An unsuitable saddle can derail your race, so it’s crucial to pick the right seat to suit you. Here are seven of the best…
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BUYER’S GUIDE
It’s no exaggeration to say that discomfort at the rear could completely ruin your race, especially if that race includes a 180km bike leg. While there are other things that can cause a pain in the backside – such as poor bike fitting or unsuitable padding in your tri apparel – it’s imperative that your saddle is right for you to avoid chafing and saddle sores. Tri-specific saddles are designed to work best when you’re thrust forward on the aerobars so, compared to road saddles, many appear shorter and flatter at the nose where you’ll be spending a lot of your time. That won’t work for all of us, so we’d at least recommend visiting a specialist bike shop to sort some basic measurements before picking your saddle and trying a few out – if possible, of course. Between these seven saddles, hopefully you can find your perfect perch…
ISM PN1.0 £230
The PN1.0 is an all-rounder in ISM’s range, touted as suitable for tri or road, and designed for those who struggle with pressure in soft tissue areas. The unconventional noseless design provides a wider platform than most tri saddles, offering greater thigh and hamstring clearance. Still, the PN1.0 is in ISM’s ‘performance narrow’ range, so narrower than some other tri-specific ISM saddles. The 25-series padding provides middling support (the PN1.1 with 40-series has more padding) and is perfectly comfortable. That said, it’s more suitable for tri than road, and is too narrow at the rear when sat back for extended periods. The noseless front’s ideal, though, providing a lovely pressure-relieving platform. While the 306g weight may put off podium chasers, if you’re a fidgety rider who suffers with numbness and pressure, ISM saddles are well worth a look, and the PN1.0 could work for you. upgradebikes.co.uk
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VERDICT A weighty yet unique pressure-relieving tri saddle for tri and road
SELLE ITALIA WATT 3D KIT CARBONIO SUPERFLO £364.99
Selle Italia’s Watt Kit Carbonio has enjoyed the 3D treatment, with the lattice-like structure acting as double-layered, lightweight padding. Weighing 222g, it’s a little heavier than the standard version, but we’re promised better comfort and improved anti-slip to hold you in position. Described as ‘the pinnacle of triathlon saddles’ and with a price tag to reflect that, we expected a lot – a
