[Closed] Are Specialized BG Saddles actuually bettter than the saddle specific brands ?

There was a lot of compelling research (from Spesh) about 10 years ago about blood flows amongst competitor saddles and what not, basically saying that if you use an SLR your cock would fall off within 20 seconds of being on the drops. Or something.

They were the first company to apply some medical science to saddle design, whether that makes them better... dunno. A lot of their ideas get copied though - different saddle widths for different styles are virtually the norm now.

hmmm, need to go try some methinks...

What nick said.

It's a bit of science applied ot the usual process of trial and error. Some people don't need the cut-out, others need a bigger one, some want a saddle that slopes up at the back, has a wider or shorter nose, or a combination of any or none of the above. Fizik and Selle Itaia both have their own fitting systems too. The SI one is way more comprehensive than the BG one, but it's only better if the saddles more comfortable.

All the BG system does is measure the width of your 'sit bones' and recomed a width of saddle, you then pick one fro Spesh's ranges and model baced on price which for most of people will probably get a comfortable one.

thanks TINAS

need to replace an uncomfy road one on Giant and drawn to some of the Selle Italia, with cutaway, which I need. Fully understand its more about fit and comfort than brand. Have already done sit bone measurement so know I need narrow, 130 ish.

Try them and see. FWIW, anecdotally, most people I know seem to be able to find a Spesh saddle that they're comfortable on which isn't the case for all brands. That said, others will find different saddles better.

I use Spesh on several of my bikes.

Give one a go - buy second hand, see if you like it.

I really rate the BG saddles, for what it's worth.

All my road saddles are BG and I've never had a sore bum or other 'man' problems despite many many hours sitting on them...

Completely subjective I am afraid. Liked the Phenom on my Epic, hated the Henge of my stumpy FSR 29er. I guess I may just be a SLR type of chap, I always think that the position you ride the bike in makes a difference to. My SLR's are comfy when I am in a lower front end racey position, which is why I have them on my road bike and Carbon hardtail. Yet I struggle with them on my trail bike, where I have a Charge scoop that works for a more upright position. I cant explain the science behind that I just know it's a fact for me. Maybe I am just weird, I didnt find a Gobi comfortable at all, which flies in the face of the conventional thinking of 90% of Mtbers that I know, who as a rule seem to love them exclusively

Completely subjective I am afraid.

So this was what the Spesh research showed - essentially if you find an SLR comfy, you'll find a Toupe comfy, but on the drops (again, according to Specialized) an SLR reduces bloodflow to your penis by 89% within 2 minutes (IIRC), whilst with a Toupe it's more like 20%.

I'm clearly vaguely cynical, but to be honest it was compelling enough to switch me to Toupes from SLRs, and I've never gone back!

All the high end saddles are actually manufactured by Selle Italia in Italy for Specialized

I've met and spent time talking with Dr. Andy Pruit and Dr. Roger Minkow the founders of Body Geometry, very smart and interesting men (and medical professionals) who responded years ago to an article in Rolling Stone magazine about road cyclists suffering 'gentlemen's problems', they created a custom saddle and sent it to the editor of Rolling Stone.

The editor introduced the Doctors to Mike Sinyard of Specialized and BG was born.

I've also seen live the "blood flow" analysis which involved 4 different saddle and seat posts combinations swapped repeatedly into the bike with the same rider on a turbo trainer and a medical device glued to his "whatsit", watching the drop in blood flow "live" was very interesting and somewhat worrying as I was riding one of the 'bad' saddles used in the test.

If a new Specialized saddle causes blood flow to drop below 50% they will not bring it to market, during the live test, some of the competitors saddle dropped the flow below 10% within 2-3 minutes. The problem they said is like liver disease, you cannot "feel" saddle related blood flow issues until its already caused a symptom.

I currently have Specialized BG saddles on all my bikes, and its the one part of my bikes I never worry about, its more "shut up legs" or "I am hungry".

Probably the easiest test is to go to a Specialized dealer and buy your saddle under their money back guarantee scheme, I am sure you can find something you like as everyone is different in terms of their ischial tuberosity

bear in mind though, that a bad "bike fit" will ruin the potential of any quality saddle whether its Specialized, Fizik, Selle Italia, Selle San Marco or whatever

to clarify my position, I don't work for Specialized or even one of their dealers, but their biggest competitor, but Specialized saddles are one thing I will always bolt onto my seat post regardless of the bike brand.

Like several folks have said above - saddles are very subjective. Having said that - I have generally paid the extra and stuck with Specialized BG saddles - they seem to work for me. And/or I'm a poser. My pee pee still seems to work fine, for what that's worth.

EDIT: Actually, @escher's post above is far more informative than mine, and said it all better than me

Got one of these on the road bike:

[img] [/img]

Thoroughly recommended.

