Stutz Posted February 9, 2008 Posted February 9, 2008 As a noob roadie, and after very near on 2000km's of struggling to find a seat that I can end a ride on without feeling like I spent a night in Pollsmoor Prison , I finally resolved my problem. I tried nearly every Selle Italia, one Selle San Marco and even a PRO TransAm but nothing did the trick. Yesterday, after a particularly painful 47km morning ride, I got my hands on a Specialized Phenom Gel in 143 width and after another 47km this morning ....... HALLELUJAH ............ no more pain. It seems that all I needed was that extra width after all. All the previous seats were in the 130 to 135 width and obviously too narrow. We did some sit bone width measurements at the LBS and figured that I just needed a wider saddle. So, if you're going through a similar situation where your behind can't take the punch but your legs have still got plenty to give, GO GET YOURSELF MEASURED! You may just need a slightly wider saddle. The Phenom isn't exactly for the weight weenies at 275g, but it sure makes up for the weight penalty in comfort. The gap in the middle also allows for good blood flow and even after a lot of Km's on the aero bars I was very comfortable. Slightly more padding in the nose also helps. Hopefully this helps someone else out there! Wesbrad2008-02-09 09:02:57
The Saint Posted February 9, 2008 Posted February 9, 2008 What you pay for it? I suffer big time from the preverbial numb nuts polsmore prison syndrome
Stutz Posted February 9, 2008 Author Posted February 9, 2008 What you pay for it? I suffer big time from the preverbial numb nuts polsmore prison syndrome Well, fortunately I didn't pay for it. I swopped out a brand new Selle Italia SLR Gel Flow for it at my LBS. The listed price was R750.00 though. Give it a try, you won't believe the difference.
GIRR Posted February 10, 2008 Posted February 10, 2008 I got 1 and have been riding it for a week now,awesome saddle!!! My was retailing for like R900. My old saddle a Fizik Aliante just broke my ass after the 2.5hr mark but this one so far has been great.
wisecrack Posted February 10, 2008 Posted February 10, 2008 Wonder who stocks them? Could use something like that for longer rides.
GIRR Posted February 10, 2008 Posted February 10, 2008 Anyone who stocks Specialized, got mine from Fritzpienaar cycles. Ive just been looking at the pic again, I got the phenom sl, its a lighter harder saddle for road riding, thats the mtb one isnt it? GIRR2008-02-10 02:25:55
Stutz Posted February 10, 2008 Author Posted February 10, 2008 Wonder who stocks them? Could use something like that for longer rides. Well that depends on where you live, but in the Western Cape you can try Willie Engelbrecht or Cycle Lab. They both stock Specialized products.
Racer X Posted February 10, 2008 Posted February 10, 2008 The standard Phenom is another option same basic saddle except it does not flare up at the front like a TT saddle, non gel version saves quite a bit of weight bringing it down to the same weight as an SLR XC.
Stutz Posted February 11, 2008 Author Posted February 11, 2008 Anyone who stocks Specialized' date=' got mine from Fritzpienaar cycles. Ive just been looking at the pic again, I got the phenom sl, its a lighter harder saddle for road riding, thats the mtb one isnt it? [/quote'] Krekt Girr. It's the MTB version. That's prolly why it's so comfortable.
Lusky Posted June 26, 2008 Posted June 26, 2008 Awesome saddle. I've just swpped the stock saddle that came with my Specialized Enduro SL and - wow, what a difference. It is designed specifically for MTB, but I might just stick one on my road bike too. It has extra padding in the nose so it should also be pretty comfy for TT or Ironman use. The saddle fitment idea that Specialized has got gooing makes a huge difference - gone are the days when big guys had no choice but to ride skinny butt plugs designed for 65kg elite athletes!
Barend de Arend Posted June 26, 2008 Posted June 26, 2008 I got a Specialized Toupe and a Toupe Gel. I love them. The non-gel version is even more comfortable than the gel version. Just a thought. Use it, don't use it.
Barend de Arend Posted June 26, 2008 Posted June 26, 2008 Awesome saddle. I've just swpped the stock saddle that came with my Specialized Enduro SL and - wow' date=' what a difference. It is designed specifically for MTB, but I might just stick one on my road bike too. It has extra padding in the nose so it should also be pretty comfy for TT or Ironman use. The saddle fitment idea that Specialized has got gooing makes a huge difference - gone are the days when big guys had no choice but to ride skinny butt plugs designed for 65kg elite athletes![/quote'] Hehe, I'm 58 kg (after breakfast), and I'm not exactly elite. Specialized's device measured me for a 143 saddle, which is the medium size. Funny that.
barrykm Posted July 4, 2008 Posted July 4, 2008 Which dealers in Johannesburg have the Specialized measuring device?
Paul Hunter Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 Awesome saddle...got one just before the Epic and was a dream to ride on.
Sammajoor Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 Ride on one tooo, well now and then too be honest if I must, but a great saddle rode one at the Bela Bela Classuc and after 3:15( OUCH) in the saddle no sores or blisters I am sold
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