Test: A few weeks ago, Specialized surprised everyone with the presentation of the new power saddle. The Californians are pursuing a completely new and at the same time quite courageous approach. Based on the Sitero triathlon and time trial saddle, the Power stands out from the crowd with its special shape: there is almost no nose at all. In addition, the power should be mobile from triathlon to road to cross country.
You first have to get used to the idiosyncratic look of the saddle (the bright green of our press copy didn't really help) - but anyone who spends a lot of time in the saddle knows that the only thing that matters with the saddle is the "bottom gauge" - either it fits or it fits not, everything else is secondary. The Power is commercially available in four different variants: S-Works, Pro, Expert and Comp.
[easy table],S-Works Power,Power Pro,Power Expert,Power Comp
seat shell,FACT Carbon,FACT Carbon,Carbon Reinforced,Carbon Reinforced
Rails,Carbon,titanium,titanium,CrMo stainless steel
upholstery,thin,thin,medium,medium
spread,143/155mm,143/155mm,143/155/168mm,143/155/168mm
Weight (143mm),159g,211g,233g,247g
Price,249.90€,179.90€,119.90€,79.90€
[/easy table]
Our test model was the Expert version, which cost almost €120. The processing is impeccable, the plastic cover makes a good and robust impression. The scales stopped at 235g and the weight is only 2g more than the manufacturer's specification - here you often tend to cheat with the competition, which is all the more gratifying that Specialized sticks to the truth. A few more words about the idiosyncratic shape of the saddle and the background: The Power is optimized for disciplines in which you adopt a rather aggressive sitting position on the bike for a long time: Time trial, racing bike, triathlon and also cross-country athletes are here The target group. In different measurements with conventional saddles, the nose was always the problem area. When the seat is stretched out and leaning forward, this presses on the perineal area of the driver and causes pain and numbness after a while. The pragmatic solution at Specialized - get rid of it!
The short shape of the saddle already has its first consequences during assembly: In order to achieve a comparable seating position as with a conventional saddle, Specialized recommends mounting the Power slightly backwards - if you have already pushed your current saddle back as far as it will go , may need to resort to a prop with the setback. It wasn't a problem for us though, even though we had to push the saddle all the way to the end of the mark to get a comparable seating position to the previously mid-mounted Selle Italia SLR TT.
Practice
In our test, the Specialized Power is used on a cross-country racing file. Just like the look, the first test seat takes a lot of getting used to: the wide rear part contrasts with the missing nose and the very generous central cut-out is something you only see on a few saddles in this category. After a few kilometers, however, our behind got used to the power and the advantages are already clearly noticeable. Even if you almost have the feeling of tipping forward in the saddle at first, the lack of a nose usually proves to be a great gain in comfort: Even after a long time in the saddle, there is absolutely nothing in the crotch - why didn't anyone think of the idea before?
So is not having a nose all positive? Unfortunately no, as we soon found out during our test. Especially in the XC area, but also in cyclocross and even on racing bikes, the saddle nose is often a last resort when there is a risk of losing control of the (rear) wheel. Of course, that depends heavily on the area of use and riding technique, but we did break out in a sweat on one or two slippery downhill passages when our thighs “reached into space”. This is by no means a KO criterion and certainly also a matter of habit, but every cyclist knows how difficult it is to get rid of such habits and reflexes.
The padding of our Expert version turned out to be a bit too thick for our taste in sporting use. We missed the direct feedback from the bike and generally had a somewhat "spongy" feeling. Too bad you're forced to buy the expensive Pro or S-Works models if you want thinner padding. Another useful feature are the threaded eyelets integrated into the saddle shell for Specialized's own SWAT system (Storage, Water, Air and Tools). For example, the drinking bottle or the mini pump can be stowed directly under the saddle - without half-baked or wobbly solutions with saddlebags.
At a glance - the Specialized Power saddle
- New shape with a reduced nose
- SWAT integration
- Four variants
- Manufacturer site
Conclusion
So does the Specialized Power saddle live up to its lofty promises in practice? This question can actually be answered in the affirmative almost unreservedly. We were surprised ourselves how strong and overall positive the lack of a nose in connection with the wide shape and the large cut-out is. The first few kilometers take some getting used to, but then we had the aha effect. As with any saddle, the same applies to the Specialized Power: Ultimately, only a test ride can determine whether it fits. The lack of "possibility of steering" with the nose is also a criterion that by no means applies to all drivers.