AliExpress Specialized Power Arc knock-off?

I have a complicated relationship with the Power Arc, I keep buying them and then deciding they’re not for me then selling them again then thinking I need to try them again 🙄

Currently trying one again and getting on with it again but don’t want to invest upwards of £80 or £90 for the other bikes, is there an AliExpress clone? I think it’s this one…

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006016969601.html?spm=a2g0n.productlist.0.0.b2dd7467AYCpDw&browser_id=ea2958a1baf544abaa08c5344b196e25&aff_trace_key=d1d49cf3fb6049eb8889b26f3eb700d0-1706903215423-08626-_bDfkka&aff_platform=msite&m_page_id=qbzzhbigycavoetv18d6b79a1a7227fd2c2af9c5d9&gclid=&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21GBP%2159.06%2125.99%21%21%21525.47%21231.21%21%402103894417069051498418876ea371%2112000035347576833%21sea%21UK%212877536951%21&algo_pvid=aa84d0c4-2be6-4c59-ab0b-bf2428b380fe&search_p4p_id=2024020212190914286313121582480000664972_3

Or this one? (Although I’m looking for power comp)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005257755453.html?spm=a2g0n.productlist.0.0.71d891839TkoGe&browser_id=1455e3821732430bbf0d70f9f6d68cbb&aff_trace_key=0b7fc6db240045f9b5e3a7b26d4d6134-1706905520381-05663-2u6jmaU&aff_platform=msite&m_page_id=vlshyyaygycavatn18d6b8a7005fa6aced2fd0cfed&gclid=&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21GBP%2135.59%2111.62%21%21%21316.65%21103.39%21%402103868a17069062512488689ec122%2112000032386345702%21sea%21UK%210%21AB&algo_pvid=23ee01d4-69be-468a-9cb3-55f3c45a6729&search_p4p_id=202402021237314172640753731000000728859_3

Yeah that definitely looks like a Comp!

sure it’ll be fine

If you nearly don’t get on with it is there any point getting one that might be a bit shitter?

If you nearly don’t get on with it is there any point getting one that might be a bit shitter?

I buy and sell a ridiculous number of saddles. I think it’s because I’m constantly trading good posture and support with lack of chafing and saddle sores.

Something ultra-ergonomic like an SMP or Power Arc is probably better for my low back and squint hips as it ‘holds’ me in a more neutral position, but it’s less comfortable on the soft tissues as my squint hips and lax core mean I get pressure points.

Something like a Fizik Antares or Selle Flite Boost disappears underneath me and definitely feels faster and nicer to sit on, but lets my hip and low back take all the strain so muscularly I end up worse off at the end of long rides.

Point of the story I that I don’t really believe much of the hype surrounding saddles other than the shape, so a knock-off that is a ‘bit shitter’ but effectively the same shape could be very useful (I’ve accumulated a lot of bikes over time and use some of them quite infrequently, hence not wanting full RRP branded saddles on a e.g. a singlespeed road bike I ride once a month…)

Have just received a heavily discounted shop soiled Romin Evo so let’s see how that feels…

soiled saddle? That’ll be a no from me!

soiled saddle? That’ll be a no from me

😂

Appears just to be the usual ‘omni-flake’ paint that Specialized use on their saddle rails,

Ordered the AliExpress saddle, £30 all in, carbon rails, claimed weight 160g. Will be interesting to see what actually turns up! 🤔

Watching with interest as I too buy and sell far too many saddles. Currently on a Spesh Power Expert but tempted by the Power Arc as although I’m comfortable enough I get chafe. I am just experimenting with moving the saddle aft a bit to se if it helps, after a suggestion by a bike fit person, and I must say, after a 70K gravel ride today, it does seem to have improved things….

I think it was a common complaint that the Power saddle was a bit intrusive around the back of the thighs, whereas the Power Arc drops away a bit more.

Not sure I’d use one for gravel, by design I think they put more weight on your handlebars, I’m trying a Romin which has a similar shape but a bit less ‘rotated’.

That was my exact thought re the Arc – the rounded edge. I’m interested in your Romin thoughts as that was also on my list.

The guy I spoke to (in the Spesh dealer actually) said that most people have their saddles to far forward and the test is to see if you can take your hands off the bars (on a road bike) and put them behind your back without faceplanting the bars. If you can’t (core strength not withstanding) and assuming that the rest of your bike position is OK, then you are too far forward.

Well I won’t lie, for £30 this us a thing of beauty, even if for some reason it won’t work it will make a lovely ornament!

123g, very neat construction, padding feels very like the elaston padding on my Power Arc Expert although I’m a tiny bit worried it feels too soft, time will tell.

The tip of the nose seems very slightly broader than the legit Power Arc, looks better that way, not sure it will make any difference.

Thanks for reporting back. Might get one too

Maybe wait until tomorrow, I’ll have an opportunity to test ride before lunch I think…

What width is this?

143mm. The wings looked a millimetre or two wider at the widest point than my existing Power Arc

@13thfloormonk any updates?

No sorry, needed a set of adaptors for my seatpost to take the carbon rails and had to order them from Italy direct 😭

Will report back when I get it fitted 👍