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Specialized saddle

Old 10-06-13, 02:17 PM
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Specialized saddle

hi all,
The OE saddle on my Kona is a PITA, I'll need to upgrade soon...
I was looking at saddles, and a few ones from Specialized caught my attention, mostly the Henge Expert, in 155mm.
I was wondering if anyone had used it, or is using it, and if so, how is/was it ?
I have no LBS on my island, so I have to order pretty much everything online, or wait until I take a trip to buy some stuff.
(I used to cardboard method to find out what width I need)

Thanks !

-Chris
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Old 10-07-13, 08:20 AM
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I went with a Specialized Phenom Comp Gel ... very happy with it.
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Old 10-07-13, 09:23 AM
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I've never met a Specialized saddle that I liked, and I've tried 3 or 4. Doesn't mean that one won't work your you, though. Everybody's butt is different...
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Old 10-07-13, 01:11 PM
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I'd find a good LBS that deals in them. They will have an ass-o-meter (not the official term) that will measure your sit bones, which is what matters. No matter the flesh about them, the width of the sit bones will drive a lot of the comfort equation for you.

The rest will be driven by position on the bike (as in how upright, or not) and overall fitness.

Spesh has several widths, and several variations in degree of padding, rail and saddle structure.

I ended up with Romin Pro, in the 143 width. It's a very hard saddle, good on a raod bike with some drop and only with good bibs and a fair amount of moving about. But nothing hurts...
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Old 10-07-13, 03:36 PM
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Got a specialized bike brand, dealer ? , go give some a test Sit ..
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Old 10-07-13, 03:58 PM
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Thank you for your replies.
I'd really like to do that, unfortunately, there are no LBS where I live. The only way I can go to a LBS is when I travel outside of the island...kind of expensive to take a trip just to buy a saddle lol
Anyway, I did the corrugated cardboard method to calculate my sit bone width as explained here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7j9LUVJrjA and I've been looking at 155-160 mm wide saddles...it seems there aren't too many availabe in that width.
I guess all I can do is give one a try :dontknow:
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Old 10-07-13, 06:43 PM
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I hear you Turzy. I fear you're going to just have to make a best guess, work with what you try for a couple hundred miles and if you can't get happy with it...eBay it and try something different. I can tell you I'm on a Selle SMP Pro and am pretty happy with it but that don't mean nuthin' to you in terms of comfort. But it is a beautiful saddle that it's taken a while for me to adjust to.

While adjusting to it I made tiny adjustments at a time, tilting it a bit forward or back and settling into it, maybe moving it fore or aft a tiny bit and riding a hundred miles (unless I sensed a glaring misadjustment, be sure to bring a suitable allen key, or whatever, to make adjustments on the road), also experimenting with riding more upright or not, arching my back more or less, etc. I've also found that it requires a well-padded pair of shorts (more likely because I'm just not as hard-core as I used to be). Feel how your sit bones are contacting the saddle and if they feel...seated.

And be patient!
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Old 10-08-13, 05:15 AM
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You know, Spesh is a good company, though I personally don't like most of their frames.

So I had a look at their web site. If I am reading this right, there's a 30 day return policy. Armed with that and your sit bone width, I'd say it's worth a shot.

And to the post above their saddles are VERY angle-sensitive. My Romins took several rides to set up properly. Be patient, and realize you are also training your behind.

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/support/faq/
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Old 10-08-13, 08:19 AM
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I bought this one. It's more comfy than the Henge, IMO. But I'm not doing any hardcore trail bombing / racing. It might not work for that.

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftb...les/milano-gel
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Old 10-08-13, 01:35 PM
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Originally Posted by ChuckD6421
I hear you Turzy. I fear you're going to just have to make a best guess, work with what you try for a couple hundred miles and if you can't get happy with it...eBay it and try something different. I can tell you I'm on a Selle SMP Pro and am pretty happy with it but that don't mean nuthin' to you in terms of comfort. But it is a beautiful saddle that it's taken a while for me to adjust to.

