Specialized Alias "moves"
#1
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From: Houston, TX
Bikes: 2007 Orbea Onix, 2007 Windsor The Hour, 2008 Kona Jake
Specialized Alias "moves"
I know a lot of you like the Specialized Alias saddle.
I had a stock Specialized saddle on an old bike. It had the Body Geometry cutout and I LOVED it!
I bought a new bike a while back, and have been wanting to replace the "non-ergonomic" saddle it came with.
After reading a lot of threads and deciding I didn't want to spend more than $100, I decided to go with the Alias.
Is it just me, or does it "move" when you pedal or hit bumps? I can't get over this feeling of being "unstable"...it feels like my rear end is going out from under me, kind of like when you get a fast flat. It's a little scary...
I switched back to my old saddle, and it doesn't feel that way any more, so I don't think it's a coincidence.
Has anyone else experienced this moving feeling with the Alias or something similar? If so, does it go away? If not, can anyone recommend a replacement, under $100, that is ergonomic?
I had a stock Specialized saddle on an old bike. It had the Body Geometry cutout and I LOVED it!
I bought a new bike a while back, and have been wanting to replace the "non-ergonomic" saddle it came with.
After reading a lot of threads and deciding I didn't want to spend more than $100, I decided to go with the Alias.
Is it just me, or does it "move" when you pedal or hit bumps? I can't get over this feeling of being "unstable"...it feels like my rear end is going out from under me, kind of like when you get a fast flat. It's a little scary...
I switched back to my old saddle, and it doesn't feel that way any more, so I don't think it's a coincidence.
Has anyone else experienced this moving feeling with the Alias or something similar? If so, does it go away? If not, can anyone recommend a replacement, under $100, that is ergonomic?
#4
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From: Hudson Valley, NY
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I understand the Specialized Toupe "moves" in the way of flexing. I haven't ridden one myself though.
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#5
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From: Houston, TX
Bikes: 2007 Orbea Onix, 2007 Windsor The Hour, 2008 Kona Jake
If I hold it in my hand, and apply pressure from the top to the center, it kind of rolls inward, so I am assuming this is what I'm feeling.
What makes it so unnerving is that it seems to happen when I hit a bump, so it feels like rather than absorb the bump, I'm "sliding". It only lasts a millisecond, but it's enough to make me react because I think the bike is going out from under me.
What makes it so unnerving is that it seems to happen when I hit a bump, so it feels like rather than absorb the bump, I'm "sliding". It only lasts a millisecond, but it's enough to make me react because I think the bike is going out from under me.
#6
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From: Conejo Valley, CA
Bikes: Domane SLR7 Disc
I have an Alias that is about 3 weeks old, having switched from an Avatar. It does have a small amount of flex...helps to dampen the road noise. I don't notice this at all when I'm riding.
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#7
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From: N 44.91577 W093.25327
Bikes: Surly Cross-Check (commuter), Lemond Sarthe (sports car), Schwinn fixed gear conversion (for fun)
#8
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From: Wylie, TX
Bikes: '98 Cervelo Eyre, '80 Centurion Lemans 12, '96 GT LTS-3, '05 Specialized Allez Elite Cro-Mo
They seem to flex and pop for a few hundred miles until they loosen up. I don't know if that's what you're talking about, but that drove me nuts. Almost took it back to the shop. Glad I didn't
#10
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From: Elgin, IL
Bikes: Lots. Chapter2, Van Dessel, Giant, Trek, etc Dealers for BMC, Chapter2
I have an Avatar on my commuter and a Toupe on my main rig. I have never noticed either one of them give me the feeling that I was moving unintentionally.
#11
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From: Sammamish, WA
Bikes: Cannondale Prophet, Specialized S-Works SL2, Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper
During the winter I didn't ride my Tarmac and concentrated on mountain bike riding. The first time I got back on it, with a Toupe saddle, I felt like I was moving all over the place on it. I think it's just because I was accustomed to the larger saddle on my Cannondale. I would guess that so long as you can't physically move the saddle in the clamp and the rails aren't broken you're in good shape.
#12
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From: Houston, TX
Bikes: 2007 Orbea Onix, 2007 Windsor The Hour, 2008 Kona Jake
Thanks for the feedback. It's good to hear that other people experienced what sounds like maybe the same thing. I'm about to go on vacation and do some riding, so I think I'll stick with my old, more familiar saddle. When I get back, I'll put the Alias back on and see if it rides itself in (or I ride myself in and get used to it).
I'll let you know how it works out. I'm hoping it's not a hundred bucks down the drain.
jrobe - what did you buy as a replacement? Something else with a cutout?
I'll let you know how it works out. I'm hoping it's not a hundred bucks down the drain.
jrobe - what did you buy as a replacement? Something else with a cutout?
#14
I just got a Specialized Alias in the new design. It rides great. harder than what I'm used to, so I bet it will be great on long rides. I did 20 miles on it this morning. I don't notice any movement like you are describing. As far as flexing, I can see some when flexing it with my hands, but I don't notice any when I was riding it. The only thing I found is the saddle is smoother than my old one so I slide on the saddle just a little easier. I should get used to that in just a couple more rides.I can't compare the new and old versions, but I like the one I got.
#16
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From: Houston, TX
Bikes: 2007 Orbea Onix, 2007 Windsor The Hour, 2008 Kona Jake
Well, I want to thank everyone for their feedback on the Alias. You were right, I go used to the movement of the saddle, but I just never got used to the saddle itself. I don't know if it's that it has more padding than I'm used to or what, but it hurts my sitbones and I find myself having to stand up a lot.
I've been trying to get myself to give it a chance, but it just killed me today. I'm going to put it on ebay. Maybe I'll try the Fizik Arione or maybe the Toupe.
Anyone know if either of these saddles have a weight limit?
I've been trying to get myself to give it a chance, but it just killed me today. I'm going to put it on ebay. Maybe I'll try the Fizik Arione or maybe the Toupe.
Anyone know if either of these saddles have a weight limit?
#17
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From: Houston, TX
Bikes: 2007 Orbea Onix, 2007 Windsor The Hour, 2008 Kona Jake
I'm looking at buying either the Fizik Arione or the Toupe.
Does anyone know if either of these saddles have a weight limit?
Does anyone know if either of these saddles have a weight limit?






