When Robert Sparks bought his first time trial bike in 2012, it came with a standard triathlon saddle. Like many new athletes, he assumed that was just what everyone used. It worked fine for short rides, but once his training distances increased, comfort quickly disappeared.

“Once I started training for longer distances, things got uncomfortable fast. Chafing, bleeding, even saddle boils,” Robert recalls. “It felt like I was riding with a house brick wedged between my legs.” Long rides turned into painful slogs, and he knew something had to change.

A bike fit with Tim Lewington at Speedhub in Lutterworth changed everything. After hearing about Robert’s struggles, Tim suggested he try a JCOB saddle. Within just a few rides, Robert knew he had found the answer.

The Saddle That Changed Everything

“The difference was night and day,” Robert says. “It was incredibly comfortable, with a narrower nose that completely eliminated chafing. The saddle just disappears underneath you, even in a tri suit.”

Long training rides of five to six hours became manageable again. The pressure relief channel worked perfectly to reduce perineal pressure, allowing him to stay aero for long stretches without constant shifting. “Sure, you still need to stand up now and then,” he adds, “but even a few pedal strokes is enough to reset and keep going.”

Proven Through Every Mile

Over the years, Robert has raced some of the toughest Ironman courses in the world, including Lanzarote, Wales, and Switzerland, all using the same model. “It performs just as well climbing steep hills as it does on the flats in aero,” he says. “It even feels like a road saddle when you’re sitting up.”

He has owned several of them over the years, each one proving durable across thousands of miles. “I’ve tried other brands like Bontrager, Gebiomized, and PRO, but nothing came close. It was a quick lesson in if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.”

Comfort That Builds Champions

Since making the switch, Robert has completed 15 full Ironman races and around 20 half Ironmans. “While you can get away with an uncomfortable saddle on short courses, for long distance racing, this changed everything,” he says. “It completely changed how I train and race.”

Now training for the Ironman World Championship in Kona 2026, Robert spends up to 12 hours a week in the saddle. “It allows me to stay aero longer, ride more aggressively, and save watts over 112 miles. Comfort equals speed.”

A Journey of Perseverance

Robert’s journey has not been without challenges. Six years ago, he began suffering transient ischemic attacks, or mini strokes. The cause was eventually diagnosed as a congenital heart defect, a hole in his heart. Despite that, he continued training and racing while awaiting surgery, which successfully corrected the issue.

“Four of my Ironman races were done on crutches,” he says, referring to years battling chronic arthritis before joint replacement surgery. “Tenby twice, Hamburg, and Florida. I finished all of them. Now I’m running pain free again and back to chasing my best form.”

The Saddle That Never Quits

“All of it, every race and every mile, has been on the same JCOB saddle,” Robert says. “It’s light, durable, and unbelievably comfortable. After everything I’ve been through, it’s the one part of my setup I’ll never change.”