I've got them on all my bikes. There's something for every arse and they're very good at maintaining feeling in the trouser department. I've had a couple fail though. One cracked shell and one chronically creaky. As with everything Spesh the warrantee is spot on.

i've had to have varicoceles removed twice in my groin - veins that swell up (and stay swollen) to the size of a small finger in width.

Before I swapped to Specialized BG saddles I had pretty much given up cycling - even a short ride resulted in so much swelling and pain for literally months after that it was too much.

Post-the move to BG saddles (the Romin is the one that's worked best for me) I still get a bit of groin pain and occasional swelling but managed a 50 mile ride yesterday with no lasting effects other than sore legs.

ok, just popped into LBS which is a Specialized dealer, did the sit bone measurement(105mm) which correlates to a 143mm Phenom and a 130mm Toupe using the Spesh black/red chart. I now have the Phenom to fit to MTB tonight and the Toupe on order for road bike. Hoping that they assist with comfort, in which case 2 more required for cx/tourer and track bike. Then some saddles on the classifieds 🙂

Many thanks for the useful info all

I'm a big fan of both Toupes and Phenoms, good choice!

So what's the difference between the Toupe and the Romin (and the Evo versions?) Had a look at the Spesh website and am not much the wiser. Be nice if they just had some sort of guide.

Toupe and Romin feel differnet to sit on but I'm not sure exactly what's different about them other than the nose profile is different. EVO means a bit more padding I think.

I have 2 toupe with carbon rails - 1 on road bike, 1 on sports hybrid used for commuting.

I have 1 Romin on mountain bike with ti rails.

Had a number of the older, previous generation toupe fail - all in the saddle base which split, all replaced without fuss, foc through concept store in London.

The toupe is a flatter saddle, ideal if you like to slide around your bike. I like it on my road bike because I can sit back when cruising, sit in the middle when climbing and sit on the nose when pulling forward into an aero position.

The Romin has a curved shape giving a locked position, ideal as i am sitting down on the MTB, or standing up off the saddle, don't need intermediate positions.

Having said that, have met riders with toupe on MTB and Romin on road bike - typically time triallists.

Evo typically wider in nose

Thanks for that. My road position is getting close to my TT position now and been thinking I need a saddle change. The Romin Evo could be a good one. May pop down the local concept store.

Similar situation to esher shore. Not only don't work for Specialized but also sell products from their competitors. As a brand, I really don't like their bully boy tactics, their under specced and over priced bikes, or the Fanboi-ism instilled in many of their customers and employees!

But... Spesh Saddles literally saved my arse! I grew up using Flite's predominantly in the 90's, which was about the most comfortable saddle I could find for about 10 years. When the Charge Spoon came out, I tried one of those and almost had to give up on riding! They say you can't feel anything going wrong down there til it's too late, but I disagree! The Spoon didn't last... Briefly tried SDG Bel Airs but they're a triumph of padding over shape annoyingly, and they get soggy quickly. Was persuaded to spend some money on a Spesh Phenom, and haven't looked back since then! My preferred shape is the Romin, probably because I'm less flexible than average so I appreciate the curved shape, but have used others too. Didn't get on with a Henge mind.

Specialized probably had a 10 year head start on everyone else when it comes to saddle design, though others are now catching up. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery too, well check out the Shimano PRO range of saddles. Got a Turnix on my MTB currently, and it's almost millimetre perfect a copy of the Spesh Romin!

I changed my road choice from the back order Toupe to an in stock Romin evo expert gel. Both now fitted so will have a wee spin when boys in bed

I've got Romin and Romin Evo tis on the road and cross bikes and a Henge ti on my MTB. The Henge was a comfort revolution for me, having ridden Gobis for years. I'm a wide-arse and 155 width, combined with the pressure relief and the lovely flat shape and broad nose feel perfect - for me.

first ride on the Phenom last night, on hardtail. In comparison to Bel Air it replaced - seems hard but pretty comfy, and definately feels better when putting power into cranks seated. A lot of sharp cracky creaks from it on roots and rocky stuff, so some copper slip going onto bolts later.

now for the Romin Evo on the road 🙂

I bought a Henge and after a week in the alps my butt was utterly devastated, not sure if years of bel air and spoon have it used to soft saddles or what. I'll give it some more rides and see what happens anyway.

I bought a Henge and after a week in the alps my butt was utterly devastated

TMI.

Oh and are the two things connected? 🙂

Phenom certainly seems significantly harder than Bel Air, but not in an uncomfy way 🙂

I've ditched both Phenom and Romin from Mtb and Road bikes. Was measured etc but after 3 hours sit bones were agony. Gone to spoons now and did mayhem solo on one so they are on all my bikes. If anyone is in south yorkshre and wants to try before buy i'm happy to loan out a 143 ti phenom.

teamslug - just mailed you, as could be after another one for cx bike 🙂

Just in from first road ride on Romin Evo Expert - superb, much better than the Giant one that has been on the Defy for the last 3000 miles ! No soreness, numbness at all 😀

3 hr ride today on the Phenom and no likely. Sit bones sore and some numbness on seated climbs. No as comfy on that type of ride as old bel air. Will try a Henge under the Spesh exchange scheme.

