I was elated when I finally got my hands on my new Adamo Racing saddle. The non-traditional concept was ideal as far as I was concerned. Designed for aggressive riding in aero position, this saddle promised superb comfort in a less than comfortable situation. My favorite feature was the nifty transition rack hook on the back making for an easy exit from T1, although any hydration system that is mounted behind the saddle would render the racking device unusable.

The split saddle with light-weight foam and gel pads were what attracted me to the design in the first place. As a woman, I couldn't imagine a more comfortable saddle. The first few 'honeymoon' months, as I got used to the new position and pressure points I began to notice, especially during races, that I was having occasional groin pulls. I adjusted fore and aft slightly until I found what I hoped was the cause of the issue. Since they were only temporary and seemed to come and go, I didn't think much of it. After mentioning it in passing at a local bike shop, it was suggested that the saddle nose could be too wide for my pelvis and was putting pressure on my adductor muscles possibly causing the strain. Apparently, this is a common complaint among Adamo users. They suggested that I use a zip tie to bring the rails closer together, decreasing the width of the split nose. Easier said than done. Adamo has made sure this saddle is well made and after much effort from my husband and I, we made the adjustment. I took it out for a ride and ended up adjusting it a bit more. This technique offered some room for improvement and could certainly be helpful if you're determined to make the saddle work for you. Speed is of paramount importance to me and I was able to put comfort on the back-burner for a time. Unfortunately, after six months of riding the groin pulls got more frequent and severe and I had to abandon the saddle all together. I wanted so badly to be a fan of the Adamo, and have heard fantastic feedback from it's die-hard fans. It seems my body was just not made for this saddle.

Final Say: This is a tricky one. Those who love their Adamo's are fiercely loyal customers and make up about the same number as those who hate them. With saddles, it's hard to know where one will fall, since they necessitate putting in good long hours and money to find out if they will work for you. My suggestion if you are interested in an Adamo for yourself, is to buy used or borrow one to try out. When you wear it out, buy yourself a shiny new model. If you like the design but are concerned about having the same issue I did, I would suggest among other options, the COBB as an alternative saddle; they offer the same concept as the Adamo with their V-Flow MAX model (thank you John Cobb) but more narrow at the nose.

The Adamo Racing saddle retails for $130-$145