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Specialized S-Works Power Mirror saddle replaces foam with Project Black 3D printing

2019 Specialized S-Works Power Mirror saddle, lightweight padded 3D printed road XC MTB saddle, photo by Michal Cerveny
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The latest Specialized Project Black project has taken foam padding out of an S-Works Power saddle to create a 3D printed structure that is both lighter & more comfortable than a conventional design. The S-Works Power Mirror saddle is made up of a lattice of 14,000 liquid polymer struts that provide tuned support & flex to offer varying density and comfort that foam simply cannot match.

2019 Specialized S-Works Power Mirror 3D printed saddle

Project Black is how Specialized develops pre-production prototypes and tests them in the real world with their pro athletes. And while that normally means new tech that won’t likely see the light of day for quite some time, take a look at the model year of that heading above.

2019 Specialized S-Works Power Mirror saddle, lightweight padded 3D printed road XC MTB saddle, photo by Michal Cerveny
c. Specialized, photo by Russ Ellis

This new Mirror Tech saddle may be something they’ve just developed, but 3D printing seems to have let Specialized fast track the new saddle design, giving it a 2019 label and telling us that early production samples will be available in a couple of weeks.

Tech details – What is a 3D printed saddle?

2019 Specialized S-Works Power Mirror saddle, lightweight padded 3D printed road XC MTB saddle, photo by Michal Cerveny
all other photos by Michal Cerveny

The technology that Specialized is using for these Mirror Tech foam-less saddles is called Digital Light Synthesis, which pretty much sounds like using intense UV light to solidify a liquid polymer to create this intricate structure, one tiny layer at a time.

By doing so, they created a lattice of 14,000 struts and 7,799 nodes forming the saddle shape. And each element can be ‘individually tuned’ to offer varying density throughout the saddle to mimic what you might do with multiple foam densities, but on a much more precise level. The process even results in the more-or-less closed top of the upper design, which is then bonded to a more conventional carbon fiber base with carbon rails.

2019 Specialized S-Works Power Mirror saddle, lightweight padded 3D printed road XC MTB saddle

That’s how you end up with a saddle with internal structure to offer more support under the weight-bearing sit bones, but more flexible comfort under soft tissue – with the possibility for nearly infinite variability. The material is also said to provide improved pelvis stability while pedaling AND improved vibration damping potential.

The all-new Mirror Technology uses a new 3D printed material that Specialized says “can replace foam in cycling touchpoints forever, delivering rider benefits that foam cannot match.” They see this as taking Body Geometry design to the next level, both for men & women-specific designs.

2019 Specialized S-Works Power Mirror saddle, lightweight padded 3D printed road XC MTB saddle, photo by Michal Cerveny

This S-Works Power Mirror saddle is only the first real application, but talk like that suggests it may make its way deeper into the Specialized lineup fairly quickly. Interestingly Specialized is showing the new S-Works Power Mirror on both road bikes above with team Bora-Hansgrohe, and with their Specialized Racing cross-country mountain bike teams as well (here on a BikeYoke Divine SL dropper post).

That reaffirms no issue with strength or durability for riding on or off-road. (Although, we imagine cleaning mud out of that open latticework could be a pain!) The new saddle was even raced at the Val de Sol XC World Cup by mountain biker Christopher Blevins.

2019 Specialized S-Works Power Mirror saddle, lightweight padded 3D printed road XC MTB saddle

Specialized say the new Mirror Tech equipped S-Works Power saddle is currently undergoing Project Black testing with their Decueninck–Quick-Step & Bora-Hansgrohe road, and Specialized Racing mountain bike pros.

Real-world availability

2019 Specialized S-Works Power Mirror saddle, lightweight padded 3D printed road XC MTB saddle, photo by Michal Cerveny

Even though Specialized gives the new S-Works Power Mirror a 2019 designation since it is being raced on now, they have not yet released any pricing estimates or concrete delivery timetable. The current pre-production saddles have been produced together with the Silicon Valley company that pioneered the 3D printing process, named Carbon.

In reality, consumer availability is slated for early 2020 in the new Power saddle. We do hope to get one before then, so we should be able to report on its comfort & performance before you can buy one.

Specialized.com/Mirror-Technology

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typevertigo
typevertigo
4 years ago

Very, very intriguing. I have a couple Power saddles in their basic Comp and Pro forms, and while I get along with the shape well enough, the foam is on the firmer side of comfy.

Methinks this is a potential logical extension of their more-cush-in-the-tush Power Elaston model, but with greater scope for ride tuning. I don’t suppose this is going to be priced for mere mortals though seeing as it’s badged S-Works…

Tomi
Tomi
4 years ago

Looks like a cleaning nightmare to me.

D
D
4 years ago

Tesla is a battery company that so happens to be selling cars. Specialized is an advertising company that happens to be selling bikes…… lol

JBikes
JBikes
4 years ago

3D printing should ultimately drive prices lower. I’m hoping that becomes true as the manufacturing prices should drive down. Hard to tell as I often think companies price high together…like a competition for high price and allure/prestige it brings, regardless of actual value/function.

KindOfACyclist
KindOfACyclist
4 years ago
Reply to  JBikes

3D printing almost never reduces consumer prices as the economy of scale does not apply as easily as most printers can only print a couple a items at a time. That being said conveyer belt style printers are starting to become a thing…

Robbie
Robbie
4 years ago

The only problem I see is possibly wear and tear to your bibs, fiction against the soft surface will definitely wear them out very quickly, correct me if I missed something about the seat which will not cause this problem.

John Manley
John Manley
4 years ago

Where is this sold and what is the price?

Zac Heinen
Zac Heinen
4 years ago
Reply to  John Manley

The article CLEARLY states this is a prototype and not available for sale yet

Marcus
Marcus
4 years ago

Interested to see if this becomes a step towards custom individualized saddles.

Lawrence
Lawrence
4 years ago

Had a sample of the elastomer lattice structure printed out from Carbon from a year or 2 ago from their open house…. It’s now cracking, and it’s not like a go squeez it every day.

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