Bytagand the publication "45,000 km in a Power Mirror: cash review, without cream and without pain"
Between €300 and €400 for the saddle. Yes, you read that right. When you click on " confirm the order Your credit card might cry louder than you do on the next Tour de France stage between Bourg-d'Oisans and Alpe d'Huez. But there you have it. Whether or not you're convinced by the concept of a saddle with a 3D surface on paper, you have to admit it works. I made the switch for good two years ago. Enough to rack up 45,000 kilometers sitting on a Specialized Power Mirror. Let me tell you about it.
By Guillaume Judas – Photos: ©3bikes.fr
The saddle Specialized Power Mirror was first presented in 2020, just before Covid. I was even one of the first to testerOn a gravel bike from the brand, while riding the white paths around Girona. I thought it was good. It has to be said that everyone at the time was talking about this 3D printing thing with a magic liquid that transforms into an infinite honeycomb. But I didn't find it amazing enough to change my three Fizik Arione saddles (for two bikes + one spare for the bikes of test), a model I'd been riding for eight years. And yes, all of that does represent a significant expense. And above all, with its unusual dimensions, a wide crescent and a short beak, The Power Mirror requires very fine adjustmentwhich makes all the difference between a so-so feeling and absolute comfort.
On paper, it was the saddle that could solve all my butt problems.Because, well, I've been struggling for 35 years. My butt and feet are a whole other story. I've tried almost everything. Portuguese cork, English leather, laser-cut carbon fiber, memory foam that mostly just remembered to hurt me. The result? A collection of saddles gathering dust and a backside that was on fire after three hours of cycling.
So this first test The speed still shook me up.Not quite enough to switch to the Mirror yet. I took the plunge in two stages. First an S-Works Power for the sake of appearances, then a Fizik Antarès Adaptive to discover 3D coating. In both cases, it was still too difficult. So I took the plunge. « To see »During the winter of 2023-2024, I put the S-Works Power Mirror backseat on a bike, in addition to a regular Power fork on my gravel bike. I was lucky enough to find the right adjustment right away. The right setback. The right angle. I rushed to see Julien, the ergonomist at K7 Bikes, a Specialized Concept Store: « You measure everything with a laser, angles and millimeters, I don't want to change anything anymore ! »
Actually, my first complaint was about the weight: 200 grams in 143 mm for nearly €400It's heavier than a Nutella-filled croissant. And then there's the look… let's just say it resembles a manta ray that's watched one too many Blade Runners. I know. It's the saddle Remco uses, but I still couldn't escape the jeers of my riding buddies. routeExcept for those who are vaccinated in the Specialized section, and who think that everything the Californian brand releases is, in any case... « always great ».
I put the Power Mirror on my Tarmac, tightened the screws, and went for a ride. First 50 kilometers to see how it went. Then 100. Then 600 in a week. Then rides in the rain. Then sweaty sessions on the indoor trainer. Promotional bib shorts at €50 or Q36.5 at €250, it's all the same. Anti-chafing cream? I looked for it last year to organize my bathroom cabinet, but I can't find it anywhere. It must be somewhere between my dreams of climbing Alpe d'Huez like a mountain goat and my old fluorescent socks (the ones I wore the last time I climbed Alpe d'Huez like a mountain goat).
Early 2025, second monthtage, second bike, second Power Mirror saddleA Pro model this time, with aluminum rails, a little less expensive but 45g heavier. Hence the usefulness of the laser measurement I mentioned earlier, if you've been following along. My two bikes, my two saddles, are adjusted exactly the same. I can switch from one to the other with my eyes closed.
So, what's the verdict? A few days ago, a friend asked me what I thought of this saddle. It's crazy, that question made me realize I hadn't thought about it for months. It also made me calculate what I had done 45,000 km in two years on one or the other of my two Power Mirror saddlesNeither of us is tired. But it's mainly my buttocks that have regained their youth. For 35 years, almost every outing was a negotiation: Hang in there until you reach the aid station, then you can walk like a cowboy. "I've often used this excuse to tell anyone who would listen that ultra-distance running wasn't for me." My ass hurts so much, guys, but I promise I'll follow you with the GPS tracker. »
Today, I get on my bike, I ride, I get off, I drink my coffee. Period. Not a pressure point, not an irritation, not a " Ouch "discreet as I got back on the saddle the day after a 150km ride"The best saddle in the world is the one that disappears. The Power Mirror pulled off the perfect heist: it vanished from my memory. And frankly, for €300 to €400, it's the only rip-off that's ever made me smile. Specialized launched the Power Evo Mirror this summer, with a slightly different shape. Used by Remco. Not a chance I'm changing!
If you're still suffering as 2026 approaches, give it a try. Your butt will send you a postcard from heaven. Me, I'm off for a ride. No cream, no pain, and with the smile of a guy who's finally won the war against his ass..
Hello,
I owned a Specialized Romin 3D Evo Mirror saddle for a while, but I never got used to it and went back to SMP saddles. On a time trial bike I bought second-hand, I have a Gebiomized Stride saddle – I wasn't familiar with that brand, but it suits me perfectly!
The Romin 3D has a completely different shape from the Power. So not really surprising.
Same here, I switched to a Specialized Romin EVO Mirror on both my bikes, it's pure bliss!
And yet the Spé Toupé I used previously were very good, but one try convinced me to change immediately.
The Evo is even better with the option to put it on its beak.
Not for me, to each their own saddle. I switched to the Syncros (Scott) Belcara, a marvel.
Same long and painful journey as you and then one day I went for a price equivalent to the Berthoud cooked made in France and I ride for more than 5 hours without any pain and I can ride again the next day!