REASONS TO BUY
Firm
Supportive
Great pressure relief notch
Comfortable down-turned wings
REASONS TO AVOID
Limited to aggressive riding
Expensive
PRO Stealth Carbon Saddle Review
This supportive short-nosed performance saddle will suit the racer in you, supplying excellent pressure relief for hours of aggressive riding
Credit: Pro Bike Gear
RELATED: Best Bike Saddles of 2024
Our Verdict
The PRO Stealth Carbon is a great saddle for the serious rider or racer who spends more time in the drops and chasing who wants the firm support to pedal hard on a downhill and rise out of the saddle on the climb. If this sounds like you, then you will also love the anatomical notch that helps ventilate the saddle and provides ample relief for your sensitive parts. If you want to cruise city streets or park promenades, look elsewhere, because this saddle is built for the fast at heart.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The PRO Stealth is a comfortable saddle that is firm enough to support excellent power transfer but soft enough to provide hours of comfort. If you pedal hard and are tired of a numb bum, consider this saddle for your road bike.
Performance Comparison
This a light, high-performance saddle that doesn't cause you to lose power no matter how hard you pedal.
Credit: Ryan Baker
Comfort
We found this saddle to be very comfortable on long rides testing the 142-millimeter width. It is also available in a 152-millimeter width. The EVA foam is medium-soft which makes up for the rigidity of the carbon and steel frame. The saddle's diminutive size does not lend itself to multiple riding positions. Riders who are more forward will enjoy the supportive frame. Aggressive riders will also appreciate the pressure relief cutout which was one of the largest on any saddle we tested. We also found the PU synthetic leather cover is very easy to move around on and non-absorbent.
The plush EVA foam has no visible stitches or friction points.
Credit: Ryan Baker
The shape of this saddle is flatter than other snub-nosed models we tested. We preferred the steeply arcing wings of other models but everyone's anatomy is different. The flatter profile is more noticeable in full leg extension. The anatomic cutout does support a very forward pelvic rotation but the Stealth did not earn as high marks in this category compared to others models. The noticeable friction at the top of our hamstrings in our gluteal fold was more pronounced than we would like, but again, everyone is different. The firm support yet enjoyable comfort on your sit bones does keep this model in the running in this category.
Performance
Everything stated above regarding the less than desirable aspects of the Stealth's comfort need to be taken as the proverbial grain of salt to its outstanding performance. For those who pedal hard and fast, look no further than this rigid saddle. There is none of that annoying bounce effect when pedaling hard especially downhill just smooth power transfer from you to the pedals. It is pleasant to stay in a low position in this saddle. Climbing can be a bit laborious since there is not much space to move around on the saddle. That being said when you come out of the saddle, you nestle right back to the sweet spot when you sit back down. The Stealth earns high marks in this metric and should be considered by any serious racer.
Rising out of the saddle and returning to the sweet spot was a pleasure on steep climbs.
Credit: Ryan Baker
Versatility
As we stated the Stealth is a great road bike or race saddle. Its snub-nosed design, lightweight materials, and anatomical cutout make it excel in one field become detractors in the next. We did not enjoy this saddle for more upright body positions such as for long tours and we didn't find it enjoyable mountain biking where the anatomical cutout allowed the seat and our posteriors to get muddy. What the Stealth does, it does well. It is also not very versatile in regards to allowing different body positions. It is comfortable enough to ride in a more upright position for some time but it wants you to get low and go fast.
Durability
The rear scuff guards protect the PU synthetic leather cover well when laying the bike down or from unexpected scuffs. The reinforced carbon base is extremely rigid and the rails did not show any sign of compromising with our 100kg testers. We tested the 7x9mm carbon rail version but it is also available with 7mm steel rails. Overall we were unable to find any deficiency in durability during our testing period.
Weight
The trade-off for having a durable saddle is that it will not be the lightest. Other models in this class feign the scuff guard and decrease the amount of foam to shave grams. At 205 grams we felt that this saddle is plenty light for the average to advanced enthusiast. We appreciate that PRO offers multiple styles with varying materials depending on your anatomy, weight, budget, or preference.
The comfort and performance for the price make this saddle a steal.
Credit: Ryan Baker
Value
The Stealth is a great value. Compared to other saddles in its class it is competitive in all metrics and is perfect for the road rider ready to spend a little more money on a saddle with great power transfer and support.
Conclusion
The PRO Stealth is a supportive saddle with a large anatomical cutout for any rider who plans to get low and pedal hard.
Other Versions and Accessories
PRO offers the Stealth in 142 or 155-millimeter widths with steel or carbon rails.
—
Ryan Baker
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