Koobi AU Chrono

Price Paid:  $38.00 at Nashbar

Favorite Ride:
Chicago streets

Bike Setup:
Older aluminum Vitus (built up as a single-speed)

Summary:
My Terry Men's Liberator Ti was killing me. It got great reviews here, it was recommended at the bike shop and i could not believe how much it hurt to use.

I started looking at the top reviewed saddles here and found the Koobi Au Chrono on sale at Nashbar. When it arrived i was a bit skeptical because of how small it seemed, and the padding was minimal compared to the mushy Liberator but i saddled up and WOW. After a few days all of my previous pain from the month with the Terry was gone and since then i don't even think about my saddle. Someone else reviewed the Koobi and said they switched from the Terry Liberator: Thank you!

Not only is this saddle a great fit for me, but it cost less than half of what my old saddle was.

Strengths:
Good fit, just the right support, light, looks good, very affordable

Weaknesses:
None so far.

Similar Products Used:
Terry Men's Liberator Ti

Price Paid:  $3495.00 at Nashbar

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere

Bike Setup:
Trek 5200

Summary:
My Koobi AU Enduro started to come apart at the seams, so I went looking for a replacement and found the AU Chrono at Nashbar for dirt cheap. Like the Enduro, this is a firm feeling saddle with stout padding in all the right places and a generous groove down the center. So far, it feels a bit firmer than the Enduro, but that may change as the padding and leather break-in. One nice thing about this saddle over the Enduro, is that there are no seams along the sides of the nose (these are the seams that failed on my Enduro). The firm padding takes some getting used to, but won't bottom-out even after a long ride. I know a couple of other riders who use this saddle and their opinions are about the same as mine - these are the most comfortable saddles they've used.

Strengths:
Long-haul comfort - firm padding won't bottom-out on long rides. Overall design puts padding where you need it. Generous pressure relieving groove down the middle of the saddle (it works!).

Weaknesses:
None yet

Similar Products Used:
Various Selle Italia and San Marco, Koobi AU Enduro, Specialized Body Geometry.

Price Paid:  $40.00 at Nashbar

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere

Bike Setup:
Giant TCR carbon, carbon carbon and more carbon. FSA compact crankset (carbon), American Classic Sprint 350 wheels, Mavic SST brakes, Easton carbon post and bars, Koobi seat. 15 pounds on the nose.

Summary:
No longer numb and sore. Best saddle I've ever ridden on.

Strengths:
No longer numb and sore. Great prices if you shop around.

Weaknesses:
Not a featherweight saddle.

Similar Products Used:
Terry Fly, Firefly. Selle Italia, WTB....

Price Paid:  $80.00 at B.I.Cycle Bainbridge

Favorite Ride:
Bainbridge to Bellevue...everyday

Bike Setup:
Fuji Finest Steel

Summary:
Most comfortable saddle I've been on..could ride it all day without problems
in the perineal area..shape and groove really works...

The fancy stiched models may not be intended for people who ride as much as I do...
7000 miles per year...the fancy stitching is wearing quickly...I'm hoping the leather is
glued so as not to fall apart when the stitching wears out...folk who ride alot should
probably buy a "nonstitched" model like the Silver or AuEnduro..but I did not
want the extra padding...Koobi should make a nonstitched "Silver" model w/o the
extra padding..

But, I'd buy another...I'm using Koobis forever on my roadbik

Strengths:
Very comfortable, definitely relieves perineal pressure, good looking leather saddle

Weaknesses:
Fancy embroidered stitching wears out pretty fast

If your clothing bleeds dye..the white doesn't stay white

Similar Products Used:
SanMarco Concor Light TI
WTB Laser V Stealth
Various Stock Velo saddles

Price Paid:  $65.00 at Koobi.com

Favorite Ride:
Criteriums, anything fast

Bike Setup:
2001 Trek 5200
Shimano Ultegra gruppo
Rolf Vector Comp

Summary:
I have used this saddle for a year now and can't say enough about it. It is the only saddle I know of that has a full length cut-out. I have about 2000 miles on the saddle as of this writing. I too agree with the above review in saying that a full cut-out in the saddle is far more comfortable and pressure relieving on the perineal area. I have many cyclist friends, including an Olympic Track sprinter, who have ridden on my bike and asked me about the saddle because it was so comfortable. It is very comfortable, even on long rides. I have NEVER had any numbness with this saddle and I too feel like it helps you sit in a proper position (ischial tuberosities). Other saddles I have ridden tend to cut off blood supply. Overall I am very impressed and will continue to use this saddle and purchase others in the future from Koobi.

Strengths:
Customer support via quick reply to emails
full length cut-out
Good padding
Durable

Weaknesses:
None that I have seen or felt so far

Similar Products Used:
San Marco, Trek Tri