Specialized Phenom vs Henge for heavy ish guy

So my LBS only has the Phenom to try, but also taken an interest in the henge.

At 210lbs I’m no light weight but can’t find the weight limit for these saddles.

Phenom – Together with the light padding (level 2) and cut out I’m wondering if it’s going to not deal with the weight over longer rides.

I thought the Henge had more padding but on Specialized site it also says level 2, but a groove instead of a cut out.

Anyone ride or ridden on both that comes in around my weight? Main difference apart from the cut out?

I’m weighing in at 100kg, with a Specialized Henge with no issues. I find the saddle very comfy. Last saddle was a Charge Spoon, which I also liked.

Honestly mate, don’t worn worry about the weight unless going for a carbon railed saddle or such. Just make sure the width and fit are correct for you.

Unfortunately it can involve some trial and error finding the right one. Finding sit bone width might help perhaps?

I’m all set set bone width as was measured and the Phenom and Henge were the 2 saddles to look at but the Henge was not in stock in my width so giving the Phenom a try.

Was just wondering how it compares to the henge for long rides and more sitting than the norm!

Specialized used to have 30 day trial on saddles so you should be ok which ever one you go for. I prefer Phenom over henge tried henge first. Im 230lb had saddle around 3 years now.

I have the expert Phenom to try. It’s a lot firmer than my current saddle but maybe that’s a good thing!

Will try both and see what works out best!

Specialized used to have 30 day trial on saddles so you should be ok which ever one you go for. I prefer Phenom over henge tried henge first. Im 230lb had saddle around 3 years now

This, keep the saddle backing card and the receipt Specialized do actually follow through on this so if terrible swap for the other one.

Yep got the card so will see how it goes! Henge looks more like the Pure that its replacing but like the idea that the Phenom seems to have more movement on the sides.

Anyone compared the padding?

The main difference between them is not the padding, but the shape. Viewed side-on, the Henge has a much flatter profile, whereas the the Phenom is curved like a Charge Spoon or similar. If get on really well with the Henge but I’m a lot lighter than you, as others have said maybe use the 30 day exchange offer to see if you like one or other the best?

Like you say, just try it. Having tried both The Phenom worked out better for me of the two, and similar weight to you. I found that the Henge has a particularly wide and flat nose which chafed my big old cyclists thighs. In fact the Henge was disastrously uncomfortable all-round IIRC. YMMV. The Phenom shape is good for for me on short distances before the punishment begins, yet I rightly or wrongly put it down to my carrying 40lb of flab. Imagine carrying an mtb on yr shoulders or in a rucksack..that shit would smash yr perineum and/or sit-bones into any saddle. IANA sports physio/doctor/physicist 🙂

I have lost 20lbs so far so going in right direction!

Quite big thighs too lol

I’m “only” 83kg and find the Henge very comfortable. Also the hardest wearing seat I think I’ve ever had. Previous experience was with WTB Pure, which I got on with too, but they never seemed to wear quite as well, although I did crash more on those!

Just occurred to me, likelihood is I trialled a Henge circa 2015- and it was a used item, maybe a year old at the time, so it could be a radically different experience to sit on a 2019 one. Which brings me to my major bugbear about Specialized saddles. I’ve been using Specialized BG saddles for around 3 decades, with varying success, mostly positive. A decent BG saddle would last me say around 5 years or less if fared badly in crash or scrape. Yet when it came to replace a saddle it seemed that Specialized’s hyperactive product-development habits would see to it that I’d have to look for a used version because for sure the new version would be by then look and feel completely different. 😠.

This saw me scouring ebay and stockpiling a couple of early-2k Sonoma saddles and I’m really glad that I did as for upright-touring they can’t be beat IME. Just wish I could have bagged the 155mm versions ho hum. Anyway, Specialized saddles – don’t sit on them for too long as they change beyond all recognition 🙃

For example here’s a few diff iterations of the ‘Henge’ saddle in the last decade or so

Takehome: If you are lucky to find a ‘perfect’ Spesh (or other brand) saddle for you that just feels like it ‘disappears’ as you ride – then buy a few more nearly-new ones from the marketplace for standby, as yr perfect saddle will most likely really disappear in the near future.

Piss boiled. Steam released. And rest 😊

Current Sonoma (top) vs 2010 Sonoma (bottom)

Looking fwd – am really hoping this Brooks Pro works out long-term because their models seem to stick around for a while in the same format!

Hope you find yr dream perch OP.

I cant remember the model (as i’m not in front of the bike) but i’ve had 2 Spesh saddle swith a cut away in the middle that have BOTH popped a rail out of the back of the saddle. It’s because the ones with cut-away tend to flex alot more, so the rail pops out from the hole it sits in at the back.

Not a problem, if you could actually pop it back in with your hands. Seems the leverage of my fat arse is considerably more than i can gain with my bare hands. So, i have a good condition, but otherwise unusable saddle now, as one was replaced by the LBS and went on the kids bike.

Oh, and i’m 112kg, butt naked.