ISM PR 3.0 Saddle

ISM PR 3.0 Saddle Info

Though ISM Saddles have earned their stripes among the triathlon and time trial communities, that doesn’t mean that you have to be preparing for an Ironman to find an ISM saddle to suit your riding. The ISM PR 3.0 Saddle offers the acme in terms support and padding whether you are sticking it on your cruiser or want that extra cushion for your tri bike.

ISM has begun to name their saddles according to the shape and padding standards. In this case, the PR stands for Performance Recreation. And of the saddles within that rubric, this is the one with the most padding. It has a foam and gel padding that gets the 60-series rating from ISM, which basically means it is the most padded saddle in their stable. Add to that the fact it is 145mm at its widest point, and you have a great saddle for anyone riding in an upright position that wants lots of support. But though ISM singles The PR 3.0 out as being perfect for anyone riding a hybrid or commuter bike, there are plenty of triathletes who love this baby for their race-day saddle. That’s because, like all ISM saddles, the PR 3.0 makes use of the nose-less design. It is extremely important, though, that you set it up properly on your bike, otherwise, you will be missing out on all of the pressure relieving benefits.

If you are considering an ISM saddle, it’s likely that you have become tired of conventionally shaped saddles ruining your rides by causing numbness and saddle sores. In order to get the best from an ISM saddle, you need to have it properly set up on your bike, so that you aren’t just aping the uncomfortable position you are trying to avoid. The two pronged cutout is supposed to take away any pressure from your genital area. With the upright position encouraged by the PR 3.0, you will then be using the wide shape and extensive padding to support your sit bones or ischial tuberosities. The shape of the saddle, however, still will accommodate you properly if you want to rotate your hips forward while in the aero tuck. With the PR 3.0, even in the aggressive Tri position, you won’t be putting the pressure on your soft tissue, but the pubic rami bones instead.

At 235mm, the ISM PR 3.0 is not that much shorter than a conventional, full nosed saddle, but you should keep in mind when setting it up, that ISM says that you should have between two and three inches of saddle behind you when you are in position. It comes with a rear transition hook to facilitate hanging your bike up when you are changing to the run portion of your triathlon. The satin steel rails provide a goodly amount of space to make fore and aft adjustments.

The ISM PR 3.0 saddle weighs 380 grams, which though not exceptionally light, will more than make up for any handicap by keeping you so comfortable on your perch that you will be able to power the pedals far more effectively.