I just got a new ISM PN 1.1 saddle and it feels like it’s WAY too wide at the open end and it rubs against my inside of my thighs.
I compared its width (at the open end) with my old saddle. ISM is much wider.
I moved my ISM saddle all the way back, as far as the rails allow(about 2” compared to the old saddle)as suggested but it’s still feel too wide.
I’ve also try to tilt it down more and it got a little bit more comfortable but still feels too wide.
You can see it on a picture, ISM PN1.1 (110mm) next to Bontrager Verse Comp(135mm)
Am I doing anything wrong?
by Aggressive-Sherbet65
6 Comments
Yes you are. Saddles come in different sizes for different sit bones. You aren’t supposed to just grab one and throw it on without any idea of your specific sizing. That one is designed for a much larger human.
Here are some more pictures
https://preview.redd.it/zvqd7rhy4tbe1.jpeg?width=1265&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7c255b8821d2aa463172bcb6803da1366a17e80c
ISM intends the rider to sit way forward. Do you think you could scooch forward on the ISM or are you already sitting at the front edge? I have ISMs on all my bikes. You might need a setback seatpost to get a similar fit to your old saddle. I have an Ergotec Futura on my gravelbike because I needed 50mm setback to get the ISM fitted to where a conventional saddle would be on a zero-offset post.
ISMs were originally designed for triathlon and time trial positions where the pelvis rotates forward and the rider sits with their pubic rami instead of their ischial tuberosities. For most people these saddles will not be comfortable in a more upright road/gravel riding position. The rear of the saddle will be too narrow to provide stability and the front will be too wide unless the rider sits on the tip of the saddle as intended.
The ISM PN 3.x/4.x series may be closer to a typical saddle design, but I bet you‘d experience the same issues.
A saddle brand that promotes anterior pelvic rotation with a design somewhere in between would be Selle SMP. Maybe test ride one of those.
https://preview.redd.it/jika0r7v6tbe1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0bf850aa39685bfcb339f93ba4304b09deb991b4
Do you guys think if I move the saddle back more, past the “max” mark on the rails it’ll still be safe? I am 170lb. I assume the saddles and posts are designed to support much heavier people and the “max” mark is really just for the heaviest riders.
Why are you using a saddle designed for aggressive low positions like on a Triathlon bike, on a more upright gravel bike like the Checkpoint?
What are you trying to achieve?