I’ve used a specialized power saddle in 143mm pretty much since I’ve start riding and nothing else. Recently I’ve been getting some minor numbness in sensitive areas and minor saddle sores on rides that are 5+ hours. My sit bones measure 103mm so right on the edge of what specialized recommends for the 143 power saddle. Was considering trying the newer 130mm version or maybe a specialized Romin. Anyone have experience with these? Kind of want the 3d printed version but they are a little pricey and it’s kind of a roll of the dice.
Not exactly your situation, but I recently got one of Trek’s Aeolus Airloom saddles to replace an older Aeolus, and while the shape is similar/identical, I’ve had none of the little nagging discomforts I used to get after about two hours.
Iirc, specialized had a 30 day like it or return it policy. Just try it out and see if you like it; we all spend too much time in the saddle for it not to be a nice place to sit
Sorry if this is too reductive (I don’t know your experience level or what you’ve been trying to fix this problem) but after years of struggling with saddle issues and trying saddle after saddle after saddle and every shammy cream known to man and haunting every forum I could find and generally just frustrating the hell out of anyone I could find who might solve the mystery for me I finally found that two things solved the problem for me completely:
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proper posture on the bike. A nice round in the back (tucking the sternum and belly button in a bit) with the back of my pelvis planted on the wings of the saddle. I always have to check in with myself to correct it – when I let the chest collapse down towards the bike (bringing the scapula together) the stomach tends to sag down, the pelvis rolls forward and the sit bones come off the seat. At that point the clock is ticking. These days I can nearly always trace a sore ass back to bad body position. I think this is why I like climbing so much, my body position just falls perfectly into place.
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standing up WAY more. I now pop out of the saddle at least every 5 minutes even if just for 10sec. The exception to this is during hard intervals of any kind but saddle breaks aren’t nearly as important during high power outputs anyway so no problem there. For bonus points I also find that it drains the fatigue in my lower legs when stand up too. It’s very refreshing and for years I tried to avoid standing up at all. I have no idea why
Once I got into these two habits my saddle pain/soreness/chafing woes vanished and we’re talking any length of ride. I did Mendocino Coast to SF last year (about 300-ish miles and I can’t remember how much climbing but lots) and over 5 days of 3-8hr days I was perfectly comfortable.
Anyway, apologies if that seems way too simplistic. Just throwing that out there in case you happen to be making the same mistake I did which was looking for the solution in all the wrong (and expensive) places.
Good luck!
I appreciate it! There is a decent chance it’s not a saddle issue so I appreciate the advice!
I had that on a bike that was ridden until 3 years ago. Worked great. Very flat and wide at the rear. Then I got my tarmac. The stock saddle was like the power but very hard. I put the printed power on, but it was uncomfortable. I went to the printed Romin but found it was hard to move out of the pocket and onto the nose when climbing. I’m now on the printed Phenom. I think it fits me well. I do have narrow sit bones like you.
Interesting I should add that one to the list too 
lots of options. Thanks!
Hi, it sounds like something is changing in your body, fit, or the saddle. Saddles don’t last forever, so firstly and easiest to resolve, how old is it in terms of years, hours or miles. Second easiest is fit, has anything shifted or changed recently, e.g. new bike, or contact point arrangement incl bar stem or seatpost, different bibs, different shoes etc or a new style of riding on the same bike e.g. crouched over on forums for aero position training, that resulted in a change to how you are sitting on the bike. Lastly is yourself, how’s your mobility and physical mechanics going, do you have any assymetries and compensating behaviours, are you carrying an injury, sitting on the saddle straight or with a dropped hip etc leading to pressure on one side, for example.
All great questions, I probably should start with a bike fit or just playing with the saddle a bit.
I can’t recommend a bike fit (or a saddle fit) with a bike fitter enough. Find an IBFI one here:
I had a bike fit, and tried 20 saddles … the one that worked for me I had never heard of, and did not correlate to my site bone width. Relying solely on sit bones and familiar brands is very risky. I may have an unusual physique, but 19 saddles felt like a lumpy rock, 1 felt like it wasn’t there.
A romin is a VERY different saddle. Not say it may not be the one for you, but its angled back may be the best or worst thing ever. Really should try before you buy