60 Limitless UD Carbon Spoke wheelset review: Great performers, especially when you consider the value too. Different saddles are honestly just different shapes that may or may not fit different people in different disciplines. However, my experience was mixed and I struggled to find a comfortable position over two months of testing. 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. While specialized romin ensures you about the durability and improvement of blood flow in the tissues. The rear of the saddle has more traditionally firm padding since thats ideally where we want support, but much like the foam in the center, the foam on the nose is very forgiving. As I continue to lose weight Im hoping it will cease to be an issue (although have always had the thighs of a rugby-player). Try 6 issues of Cycling Plus magazine for just 9.99 | SAVE 74% today. With a pressure-relief cutout and available in two different widths to suit your body, this really can keep you riding all day without discomfort. 2. Ergon offers a similar tech in its Core HD saddles. All Less than $50 (7) $50 - $250 (21) $250 - $500 (7) Size. The most visible difference between the Power Mimic and the Power is the cutout or lack thereof. Integrated Direct Mount Reserve Rack included for bottle/equipment storage solutions. Tough, lightweight, and water-resistant cover. Question from ITALY: Cape Town to Cape Point, back by public transports. The key difference is that the Pro loses the carbon shell in favour of a carbon-reinforced version, which comes at a 40g weight increase. Adam Blythes is. Singletrack uses affiliate services calledSkimlinksandwhich means we may earn revenue if you buy a product after clicking a link to a retailer on our site. And so that finally brings us to the Power Pro Elaston with Mimic which this review is about. I was thinking of times when I want to restrict it to the forum - e.g. The full Specialized Mimic saddle range for 2020 is below. Mimic is offered at all price points across the Power range. 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. 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