Hobson Pro Hub X2 Saddle – Ultimate Long-Distance Comfort with Magnesium Alloy, Gel Foam Padding, and Water-Resistant Cover for On & Off-Road Cycling

I am in love with this seat, and I have been for over eight years. Nevertheless, you should read the negative reviews, too, because they make good points.If you are uncertain, then you really should try the saddle in person rather than ordering online. The trouble is: where? Bike stores don't carry these! So if you are mostly convinced that this seat is what you need, but you are just a little skittish due to the mixed reviews, hopefully my notes can help.********************************************************Briefly:In my experience, you *can* commute on this saddle, you *can* do long-distance, you *can* use it with both "slow, upright stance" bikes as well as "fast, tucked-down" road bikes.********************************************************[Also: it ain't just men that want bike seats to stop poking them between the legs. This review is by a female (me), and while I have no way to know how unpleasant it is to be male and sit on harsh saddles, I can say that as a *female* on a traditional saddle I was *miserable*.]I do think the negative reviews are thoughtful, honest, and well-written. However, for me, this saddle is pure bliss. This is the second Hobson "two cheek" saddle I have owned. The first is still sturdy and usable after countless miles, but it has been moved onto a stationary exercise bike, and I ordered this new "pro x2" for my current bicycle.I have never ever had a single complaint about these Hobson saddles.About me: I used this saddle on a mountain bike (for both city riding and "beginner" trail riding) for 2-3 years. On the mountain bike I had this seat nearly level, and I could still ride with no hands when I wanted to, just supported and balanced entirely on the seat.Currently I only own a road (touring) cycle, and now I use the Hobson with this touring bike (a 12-speed, with drop handlebars). I keep the saddle tilted forward. This means slightly more of my weight is supported by my upper body strength, but it keeps the seat comfortable for the more "tucked" stance of a street cyclist. (also, i vastly prefer to have this weight supported by my push-up strength instead of just by a thin seat-nose wedged right up you-know-where). On this bike, I can no longer ride no-handed, but that was never a requirement for me. I can still easily ride one-handed if I need to fiddle with my bike accessories or my water bottle with one hand.Some of the feats of cycling I have done since becoming a Hobson user:~ the 50-mile Rosarito-to-Ensenada ride;~ a four day 200-mile trek with friends;~ a weekend trip of 140 miles round-trip;~ one "century" (a 100-mile event);~ and also just my 12 mile commute to work on most days.********************************************************So why do some people LOVE this seat and some people HATE it?I think a big factor is how much you *hate* the "normal" saddle. If you have decided that you positively cannot *ever* spend one more minute on a normal saddle -- even if it means you just give up cycling altogether, then you should take a chance on alternative saddles before abandoning the sport. (That was me. Trying the Hobson restored all my joy for cycling.)If, however, you continue to be able to "tolerate" your current saddle but you are mildly uncomfortable and waiting to see if something better comes along, then you might find annoyances on the Hobson, too. If you tolerate your current saddle, then you might not have the motivation to get past the initial unfamiliarity of this Hobson.If you still cannot decide, then maybe you will call some local brick-and-mortar stores and give them some hints that they should stock these! That would help *everyone* -- both the people who will love these, and those other people that will be spared from difficult online return policies after *not* liking these.Final note: two other cyclists I ride with swear by another alternative, Ergo The Seat Ultimate Bicycle Saddle

3rd Ride update feb 24, 2016:lowered the seat post and raised my handlebars (i'm NOT experienced in bike mechanics at all, but was too farfrom a bike shop, so did it myself and it was easy)... and now the seat is even yet more comfortable and versatile...again, on the last ride i was riding, often with one hand only, while the other hand filmed, on rough terrain, soone can have stability with this seat. one reviewer complained the movement of the seat's design, made itfeel cheap and not work for him. probably because he is an experienced rider with a set of particular standards forhis riding rather than someone, desperate, like myself, to find a seat that works without crushing perineum tissue, nerves,and blood vessels, and willing to re-learn riding position posture. having said that, i'll keep riding this, but probablywill raise it to 5 stars. Remember, many police departments are switching their bicycle patrols to the use of thistype of bike saddle, due to reproductive injuries sustained, and there are some major medical studies on this also.i find this hobson saddle is making cycling exciting and healthy for me again. very happy...this is a totally unsolicited independent review on my part and i do not work for hobson nortaking part in any review for discounted item program, though i'd love to :) :)2nd Ride Update:After adjusting the seat again... I made the angle less acute.... thus a milder downward slant forward,it seemed to eliminate 85% of the awkwardness and extra stress on my legs and hands... and i hada very enjoyable off-road ride.... i even filmed holding my phone camera with one hand and riding withthe other, so the stability is increasing. I had a great very enjoyable ride. Next i will try lowering theseat a bit on the seat post, and then lifting my handlebars higher... (i tend to prefer a fairly upright ridingposition, again i'm riding a English Thorn Nomad cross-country touring or trekking bike, and with slightlyoversized tires... not huge, just not thin).... Anyway, to date i continue to be quite enthused on the saddleand if i continue to have this increased comfort and balance i'll raise my rating to 5 Stars... Again, it seemsto have 100% efficacy on protecting against perineal injury as there is simply zero contact in that area....First Impression Review: Just got it and tried it once, and will submit updated review shortly.....In the meantime, I'm impressed with the relative ease of putting the saddle upon my bike,(an old Thorn Nomad touring bicycle), and ease in adjusting the angle of the seat, adjustinghow far forward or back the seat sits on the post, and width of two seats...One thing that is obvious is that it definitely seems to totally avoid the perineum area trauma,as there simply is zero contact between perineum and the seat...So it seems impossible for the seat to be a failure in that primary intent of its design and use.Getting used to the very different way the seat interacts with one's biking seems to be the mainchallenge and i could immediately feel stress on hands and arms and also on thighs and evenknees, all of which I assume is based on the fact that it's different than any other bike seat i'vesat on in the last 67 years of my life... and also that, because of my age, stress to new areas ofmy hands, arms, knees, etc. is going to be more noticeable and potentially more injurious...but, i'd rather risk those injuries than to my perineum, so let's see how well i adapt over the nextfew rides, the next few weeks, etc., and then i'll update this post.again, bottomline of this premature review is that it seems to obviously 100 percent guaranteeno perineum damage.and the other is to expect a break-in period, to get your body used to the new riding positionit will necessitate. I recommend, instead of immediately using the seat exclusively, to use itshort periods and build up the length of rides, and simply using your traditional saddle ...switchingback and forth.... as you build up your balance and ability with this new Hobson pro hub x2.