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I’ve been searching for the right saddle for a while so looking to try an ISM. Looking at trying the PN 3.0 or PN 3.1 . Can anyone give me any input on these? Or anyone tried lots of ISM saddles? Main use is long distance road. Only other one I’m looking at is the PN 1. Main reason is numbness in the frontal area 😂🙈
I had one on my TT bike when I raced, for that purpose it worked fine and was comfortable although I only ever did up to 25s (and training on the turbo) so just under an hours riding.
They take time to set up properly and this is best done on the road rather than on a turbo imho. Never felt the need to put one on my other bikes though. They take a bit of getting used to but if you’re suffering may be worth a look. Most comfortable saddle seems to be my brooks pro.
Aesthetic disaster as well - especially if you stick one on a Colnago!
Had one of the first ISM adamo sadles in the uk back in 2006 on my tt/tru bike to solve numberness issues for very long rides in a low aero tuck.
I've got a prologue now that I've experimented with on a road bike and a TT bike and think I prefer. Prolouge's new name is PL1.1. For your use I think the PL series would probably be better than the PN or PS - the longer length and the wider rear gives a more normal road bike feel and ability to move around, with the nose lobbed off obviously. Also, aesthetically less of a horror show than the other ranges if that matters to you. If/when I end up doing a transcontinential style race in the future (tend to be done on a road bike with a very comfortably setup clip on aerobar) I'll probably train/race with an PL series ISM saddle but for normal road riding at the moment my Brooks cambium c15 does me fine.
The only issue I have with them is the manufacture quality - the raw unfinished underside with an irregular set of messy staples is a world away from a fizik or similar at about the same money or quite a lot less.
I have them on all my bikes and on the road ones I use the PL series, previously known as Prologue, as above. I swopped over to them about 6 years ago, a few months before going for prostate surgery. The setup is crucial, and the online videos on their website are spot on. I wouldn’t go back to a regular shape saddle now..
For your use I think the PL series would probably be better than the N or PS – the longer length and the wider rear gives a more normal road bike feel and ability to move around, with the nose lobbed off obviously. Also, aesthetically less of a horror show than the other ranges if that matters to you. If/when I end up doing a transcontinential style race in the future I’ll probably train/race with an ISM saddle.
Oh cool thanks. I don’t know why I had almost forgotten about the PL, maybe I’ll go for that. I was looking at the saddle guide on the website but it’s quite short and a little vague / wishy washy.
From reading the website, it looks like you aren’t supposed to be on the nose of their saddles at all though? Maybe that’s why they’re shorter.... So your hips / pelvis can tilt more forward (instead of being forced more upright and back like some saddles). I’ve never tried one, just going by what’ve read.
I’ve tried an SMP and was on it for about six weeks, didn’t get on with it. I’m currently back on the Fizik Anteres I was on before that... it’s like a bullet constantly hitting you in the crotch area though, once on any road surface that isn’t pan flat.
few months before going for prostate surgery
Was that related to your saddle issues?
^^^^ nope, diagnosed with prostate cancer aged 48. Thankfully they appear to have caught it in time as still clear.... 🤞
Wow lucky I’m glad...!!! 🍀
Yep, I was one of the lucky ones !
After epididimytis (infection in pipework behind testicle) and a prostate infection regular saddles were/are excruciating to ride on. So I switched ISM Peaks on all my MTB's and an Attack on the road bike. I'd try and get one cheap on eBay to try first to see if you like them. As Iainc says, watch the setup videos as it is crucial.
But do look at the ISM site as there area fair few copies about, they did have a few pages devoted to how to spot fakes.
I use ism on road and mtb. I tried all sorts of saddles, with no luck. I seemed to sit with more weight on one side, even collapsing saddles and the foam on that side compared to the other. I tried fizik, sella Italia, ergon, etc. Had saddle sores on one side, just really battled.
Went for a fitting, he tried a ism road, and I decided to try it. I still didnt like the wider rear on my hamstrings, so decided to try the attack, which I loved.
This is the same as the PN1, and i put a PN1.1 on my mtb which i love.
I've done 17+ hour days, double centuries, 211km mtb rides with huge amount of climbing with no problems. I cant see anything else working, even the other short nose saddles now being made.
Interesting Shred, thanks. Have you tried the PL? Or any of the older versions.