Specialized Phenom Comp with MIMIC
£95
Specialized’s MIMIC padding was originally developed for women but is now being marketed for unisex use. To see how well this multi-layer memory foam works for men, we called in this slightly narrower and cheaper version of the Phenom tested on the previous page. Despite its slim appearance, it’s forgiving, and we love the way the soft padding extends from the central depression up onto the nose, for superior climbing comfort. The shape is fairly flat, with a subtle concave dip. For aggressive riding we liked the clearance given by its fairly short 260mm length. It’s good to have a choice of widths, too. The carbon fibre-reinforced shell encloses the edges of the top for a neat look, and at the back, between the hollow chromoly rails, are threaded holes for Specialized’s SWAT accessories. www.specialized.com