Prologo CPC Airing Nago Evo Nack Saddle

The Prologo CPC Airing Nago Evo Nack is a great saddle that brings together some innovative features alongside strong performance. I can't confirm or deny some of the claims made by the company, but it is one of the most comfortable saddles I've used in a long time.

As well as being comfortable, the unisex 2017 CPC Airing Nago Evo Nack is also one of the most original looking saddles I've used. This comes from the 3D polymer 'volcanoes' used across it. The idea behind the combination of CPC (Connect, Power Control) and Airing technology is to improve grip and keep your riding position consistent, as well as raise you slightly above the surface to improve airflow and cooling. (You can read more about it here.)

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The grippy volcanoes work really well, keeping you in place considerably better than other saddles, reducing lateral movement when pedalling and stopping you shifting towards the front or back of the saddle.

According to Prologo, the 'Airing’ part is meant to 'increase the “air flow effect” by 10%' compared with the non-Airing version (which Stu tested in 2013, read his review here), reducing heat and increasing comfort. As with all things scientific, neither myself nor anybody else at road.cc has either the scientific equipment or scientific brains to say whether or not this is true, but I can say it certainly wasn’t worse than any other saddle I’ve used, and perhaps a little better, although the actual percentage isn't something I could reliably verify. 

I'm still not too sure about the name, though... having volcanoes that close to my nether regions sounds suspect, although they don't damage your chamois/bum like sandpaper, eh Tony Martin? What it certainly does do is help you really drive power through the pedals, something I noticed instantly, as there is no energy used for the slight repositioning on every rotation.

The volcanic areas give the saddle its unique look, with five towards the nose and three on each side towards the rear, of slightly different texture to give varying levels of grip in different places. The rest of the saddle covering is a microfibre material that didn't stain, scratch or mark throughout the test period, despite multiple wall rests and hundreds of miles ridden in mixed conditions. Branding is relatively subtle too: a logo either side at the rear, one on the nose and one at the back, all of which match the saddle colouring.

Labelled a unisex saddle, it has a relatively versatile shape that will suit a wide range of riders, with a slight curve but still remaining relatively straight. It also has what Prologo calls ESD, or Ergo Shape Design – "ESD saddles feature a slender front area and a short rear area that quickly reaches maximum width". The idea of this is to make it easier to pedal without the back of your legs catching the saddle, and it certainly worked well for me – my legs never rubbed against it. As with all saddles, though, fit and shape are very individual and what works for me may not work for you, so best to try before you buy. (As Mat wrote in his piece in September, you can go to a dealer and use Prologo's MyOwn fit system to help you make the best choice.) There is also a slight indentation at the rear, helping to create airflow and reduce pressure on the perineum area.

The base of the saddle is made using carbon fibre injection, which provides strength but also a little flex for comfort while riding. It also helps to keep the weight down. Prologo has taken the time to make the bottom of the saddle look neat, with all borders where the material connects to the base covered to stop rough seams.

As its name suggests, the saddle uses 7x9mm oval Nack rails (nano carbon fibre integrated with Kevlar and alloy fibres). They are easy to clamp and, unlike other carbon rails I have used, have a decent texture that stops them slipping without needing to use carbon paste.

One of the claimed selling points of the CPC technology is that it 'enhances blood flow through massaging action, reducing numbness and tendon related discomfort. In turn this reduces fatigue.' I definitely felt more comfortable on this saddle than almost any I have used, though how much of that is down to it simply being a good fit for me or the effects of CPC is hard to determine without access to a lab.

Some of this comfort has to stem from the fact that you aren't sliding around, along with a decent amount of flex in the base and the liberal placement of padding. The Prologo replaced a Morgaw Trian on one of my bikes, a saddle designed almost solely to deaden bumps, and the Prologo's ride was a little firmer, though not hugely so. 

> Check out our guide to finding the best saddle for your bottom

As with everything bike-related, weight clearly plays its part and this saddle comes in at 213g on the road.cc Scales of Truth vs a claimed 206g from Prologo. This is certainly heavier than others with a similar price, such as the Fabric ALM (153g) and Fizik Antares R1 (claimed 155g). However, this isn't a saddle for the weight weenies, but very much one for medium to long distance riders, where weight is secondary to comfort and performance.

The Nago Evo Nack, as you may expect, doesn't come cheap. With an RRP of £249.99 it's towards the top of the scale, though it's widely available for £215 (and currently £180 at Slane Cycles); given how much I enjoyed using it, I'd say if you can afford it and you are in the market for a high-end, comfortable design, it's justifiable, certainly at the lower prices.

All in I really enjoyed using this saddle. I cannot verify or debunk every claim made, but what I can say is that it is excellent to sit on. The effect on transfer of power is instantly noticeable, it's supremely comfortable, and it looks great.

Verdict

A comfortable and innovative saddle, one of the best I've used