Specialized Sitero saddle
I'm trying to get my hands on Specialized's new saddle to try out for awhile. I was a diehard ISM Adamo guy who switched to the Cobb V-Flow Max in late-2011. The V-Flow Max is a fantastic saddle for me but I'm always willing to try something new.
I'll report back if/when I get one. I'm sure many ISM & Cobb saddle users will be interested in how the new Sitero performs.
For reference:
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Let me lower your expectations. My review won't be on any kind of high falutin' level. It will basically say something along the lines of "My taint hurt less and my junk didn't go numb so you should give it a try."
I've been riding the V-flow max since 2010 and have been overall pretty happy with it once I get some miles in on a season and toughen up the taint a bit, but I am definitely willing to try something new if there is good feedback as there was with the Sitero.
The TriRig review is what piqued my curiosity, since unlike those Dash saddles he's always pimping, I might not have to mortgage my house for a Sitero.
http://www.tririg.com/articles.php?id=2013_03_Specialized_Sitero_Saddle_Review
The Sitero is about 1/4" lower than the Cobb V-Flow Max and Adamo Race. You'll have to raise your seat post 1/4" to compensate. I haven't ridden it yet so I'm sure I'll have some adjusting to do on the fore/aft position. I sat up near the nose on the Cobb or Adamo. You can't do that on the Sitero as it's designed to sit on the dimple dots. I also like a wide saddle. The Sitero is meant to be wide or narrow depending on where you sit. It might take some trial and error getting it in the right spot.
I recently switched over to a Cervelo with a dual position seatpost, and when using the steeper forward position I can't use my old saddle-rail bottle cage and had to cough up to buy an expensive stupid proprietary Cervelo one (Xlab Delta 300).
Looking at the design of the Sitero one, it looks like it might work on a dual position seatpost in the front without having a separate mount, but couldn't tell for sure without getting my hands on one.
I am waiting for a confirmation of the quote above....
Trevor,
I ride a Trek Speed Concept. I'll take a picture tonight with the bottle cage. There's a lot of room.
Another potential issue for some is that the rails on the Sitero are shorter than the Cobb and Adamo. I actually had to reverse my seat post head to move the Sitero into a similar position to where my Cobb was positioned. The Speed Concept seat post head is reversible with one side moving the saddle closer to the front (and vice versa) by a cm or two without affecting the angle.
I don't believe there's anyway to fit a tube under there.
Terry,
I got it from a local shop that's a huge Specialized dealer (the Bike Barn chain in the Houston area). They have a very well regarded custom fit studio and I know the manager of the fit studio. It was the very first one sent to her shop. I sent her an email asking her thoughts on the saddle and she said she had one on the way from Specialized and it was mine if I wanted it.
Try ordering one through a LBS that's a Specialized dealer.
Specialized stuff is in-store only. They don't allow retailers to sell their products online. You'll find some of their stuff listed on websites, but it's always marked as in-store pickup only if the shop is an actual US distributor (or values their relationship at all with Specialized).
I love Specialized shoes and that was the first major time I noticed this, if you want their shoes it's in-store only or eBay. So hopefully you have an LBS near you that carries Specialized, and if they aren't a big shop, chances are they'll have to order one for you.
Terry, want me to see if I can get another one and send it to you?
I really only had a short time on one, but compared to my Cobb V-Flow max, it's definitely firmer and wider. I can't comment whether or not either of those things are good or bad after such a short ride, but I'm interested in having a longer go at it.
Terry,
Word I'm getting is it will be awhile before anymore Siteros hit the streets. That was also confirmed on Slowtwitch. Specialized literally sold every single one available and there won't be anymore until production catches up.
So my advice to Cobb or Adamo users testing out the Sitero would be to a) raise your seat post 5mm, b) slam the seat forward, c) level it... and make your micro adjustments from there.