Curious what you think of it-either the fixed position or adjustable saddle versions.
Also, what saddle did you use before and maybe after.
Tell me what you like or hate about it.
Previously used a Specialized Romin. Liked it just fine, but on longer rides on crappy roads I was coming home and getting some burning while peeing. Almost like compression of the junk…
Switched to the non adjustable Hilo, and haven’t looked back. Can nose ride on it all day. Used to be I would unconsciously cant to one side slightly just so I wouldn’t rest directly on the perineum. Not anymore with the Hilo.
Hope that helps
Standard waiver that nobody but you can pick a saddle.
I have rather large thighs so clearance for my hamstrings is often an issue. I rode a Selle San Marco Tri Aspide for 3-4 years with “ok” success. I went saddle searching recently with my new bike. Tried a Sitero, Cobb SHC170, & ISM Breakaway and Race as part of a week long saddle trial. Folks will tell you that you need lots of saddle time to get used to the noseless saddles like the ISM. I can see how they would work for some but not for me. The Sitero fits into the noseless type saddles as well. The relief in the center wasn’t deep enough and I’d still bottom out on it no matter where I sat fore/aft. I’m 179lbs for reference.
I then went to the Trek store with the intent of buying one of the Hilo’s. I talked the sale guy into letting me ride the SC9.9 Cancellara model on the trainer that had the Hilo on it. The single biggest thing I didn’t like is the edges of the saddle where the cover wraps around are really sharp. Instant thigh interference in a bad way and still plenty of pressure when moving way forward.
So, I then tried a Bontrager Team Issue TT saddle. Seemed to be much better than the Hilo FOR ME. Realize this was a very fast screening test. I bought the Team Issue and have been riding it for a couple weeks now. It’s good, not nirvana.
I’m riding only TT’s and have a fair amount of saddle to bar drop (17cm). That makes the saddle needs different than riding a HIM or IM for sure.
The Cobb SHC170 was somewhat surprising but I choose it because of the narrowness. I did alright on it but not enough to buy one.
Switched to Hi-Lo coming from Cobb’s Plus. The Plus worked great for the last few years, until ealier this year I suddenly developed pressure points, bumps and rashes in the perrineal area (same bikes, position, shorts, etc). Learned that apparently our bodies change over time, and it can be normal to have equipment like saddles work today and not tomorrow. After some experimenting switched to the HiLo, and have been a happy camper since ( non-adjustable version). Train/race up to 70-some miles for the bike leg, all HiLo usage on tri bikes.
HTH, S
I don’t have a lot of experience with different saddles, but this was by far the most uncomfortable I had ever used. I tried it out during a fit, checking out different saddles, it was miserable after 20 minutes. I know that’s not a lot of time to test one, but I had enough. Just my .02
I have put about 600 miles in on mine. It was the first TT specific saddle I’ve ever used. The pressure points were a little different than on my other Bontrager saddle on my Madone, but it didn’t take long to get used to. I would recommend this saddle.
any other users?
I wrote about this on another thread. I have wide sit bones and the Adamo prongs were not wide enough for me so I ended up “too far back” on the prongs with too much prong between my thighs. The Hilo has, for lack of a better word a “tapered” prong area, allowing each of your sit bones to find support at the proper width with “more narrow” nose in front of the sit bones, but narrow enough (like a conventional saddle) where it does not interfere. I have the non adjustable hilo. Also I find that it works best at a 1-2 degree downward tilt whereas on every other saddle I am a level saddle guy. Hilo level and I was not happy.
Dev
I have used it for the past season and I can’t say I love it but I’ve kept it. I went from a standard Fizik saddle which came with my bike. I have recently started to have a slight sore on the sit none area. This also could just be from racking up more and more miles over the past year.
I have been happy enough to not try another but I open to something if it would make a long ride seen shorter. Since that’s not likely I’ll stick with it for the upcoming TrainerRoad season here in Northern Ohio.
Well I have a few of them. One on the Madone, one on the town and one on the SC. Impressions…
Town - had an extra one, so why not. Saddle is worth more then the bike.
Speed Concept - very comfortable in the aero position. I used the adjustable and non adjustable versions and on the adjustable version it was all the way closed. I could not ride the saddle in thw wide position as it seemed too sharp on the mid edge, but in the narrowest position no issues.
Madone - I tend to ride in the fore of the saddle and that is where the saddle is the most comfortable for me.
On the SC I came from the Fizik Arione, the Madone I came from an RXL In form and on the town bike it was a RL Inform saddle.
I’ve done a spectacularly bad job finding a saddle that works for me. Started on an Adamo Road, moved to a Cobb V-Flow Plus, back to the Adamo Road, then tried the Hilo Bontrager. At first it felt okay, but the longer I was on it, the less I liked it. It felt like the nose was just too skinny to support all my weight. I’m back on the Adamo Road for now, but checking out ST’s Saddle Tour in a couple weeks when they’re in Houston in hopes of finding something I don’t hate.
I put one on my Speed Concept last year, set the rails level and have not touched it or thought about trying any other saddle since. Had tried Fizik, Cobb, SMP and Prologo. Now, just ride and don’t think about the saddle one bit.