At the very top of Giant & Liv's road bike range sit their Advanced SL models. These bikes are the best of the best - lightweight, stiff and responsive, they're a permanent fixture in the top level of the sport. But the beauty of cycling is that you and I can get hold of these pro-level bikes for our own pleasure too!
A key feature of Giant & Liv's Advanced SL bikes are the ISP frame which offers excellent performance benefits for riders looking to gain a competitive edge with their bike selection. But what is an ISP frame and what does it mean for day to day use and an enthusiast rider? Here, we break down all the benefits and answer any of your concerns.
Order your ISP bike online and we will cover the cost of your seat post adjustment at your local Giant dealer (up to a max cost of £30)
Shop all ISP bikes > What is ISP?
ISP stands for 'Integrated Seat Post', which means that the post is part of the frame construction, rather than being adjustable via a seat post clamp like you'll find on the vast majority of road bikes available today. ISP bikes are easy to spot by the lack of bulk around the seat tube/post cluster where you'd usually find the clamp, and a smooth run of carbon fibre from the bottom bracket all the way up to the saddle.
What are the benefits of an Integrated Seat Post?
We can think of three main benefits of an ISP bike:
- Lighter
- Stiffer
- Better looking!
The lack of a seat clamp on an ISP bike means that there is no need to reinforce the frame in that area and less material is used, in turn reducing the weight of the frame. The integrated seat post saves up to 45 grams compared to a standard composite post, while improving aerodynamics and adding road-smoothing compliance.
Secondly, combining the seat post into a one piece frame construction reduces flex throughout the platform and increased stiffness, both contributing to better power transfer when pedaling to ensure none of those hard-earned watts are wasted. It's because of this increased stiffness and light weight that you'll see so many ISP frames under World Tour professionals like Greg Van Avermaet and the CCC team.
Lastly - and this is a very important point - ISP frames look brilliant. That single piece design makes them stand out in a bunch or at the caf�, and the lack of seat clamp and less bulky frame area just makes them look that little bit more 'pro'.
How do I get my saddle height right?
Setting the saddle height on an ISP bike is a little more in-depth than it might be on a standard bike, and you'll need to pay a visit to your local Giant authorised retailer. Fortunately, you can do this at any Rutland Cycling store, or our Giant stores at Rutland Water, Cambridge and Newport Pagnell.
To set the saddle height out of the box you'll need to use a fine tooth saw to cut the carbon post to the height needed, but once done you should be able to put the saw back in the tool box! This work obviously needs to be precise and any damage could void your lifetime warranty, so it's worth getting done by a professional.
What if I need to change my saddle height?
We're cyclists too, so we know just how much your position can change over time, or how you might like to make little adjustments to your bike fit here and there - and this isn't something you need to worry about with your ISP bike.
Your ISP bike will come with spaces on the seat post clamp which means you can safely get up to 25mm of extra saddle height if needed, and should provide plenty of room for small adjustments if your initial cut wasn't exactly perfect, or if you want to adjust your position later on down the line. This should give you enough wiggle room for component upgrades too - like accommodating different saddle thicknesses, pedal stack, bar/stem adjustment, or crank length - which can all affect the relative saddle height.
Bike Fit
While you will be able to make small adjustments to the saddle height once you've cut your ISP frame, you can't remove it completely, so we'd recommend considering a bike fit - a proper fit will also help you get the most out of your new super-duper fancy bike! The fit process will help you find the optimum position for balancing power and efficiency and improving overall performance on the bike, and after the fit you'll receive detailed feedback on all your measurements including recommended saddle height, as well as providing a recommended bike size so you can be absolutely sure of the correct bike before purchasing your ISP frame.
Find out about Bike Fit > Any more questions?
If you're still unsure about purchasing an ISP bike, or have any more questions, we're here to help! Head to your nearest Rutland Cycling store, or get in touch with our Sales team here, or via telephone on 0330 555 0080.
Order your ISP bike online and we will cover the cost of your seat post adjustment at your local Giant dealer (up to a max cost of £30)