I can't speak for the ISM PR 2.0, but I have the ISM PS 1.0 on both my Tri and road bikes. Best damn saddle I've found. Good enough I don't even want to try anything else.

---

--------------------------
The secret of a long life is you try not to shorten it.
-Nobody

What about the ISM PN 1.0 (the old attack) and the Cobb JOF 55? I feel like those are some of the most popular saddles out there.

I used to ride an ISM attack but switches to the 55 a little over a year ago.

---

blog

The whole PR series is good. I currently have the 1.0 on my tri bike, and I'm like the Princess and the Pea when it comes to saddles. The PR 3.0 also does well. The PR series comes in at a nice price point, as an added bonus.

---

Travis Rassat
Vector Cycle Works
Noblesville, IN
BikeFit Instructor | FMS | F.I.S.T. | IBFI
Toughman Triathlon Series Ambassador

I don't have anything to add re. the saddles you mentioned (I'm an Adamo Podium gal, personally), but wanted to give you a thumbs up for best opening line to a post.

The PN series is pretty hit or miss. The 1.0 tends to get tossed out in favor of the PN 1.1. The shapes are identical, but the padding is different. The PN 2.1 has been mostly a flop for me, with reactions generally in the "oh God, no!" range, but I recently had a guy fall in love with it, so there is hope.

The Fifty-Five seems to be a bit too firm for most. You really have to get the angle right on that one (I start with the front half level, and usually take it down a degree). If it is in the top 3 for a particular rider, it will often get beat by the PR 2.0.

Typically, I do a process of elimination - test everything quickly, with a couple of quick tweaks, pick the top 3-5 and then spend a bit more time on each of those to come up with a winner. So, there are a lot of good options like the Fifty-Five and the PN series that will end up in that top 3-5, but not be the final winner.

---

Travis Rassat
Vector Cycle Works
Noblesville, IN
BikeFit Instructor | FMS | F.I.S.T. | IBFI
Toughman Triathlon Series Ambassador

I've been riding one of these on my TT bike for a while now. Only thing I don't like is the very smooth leather cover. I feel like I'm sliding around a lot on it, and my attempts to put some form of grip strip on it have failed, they peel right off, nothing seems to stick to it. Tried some of that Sekur-grip stuff and no luck there either.


The Tritone was the first noseless saddle that worked for me (ISMs are all too wide for me), but with the Tritone I couldn't really ride it out on the road. Fast descents left me feeling like I was falling off the front of the saddle (whereas with the Cobb I can still ride it like a regular saddle on descents). Does the Mistica solve that? Is the nose any longer than the Tritone? I hope it's not wider.

I had chronic saddle issues when I started going long on the bike, ISM Race on both road and Tri bike now and you could not talk me into anything else

PSA- when you try one of these you need to give it a little time, they hit your body in a different spot so they are not perfect the first couple of rides until your skin gets conditioned in this new spot. Also be very careful with how you set them for level and it may take a few tweaks to get it just right. You will not do a one day demo with them and fall in love, but you will eventually.

lol! I have a lot of funny stories regarding the mispronunciation of my last name. Like the time I was working as a substitute teacher in a Kindergarten class. This little girl who looked like she had a gallon of espresso for breakfast runs up to me, give me a big flying tackle hug, and says "I love you Mr. Assgrab!" My first reaction was, "oh my, I hope nobody else heard that..."

---

Travis Rassat
Vector Cycle Works
Noblesville, IN
BikeFit Instructor | FMS | F.I.S.T. | IBFI
Toughman Triathlon Series Ambassador

I think you might like the Mistica. The top is very grippy. I'm trying to think of something to compare it to, but don't have good analogy. It's kind of a gummy rubber feel rather than a smooth leather feel (but the sides are smooth leather-like, so nice on the legs). The nose is the same width as the Tritone - 5.5 centimeters for the regular, 6.5 cm for the wide - but is shaped a bit differently if you look at the front edges. They're now radiused, and don't have the seam right on the corner like the Tritone. That was a deal-breaker a couple of times with the Tritone. There were just a lot of nice refinements with the Mistica. It's kind of an evolution of the Tritone, but it's a pretty big evolutionary step. It's also nice that the Mistica retails at $175 for the magnesium rail version, when the Tritone was $225.

