Why don't you contact Specialized customer service? Apparently, feedback from others based on experience have derailed you. Have a coke and a smile!

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Pain truly is weakness leaving the body, provided that the pain inflicted is small enough that you can handle it and grow from it, emotionally or physically.

It Never Gets Easier, You Just Go Faster!

^ +1

from my original packaging (pulled out today) both the '14 pro and '14 expert gel have level 1 padding

I don't mean to derail this thread about saddles but here goes another proof of how poor Specialized customer service is. To get a list of padding across all saddles, I had to contact them 3 times just for clarification. On this note, I found out that my E5 frame will take 31.8 clamp http://specialized.desk.com/customer/po ... clamp-size. There I was, standing with handful of parts to build my Allez with 31.8 clamp like an idiot. After physical measurement, I found that E5 frame accept 34.9 front derailleur clamp. I brought thid up to their attention and they stated that link will be updated with the correct answer. I just checked my archive folder. That statement is from December 2013 and the link still hasn't been updated. It's somewhat disturbing to deal with clueless employes that brush off loyal customers.

Sorry for noise but reaching out to Specialized customer must be last resort for us.

_________________
Pain truly is weakness leaving the body, provided that the pain inflicted is small enough that you can handle it and grow from it, emotionally or physically.

It Never Gets Easier, You Just Go Faster!