Test from the PRO Stealth Carbon saddle

With its wide, shortened nose and almost flat profile, the PRO Stealth Carbon saddle has been designed to facilitate an aggressive and dynamic posture on the bike, with the hands at the bottom of the handlebars or on the extensions. Behind its minimalist appearance, it still offers a certain comfort.

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: @3bikes.fr

In the highly competitive saddle market, manufacturers are adopting several strategies to try to provide solutions adapted to different types of practices., because the ideal saddle for everyone has not yet been invented. To be comfortable on a saddle, you have to take into account the width of the pelvis (and therefore the spacing between the ischial tuberosities), the general posture and therefore the distribution of weight on the other support points that are the pedals and the handlebars (a contemplative cyclist tends to ride more upright and with more weight on the saddle), and of course the type of surface. This is why the ten or so major and different brands that you find in stores offer different models, with different shapes, even different widths.

Designed in collaboration with World Tour riders, the PRO Stealth Carbon is a saddle dedicated to performance, whether on route, in time trials or triathlons. In order to promote a low position on the handlebars and make it more comfortable, with your hands at the bottom of the handlebars or on the extensions, the idea behind creating saddles with a shortened nose is to promote the tilting of the pelvis forward and to limit friction between the thighs. A shortened saddle, which also allows you to get around the UCI regulation concerning the minimum saddle setback on the bike, theoretically limits the possibilities of movement on the saddle (a position more or less forward or backward that you would adopt depending on the terrain). This is the case for many models that promote a fairly fixed setting, but not for the PRO Stealth, first thanks to a slightly hollow profile, then thanks to a beak width well above average (almost 5 cm instead of 4 cm or less).

On the PRO Stealth, it is thus possible to move forward on the saddle to grab the handlebars from below., while feeling really stable support between the thighs.

Soft coating

Among its other special features, the Stealth Carbon benefits from a carbon hull and rails so, a wide central channel to relieve pressure on the perineum, and a coating designed to limit friction as well as slippage. A compromise that is often difficult to find. The EVA foam padding is minimalist, but sufficient to counteract the rigidity of the shell. The saddle seems spartan, but in fact it is rather comfortable on the route, once the correct position is found.

The very slight flexibility of the hull is only provided by the very large central recess, a flexibility limited by the two carbon "bridges" that connect the two edges. This unusual spacing combined with thin padding around it, and therefore not very pronounced edges, make this saddle less hurtful than other models of the same type. If the central channel relieves the perineum, its edges often cause other discomfort or irritation in us because of a transfer of support to the sides, which is absolutely not the case here.

With its special dimensions, the PRO Stealth also surprises with the positioning of the rails, rather backwards. So be careful when adjusting the saddle setback, you might be bothered by a lack of adjustment range.

To find the correct setback compared to a traditional length saddle, there is no other choice than to measure the theoretical hollow of the saddle with a caliper., the point where the seat width is 70 mm. Here, it is located 10 cm from the beak, whereas it is for example 9,5 cm for a Specialized Power or 15 cm for a fi'zi:k Arione.

Like most saddles of this type, it feels best with a few degrees of forward tilt., whether in a low position or in an upright position. Despite our fears, we do not slide forward, but we also do not have the sensation of being compressed by maintaining an aerodynamic position. By straightening up, for example to climb a long hill or to take a few kilometers of respite, we can move slightly backwards and thus benefit from the wide crescent like a mini backrest.

When straightening up, for example to climb a long hill or take a few kilometers off, you can move slightly backwards and thus take advantage of the wide crescent like a mini backrest.

Offered in two crescent widths (142mm and 152mm), the PRO Stealth is actually not designed to be used at its full length. This is why with this type of saddle, you not only have to review your references in terms of dimensions, but also inclination. The slightly raised and widened crescent compared to our habits here comes to wedge us, while to our great surprise we support very well and without slipping the placement on the beak, in the speed search position. However, this brings a little more freedom than other saddles of the same type offered on the market, in particular thanks to the width of the shortened beak.

Dynamic comfort

Even after several hours in the heat, the support and comfort of the PRO Stealth are unwavering. Of course, at first glance, the saddle is not soft and not very padded. We would not recommend it for off-road use or on very granular surfaces. It seems firm under the buttocks, but without causing sudden pain or crushing of sensitive parts when passing over holes for example. We immediately appreciate the width of the front of the saddle, and the feeling of support that it accompanies. We do not feel any crushing or pumping when pedaling, but rather the impression of becoming one with the bike. We quickly forget the central channel, which does not cause any injury or irritation on the edges. We lent the saddle for a session to a friend suffering from minor urinary problems at the end of his outings. Even if he found the saddle "hard" at first, he had no problem urinating after 100 km, which had not happened to him for a long time.

The PRO Stealth Carbon is therefore a model that can be described as comfortable, but on the condition that it is intended for dynamic use., and take the time to find the right settings. It is aimed at riders who often ride with their hands down, but also at triathletes who naturally adopt a low and stretched out position on the bike, or even at time trial riders.

This saddle is of course compatible with other PRO accessories, including small mudguards, frame plate holders, or CO2 canisters. It stands out for its nice finish and light weight (174 g verified for the 142 mm width). There are two other versions, one with carbon rails at €179, and another with aluminum rails, for 205 g and around €89.

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