I use Specialized saddles and am pleased to announce nothing has fallen off.

I think the whole BG saddle thing is another cycle industry solution to a problem you previously didn't know you had. Bicycles have been around for over a century and were the main form of transport for the majority of people before cars became affordable after the second world war. I'm not aware of Raleigh or Hercules receiving bags of mail in the 1930s from unhappy owners complaining about their penile blood flow.

The trouble with BG saddles is that they concentrate the rider's weight on two narrow bands and this can also be painful for some people. I don't think anyone should be as worried about the Specialized's claims of better blood flow if a slotless saddle is more comfortable.

My comfortable Spoon led to six months of disfunction and anxiety following a sportive. Haven't had that with BG.

The Romin feels great for me on road so disappointed that I can't get on with the Phenom on mtb

Had pain from spoon, slr and bell air - now have romin - no pain.

I use the romin (TI railed) and love it for comfort although I have bent the rails a bit...*

*Used off road and I am on the heavy side.

iainc - Member
3 hr ride today on the Phenom and no likely. Sit bones sore and some numbness on seated climbs. No as comfy on that type of ride as old bel air. Will try a Henge under the Spesh exchange scheme.

Posted 18 hours ago #

nice new Henge just picked up from LBS under the Spesh exchange scheme 🙂 fingers crossed and buttocks clenched 😛

I have had an Avatar Gel on my mtb for years, comfiest saddle I've used. Dont get on with the spoon at all. I may get one for my road bike as now I'm doing longer rides I sometimes get numbness with the stock cannondale one.

Has anyone been through the Selle Italia fit process? Just wondering if it's any good.....

I've been struggling with saddles for years have tried WTB Rocket, Fizik, SDG and recently Spesh BG. The Spesh has been the best so far (followed by Fizik) by I still end up getting pins and needles. I'm now wondering if it's worth trying the Selle Italia and our LBS has become one of their fit centres. Just not sure whether it's worth a shot as the saddles are expensive.....

oliwb - I had a good look at some Selle Italia, even bought an SLS but returned it as reckoned the Spesh ones were better. Price wise there's not a heap in it given some of the discounts on Selle Italia online

Not been 'fitted' but the Selle Italia system, I just measured my arse with a bit of cardboard and used the spesh site to figure out the right width from that.

The rest you can guess, if your hip flexors are short you need a cut out, if they're really short you need the big cut out.

The flite has a slight dip in the middle/raised tail so less suited to moving arorund on, although SI's saddles are quite picky about position IME so you can't move arround much even on the SLR which is much flatter.

Currently on a Flite 130mm gel flow by trial and error buying on ebay, looking to try the SLR version. Tried a standard SLR 130mm (OK, but needed a cut out), then an SLR max-flow 130mm (too big a cut out, pits too much pressur eon the edges), now the flite. The gel is a revelation, almost as comfortable as riding an MTB with a firm saddle.

SLR max-flow 130mm is for sale if anyone makes me an offer, only a few hundred miles, ti rails, 30% carbon body, one typical leaning against a wall scuff/cut.

Trying out the Romin Evo on the turbo bike. Seems good at avoiding numbness but I now get really sore sit bones. Any thoughts on an alternative spesh saddle?

Missed this thread originally.

Having had surgery [i]down there[/i] I learnt a few years ago about the importance of both the right size and shape of saddle. I now have the same on 2 mtbs & 2 roadies and have no issues whatsoever - they are SI's.

My consultant said at the time that the industry had ignored the issue for decades on the premise of:

I think the whole BG saddle thing is another cycle industry solution to a problem you previously didn't know you had. Bicycles have been around for over a century and were the main form of transport for the majority of people before cars became affordable after the second world war. I'm not aware of Raleigh or Hercules receiving bags of mail in the 1930s from unhappy owners complaining about their penile blood flow.

Cycling has evolved greatly and when you look at the growing number who ride longer/further than before, stiff frames, tiny tyres with 120 psi, off-road cycling and so on your bits get a fair old battering at times.

The fact that symptoms now associated with riding weren't before doesn't mean they didn't exist. The urologist told me that even the medical profession had missed a few things. The example he used was the number of men that were seen because of possible bladder issues (namely being awoken regularly to pee at night or persistent infections)had increased greatly over recent years - it took some time for someone to realise that one increasingly common factor was their hobby. Yep, cycling. Not only can an ill-fitting saddle cause blood flow issues but also constriction/scarring of the urethra which, in turn can lead to the bladder not emptying properly when you pee. This becomes the cause of the 'wake up calls' and, ultimately, the infections.

