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review

Prologo Nago Evo CPC saddle

8
£139.99

VERDICT:

8
10
CPC covering enhances grip and stability and non-fussy shape should suit a lot of riders.
Weight: 
160g

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I've always found that Prologo saddles are a bit hard and take an age to break in but this Nago Evo with the new CPC (Connect Performance Control) covering is a bit of a revelation.

What's CPC? It's a super-grippy elastic polymer that was designed for military use before finding its way into the likes of Formula 1 amongst other things. Prologo have the exclusive rights to use it in cycling equipment.

The CPC material is a mat of dense bunches of short, suction cup-like gel polymer tubes. When weight is applied they compress, expanding at the base to create a kind of cushion effect. The open tops of the tubes close up creating an almost suction like grip to stop you sliding about on the saddle.

Other than the CPC the rest of the Nago Evo's construction is exactly the same as the standard version, with a carbon fibre-injected plastic base and a microfiber upper which also has a rubbery texture. The rails are TiroX, a stainless steel that Prologo claims is lighter than the previous Ti 1.4 rails yet with greater resistance and vibration resistance.

Prologo classify their saddles as round, semi-round or flat depending on shape when looking from the rear. The Nago is considered semi-round, for medium to long distance rides.

The Nago CPC is 280mm long and 134mm at the widest point, and this this TiroX railed version weighs an impressively low 160g. Getting the position spot-on shouldn't be an issue either, with 65mm of rail between the maximum marks.

The overall build quality is superb as well, with the material cover pulled taut and held neatly by the bumpers and base. You'd be amazed how roughly made some big money saddles can be, and the Nago CPC is a big money saddle. At £139.99 it's £30 more expensive than the standard Nago.

We all know saddles are very personal but I found the Nago a very neutral shape and easy to get on with. I rode about 1000 miles on the Storck branded Nago on the Fenomalist a couple of months back and had no issues with it at all once it broke in, just that it takes a long time to get there. The CPC tubes on this one though take just that little bit of the harshness out as they compress meaning it's comfortable from day one.

In terms of grip I'm not really one to slide about on the saddle but the resistance is there and it certainly does help with some of the more shiny shorts materials. The CPC will also pay dividends if you use your road bike for time trialling or triathlon as it'll stop you sliding you up to the nose when in the tri bars.

After six weeks' use it still looks like new with the upper shrugging off scratches from being leant against walls and the like.

The CPC Nago comes in the stealth Hard Black like this test model, blue or white. It also accepts Prologo's U Clip at the rear giving you loads of customisation options for about eight quid.

Overall the CPC technology makes the already decent standard Nago into a much better saddle with regards to comfort, and if you do tend to slide about on the saddle the level of grip will be a huge boon to your riding. It's hardwearing and should stay looking like new for a long time. Prologo haven't gone for any channels or cut outs to remove pressure and you certainly don't feel as though you need it as it was perfectly comfortable on rides from one to four hours.

Verdict

The non-fussy shape of the Nago should suit a lot of riders and the addition of the CPC technology only increases its comfort and grip.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Prologo Nago Evo CPC Saddle

Size tested: 280x134 Black

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?

The Nago Evo is a middle to long distance saddle which now comes with CPC technology to add comfort and grip. The CPC technology does make the standard Nago more comfortable that's for sure.

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

The CPC technology is the biggy, small rubber volcanos compress to increase comfort and the vacuum they create produces grip for the rider.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

The finish is great, just as you'd expect for a £130+ saddle but it really is impressive with no residues of glue or rogue stitching on show

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

expensive but you're paying for the technology

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

Very well indeed. I get on with the standard Nago once its bedded in but the CPC is impressive from the start.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The comfort and grip.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Its pricey.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 35  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: Ribble Winter Trainer for commuting, Genesis Flyer  My best bike is: Sarto Rovigo

I've been riding for: 10-20 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,

 

Since writing his first bike review for road.cc back in early 2009 senior product reviewer Stu has tested more than a thousand pieces of kit, and hundreds of bikes.

With an HND in mechanical engineering and previous roles as a CNC programmer/machinist, draughtsman and development engineer (working in new product design) Stu understands what it takes to bring a product to market. A mix of that knowledge combined with his love of road and gravel cycling puts him in the ideal position to put the latest kit through its paces.

He first made the switch to road cycling in 1999, primarily for fitness, but it didn’t take long for his competitive side to take over which led to around ten years as a time triallist and some pretty decent results. These days though riding is more about escapism, keeping the weight off and just enjoying the fact that he gets to ride the latest technology as part of his day job.

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