August 22/09 16:21 pm - Specialized Alias Saddle

Posted by Editoress on 08/22/09
 

It's always a sad day when you have to face the reality that your faithful bike saddle is no more. I'm not talking about the sudden death through crashing. I'm talking about just plain worn out. I had been using the same saddle on my XC hard tail mountain bike for a few years. We'd been through a lot of rides together. However, by late 2007 it was starting to hurt after rides. The foam padding was failing, with an end result of sore sit bones. With nostalgia it was replaced, but I didn't throw it out.

As part of this test I found it in the workshop and took a look at it. It was scuffed but otherwise appeared structurally sound. I installed it and went for a ride. Sore sit bones at the conclusion as per before. It's now finally in the trash and I'm back to using the Specialized Alias saddle that's been on my bike since late spring.

I don't think you can go for one ride and pronounce a saddle as good or bad. You have to really live with it for a good while before you can honestly say anything about it. However, I'm pleased to report that the Alias was great right from the beginning, and it has a more or less a permanent home on my bike.

It's a rather unique saddle in Specialized's line up, as it is listed as being for both performance mountain biking and performance road riding. It is the only Specialized saddle that is listed in both categories. Specialized calls it a pro-level model and I'd agree with that statement. The padding is to the firm side of things, but that's what you want if you're going to be doing a lot of long rides. It might feel hard at first, but you need that support as the ride continues. The Alias comes with a carbon reinforced nylon shell with a seamless cover made of something Specialized calls Micromatrix. It sort of looks like an alien hybrid of synthetic and leather, but it works and so far has been durable. Seat rails are hollow titanium.

The Alias comes in 130mm, 143mm and 155mm widths. I tested the 143mm. Besides the bright white colour (it also comes in black) the distinguishing feature is the Body Geometry cutouts along the centre of the saddle to improve blood flow to the tender bits. I haven't had any numbness since I've begun using the Alias. Even with the cutout the saddle is best described as having a flat profile. It might not be for you, but it was just great for me. Claimed weight of the saddle is 250 grams. I measured 265 grams. I think that's a minor concern in the grand scheme of things.

It's funny how things go over the years of riding. Both my wife and I are now using Specialized saddles almost exclusively. The women's equivalent of the Alias is the Jett. There's a lot to be said for the Body Geometry ergonomics work that Specialized has been doing. The Alias works well for me and I wouldn't hesitate to add one to my road bike either. I've always appreciated a performance saddle and this one works very well. You can find one at your local Specialized dealer or see the Alias and all the other saddles at www.specialized.com.

Review by Technical Editor Mike Badyk