While adjusting to it I made tiny adjustments at a time, tilting it a bit forward or back and settling into it, maybe moving it fore or aft a tiny bit and riding a hundred miles (unless I sensed a glaring misadjustment, be sure to bring a suitable allen key, or whatever, to make adjustments on the road), also experimenting with riding more upright or not, arching my back more or less, etc. I've also found that it requires a well-padded pair of shorts (more likely because I'm just not as hard-core as I used to be). Feel how your sit bones are contacting the saddle and if they feel...seated.

And be patient!
actually, I'm also considering the SMP Selle Plus, it comes in 159mm; and I've read nothing but good things about it.

Thank you all for your replies.
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Old 10-15-13, 05:55 PM
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I've ridden specialized saddles for years now and love them. Currently riding the Romin and love it, but my wife was not a fan of her Specialized saddle. You just have to find what works for you, but don't just think you naturally need the wide 155. Based on the bike, I either ride the 143 for the road bike or the 130 for the hybrid.

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Old 10-16-13, 06:12 AM
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I've owned 4 Specialized saddles and even been measured on the 'ass-o-meter'. They really didn't work for me. I also tried Fizik saddles. No joy.

So I went old school with a Brooks B-17 Imperial. It took a couple of thousand miles to break in, but it works well now. I even put a standard B-17 on my touring bike. The B-17 is about 175 mm wide, and they do make a narrow version of it.
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Old 10-16-13, 09:45 AM
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Originally Posted by JerrySTL
I've owned 4 Specialized saddles and even been measured on the 'ass-o-meter'. They really didn't work for me.
Me too. Bought a $150 saddle based on the findings of the ass-o-meter. Awful saddle. Switched to a Brooks B17 and never looked back.
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Old 10-20-13, 08:53 PM
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If your sit bones are that wide apart, you may want to look at women's saddles.
I tried the Ruby Expert 155mm, and found that the outside edge of saddle rubbed seams on shorts (no padding over the vertical edge). I am riding a Ariel Comp gel 155 and liking it so far. I wanted to try Lithia Comp gel saddle, but LBS could not get one in late Sept. Specialized is currently ending one model year of accessories and starting up their next year models.

I had my spouse measure my sit bones using measuring tape, with me holding fingers on the sit bones. It matched what the ass-o-meter said in the store. My sit bones are 130mm apart, which means I use a 155mm saddle with Specialized.

Terry also makes saddles for men and women. The chart at https://www.terrybicycles.com/2011-Terry-Mens-Saddles shows the measurements for men's saddles.
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Old 10-20-13, 09:20 PM
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Originally Posted by esther-L
If your sit bones are that wide apart, you may want to look at women's saddles.
I tried the Ruby Expert 155mm, and found that the outside edge of saddle rubbed seams on shorts (no padding over the vertical edge). I am riding a Ariel Comp gel 155 and liking it so far. I wanted to try Lithia Comp gel saddle, but LBS could not get one in late Sept. Specialized is currently ending one model year of accessories and starting up their next year models.

I had my spouse measure my sit bones using measuring tape, with me holding fingers on the sit bones. It matched what the ass-o-meter said in the store. My sit bones are 130mm apart, which means I use a 155mm saddle with Specialized.

Terry also makes saddles for men and women. The chart at https://www.terrybicycles.com/2011-Terry-Mens-Saddles shows the measurements for men's saddles.
Thanks for the tip. I didnt even think of considering women saddles.
I measured my sit-bones width at 130mm too, so yeah, 155-160mm wide is what I'm looking for.
Thanks for the link too
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Old 10-21-13, 06:11 AM
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I've got Specialized saddles on all of my bikes, including my Trek. In the mid-price range the Avatar is a great all around road and endurance/touring saddle. The Toupe is a lighter saddle with very little padding but is very compliant so you don't really notice.
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