---

Travis Rassat
Vector Cycle Works
Noblesville, IN
BikeFit Instructor | FMS | F.I.S.T. | IBFI
Toughman Triathlon Series Ambassador

You make a really good point here - this is something I've noticed, too. The Road and PS series tend to take a bit more time to like. The PR series seems to beat them out in comparisons because they provide a bit more instant gratification.

---

Travis Rassat
Vector Cycle Works
Noblesville, IN
BikeFit Instructor | FMS | F.I.S.T. | IBFI
Toughman Triathlon Series Ambassador

love the Fizik, both as a fitter and as a cyclist. It's my go-to saddle ATM, as it fits well with my fitting philosophy

---

Eric Reid AeroFit | Instagram Portfolio
Aerodynamic Retul Bike Fitting

“You are experiencing the criminal coverup of a foreign backed fascist hostile takeover of a mafia shakedown of an authoritarian religious slow motion coup. Persuade people to vote for Democracy.”

Since my last name has "ass" in it both forwards and backwards, I feel it is my destiny to be the saddle guy.
---

---

---

---

Take a short break from ST and read my blog:
http://tri-banter.blogspot.com/

lol! For the win!

---

Travis Rassat
Vector Cycle Works
Noblesville, IN
BikeFit Instructor | FMS | F.I.S.T. | IBFI
Toughman Triathlon Series Ambassador

I haven't been able to keep one around long enough to try it myself yet!

---

Travis Rassat
Vector Cycle Works
Noblesville, IN
BikeFit Instructor | FMS | F.I.S.T. | IBFI
Toughman Triathlon Series Ambassador

I'm a huge fan of the Shimano Aerofuel saddle. I've tried so many different noseless saddles and they all are just too wide for me. I keep going back to it.

It's the only saddle that doesn't give me saddle sores/pressure hot spots.

---

Merge Multisport Founder & Head Coach
USAT Level 2 - Short & Long Course
Ironman Certified
Brevard, NC

How about Dash saddles? I used an ISM for many years until the saddle literally started to come apart after the leather wore off. I decided at that point to try a Dash saddle (Stages). It took 3-4 months of subtle adjustments, but it is now so much more comfortable than the ISM ever was. I know the price is steep for the more custom saddles, but the 'stock' ones compare pretty well price-wise to ISM and other saddles.

---

Blog: http://262toboylstonstreet.blogspot.com/
https://twitter.com/NateThomasTri
Coaching: https://bybtricoaching.com/ - accepting athletes for 2023

I'm in the midst of evaluating a Dash for a review article on Slowtwitch. Without question, I would put Dash on the list of "noseless" saddles that everyone should try. I've never found one that I like before, but the consistent width along the entire length of the Dash has been amazing *FOR ME.* It's the first noseless saddle where I don't feel like I'm sitting "in space."

---

"Non est ad astra mollis e terris via." - Seneca | rappstar.com | FB - Rappstar Racing | IG - @jordanrapp

I do wish I had some more experience with Dash - I should probably reach out to them. Obviously, my recommendations here are based on what I carry and what seems to "win" the comparisons that happen in the studio. It would be nice to offer Specialized, as their Power saddles seem to be a hit, from what I've heard.

I'm looking forward to your review article!

---

Travis Rassat
Vector Cycle Works
Noblesville, IN
BikeFit Instructor | FMS | F.I.S.T. | IBFI
Toughman Triathlon Series Ambassador

Which one are you reviewing. I've been looking at them for a while but the price is off putting given that I'm not normally a noseless saddle person.

---

---

Heath Dotson
HD Coaching:Website |Twitter: 140 Characters or Less|Facebook:Follow us on Facebook

X2. And if it can sit a tall, skinny guy and a short, curvy woman, then that says something...

