Specialised Power Arc Saddle vs Power Saddle

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PureSek
Posts: 23
Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2017 8:17 am

by PureSek

I have been trying to decide which one to get.

Has anyone made a switch from the old Power saddle to the new Power Arc, or have tried both of them before.
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What are they actual difference in terms of shape, riding comfort and others?


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BdaGhisallo
Posts: 3261
Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2004 1:38 pm

by BdaGhisallo

There was a thread over on Slowtwitch comparing the two: http://forum.slowtwitch.com/forum/Slowt ... c#p6535808

Here is the most informative comment:
"The area where the saddle starts to get wider, it also curves down to the sides. Easiest way I can describe it is the difference between straddling a log (Power Arc) versus a plank (old Power). The Power Arc also has a little less 'dip', although it's still not completely flat from front to back.

On the old Power saddle, if I sat far enough back to fully support my sit bones, the edge of the saddle kind of dug in. So I ended up riding a little more forward, which worked OK for a low, aggressive riding position; but on longer rides I would still get some numbness despite the cut out, because my sit bones weren't fully supported.

On the Power Arc I can sit a little farther back but still get into a low, aggressive position and I have no disomfort from the saddle edges and no problems with numbness. "

dcorn
Posts: 427
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Location: NoVA

by dcorn

Interesting. I started out with the wider 155 Power to match the width I had been riding on other saddles, but switched to the 143 because the sides hurt the underside of my legs. Tilting the nose down a bit helped as well. I wonder if it's worth trying the Arc to reduce that pain even more?

Imaking20
Posts: 2260
Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2011 5:19 am

by Imaking20

My Spesh/BG guy said the Arc is A LOT narrower and expects it's actually a narrower audience (no pun intended) that it will suit. Whereas the original Power has been very successful across a number of body types. After about a year of riding them myself, the rear "wings" started to aggravate my thigh/hamstring area which is why I ditched it. This also could have been partly due to a less aggressive riding position than when I'd first been fitted.

In a nutshell, based on what I've been given by my guru, Spesh actually kinda missed the mark on the Arc.

BdaGhisallo
Posts: 3261
Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2004 1:38 pm

by BdaGhisallo

Imaking20 wrote:
Fri Feb 02, 2018 4:27 pm
My Spesh/BG guy said the Arc is A LOT narrower and expects it's actually a narrower audience (no pun intended) that it will suit. Whereas the original Power has been very successful across a number of body types. After about a year of riding them myself, the rear "wings" started to aggravate my thigh/hamstring area which is why I ditched it. This also could have been partly due to a less aggressive riding position than when I'd first been fitted.

In a nutshell, based on what I've been given by my guru, Spesh actually kinda missed the mark on the Arc.
I am actually finding that as I get into a more aggressive position myself that the standard Power is aggravating that hamstring/butt intersection. I have a Power Arc ready to try so I am hoping for some good riding this weekend to give it a go.

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dlcrep
Posts: 83
Joined: Tue Dec 03, 2013 5:05 pm

by dlcrep

I've had both and the Power Arc reminds me most of the Romin Evo Pro. I switched from the Romin to Power Sworks to try the wider cutout and shorter nose. But after getting the Arc, I realized the Romin Evo was a better fit for me. I just wish the Arc had the same cutout as the Power Sworks. Overall, it's a good mix between the two and I like the Level 2 padding.

Hexsense
Posts: 3270
Joined: Wed Dec 30, 2015 12:41 am
Location: USA

by Hexsense

I find nose of the Power Arc is a bit more usable.

The Original Power, the cut out extend a bit too far forward that when i shift to sit on nose, i don't have enough area to spread my weight on.
The Power Arc's nose is more filled thus feel better to sit on nose and hammer down power sometime.
PS. i know, these saddle are not designed to sit on their nose, but i just do it sometime anyway.

springs
Posts: 47
Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2012 6:07 pm

by springs

I'm another who found the regular Power to slightly chafe at the edges, but otherwise is quite comfy. The Arc so far does not chafe and has caused no saddle sores but the jury is still out on overall comfort.

cassard
Posts: 97
Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2018 12:31 am

by cassard

As a bike fitter with my own problems, I used the power for a while and loved it. But if you have bigger legs (especially hamstrings or glutes) I found the larger points of the original power to pitch or rub on the proximal insertion of my hamstring witch gave me painfull bluish lines. (at the junction of the hamstrings and the glutes) but mostly in the internal parts.

For the rest of the saddle I really loved it but for longer rides it was a major problem. I also wasn't the only one with this problem as far as I heard from my customers and my Specialized rep. When I saw the arc I though myself : this could correct my problem and for now it seems to be it.

The only thing, is I normally ride a 155 regular power (almost 168mm), so the 155 power arc is really at the limit and I would like to see a 168mm one. But for now, I really love the saddle and I can't wait to try it outside for 3hours + rides.

dbnm
Posts: 37
Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2016 4:16 pm

by dbnm

I bought both the S-Works Power and the S-Works Arc.

I first rode the Power and felt it was too flat and too hard for my liking.

I put on the Arc and I love it. Extra padding and doesn't bother my legs anywhere.

Also, the actual weight of the S-Works Arc (143) is 134 grams. Nice!

LanceLegstrong
Posts: 1145
Joined: Fri Sep 13, 2019 1:35 pm

by LanceLegstrong

Imaking20 wrote:
Fri Feb 02, 2018 4:27 pm
My Spesh/BG guy said the Arc is A LOT narrower and expects it's actually a narrower audience (no pun intended) that it will suit. Whereas the original Power has been very successful across a number of body types. After about a year of riding them myself, the rear "wings" started to aggravate my thigh/hamstring area which is why I ditched it. This also could have been partly due to a less aggressive riding position than when I'd first been fitted.

In a nutshell, based on what I've been given by my guru, Spesh actually kinda missed the mark on the Arc.
How much narrower? I'm on a 155 Power and it's too wide. I was thinking about going down to the 143 Power, but the Arc is looking more appealing. Question is, do I go with the 155 Power Arc as it's narrower?
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Alexbn921
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Joined: Wed Apr 10, 2019 6:39 pm

by Alexbn921

I just picked up a 143 s works power arc. We will see how i like it.

E833E9B2-2691-4872-9CA3-7E6ED21113ED.jpeg
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LanceLegstrong
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by LanceLegstrong

Alexbn921 wrote:
Thu Oct 31, 2019 1:00 am
I just picked up a 143 s works power arc. We will see how i like it.


E833E9B2-2691-4872-9CA3-7E6ED21113ED.jpeg
Can you measure wing to wing? I wonder if it's true to size. And how much arc/curve does it have looking head on?
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Alexbn921
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by Alexbn921

The tips of the wings are 137. Widest point is about 15mm back and is exactly 143.

1261D9F6-8DAB-48F6-AFC6-1AF9898D892A.jpeg
F92A831E-C5F8-4533-856D-C93256BAD828.jpeg
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TobinHatesYou
Posts: 12456
Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2017 12:02 pm

by TobinHatesYou

The Arc is better suited for people with advanced hip flexibility/rotation whereas the original Power is suited to average flexibility. That would explain why the fore of the Arc is slightly wider the the original, and why the aft is narrower, flatter. So yes, the Arc won’t be for everyone because it’s not designed for those who occupy the middle of the bell curve.

If you are in the market for an Arc, you shouldn’t be “sizing up” from the original Power. If you are, that means it’s not really the right saddle for you.

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