The 'fix' is not one to be discussed on a forum though 😯

If you can excuse the American-ness, these are helpful vids:

Having raced for 60 miles through the night on Saturday sitting on a specialized sadle, my arse was the only bit of me that didn't ache this morning (and it wasn't numb either). Now I just need them to start making something that works the same magic on aged knees and ankles.

Now I just need them to start making something that works the same magic on aged knees and ankles.

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftr/shoes

Despite hating Specialized as a company I'm a fan of what their shoes do (though I could probably get most of the same effect with suitable insoles in other shoes).

I measured my ass width on their gauge thing and bought the appropriate BG saddle. It caused me all kinds of pain even after trying various adjustments, got returned after a few rides under their guarantee scheme. Was a really nicely made, reasonably light saddle but just didn't suit me. Others absolutely swear by them. Their guarantee scheme is really good, nice not end up with a £70 saddle sitting in the parts box.

Their guarantee scheme is really good,

Hmm not sure if they've changed it recently but you don't actually get your money back, you get a [url= http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/the-hub/specialized-saddles-satisfaction-guaranteed ]store credit towards a new saddle[/url]. Not brilliant really as if you don't get on with any of their saddles you're still lumbered with one you don't want. I'd rather they still did proper test saddles.

This was last year, I think I got store credit but spent it on something else.

Yeah, they do seem to have changed the "guarantee" somewhat which is annoying. Maybe they were getting a lot of returns. When I later noticed it was credit against another saddle I did ask what I'd do if I couldn't get on with any of their saddles and the chap at the store claimed that "Specialized are confident that you'll find a saddle in their range that you can get on with"... in which case why don't they just do a normal money back guarantee? 😕

Well that's disappointing. For me, they only really did one saddle that I wanted. I didn't want a £30 lump or a £120 carbonanium thing. It wasn't just a bit uncomfy, it was bollock mashingly unbearable.

mrblobby - any chance you could drop me a mail ? address in profile, keen to hear a bit more, cheers

Some people like their saddles some people do not

http://roadcyclinguk.com/gear/pro-bike-vincenzo-shark-nibalis-custom-specialized-s-works-tarmac.html

http://cyclingtips.com.au/2014/07/bikes-of-le-tour-vincenzo-nibalis-specialized-tarmac-the-mclaren-tarmac/

http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/07/gallery/pro-bike-vicenzo-nibalis-shark-tarmac_334640

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/product-news/tour-bike-vincenzo-nibalis-specialized-s-works-tarmac-131704

Gave up on the Romin Evo about an hour in to tonight turbo session, just too painful on the sit bones. Swapped back to the Antares. Normal Romin or Toupe next I guess. Though I am tempted to try the Sitero even though it's a TT saddle, would probably suit my position.

TINAS, what's the reason for this (link or in general)? Ta

if your hip flexors are short you need a cut out, if they're really short you need the big cut out.

Sit bone width - I sat in on a Specialized BG talk from their US Dr of ergonomics chap and he made a good point that the effective pelvis width varies dependent on upper body position, as you lean fwd the lower edges of the pelvis bone in contact with the saddle are narrower. Ischeal (sp?) tuberosities prob not, but it seemed that comfortable saddle width is affected by riding position.

Close to giving up on Spesh saddles. Tried the Romin Evo, less knob numbness but really painful sit bones. Then tried the Toupe, less pain but back to numb knob. Then tried the Phenom, felt great as soon as I sat on it but two turbo sessions on it have left me red raw down below 🙁 So that's going back too. Think I'll do a Nibali and go back to my Antares.

mrblobby - I struggled with my Henge on the mtb, but found the Romin Evo Pro good on road bike. I am currently on an ISM Adamo Peak on the mtb and it's the most comfy saddle I've ever sat on. It takes a bit of setting up initially but no pain or numbness at all, due to the design. My drivers may be a little different though as I'm heading for prostate removal in a week and trying to find the most comfy way back into riding post op 😯

[url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/adamo-saddles-experiences ]Adamo Saddles[/url]

Thanks Ianc. Actually contributed to that thread! I run an Adamo on the TT bike.

so you did, contribution appreciated !

As an ex-CW tester I tried a lot of road saddles. When we went away, all of us took whatever we usually rode with to ensure we were comfy.

All the guys [u]always[/u] took Spesh Toupes - almost all on 143's. And that wasn't because we had them for nowt, because we could have had anything.

FWIW, SLR's are the invention of Belzibub himself for my willy, on the tops or drops.

Saddle choice far less important on an mtb as you spend considerably less time on it anyway 🙂 I generally use whatever the bike comes with these days offroad.