---

DFL > DNF > DNS

I use the Cobb max and love it. What is the main difference from that and the randee? I also see lots of people using the MAX seems pretty popular in my area.

This. Tried a lot of saddles in my day and Dash is the only one that fits the bill (errr... ass?).

Just curious, what Tri type saddle do find most popular on road bikes?

I'm using a Power and love it.

Very interesting, I've rode several miles on 2 of the 3. The ISM PR2 was a great saddle for me until I started going beyond 75/80miles. As soon as I tried a Coob Randee I knew I had found my saddle. 100+ Has been perfect on the Randee.
I have recently picked up a Dash Stock Strike and have found it to be a nice change with it being less padded and narrower than the Randee. Long ride - the jury is still out.

ditto

So my issue with the PN/Attack was that it was too wide. The nose of the jof 55 is narrower and I felt a lot more stable (hips not rocking) on it. I couldn't imagine going to the PR series as that seems way too wide for me. I guess I'm just surprised you found people going from a 55 to a PR series. Am I missing something?

---

blog

There are more differences than similarities, and the main similarity (that I'm taking from it) is in the nose width. The max has a pretty stout nose for a traditional saddle. The Randee is kind of a weird hybrid of traditional and noseless, with a nose much narrower than noseless saddles, but more substantial than most tradtional saddles. I see that working for the "get up on the rivet and crank away" crowd, so that's what I perceive as the place where these two intersect and where the Randee kind of steals from the Max's base.

The differences are more considerable - the width of the back half of the saddle (Randee is quite a bit wider, although I need to measure), the padding (Max is much more padded), and the contour of the top are all big differences.

---

Travis Rassat
Vector Cycle Works
Noblesville, IN
BikeFit Instructor | FMS | F.I.S.T. | IBFI
Toughman Triathlon Series Ambassador

In my shop, the Randee is number one noseless for the roadie option. But, it's kind of hard to call the Randee a noseless. It's kind of a hybrid. In white, it looks like a toilet seat. Another of my favorite "hybrids" is the WTB Speed Comp. It's a $40, relatively short saddle. It has a good texture and padding where you can nose it down a bit and it will work pretty well. I don't know if it's one of my top 5 options for triathletes, but it can sometimes introduce an interesting twist to the saddle testing plot line.

The roadies seem to gravitate towards the traditional shapes. I think there is a certain element of "that's what you're supposed to ride" there and maybe I subconsciously reinforce that, but the position certainly influences it. With that said, I recently had an ISM Adamo Road work for one guy (top closer to level than the typical "rails level" approach used as a starting point). A traditional saddle that has been a pleasant surprise is the WTB Volt Comp. It comes in 3 widths and retails for $40.

---

Travis Rassat
Vector Cycle Works
Noblesville, IN
BikeFit Instructor | FMS | F.I.S.T. | IBFI
Toughman Triathlon Series Ambassador

I don't think you're missing anything - it's just a matter of saddles being very individual. If anything, the "wideness" is a perception of not only the measured with at the very end (and most of these are in that 55-58mm range, if I remember correctly), but also the way the saddle transitions back from the nose to the widest part. The PN series, while the N stands for "narrow", are kind of a "straight back" shape, in which they are a bit more angular than the more curved in PRs. So, they get wider immediately as you go from front to back, while the PR series stays the same width for a couple of centimeters before starting to widen out. The PR series are also around 3cm shorter, which influences where you may gravitate to on the seating surface.

One thing that I've found that will have a big influence on the probability of acceptance of a PN series is to bring the nose down a degree or so after the first try. That will often elicit a more positive impression, but not necessarily enough for it to be the final selection.

---

Travis Rassat
Vector Cycle Works
Noblesville, IN
BikeFit Instructor | FMS | F.I.S.T. | IBFI
Toughman Triathlon Series Ambassador

Stage.9 in "narrow."

I'm skeptical of pricey saddles as well, but I will say the construction quality is impeccable. Even if I didn't actually think it was a good saddle for me, I'd still say it's probably the most beautifully made saddle I've ever seen. As it is, it happens to be both a great saddle and a work of art.

