Saddles could make or break your trip. They’re a extremely private piece of equipment (most likely probably the most, IMO), and when you discover a match – you keep it up. Specialised’s Phenom is the go-to saddle for a lot of on and off-road athletes. It was my favourite saddle till the Energy saddle arrived on the scene. Nevertheless, the newly minted Specialised Phenom Professional offers a brand new twist on an outdated favourite, making it the most recent to obtain the Mirror therapy.
Specialised Phenom Professional with Mirror
We see Specialised add some additional options to their saddles with updates like Elaston and carbon rails, however probably the most impactful is the Mirror improve.
What’s Mirror? Mirror know-how boasts a 3D-printed matrix with 20,055 struts and eight,735 nodes within the place of conventional padding.
What does that imply? It’s a 3D-printed saddle padding that helps evenly distribute weight over the total saddle, with uniquely designed padded areas that present roughly assist. With high-resolution strain mapping to again it up, the Mirror saddles distribute weight extra successfully than conventional foam.
The 3D printed design permits the designer to position particular relive zones and beef up excessive hammock zones. I’m a giant fan of the texture, nevertheless it’s not for everybody. The Phenom Professional (hollow-titanium-railed) with Mirror claims to cut back sit bone strain by as much as 28% (most Specialised Mirror saddles boast this declare) whereas optimizing blood move and defending smooth tissue. Meaning much less ache, extra efficiency, and extra enjoyable.
Consolation Equals Energy
Designed for max rider motion, the Phenom Professional with Mirror measures 27cm lengthy, permitting riders to shift positions with out restriction. I consider the Phenom as an “Off-Street Romin“, granting the rider some capability to edge ahead on climbs whereas nonetheless feeling locked in. The Specialised Phenom Professional with Mirror is on the market in two widths (155mm and 143mm) to fine-tune your match.
Not Only for the Spandex Crowd
Consolation doesn’t imply fragile. The concave shell offers the Mirror padding extra thickness with out including bulk, whereas the development is designed to deal with every little thing from World Tour racing to full-send DH runs. Plus, it appears to be the saddle of alternative for multi-time downhill world champion Loïc Bruni.
“The Phenom Professional Mirror is my new favourite saddle. I can transfer round simply, and it’s tremendous comfy and sturdy, making it an ideal match for my path and DH bikes. I’m stoked I bought to assist take a look at and form this saddle and at last see it come to life!”
— Loïc Bruni, 6x DH World Champion.
Tech Particulars – Specialised Phenom Professional with Mirror
- Saddle Size: 27cm
- Out there Widths: 148mm, and 155mm
- Weight: 257g, 148mm
- Availability: Now
- Worth: $325.00
First Impressions:
It’s been some time since I’ve ridden a Phenom saddle. As talked about above, I switched to the Energy round 2016 and by no means seemed again. Nevertheless, preferences change as time passes, and it was good to get again on a Phenom, particularly on the mountain bike. Once I left the Phenom, the one possibility was the PU foam Stage 2 padding design. It was nice on the time, however I keep in mind wanting extra of a cradle or perch, and the Energy scratched that itch.
Nevertheless, you possibly can sink into the saddle with the brand new Phenom with Mirror, giving it a extra planted, locked-in really feel. The 3D Mirror materials cradles far more than the PU foam.
Should you’re a rider who likes to maneuver up on the nostril barely when on climbs or making an attempt to squeeze each ounce of Energy out, you’ll have the ability to do this on the brand new Phenom Mirror saddle. The form permits for ease of motion with out feeling caught on the saddle (generally 3D-printed saddles can really feel that approach).
The Phenom’s consolation ranges are excessive, and it’s very noticeable off-road or on something with slight bumps. It looks like a little bit of suspension (with out overselling) —it’s feeling. The nostril is additional sculpted, with extra reduction areas that grant additional assist—not as a lot because the Mimic padding, however someplace between that and the OG degree 2 padding.
Setup and Dial-in
Setup for the 3D Mirror saddles could be tough, and I discovered this to be the identical with the Phenom. My default -2 deg felt like an excessive amount of. That is as a result of additional suppleness of the 3D padding, which causes a sensation of slipping. So, for the Mirror (and another 3D-printed saddles), I run them a level up from my default place.
Having the hole titanium rails is a pleasant contact. It retains the value barely decrease than the S-Works model of the Mirror saddles. It additionally retains the seatpost choices open, which is sweet.
I used to be proud of the sensations on my rides with the Phenom Professional Mirror. As soon as I bought the place dialed, I had zero points with posterior ache or sizzling spots. I did, nonetheless, run into some “non-compatible shorts” that appeared to make a slight squeak when on the saddle. There’s something concerning the 3D-printed Mirror materials and shorts with a slight tooth, however I’ve realized to maintain these bibs within the drawer when driving this saddle.
General, my expertise with the Phenom Professional Mirror was glorious. I don’t know if I can commerce it in for my Energy anytime quickly, nevertheless it’s on the shortlist. I like to recommend the Phenom Professional Mirror for any rider searching for most consolation in a barely conventional form with metallic rails.
