I’ve been on the Specialized Power then most recently, the Pro Stealth. Liked both but didn’t love them.
The Pro Stealth is awesome when you’re going really hard… as its supposed to be but it SUCKS when I’m doing long slow days in the mountains. I found it just sucked after 3ish hours.
Any suggestions on what to try next? Only caveat is that I’m on a 155 Pro Stealth.
I’m currently circling:
Fabric Line (but its 142)
Fizik Antares (anyone try the new versions with cutouts)
Romin Evo (I’d rather avoid this since I ride a Trek – yeah, I’m that guy)
I highly recommend the Bontrager Montrose. One came on my last bike purchase and I viewed it at the time as a stock throwaway where I was going to switch to my standard saddle. I gave it a few test rides, and absolutely loved it. I now have it on both of my road bikes. It’s listed as a mountain bike saddle, but comes stock on many Madone and Emonda. For shape comparison purposes, I have used in the past both the Antares (original, not the new model with the cutout) and the Specialized Romin, and it’s in the same semi-round family. It comes in three models, Pro, Elite and Comp, I have the Elite as I find it is a good combination of firmness but without carbon rails. Plus, it works you being a Trek guy.
I highly recommend the Bontrager Montrose. One came on my last bike purchase and I viewed it at the time as a stock throwaway where I was going to switch to my standard saddle. I gave it a few test rides, and absolutely loved it. I now have it on both of my road bikes. It’s listed as a mountain bike saddle, but comes stock on many Madone and Emonda. For shape comparison purposes, I have used in the past both the Antares (original, not the new model with the cutout) and the Specialized Romin, and it’s in the same semi-round family. It comes in three models, Pro, Elite and Comp, I have the Elite as I find it is a good combination of firmness but without carbon rails. Plus, it works you being a Trek guy.
I’ve tried the Montrose Elite and liked the shape but thought the padding was too firm (OR it was just the combo of a aluminum bike). I have given thought to giving the Pro version a try since I’m on a new carbon bike now. That might make the padding a bit more tolerable.
The Comp is the model with the most padding, I’ve even contemplated giving the Comp a try on my tri bike because I like the shape so much. The Elite is the middle model, with the Pro being the firmest and with carbon rails. I’ve got the Elite on a newer Madone and on my old BMC Pro Machine which has a pretty aggressive ride, and the Elite treats me just right.
The Comp is the model with the most padding, I’ve even contemplated giving the Comp a try on my tri bike because I like the shape so much. The Elite is the middle model, with the Pro being the firmest and with carbon rails. I’ve got the Elite on a newer Madone and on my old BMC Pro Machine which has a pretty aggressive ride, and the Elite treats me just right.
That’s annoying since I have a climbing bike and am willing to pay the premium. Specialized did/does the same thing with the Power saddle. The bottom two models had the Level 2 padding which was FAR better in comparison to the twice as expensive version.
What do you like about the Power? I think it would be great if it was more of a flat profile.
I bought a Fabric Line and a Fizik Antares (new one with cutout) 142 width thinking they would be an improvement. They each have one trainer ride and have been in the packaging ever since. I think the Shimano Pro Stealth is next one I would like to try.
What do you like about the Power? I think it would be great if it was more of a flat profile.
I think that is just personal preference. I never had a problem with the curve of the original Power. I just had issues with the nose if I slide forward too much… which would happen a lot because I would get hamstring discomfort when locked in the right position. I should try the Power Arc since I hear that fixed these problems.
I bought a Fabric Line and a Fizik Antares (new one with cutout) 142 width thinking they would be an improvement. They each have one trainer ride and have been in the packaging ever since. I think the Shimano Pro Stealth is next one I would like to try.
Interesting… why didn’t you like the Fabric? I heard the reason this shines is the flex, a lot like what Cobb does.
Have you sat on the Specialized Ass-o-meter to see how far apart your sitz bones are? If not, do so. Add 5mm to the measured width. That will help you narrow (pun intended) your choices. Then test you hop and leg flexibility. This will help you decide on a flat vs. concave shape (think antares vs. aliante).
Have you sat on the Specialized Ass-o-meter to see how far apart your sitz bones are? If not, do so. Add 5mm to the measured width. That will help you narrow (pun intended) your choices. Then test you hop and leg flexibility. This will help you decide on a flat vs. concave shape (think antares vs. aliante).
Yep, done it several times. 155 width was suggested.
As for the flexibility test, I don’t feel that matters for me personally. I’m rather flexible but look at the Aliante and feel that is the right saddle for me. Hence why I liked the Power curvature.
Long time user of the Pro Stealth 152 both carbon and Ti rail. For whatever reason this July it was not working at all. I just bought a SDG Bel-Aire and it works really well for me. Might be worth a shot…
I see threads like this all the time and I don’t really get it. IMO, suggesting saddles is like suggesting music: what works for one person might not work for someone else. As a result, I can’t really “recommend” a saddle. For what it’s worth, I use and love the 155mm Specialized Romin on all of my road (and road-ish) bikes.
I recently purchased the Fizik Antares VS with manganese rails for my BMC Granfondo so i have limited experience (less than 10 hours). I’m still adjusting to it but the cutout does very little for relieving pressure. I’m going to give it more time since it took a while for me to adjust to saddles on previous bikes. My tri bike has a ISM Prologue and i really like it after an adjustment period. If the Fizik doesn’t work out I will probably look at another ISM.
Ironically, Specialized Power and Pro Stealth have been my last two saddles. Still on the Stealth, don’t have the same complaint you do. I wonder if you’re on the carbon-rail version though, which I found much less comfortable than the steel-rail version (in exchange for a whopping 20g weight savings).
If you want to stick in the relatively new “snub-nosed” class of saddles, Prologo Dimension and Cobb Tenace are two more options. I tried the Prologo and did not care for it, nose was too narrow and back part was too firm. I think Serfas makes a Power Saddle lookalike that they market as a tri saddle, never seen one in person though.