---

"Non est ad astra mollis e terris via." - Seneca | rappstar.com | FB - Rappstar Racing | IG - @jordanrapp

Interesting and thank you for tossing those three out there... I don't have a local bike shop currently.

Building a new bike here sometime soon and might look at the Mistica. Was riding a Shimano with a cutout that was okay but not great... tough one trying to find a saddle without local resources.

Thanks Travis for sharing those valuable pieces of advice.

One remark you made re. the Mistica surprised me. You ended your note with " Start with the rails level. ".

Do you mean that you should not level the saddle flat but downward so that the rails are leveled ? Why that ?

Many thanks for your explanations which might help me with the disconfort I have currenlty using my mistica.

Alex from France

I'm not Travis but feel I am pretty well versed on the Fizik Mistica. It's definitely a saddle meant to be rails level / slightly nose down, and ridden off the front. Not on your sit bones but on your pubic bones, facilitating a forward pelvic rotation engaging glute muscles and helping your fit.

Your saddle is only *half* of the comfort and fit equation, your cockpit is the other half. A saddle with a slight downward tilt will conform to your body better and provide a slight vector of force on your body forward to your cockpit. Now, if your cockpit is flat you'll just slide off the front, but if you have slightly tilted pads and ski bend extensions your cockpit will provide a slight vector of force backward toward your saddle and lock you in.

This makes you "the wedge". You are the keystone at the top of an arch in architecture. You are locked into your fit, with your bike working for you instead of you working for your bike, and you are relaxed and focused on merely producing power with your legs.

To sum up, tilt your noseless saddle slightly downward. It's a key part of a good TT position.

---

Eric Reid AeroFit | Instagram Portfolio
Aerodynamic Retul Bike Fitting

“You are experiencing the criminal coverup of a foreign backed fascist hostile takeover of a mafia shakedown of an authoritarian religious slow motion coup. Persuade people to vote for Democracy.”

Hi Alex!

You are correct - by leveling the rails, the top of the saddle will be angled down at approximately 5.5 degrees. That might seem like quite a bit, but it will allow the pelvis to roll forward into the aero position. From there, you might find that dumps a bit too much weight on the shoulders and maybe the knees. You might find yourself fighting gravity a bit, where you need to scoot back on the saddle because you slide down/forward a bit.

You can then start to tilt the nose up a bit to stabilize the pelvis on the saddle and unload the shoulders. We're looking for that sweet spot where you don't have to engage the muscles of the core and torso to maintain your position, without putting undue stress on the spine. We want the upper body relaxed to maximize energy conservation so you can put the power into the pedals.

With all that said, what kind of discomfort are you feeling with the Mistica? Do you have the regular or wide?

---

Travis Rassat
Vector Cycle Works
Noblesville, IN
BikeFit Instructor | FMS | F.I.S.T. | IBFI
Toughman Triathlon Series Ambassador

It's scary how much I agree with your fit philosophy.

---

My YouTubes

thanks

---

Eric Reid AeroFit | Instagram Portfolio
Aerodynamic Retul Bike Fitting

“You are experiencing the criminal coverup of a foreign backed fascist hostile takeover of a mafia shakedown of an authoritarian religious slow motion coup. Persuade people to vote for Democracy.”

Thanks to both of you.

My disconfort is essentially pain points around the pubis bone. At some point, I start moving on the saddle to release the pain and it obviously get worse...

I essentially ride the Regular size but also have the Large version. According to the website of Fizik, I fall between the Regular and Large - I weight 75kg. Do you have any specific reco in this respect ? I might try the Large one with the nose tilted down with the rails flat.

When setting up my tri bike, I followed the reco of the British cycling association : https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/...Triathlon-Bike-Fit-0

Thanks; this is the explanation of extension grip i was seeking in the other thread!

Been having trouble with my mystica until i read this from you (and ericmpro). I have the large and think I need the regular, but interestingly enough angling it down has solved my issues with sliding off the front of the saddle.

