The Adamo Breakaway is one of the most radical takes on erection-conscious bike seats.
If you’re cycling more than three hours a week, this nose-free seat is a worthy investment.
by Tyghe Trimble
The next time you hop on a bike, give some thought to your pudendal canal. This small structure behind your pelvic bone houses the arteries, veins, and nerves essential to an erection. Your bike seat — if it’s a classic performance saddle — crushes this canal, which decreases blood flow in the region to as low as eight percent. If you’re cycling more than three hours a week, studies show this can directly lead to erectile dysfunction.
There are a number of bike seats designed to keep your blood flowing — look for our review of Specialized’s Romin Evo Pro in the December 2011/January 2012 issue of Men’s Journal — but Ideal Saddle Modification (ISM) developed one of the most radical takes on erection-conscious bike seats for serious riders. Their Adamo Breakaway is 10.6-inches long, 5.3-inches wide, and is “shaped like a toilet seat,” says Steve Toll, CEO of ISM. It’s a bit softer than most performance seats, but there’s no bounce or pinching, since this seat is entirely nose-free. During test rides, ISM observed that riders maintained blood flow above 95 percent.
LOVE IT: For such a radical design, the Breakaway rides like any other performance seat, but with more cushion and noticeably less pressure on the body.
LEAVE IT: During a 40-mile test ride, there was a bit of rubbing on the thighs and less control during downhills, since the Breakaway has no nose (which typically helps control the bike). “It takes some getting used to,” Toll admits. And to avoid any discomfort, “fit is everything,” he says. So make sure you’re measured for your bike by professionals: Buy the frame to fit, level the handle bars with the seat, angle the seat so you won’t slide, and align it with your pedals.
[$200; ismseat.com]
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November 18th, 2011 at 8:36 pm
My Adamo stayed on my bike for 2 weeks. I followed the video clip exactly per set-up. While my unit was definitely more comfortable, the nose is wider than on the Specialized Toupe that I ride. As a result, the nose pushed my knees out wider than normal, which caused lateral knee pain. Part of me wanted to like the saddle, but at 5’7″ with narrow hips, I could not get used to the Adamo.
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December 2nd, 2011 at 7:45 pm
Three wooden buttons etched with the signature UGG
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December 2nd, 2011 at 8:05 pm
These ‘clock-watches’ were fastened to clothing or worn on a chain around the neck.
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December 2nd, 2011 at 8:22 pm
Gather all of your items into the center of the scarf and tie the two opposing ends together.
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