REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable
Great performance
Value
REASONS TO AVOID
Not versatile
Specialized Power Expert Review
Comfortable saddle with a polarizing look, excellent for road riders seeking comfort in an aggressive position
Specialized Power Expert
Credit: Specialized
RELATED: Best Bike Saddles of 2024
Our Verdict
This is a road saddle with a performance-oriented design. The Power Expert's look and shape are sure to evoke speculation and perhaps even disdain amongst the traditional roadie crowd. It looks like a triathlon or time trial saddle, which is not a sought after aesthetic for most road riders. It is short, wide, and has an enormous anatomic cut-out. The design is intended to provide comfort across a range of riding positions, with emphasis on more extreme hip angles that would cause discomfort for sustained rides on other saddle designs. If you love to lay down the power on the flats and want as aerodynamic of a position as possible, then this saddle is for you. If you live for the steep mountain passes, you might want to demo this saddle first to see if it compliments your climbing style and position.
Editor's Note: Since we initially tested this saddle, Specialized released a revamped version, the Power Arc Expert. The Arc version is quite similar but features wings with a more downward pronounced arc to interfere less with thighs and hamstrings. We're linking to the Power Arc Expert in our review.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Specialized Power Expert | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Bike Saddle |  Best Bang for the Buck | |||
| Price | $160 List Check Price at Backcountry | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $37 List $37.00 at REI | $130 List $103.89 at Amazon | $30.03 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Aggressive yet comfy road rides are in store with this model, plus a few sideways glances due to its unique look | A uniquely shaped saddle that blends comfort with lightweight performance | An economical option for riders not concerned about weight that provides all day comfort and support | A lightweight racing saddle for the most aggressive riders | A comfortable balance of stiffness and cushioning, at a price that can't be beat |
| Rating Categories | Specialized Power E... | Prologo Dimension | Bontrager Sport Saddle | Fizik Arione | WTB Speed |
| Comfort (30%) | |||||
| Performance (30%) | |||||
| Versatility (20%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Specialized Power E... | Prologo Dimension | Bontrager Sport Saddle | Fizik Arione | WTB Speed |
| Dimensions | L 240 mm, W 155 mm | L 245 mm, W 143 mm | L 275 mm, W 163 mm | L 300 mm, W 130 mm | L 270 mm, W 145 mm |
| Weight (grams) | 238 g | 191 g | 350 g | 241 g | 379 g |
| Rail Material | Titanium | Tirox | Steel | Kium Alloy | Steel |
| Shell Material | Carbon | Light foam | Foam | Nylon, Carbon | Plastic |
| Seat Cover Material | Synthetic | Microfiber | Microfiber | Microtex | Synthetic |
| Anatomical Cut Out or Channel | Yes, full cut out | Yes, full cut out | Yes groove and cut out | No | Yes, groove |
| Target Use (mountain, road, etc.) | Road, Triathalon | Road, Mountain, Cyclocross | Road, Commuting, Touring | Road, Mountain, Cyclocross | Mountain, Road, Cyclocross |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
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
The Power Expert is ideal for road racing and riding.
Credit: Curtis Smith
Comfort
The Power Expert has a massive cutout to relive pressure when riding in an aggressive position.
Credit: Curtis Smith
Our testers think that this is a very comfortable saddle. Our test saddle came with a 155mm in width, which is wider than 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 cutout are what make this saddle a standout for comfort.
Performance
The Power Expert is the shortest saddle we have tested. A short nose and deep wide cutout provide excellent power transfer and comfort when riding in a low aggressive position.
Credit: Curtis Smith
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.
The Power Expert has titanium rails to lower weight.
Credit: Curtis Smith
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.
Other Versions and Accessories
Specialized offers the Power saddle in four different versions and three widths. With the top-end S-Works model boasting carbon rails and a carbon shell.
—
Nick Bruckbauer & Curtis Smith
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