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review

Prologo Zero II PAS CPC Nack saddle

7
£229.99

VERDICT:

7
10
A very firm saddle that works well for riding hard and fast
Weight: 
213g

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The Prologo Zero II PAS CPC Nack saddle definitely offers a firm ride. Massively unforgiving it isn't. That said, it's designed for short to medium length rides where you are likely to be riding hard and its flat shape will suit those of you who like to move around a lot.

  • Pros: Great shape for those who like to change position frequently; excellent quality
  • Cons: Not the lightest or cheapest

The Zero II is best suited to short races, criteriums and the like, where you are likely to be riding for an hour or two at a high pace. Slapping the power out means you'll be putting slightly more weight on the pedals rather than the seat, so the Prologo can get away with being very firm.

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There is a bit of padding going on and it'll take out a little road buzz, but very stiff Nack rails (a blend of carbon fibre, Kevlar and aluminium fibres, for strength while keeping the weight down) and a shell that isn't that fussed about bending mean you'll need a decent pad in your shorts if you are spending a lot of time sat aboard it.

Prologo Zero II PAS 134 CPC Nack - detail.jpg

I managed four hours on the Prologo for one ride on my race bike, and while I didn't feel battered it wasn't quite the cosseting experience of the other Prologo saddle I've been testing, the Scratch 2, a rather beautiful saddle.

Prologo Zero II PAS 134 CPC Nack - rear.jpg

I spent years as a time triallist, and even on the road bike I'm happiest just slamming out the power in the saddle. That means when I'm 'on it' I move around a fair bit: a forward position when hunkered down on the hoods or drops, before sliding backwards for the steepest of climbs so that I can just push the pedals round without standing up.

From the side, the Zero II has a completely flat profile with just a drop of the nose at the front. This means that no matter where you are sitting there are no curves to cajole you into slipping this way or that. Even if there were, you wouldn't be slipping anywhere anyway. Those little rubber 'volcanoes' are Prologo's CPC system, 3D-polymer tubes that apparently increase grip and shock absorption while also enhancing blood flow and cooling.

Prologo Zero II PAS 134 CPC Nack - nose.jpg

I'll give it the first two (after spending thousands of miles on a previous CPC saddle), but the others I'm not so sure about.

The Zero II is available in a few options. There are two widths, this 134mm offering or a wider 141mm, with both coming in at 275mm in length.

Depending on how much you want to pay, you can also get the Zero II in various finishes. You don't have to have the CPC tubes and you can go for a full saddle rather than the PAS cutout version we've got here.

Prologo Zero II PAS 134 CPC Nack - top.jpg

I don't really find that cutouts make a massive difference to comfort for me, but maybe I'm just lucky. What I do like about this saddle is that with its firm padding there is no way it can deform into the cutout when your bodyweight is applied.

You also have the choice of the Nack carbon/alloy/Kevlar rails or a cheaper and slightly heavier Tirox version which is a light steel alloy.

Prologo Zero II PAS 134 CPC Nack - underside.jpg

When it comes to money, the Prologo looks a little pricey at £229.99 for a 213g saddle. The Selle San Marco Mantra that previously adorned my race bike is a very similar design with a flat profile and minimal padding. That'll cost you just £179.99 and only weighs 164g.

Or for £199.99 you could go for the Astute Sky Lite 3.0 which weighs 193g.

Saying that, though, I like the added CPC elements of the Prologo. If you aren't so bothered about that, the Zero II Nack with a plain upper and no cutout is £164.99 and a claimed 188g, which puts it right in the ball park of the Mantra.

> Buyer's Guide: 14 of the best high-performance saddles

Overall, I like the shape and quality of the Zero II PAS CPC Nack saddle, and while it isn't going to be for everyone, for the type of riding it's designed for it's a pretty decent performer.

Verdict

A very firm saddle that works well for riding hard and fast

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Prologo Zero II PAS CPC Nack saddle

Size tested: 134mm width

Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Prologo says, "An ideal saddle for medium and short distance riding where a frequent change in position is necessary. The flat shape in conjunction with the rigid saddle shell give a very direct ride feeling.

"The flat shape is most suited for cyclists with good lumber flexibility and allows easy movement of seating position, making it ideal for experienced riders that like to change position to really put the power down.

"The PAS system is a channel in the base of the saddle. The hole or channel helps to maximises blood flow and supports the pelvic area while also preventing pressure peaks. This system is designed and developed to eliminate pressure and numbness to areas that need it most."

It does exactly what's claimed.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Size: 278x134mm

Rail: Nack Carbon 7x9.3mm

Cover: Microfibre + CPC

Padding: Light Foam

CPC: Connect Power Control: Prologo patented technology. The specially designed CPC surface features a mat of hollow cones of various heights and diameters, arranged for maximum benefits to the rider. These include optimum grip, shock absorption and air cooling. It also enhances blood flow through a massaging action, reducing numbness and tendon related discomfort.

The Zero saddle uses Prologo's ESD technology. Ergonomic Shape Design is where Prologo have identified a new ergonomic design for the centre of the saddle, which allows more space for your legs and an overall better cycling position. Further to this, the ESD reduces the friction of the quadriceps against the body of the saddle.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
7/10
Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
 
7/10

Prologo says it is designed for short to medium rides and for these the saddle is pretty comfortable.

Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

It delivers everything in the design brief.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Great shape if you like to move around a lot.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Firm ride can become a chore on long rides.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

The comfort levels won't suit everyone but for the racer or fast rider it works, the overall quality is very good, and the value is okay. There are cheaper and lighter options though.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 40  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed

As part of the tech team here at F-At Digital, senior product reviewer Stu spends the majority of his time writing in-depth reviews for road.cc, off-road.cc and ebiketips using the knowledge gained from testing over 1,500 pieces of kit (plus 100's of bikes) since starting out as a freelancer back in 2009. After first throwing his leg over a race bike back in 2000, Stu's ridden more than 170,000 miles on road, time-trial, track, and gravel bikes, and while he's put his racing days behind him, he still likes to smash the pedals rather than take things easy. With a background in design and engineering, he has an obsession with how things are developed and manufactured, has a borderline fetish for handbuilt metal frames and finds a rim braked road bike very aesthetically pleasing!

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