Specialized Romin saddles

TheBlaaMan

I was thinking of starting this thread a few days ago, but Davidsm99's FS thread reinforces the point, and I didn't want to risk hijacking his sale thread (he seems to have a buyer in any case....)

Badly fitting/not-getting-on-with seems to be a common complaint with Specialized Romins; at the same time, some folks swear by them. I'm trying with limited success to get used to one - albeit a 130mm - at the moment. Its something of an arse-blade after c50km, there's virtually no cushioning, so its not long before its literally a bit of a pain in the arse.

It does seem that you have to persist with the set-up of them to a great degree and it takes a while for things to 'click', but there's only so much you can put up with:)

After my last spin, I've put mine back to dead-level (had it slightly tilted down at tip) so I'll soon learn if that makes a difference, but anyone care to offer their experience and any tips etc to make it worthwhile persisting with the Romin? Otherwise it will be for sale shortly......:o

furiousox

I have mine set with the tip slightly down and I find it ok.
It is a bitch to set up but once you find the sweet spot it works very well.
Use the saddle rails as your level guide as the saddle flares up at the back so it's difficult to judge by eye.
I've been through a good few saddles and have persevered with the Romin.
Saddles are a very personal issue though, the Spesh Toupe is supposed to be very comfortable too.
I will have a black Romin for sale soon, I have one in 143mm and one in 155mm.
I'm gonna sell the 155 and buy another 143 as it fits me better.

Seweryn

TheBlaaMan wrote: »

After my last spin, I've put mine back to dead-level (had it slightly tilted down at tip) so I'll soon learn if that makes a difference, but anyone care to offer their experience and any tips etc to make it worthwhile persisting with the Romin? Otherwise it will be for sale shortly......:o

Hi Blaa,

I have the Romin Evo Pro (Evo is probably more cushioned AFAIK) and I like it. I think there are few things you need to make sure are right with this saddle:

- Measure your sit bones and get the right width saddle for your type of riding.
- Level the saddle properly (important). The best way is to put the spirit level starting about 2 cm from the back of the saddle and base at the front nose section.

Saddles are quite personal and if the Romin does not work for you, then you probably need to try out something else .

kingoffifa

lol! I am the buyer!

now ye tell me!!

fizik arione - meh didn't like it at all - too hard

saddle that came with the boardman - much better and managed a lot of long spins on it but after 3 hours sometimes i started to feel tingle so hence trying the arione.

got this saddle on a second boardman i bought - I love it -very comfy.

http://www.karbo-cycle.de/Shop/sattel/294-selle-san-marco-sattel-replica.html

will be trying the romin out soon and will take the suggestions on board.

manwithaplan

I have a Specialized Toupe that I get on well with - like the Romin, it's a flat pretty much unpadded saddle. I keep it level, although it rises up slightly at the back. Have you a particular skinny arse because 130mm is indeed an "arse blade". Do you have other saddles that width? I take a 143mm and I suspect I would be straight to adverts with a 130mm.

Seweryn

manwithaplan wrote: »

Have you a particular skinny arse because 130mm is indeed an "arse blade". Do you have other saddles that width? I take a 143mm and I suspect I would be straight to adverts with a 130mm.

Good point.

I was going to buy my Romin blindly and would go for the 130mm one, as I would consider my arse to be on the tight side, and I am a light fella about 66kg or thereabouts. However, after a measurment taken in a shop it came out that I need the middle size one, so I purchased it on the spot.

TheBlaaMan

manwithaplan wrote: »

Have you a particular skinny arse because 130mm is indeed an "arse blade". Do you have other saddles that width? I take a 143mm and I suspect I would be straight to adverts with a 130mm.

Yeah, it is looking like a case of 'buy in haste, repent at your own leisure' :rolleyes:

Lumen

manwithaplan wrote: »

I have a Specialized Toupe that I get on well with - like the Romin, it's a flat pretty much unpadded saddle. I keep it level, although it rises up slightly at the back. Have you a particular skinny arse because 130mm is indeed an "arse blade". Do you have other saddles that width? I take a 143mm and I suspect I would be straight to adverts with a 130mm.

I have both the 130mm and 143mm Toupe. I thought the 143 was the perfect saddle until I tried the 130. It's definitely less stable but I prefer it for racing on.

Seweryn

Lumen wrote: »

I have both the 130mm and 143mm Toupe. I thought the 143 was the perfect saddle until I tried the 130. It's definitely less stable but I prefer it for racing on.

That is probably why. The width of the saddle also depends on the type of rides you normally take.

Lumen

Seweryn wrote: »

That is probably why. The width of the saddle also depends on the type of rides you normally take.

Yeah, but I've also done long (180km) slow cycles on the 130 and didn't have any problems. It just feels less stable, which is neither a good nor bad feeling.

Chips Lovell

Speaking of Specialized saddles, does anyone know if Cycleways do test saddles? I'd be interested in trying either a Romin or Toupe out.

Seweryn

Vladimir Kurtains wrote: »

Speaking of Specialized saddles, does anyone know if Cycleways do test saddles? I'd be interested in trying either a Romin or Toupe out.

If by testing you mean measuring your sit bones (see below), then - yes, they do. I bought my Romin saddle there.

Chips Lovell

Cheers. I was wondering about the assometer alright. But it was more whether they had saddles you could take away and ride on for a week or two.

lennymc

Seweryn wrote: »

If by testing you mean measuring your sit bones (see below), then - yes, they do. I bought my Romin saddle there.

thats possibly one of the most bizarre pictures Ive ever seen. It looks like skeletor taking a dump.

carry on.

Seweryn

Vladimir Kurtains wrote: »

Cheers. I was wondering about the assometer alright. But it was more whether they had saddles you could take away and ride on for a week or two.

Not sure about that to be honest . But I heard Specialized making some statement about the satisfaction guarantee, but can't recall the source... or wait, here it is.

Lumen

Seweryn wrote: »

Not sure about that to be honest . But I heard Specialized making some statement about the satisfaction guarantee, but can't recall the source... or wait, here it is.

"You will be given a credit towards a new Specialized saddle."

I see a small flaw.

manwithaplan

Lumen wrote: »

I have both the 130mm and 143mm Toupe. I thought the 143 was the perfect saddle until I tried the 130. It's definitely less stable but I prefer it for racing on.

Maybe the 130mm would be OK too - I have never tried one. I didn't get on with a skinnier Devox saddle but it was probably more its curviness and its noncutoutiness than its width that was the problem.