philbob57

Look at the art above. It's not double-nose. The ISMs are noseless. The 2 projections do not extend as far as any nose on a saddle with a nose. About half of the length on ISMs is there only to meet UCI requirements. You should view the ISMs as effectively very short saddles without noses. Check their website - it used to explain what they're doing.

For sure. I look a lot better after a ride on my Selle SMP than I did on other saddles. That's because I feel a lot better. I tried several saddles before the Selle SMP - Avocet Touring, Fizik Aliante, Serfas Rx, Brooks B17 Imperial, ISM (I forgot which model) and my weight bearing parts always got numb after 7 (Avocet) -15 (Brooks) miles. No numbness with the Selle SMP which is effectively a stubby saddle, because one's bits do not actually rest on the saddle. My bet is that the stubby saddle proliferation is a godsend for folks who get numb on normal saddles.

PeteHski

So if you don’t ever sit on the very front part of the long saddle then would it not be logical to chop it off and go with the shorter version?

For those riders who like to move around a lot on the saddle then a longer flatter saddle makes more sense. I tend to prefer a shorter, slightly wider saddle. I can still get forward on it but I don’t ride like that very often and prefer a more defined primary position. I also prefer a slight kick up at the back, which I find useful when climbing seated.

Sy Reene

Well yeah.. if you don't ever sit on the very front, then chop it off. But I wasn't understanding how this in itself makes the shorter saddles any more or less comfortable than standard saddles. All brands now seems to offer these, and from what I gather, they seem pretty popular now -- I was just curious why. Many of these stubby saddles seemed to start appearing only about 3-4 years ago if memory serves.

I guess the longer saddle is good for 'just in case' instances that there is a rare instance where riding that far up makes sense.

If the short saddle thing came about to solve for UCI restrictions, I think it's safe to say that most of us here aren't worried about that too much.

chaadster

It’s not saying the opposite, but rather referrimg to a different type of climbing which they did not specify, but which would be long, shallow climbs. On steep climbs, you scooch forward to keep your weight on top of the pedals, pull on the bars, and to keep the front wheel on the road.

Seattle Forrest

I don't know, but I find myself instinctively moving forward on my saddle when the road kicks up, and it seems to help.

PeteHski

I see what you mean. What I’ve noticed is that the latest crop of shorter saddles also tend to be a bit wider than average (and often available in even wider widths), which just happens to suit me. I also like the cutouts, which again nearly all the latest short nosed saddles seem to have. I know longer saddles often have a cutout theses days too, but many still don’t. The Fizik Tempo Argo I mentioned is the most comfortable saddle I’ve ever had. But I agree it’s comfort is not really due to the shorter length. It’s not actually all that short compared to some others. Maybe an inch shorter than my Aliante. I just get on with the shape and the padding is spot on for me. Not too hard or overly soft. It’s a saddle I can ride for 6+ hours without any discomfort. I can’t say the same for others I’ve owned.

terrymorse 

Although a questionable place to rest your bottom, the saddle nose has other uses.

Maintaining control of your machine is the main one.

PeteHski

I agree but you would have to go to the extreme to make any real difference. I haven’t fallen off the bike since losing an inch of saddle nose. Control feels the same.

terrymorse 

I don’t think I do that on steep grades.

I press back into the saddle, lower my shoulders, and rock my shoulders on each downstroke.

If I feel myself slipping off the back of the saddle, I’ll also pull forward on the bars on each downstroke.

The steeper the grade, the more my torso moves.

surak

Shorter nose saddle is less likely to catch when riding out of the saddle or getting back on the saddle after having gotten off at a stop. For people who still supertuck, also makes it easier to move back the posterior all the way to the seatpost.

Dean V

You must have some seriously steep roads around your area if keeping the front wheel on the ground is an issue.

chaadster

It’s a helpful technique on steep climbs no matter where I find them.

Bulette

On pavement, wheelies seem to become much easier around 12-14%. At grades of 15% and above, fore-aft movement is critical -- too far forward, the rear wheel can lose traction. These considerations intensify in wet or loose conditions.

I've never ridden an ISM, or any other split/cropped saddle, but then I appreciate having defined forward and rearward positions on the saddle as it is.

PeteHski

Coming from a mountain bike background I instinctively sit forward on really steep climbs, but on shallower road climbs I think I tend to sit back more. But I don't actually think about it while riding. Our brains are pretty good at working out what works best for us and that isn't the same for everybody. You only have to look at the pro peloton climbing to see multiple different styles in use.

SoSmellyAir

Hey I just ordered this too to see what all the hype is about! But I wonder if it has enough rail length for my 15 mm offset Cannondale seat post. My Ergon SR3 Pro is mounted pretty far forward.

OldTryGuy

I biked a "pre-Birthday Ride" a few weeks ago on my Day 6. Not as bad as many would think. Ride was 71 miles.

shelbyfv

There was an interesting discussion recently explaining the difference between grade percent and degree. Some posters in this thread might want to search for it.

PeteHski

You may have a problem here. The rails put this seat quite a bit further back relative to most and are not very long. Others have mentioned this issue in reviews.

colnago62

This is why some bicycle racers started using stubby nosed saddles. For the rest of us it is a non issue.

https://bikemusings.wordpress.com/20...-setback-rule/

SoSmellyAir

Yes, I am beginning to realize the same, just by holding it above the current saddle on the bike without even installing it.

A Cannondale SAVE seat post in 25.4 mm diameter with 0 mm offset theoretically exists, but I have never seen it in stock anywhere.

rsbob 

I have both the Selle Boost SP-01 and the ISM 1.0. Very different feel to each. The Selle has a more traditional feel and don’t find discomfort with less support due to the cut-out putting more pressure on the sit bones. I find it comfortable for 50-60 miles. The Selle weighs next to nothing, which I found amazing. The ISM spreads your thighs a bit farther apart which initially felt weird but got used to it in a couple of weeks. The ISM, despite its looks, is supremely comfortable for me no matter the distance. For sustained climbing, as also a mtn biker, I move to the nose where the ISM really excels for comfort. The ISM is more of a time trial style seat. The ISM, like another poster said, needs to be set a few mm lower and a bit more forward. Both are worthy saddles.

rivers

it's a cracking saddle. I have the tempo argo on my TT bike and the vento argo on my road bike. Might swap them around after my longer TT races this year and see how I get on.