I gor a regular mistica about to sell. Rode it 5x on the trainer. Pm if interested

I am an Ism fan myself. Just curious on your thoughts and experience on the general lifespan of these saddles?

Does this hold true for all noseless saddles? I'm currently on an SMP dynamic on all my bikes and I've been having a hard time finding and fitting a noseless saddle because either they are too wide or the narrower models have too narrow of a channel.

Just found this on Fizik FAQ - might interest some of you:

« How can I measure the anatomic center of my saddle?
The anatomic center of our saddles is identified in as the point where the saddle is 75mm wide, regardless of which part of the saddle you start measuring it.»

How is a "good" saddle match defined? I get small saddle sores on the trainer with my PN3.1 while using BodyGlide/DZNuts and have to move around occasionally, but probably spend less than 5 minutes out of a 3 hour ride sitting up. Some discomfort and sores are there, but not enough to require stopping. In an IM I can stay in aero the whole time aside from when I grab bottles in aid stations.

I can't decide whether the sores are enough reason to try the Mistica. Is "good fit" defined as almost no discomfort and zero saddle sores? Or is what I have as good as it gets?

Can someone tell me the width of the Mistica nose?

65mm on the large and 55mm on the regular

---

Eric Reid AeroFit | Instagram Portfolio
Aerodynamic Retul Bike Fitting

“You are experiencing the criminal coverup of a foreign backed fascist hostile takeover of a mafia shakedown of an authoritarian religious slow motion coup. Persuade people to vote for Democracy.”

Any feedback on the Specialized new Power Mimic? I am fascinated after their scientific redesign.

https://www.bicycling.com/...gumI5ALy011wOvPwqNdU

Hi!

Sorry for my slow reply. Regarding lifespan, it does depend on the saddle and the rider (how's that for the most vague answer possible? lol!). I don't want to make it sound like I am bashing any particular model, but I have seen a couple of products that don't hold up quite as well as others. I've also seen some companies have some bad product runs but they supported the rider and provided a replacement.

Heavier riders, by nature, will tend to make a saddle "break down" a bit more quickly than someone who is lighter. The choice of materials in the saddle will also matter - not only the padding, but even the underlying structural pieces, and things like rail length - a short rail doesn't have as much adjustment, but it does put the support points closer together. I've seen some very inexpensive saddles that are basically just plastic that don't last long at all, and others (WTB Comp series comes to mind) that, while inexpensive, seem to hold up pretty well. On the other end of the spectrum, I've seen some relatively expensive saddles that broke down pretty quickly.

One rider I had worked with a few times a couple of years ago was on a $40 Forte (the Performance Bike house brand). He was also about 280 pounds. He rode almost daily, with a century just about every weekend. I think he got about 4 months out of it before it was noticeably bent/bowed down in the middle. But, it was comfortable for him, as it had taken to his shape. He came back with a new saddle - the exact same brand and model - and it didn't feel right when we installed it because it was new. Kind of like Brooks saddles - they are about impossible to just offer as a demo because they almost immediately start to become one with you. So, there are plusses and minuses.

There are even plusses and minuses within the plusses and minuses - for example, if you have a saddle that has worn to you, I can look at it and tell you which leg is longer. White saddles with graphics on the side of the nose are especially nice for this purpose.

Specifically speaking about the Mistica - I feel like it is a very stout saddle. I've seen a few that have had maybe 3000-5000 miles on them and they are holding up well. I will say that Fizik's products do feel like they are well made - they aren't cheap, but when you hold one in your hand, they feel like they are high quality. I don't know if that's a very good metric - it's not like you're buying a saddle to hold in your hand all day - you're looking for an answer about if that saddle is going to feel good day in and day out, under your pelvis, for years to come.

I don't know if I answered your question very well or not, but I hope that's some food for thought!

