Hi folks - seeking thoughts and experiences with ISM saddles - looking to purchase one mainly to see how well they relieve numbness and pressure vs a traditional cutout saddle. I was thinking of going with one of the racing models - either the ti rail or gel version, looking to keep weight down if possible. Actually don't ride particularly fast these days, but again, weight is a concern - trying to keep a ti bike as light as possible. But if there's another model (s) that improve on design or comfort, I'd be interested to hear experiences and details regarding variations between models. Thanks in advance for your thoughts

Can you demo them before buying? I tested a couple a few years ago and they just didn't work for me. The people I know who like them tend to ride with hips rotated forward and flat backs (so more like a TT position). You may find that the shape just doesn't fit your anatomy and riding style, so definitely try before you buy if at all possible.

I tried one and knew within five minutes that it would not work for me.

Was thinking I'd get one second hand so I wouldn't take much loss of I had to resell it.
No shops near me demo them.

I have a PN 1.1 on my tri-bike and it is still comfortable after 60 miles. At 112 my bottom is sort of sore but you forget about that eventually.

I recently switched from a WSB Touring saddle to ISM - I actually got two, one for my Jamis Renegade and the other for my Bike Friday. I maintain a non-racing posture (not fully upright, not down on the drops) and found them both comfortable. I think I got the PR 2.0 and PR 3.0 with padding levels 40 and 60. I moved my WTB Touring saddle to the tandem.

Sounds like there are a lot of variations.
Will have to do some more research on passing levels and such.

Have ISM Breakaways on all my bikes.
Switched to them some years back.
No more numb or a$$ on fire for me even when riding 250-300 miles non stop.
Set up is critical and a bit different than a traditional saddle. A tiny angle change and/or fore/aft position change makes a huge difference.
Also you sit in a different spot on them than a traditional saddle so be aware of that.
If you decide to try them ISM has a demo program.
Also, don't be afraid to run the rails a few degrees tilted down/forward from parallel to the ground. The more aero you get the more angle you will need.
Don't be afraid to adjust until it is super comfortable.
Set up and where you place yourself on the saddle is unique and that is what messes a lot of folks up.
Not saying it will work for everyone but one needs to understand this in order to give the design a chance.
They saved my cycling as I could no longer deal with traditional saddle issues.
Good luck.

everything [MENTION=343111]stevoo[/MENTION] said. I've been riding ISM saddles for about 3 years now. I can't ride a traditional saddle, 5 mins on a regular saddle and my bird goes numb and then there is pain as it comes back around. Not good. Without the ISM saddle I would not be riding.

With that being said, try before you commit. I have 2 saddles, one is on my fat bike and one on my road bike. They are different and they work on the types of bikes they are on and my position on the bike.

Another ISM user here. I got my first one in 2012, about 6 months after getting my new bike that had a Selle OEM saddle on it. I went and tried the ISM as soon as I left the shop and it was love at first sit. I'm using their PL 1.1 (formally the Prologue) saddle and have it on both my road bikes. Personally, I would not ride anything else. However, shortly after getting my first ISM, I raved about it to all my friends to the point where several of them went and purchased one. That's when I found out that they aren't for everyone. While some of them still ride on their ISM saddles, those with wide sit bones gave them up almost immediately. As mentioned in the prior posts, don't run out and get one without trying one first. And make sure that you watch their videos on the correct way to mount them and where you should be sitting on them. As for any pain in the perineal area, it's non existent.

ISM made it possible for me to ride much longer duration than I could with all the other saddles I tried. Our butts are all very different though, so you won't know until you try. ISM has a good demo program.

Good to know, thanks - I'm definitely going to check out the setup videos.

What pain are you trying to prevent?

I recommend calling them and asking your questions. They're very helpful. IIRC, ISM offers a 30 day trial. Or you can try Amazon - if you are a Prime customer, I know there's a vendor who offers a free return.

When you ride on an ISM, your really important bits are in from of the horms, and you rest your pubic rami on the horns. There's very little pressure on ischial tuberosities. Check out the doc on the ISM website.

Like any seat, if the ISM works for you, it just plain works. If it doesn't, it hurts.

Mostly numbness and prostate pressure. I'll experiment with positions - have checked out the setup videos, and call if I can't get comfortable. I get that your body needs some time to adapt.

Since you've checked out the videos you know that the ISM saddle should be mounted with the rails level and not the saddle. I found this to be somewhat of a task since it's hard to get a level, even a line level, to sit flat against the saddle rails once they are in the clamp. Here is the easiest way that I found to mount an ISM saddle and get the rails level the first time.

1) Find a counter top that is level and place your saddle on it. I use the level app in my cell phone to do this. Place the cell phone on it's back and not on it's edge.

2) Place the cell phone on the saddle with the corners of the phone lined up against the outer edges of the rear of the saddle and center it using the center of the saddle horns. Get the angle displayed on the phone's level app.

3) Find a level surface to put your bike on. Do not put the bike in a wheel stand since that will not make the bike level. I would have someone hold the bike while you mount the saddle. Mount the saddle on the bike and adjust the saddle so that the tilt is the same as it was when the saddle was on the counter top.

That will give you a starting point. If you have to tilt you saddle up or down, place you phone on the same spot as you mounted it and use the level app to tilt the saddle up/down a degree or more. If you don't get it right, return the saddle to the original angle and start over with your tweaking adjustments.

On my Prologue, now called the PL 1.1, I align the phone with the rear seams of the saddle and with the center of the horns. It doesn't appear that way in this photo because of the angle that I took the photo. The newly renamed saddles no longer have seams on the saddles so you will have to find something else to align the corners of the phone with. On the PL 1.1 there is a small square, etched in the saddle, that contains the saddles padding level. You can use that to align the top of the phone with the rear line of the square.