ISM PL 1.1 Saddle

ISM PL 1.1 Saddle Info

The ISM PL 1.1 Saddle represents the softer entry in the Performance Long category. Like it’s slightly lighter and more Spartan brother, the PL 1.0, the PL 1.1 has a nice long platform but with more generous padding.

Perhaps you are coming from and all carbon, super light, extremely uncomfortable saddle. By hour four or five on a saddle like that, your hamstrings hurt, your calf muscles are screaming, and your delicate bits are numb. If you have finally decided to stop putting up with that level of discomfort, you’ll love your transition over to the PL 1.1. It is perfect for road riders who like to have a lot of room to move on the saddle, depending on what sort of terrain must be conquered. It is 270mm long to facilitate that moving fore and aft, while the rear is 135mm at its widest to provide the perfect platform for your ischial tuberosities or sit bones when you have settled back into a climbing position.

Of course, the crux of all ISM saddles is the comfort provided by the nose-less, forked design. You won’t be putting the pressure on your soft tissue, but depending on how aggressive your position, either your sit bones or ischial tuberosities when sitting more upright, or your pubic rami bones when you have your hips rotated forward. And since this saddle comes with the 40-series level of padding with a foam bottom layer and gel top layer, you can count on feeling comfortable even if you are wearing tri shorts with limited padding.

In spite of how long it is, this is still a classic ISM nose-less design. It will prevent you from suffering any pressure on your perineum, which can cause numbness in the genital region and just be a complete ride-ruiner. Before you head out on your first century with this saddle, though you should be very careful about having it properly adjusted. You can’t simply position it the same way you would your conventional saddle. ISM says that you should have between two and three inches of saddle behind you when you are in position. The chromoly rails are designed to be long enough to offer you a wide range of positioning options.

Whether you are just starting out cycling, or have been on the roads for decades, you’ll quickly realize just how important a comfortable saddle will be for your overall enjoyment and performance. The ISM PL 1.1 Saddle will be a great saddle for anyone who enjoys pain-free riding. Serious cycling may be about suffering, but that doesn’t need to include our asses too.