---

Travis Rassat
Vector Cycle Works
Noblesville, IN
BikeFit Instructor | FMS | F.I.S.T. | IBFI
Toughman Triathlon Series Ambassador

I would say it holds true for triathletes on a shorter type of noseless saddle. So, a triathlete on an ISM PR 2.0, PR 1.0, PS 1.1, Cobb Fifty Five, Fizik Mistica, Selle Italia Iron Flow, etc., where the saddle overall length is less than 240mm and you are positioned in front of the saddle rather than on it, rails level, a little low, and a couple of inches back is going to at least be a good starting point. A roadie who is a bit more upright (relative to a tri position), but like the longer ISMs like the PL 1.0, PN 1.5, Cobb Randee (which I consider kind of a hybrid between a traditional saddle and a noseless) because of the cutout aspect rather than the noseless aspect, is going to be a different starting point. They will start out closer to level, maybe more on top, but still down a little lower relative to a traditional saddle.

Your SMP Dynamic is certainly a different, well, uh, dynamic. Aside from looking like something designed by Salvador Dali, the SMPs are very interesting from a fitting perspective (SQlab saddles are, too - they just cradle the pelvis differently, and can be very hit or miss, but are certainly worth trying). Do you have any specific issues with the Dynamic, or are you just trying some different things to see if there is something better?

---

Travis Rassat
Vector Cycle Works
Noblesville, IN
BikeFit Instructor | FMS | F.I.S.T. | IBFI
Toughman Triathlon Series Ambassador

I have been contemplating switching my measuring technique to use a standard width like 70 or 75mm like that for a while, but have just not had the time to figure out how to adapt my processes and measurements accordingly. To me it makes a lot of sense - what drives your saddle position is not your saddle - it's a reaction to what feels good to your body. Your feet, pelvis, and hands/elbows have a happy place in space, and we put the appropriate contact points of the bike underneath those anatomical places in a way so they support that happy place in space.

In that happy place, the pelvis doesn't move relative to the feet and hands, you might have to position different saddles differently to maintain that anatomical relationship while finding the one that provides the best support (best being a combination of factors like comfort, stability, lack of restriction of movement, etc.). Since the one real constant for the specific rider here is the pelvic width, using a width measurement like that makes sense in my mind. You'll likely more naturally line up with a certain width on each saddle you try than the center of the saddle fore-aft, which may vary greatly as far as the width goes.

I measure pelvic width as part of my body measurements using the SQlab bench (aka "assometer"). It's only one parameter of many that will help suggest what saddle is comfortable for someone. The average pelvic width is 11.8cm for males and 12.8cm for females. I've measured adults from 9cm to 16.5cm wide. The person with that 16.5cm pelvis is the tricky one - they need the width or they are on nothing but soft tissue, making for an unstable, problematic seating arrangement. If we use the 75mm measuring standard, at least we know that they will likely sit further back relative to where the 75mm wide point is on the saddle, depending on how wide the saddle gets. This is also where finding that anatomical center is more useful than just going off of the width - I've had people with narrow pelvises prefer the wide version of a saddle while others with wide pelvises prefer the narrower version. Pelvic width, by itself, doesn't account for other anatomical bits like diameter of the thigh, or even the distance between the lesser trochanters, as a function of hip width.

---

Travis Rassat
Vector Cycle Works
Noblesville, IN
BikeFit Instructor | FMS | F.I.S.T. | IBFI
Toughman Triathlon Series Ambassador

Was it Ferdinand Porsche or Enzo Ferrari who said the perfect race car is the one that wins the race and blows up right after crossing the finish line? I think I have that quote all screwed up, but basically the "good" saddle match is the one that will support you comfortably for whatever distance you ride. From your text above that I bolded, it sounds like you're doing OK!

On the flip side, you also have some soft tissue issues going on (saddle sores). You can take the "suck it up and tough it out" approach along with a bit of lube to overcome the saddle. But, in mind, saddle sores are something beyond just the saddle - the saddle surfaces might be mating up with your body surfaces OK from a static pressure perspective, but the movement could be excessive, and therefore more dynamic. The saddle could be a bit high, causing more pelvic rock, which causes more friction in specific spots. Or it could be a core stability issue - not necessarily that you are not stable - just not quite stable enough. There could be a host of other things, too.

