Test Specialized Phenom Pro with Mirror: As a unisex all-rounder, the new 3D saddle is designed to be suitable for virtually any sporty bike. It combines high comfort with a design you can't help but like.
Ergonomically optimized components have a long history at the US bicycle manufacturer. Work on pressure-reducing saddles with the signature "cutout" began as early as 1997 – the longitudinal recess that now reduces pressure and thus relieves pain in saddles from numerous manufacturers. Around the turn of the millennium, Specialized introduced cycling shoes with specially shaped insoles; this was followed by helmets, gloves with special padding, and – as a hardware extension, so to speak – shock-absorbing frames and components with the legendary Zertz inserts.
New possibilities thanks to 3D printing
To this day, Specialized offers a wide range of saddles, from lightweight high-end models to comfortable, wide models for everyday use. And like other manufacturers, the American company has taken advantage of a new technology in recent years: 3D printing. The precisely curing of liquid synthetic resin allows the creation of three-dimensional structures consisting of fine textures and flat sections. This creates a saddle cover whose hardness or flexibility can be precisely controlled.
The Specialized Phenom Pro with Mirror is the manufacturer's latest saddle, featuring the 3D technology referred to here as "Mirror." It ranks second in the product hierarchy—behind the "S Works" model and ahead of the Expert and Comp variants (although there is no Phenom Expert). At €320, it's priced at the top end and quite close to the S-Works (€390). This is no surprise, as both saddles feature the identical 3D padding; the top model features an additional carbon rail and shell, while the Phenom Pro features a carbon-fiber-reinforced nylon shell and a titanium tubular rail. The latter is practical, as it allows the saddle to fit any seatpost. The Phenom Pro weighs about 40 grams more than the S-Works; however, at 258 grams for the 143 mm wide version, it's still quite light. In any case, it is hardly possible to make a 3D saddle weigh less than 200 grams.
A unisex saddle for all disciplines
An interesting aspect of this saddle is that it's not specific to any particular discipline. It's universally usable, from downhill mountain bikes to road bikes. Furthermore, as a unisex model, it's aimed at both men and women. You just need to find the right width; the 143 mm saddle isn't overly narrow, and the 155 mm model doesn't feel bulky either.
According to Specialized, over 20.000 stays with approximately 8.700 nodes form the padding of the Phenom Pro. Only a small part of this is visible, especially since the saddle has a nearly closed surface. The typical 3D structure is actually only visible where conventional saddles are completely open – in the wide longitudinal groove that tapers towards the nose. The Specialized company logo shines through the hexagons of the padding at the back.
Can the Specialized Phenom Pro with Mirror translate the 3D principle into superior comfort? In principle, yes. What's noticeable from the first few kilometers and continues to be a pleasure after hours on the bike: This saddle has a noticeable shock and vibration-absorbing effect, unlike conventional saddles. While your hands continue to shake, your rear end remains blissfully calm. However, this also comes with a certain lateral compliance: Steering inputs from the body aren't transmitted quite as directly as with a standard saddle with firm padding.
Strong shock and vibration absorption
The wide cutout is very comfortable, yet still offers a certain degree of grip. The edges of the closed surface slope slightly inward in this area and are rounded, preventing pressure peaks from forming around the cutout.
A somewhat different picture shows the saddle's rather long nose, which features a narrow, deep channel. This shape is definitely a matter of taste: While one tester was fine with the flat contour, another found the groove, combined with the rather firm padding of the nose, annoying. This illustrates what Velomotion has previously stated about 3D saddles: The basic shape of the saddle has to be right for it to feel completely comfortable.
Strong shock absorption, a pronounced cutout, and a flat saddle nose with a central groove – anyone who is attracted to these features and has experience with them might like the Specialized Phenom Pro with Mirror. Given the high price, we advise against buying the 3D saddle on a whim.
