Adamo saddles: What's your opinion?

Christian Rabbat

Now that I am spending more time in the aero position, and after having worked on my bike fit, I still find myself shifting around and repositioning in the saddle more frequently than I think I should be. I suspect some of this is getting used to the new position, but also believe that I should consider changing my saddle.

Has anyone made the switch to Adamo saddles?  Did it improve your comfort / fit / performance?

**and which model do you use?? ***

ironmtngrl

Love mine! Previous Specialized saddle was a nightmare.

Coach Rich

I'm in the market as well. See this discussion on ST, good comparison of V-Flow vs Adamo saddles. I bought an Adamo right before CDA'08 and haven't ridden it since but remember not being too impressed. I'll likely pick up a V-Flow shortly.

charris

I switched to an Adamo Breakaway last year - can't imagine switching back.

 

I didn't switch because things were terrible for me, but after the rides got above 3 hours or so, they weren't great either.

 

Comfort improvement? No question. It took a bit of getting used to - my sit bones were sore as hell for 3 rides or so -  but after that, I was golden. No big padded shorts, no weird cremes, just ride for a long time. And Numbjunk(tm)? Gone.

 

Performance? I suppose if you're more comfortable you can apply power more consistently and for a longer period of time.

 

Fit? I guess I can see it having some advantages - Todd at ttbikefit.com has a great video that describes the fore/aft up/down angle adjustments you need to make.

 

Pretty magical in my experience. Others swear by Cobb saddles.

 

About the only downside is they're pricey.  But most online/LBS have 30 day free trials...I trialed mine for all of a day before I bought it outright.

 

Just make sure you quote this coupon code when you order: IMKIDDINGIREALLYJUSTLIKETHEMTHATMUCH

 

PS: Hamilton represent! I grew up there.

Wiseman

X2 on Adamo Breakaway. Much better than older Adamos, narrower and more comfortable.

Scott Alexander

I love my Adamo! I switched from San Marco Azoto several years ago and haven't looked back.

Yes, it'll hurt for the first several rides, regardless of what shorts/bibs you use. I use tri shorts 100% of the time when riding my tri bike.
I'd suggest taking a zip tie and pulling the two 'nosepieces' a little closer than it comes, that'll help the adaptation process.
The prevention of numbness for all our long riding, PRICELESS!

Bob Irwin

I've had the Cobb SHC 170 for about 6 weeks and so far so good. When I first got it, I was conerned it would be too hard, but once you get settled in it is quite confortable. It got rid of numbness and chafing problems I was having with my arione tri 2. I SHC 170 that over the V-flow saddles because it's almost flat - which I like. My first 4+ hour ride will be this weekend as part of my big bike week, so I'll repost then.

delesh

I am also an advocate of the Adamo. It took a while to get the angle (up/down) dialed in but now I never worry about saddle issues.

Nemo Brauch

Love Love Love my ISM Adamo on the TT bike. I can't imagine ever using anything else.

kurshing

Enjoy mine as well.

Christian Rabbat

Thanks for the input everyone. I will also consider the Vflow as Coach R suggests.

Brad Loescher

 If anyone is interested, I have an Adamo Breakaway that is barely used (will post to classifieds shortly).  Hated it, but love the Cobb V-Flow.

grosso27

I had an Adamo Race, switched to a VFlow Max.  Just bought a second Max to put on a new build actually.

The Adamo was revolutionary to me, relative to all previous saddles.  However, the Max trumps it in a big way.

The ability to have more than one tiny comfortable spot allows for movement during various aspects of racing.

The curvature of the saddle really cradles the right parts.  Cobb has a tremendous return policy, I'd highly recommend.

Saddles are of course very personal, so a solid return policy is a huge selling point.  They are well worth the $$.

Michele Cellai

Another vote for Cobb V-flow, I have the V-flow Max on my tri bike, but Cobb recommends it for the road bike. Road bike has Selle Lady Glider, another full split saddle. Very happy with both for out door riding.

mgraffeo

Cobb V flow plus. Awesome. According to Cobb, folks prefer the max for road bikes, tipped up slightly, and the plus for tri bikes.

thugbuster

Tried the Adamo and after a few rides I found myself longing for a little more room to move and with no nose there wasn't anywhere to go. Switched to the V Flow Plus and have been loving it ever since (I've rode it for one full season). It may take some time to get used to if you're not used to sitting directly on the "sit bones". Also, you may want to check with your LBS for a mini-fit as you may need a saddle height adjustment.

brianrobkelly@hotmail.com

i switched to adamo a few years ago...it is the best seat by far i have ever used...it takes the comfort/discomfort issue out of the equasion

mcstrangelove

I tested a V-Flow for a week and an ISM for a week and went with the ISM.  I still can't believe I was able to ride a Half Ironman in my tri shorts.  Never would've happened with my old seat.

Carrie Chavez

I have the Adamo Race on my tri bike. It took some playing around with the position until I hit the right spot. Now I love it. I feel stable on it and can rest comfortably without fidgeting. I found it needed to be tipped up a little more than recommended. This allowed me to rest instead of feeling like I was slipping off of it. The web site has a video about how to position the saddle. It took about 2 months to break it in.

gschlossnagle

Love my Adamo Breakaway. In the aerobars it is super-comfortable and by far the best saddle I've ever used. On the bullhorns I'd say it matches other saddles I've used.

Jenn Edwards

Woot (or woo) for the Breakaway!  I'm not an easy fit (actually I had an entire season titled "Battle of the Saddle 2009") but this and the "Century" model I had both worked GREAT.  I did have a professional fit to make sure I got it right.   Also had a great customer service expereince with ISM, FWIW.

chapdinkins11

I'm riding the road version as I felt it to be softer. I like it a lot and will not go back to a "regular" saddle.

cinco_the_dog

Cobb V Flow Plus here. Huge improvement over my old Selle San Marco. I do most rides in tri shorts with no chamois cream and have zero issues. The 180-day money back guarantee is unbeatable IMO.

timdawg7

I rode a Specialized on the tri bike and a Selle on the road bike last year. I Switched to the adamo road on the tri bike for the Nov OS and haven't looked back since. I really like How it has a wider base and the ischial bones rest on it better. I really learned how much I like it recently when my Quarq broke so I had to send it back and I rode a HIM RR on the road bike with the Selle saddle. It was so painful and I had plenty of numbness issues that I went out and bought another adamo to put on my road bike.

GregSVan

Using a Cobb V Flow Max for about a month now and I love it. Great product and the 180 refund ability makes it at least worth a shot.

Bwalker

I went from a Selle San Marco to the Adamo Road last season and swear by it.  I used to have to use chamois cream, bib shorts and still suffer.  Now I have no issues training and racing in tri shorts and days that I forget the chamois cream no longer cause panic.  Some of my coworkers have found the saddle a bit wide and used the zip-tie technique to pull the nose prongs closer together, but I never had any issues. 

  I will agree that saddle preference is very much a personal preference and recommend rigorous testing to see which fits you better.