• Specialized Rival saddle
• £50
• Specialized
• 020 8391 3500

It’s not easy recommending saddles. What is comfortable for one person could be a pain in the arse for someone else. For the past couple of years Specialized’s Body Geometry range of products has been aiming to change this, the Rival is their first MTB specific saddle.

We’ve already talked in detail about how Body Geometry works, but basically the company has put extensive research into making saddles more comfortable. The main feature on this saddle is the V-groove cut-out which minimises the reduction of blood flow. It does look like another certain brand of saddle, which is no bad thing. It’s a shape which many people find agreeable, and we certainly found it comfortable on extended use.

Key too is the availability of different widths; the Rival is available in 130 and 143mm. It’s right to assume not everyone’s bum’s are the same size, so you stand a good chance of getting a good fit. We did find the saddle a bit too wide though on those rare bum-right-over-the-back-wheel moments though.

We’ve been using the saddle since the summer, and it’s stood up to a whole load of miles, and just a few crashes. The upper material is MicroMatrix leather, which has been durable and cleans up easily, and Kevlar corners have guarded of most scuffing. Underneath titanium rails keep the weight down to 240g.

Positives: Comfortable, available to fit your own bum

Negatives: A little wide at the back

Verdict: Specialized’s commitment to comfortable components is in evidence in the latest saddle to utilise their bg expertise. It’s comfortable, well priced – fit and forget

Performance: 4/5
Value: 5/5
Overall: 4/5