Specialized Power Expert Review

The Power Expert is well suited to long road rides, and offers a level of comfort not found on other saddles. If you like to ride low in the drops or use aero handlebar extensions, then this may be the ideal model for you.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

Our testers think that this is a very comfortable saddle. Our test saddle came with a 155mm in width, which is wider than the most other contenders in our test group. With a length of 240mm, the Power saddle is one of the shortest models we have tested. Specialized recommends that this model be set up 3cm farther back than you would set up a standard length saddle. We followed the recommendation and found that it put the sweet spot on the saddle in roughly the same area as our personal saddles. The shape of this saddle is flat, and we immediately felt comfortable set up at a -2 degree angle, as it is very comfortable in an upright position, but the saddle truly shines the lower you get on the hoods.

Many riders struggle to maintain a low position on the hoods (elbows at the same level as the top of the bar) for long periods. There is a fair amount of research that shows that for most riders, the low on the hoods position is the most aerodynamic, and thus most efficient position to ride in, as long as you can sustain the hip angle this creates. The Power is an excellent saddle to push your limits in this position, as the padding is adequate, but the shape and cut out are what make this saddle a stand out for comfort.

Performance

As discussed above, the Power allows the rider to get into a very good position for aerodynamics. When it comes to performance, this is a big advantage. Not only did we find it easy to get into a nice low position, but we were able to maintain power in the low position with increased comfort over many other saddles with traditional shapes. The only drawback to the design is when it comes to steep climbing; the saddle is comfortable in an upright position, but due to the short length, you are relatively locked into one spot. We like to move around a bit into different positions, especially on long sustained climbs, and that is not possible with this seat.

Versatility

All of the factors that make this such a great saddle for flat hard efforts on the road also limit its versatility. We did not care for it on a mountain bike due to its short length, and the massive cutout lets a lot of water and mud through when used for cyclocross. We test all saddles on a variety of bikes because it is nice to be able to use a saddle for more than one discipline; the Power was designed for use on road and time trial bikes, and that is what it excels at.

Durability

We found this saddle to be quite durable when used on a road bike. The cover shows no signs of wear following thousands of miles of use, but the saddle scores lower in the durability category due to its lack of scuff guards or other protective measures. However, when used as directed, this will likely not be an issue.

Weight

Our home measurements indicate that this saddle weighs in at 238 grams, 22 grams lighter than advertised. Not quite a featherweight, but it is competitive with other road saddles in this price range. If weight is a concern, the Power line of saddles are offered in a range of materials; for a price, you can get the weight down substantially.

Value

The Power Expert is a great value. Try the Expert version, and if you love it, you can always upgrade to the available S-Works model to shave some weight.

Conclusion

The Specialized Power Expert is a unique saddle that throws conventional looks and design out the window. It is well worth a look if you struggle with long hours in the saddle.

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