Do the saddle sores happen primarily on one side?

---

Travis Rassat
Vector Cycle Works
Noblesville, IN
BikeFit Instructor | FMS | F.I.S.T. | IBFI
Toughman Triathlon Series Ambassador

Specialized generally does do pretty well with their saddle designs. Unfortunately, because I am an independent fitter and not a Spesh dealer, I can't get their stuff in the shop to allow more people to try them. So, my experience with Specialized saddles has been when people come in with one on their bike. The couple of local Specialized dealers around here have their own fitters, so I see a smaller percentage of new Specialized bikes. I have yet to see a Mimic in person.

---

Travis Rassat
Vector Cycle Works
Noblesville, IN
BikeFit Instructor | FMS | F.I.S.T. | IBFI
Toughman Triathlon Series Ambassador

Thanks that is good insight as I didn't think of stability as a potential culprit. I do make sure to use lube every ride and I don't always get the sore. When I do, it shows up just off-center to one side, the same side every time.

" I've seen a few that have had maybe 3000-5000 miles on them and they are holding up well."
-----------------------

Travis,

First thank you for your insight and expertise in this thread. BUT, 3 - 5000 miles??!! I've got saddles with 30,000 - 50,000 miles and they are holding up well (and so is my back(under)side).

---

David
* Ironman for Life! (Blog) * IM Everyday Hero Video * Daggett Shuler Law *
Disclaimer: I have personal and professional relationships with many athletes, vendors, and organizations in the triathlon world.

Hi Travis --

I'm looking for some advice, as I don't have a fitter with a wide range of TT demo saddles and I'd like to avoid buying a dozen and trying them out at home and returning them all.

I ride the Specialized Power saddle (155mm wide version) on my road bikes, and I couldn't be happier. I just love that saddle. On my TT bike, I have a standard size Mistica now, and just don't really get along with it. I feel like my grundle is getting ground in the channel. Any thoughts on what might work best? ISM PS, PN, 55? Help.

Sorry for my ridiculously slow reply - I totally missed this.

You make a very good point - 3-5,000 miles isn't necessarily a lot. But, it's the perspective I can offer based on follow-ups and long(erish) term interactions with riders. Doing what I do, I havSo, hopefully while not an ideal measure of true expectations of longevity, as much as it is me trying to be transparent about my input. I don't want to be the person saying things like, "50% of my sales of product X have been defective" when I sold 2 of product X. I hope that makes sense!

---

Travis Rassat
Vector Cycle Works
Noblesville, IN
BikeFit Instructor | FMS | F.I.S.T. | IBFI
Toughman Triathlon Series Ambassador

First off, I really appreciate your use of the word "grundle." :) That ranks pretty high in body part euphemisms!

Regarding your interaction of grundle and the Mistica, what kinds of adjustments have you tried? What were the results?

---

Travis Rassat
Vector Cycle Works
Noblesville, IN
BikeFit Instructor | FMS | F.I.S.T. | IBFI
Toughman Triathlon Series Ambassador

Travis,

I just picked up a PR2.0. I rode it for a while in 2016 and remember liking it so I got another to replace the older ISM Road I've been using. I was a bit shocked when I started riding the new 2.0 as it feels very hard, much harder than I remember. I feel like I remember it being quite squishy and comfy, but not so much anymore. Have you seen this?

Also, do you have any experience with the Pro Aerofuel? I have one and have tried it a bit but haven't found the right position.

Thanks Travis. Nothing beats throwing "grundle" into a PG rated game of "Bowl of Nouns."

The only adjustments I've really made were tilt, which if I add more negative tilt (I have 2 deg now) I slide off the front especially when putting down big power though it seems to help with the grundle grinding. Nose up positive tilt is miserable. I haven't tried to move it fore/aft as I presume my fitter put it where it wanted it to get my knee and ankles in the right place.

I tried an ISM saddle once (I forget which model) which came on the Speedmax CF I demoed, and I remember it feeling a bit to wide at the nose and was causing theigh rub, but it didn't torture my taint terribly like the Mistica.