Ideal
Saddle Modification is the brainchild of Steve Toll, an
avid cyclist and swimmer living in Tampa, Florida. In the
winter of 1997, following a bike ride with his wife, Laura,
Steve sketched out a design for a seat he thought would
eliminate, or at least reduce, the discomfort most riders
experience on a traditional bike saddle. By 1999, with some
assistance from his family, the concept was patented. That’s a
significant milestone for an industry that hasn’t seen a major saddle
change in years.
Flash forward to today - through hard work and tenacity,
Steve has not only created a state-of-the-art bike saddle, he
is also being sought out by experts in the cycling industry
who want the opportunity to test and ride the ISM™.
Through a partnership with Blackwell Research, the ISM™ is
now available to you and your friends. Take it for a ride. Your body will thank you. The ISM™ will revolutionize the
bicycle industry.
It all started with 2 men, Jimmy Blackwell, a retired postal worker, and
John Cobb, an aerodynamics pioneer and innovative product designer, both
from Louisiana. It was an unlikely combination, driven by a singular
focus: the pursuit of those elusive seconds that separate fourth place
from a podium finish.
Jimmy Blackwell worked for the U.S. Postal Service for the better part
of 20 years. Shortly before retiring, he decided to try something new –
cycling. Blackwell didn’t know it yet, but inside he had the same
passion that drives world champions and grand tour winners 40 years
younger to victory – competitive drive!
Riding turned to racing, and racing to the desire to win. As he aged,
Blackwell learned something about himself – he was a pretty fast
cyclist. For most, retirement is about relaxation. For Blackwell,
there was something entirely different in mind. Jimmy wanted to become
the best senior cyclist in the world.
In the world of bicycle racing, speed is the result of 3 factors:
natural talent, drive, and superior technology. Blackwell had the
former. To optimize his equipment, position, and aerodynamics, he
sought out a fellow Louisianan, John Cobb.
During his early years, John Cobb satisfied his engineering appetite by
modifying and tinkering with cars. Then came bikes, wind tunnels,
racecars, and ultimately, the world’s top professional athletes. When
Jimmy Blackwell approached John, John had already designed a range of
technically advanced cycling products and worked with world-class
triathletes and cyclists, including Tour de France winners Lance
Armstrong and Greg Lemond.
The two worked together to design custom components and improve
time-trial positioning. In 2000, Jimmy Blackwell won the 40K individual
time trial at the Senior Olympic World Championships, in the process
setting a world record. Only a few hours after his historic ride, in
what can only be described as a tragic twist of fate, Jimmy Blackwell
died of a sudden cardiac arrest.
Today at Blackwell Research, John Cobb still lends his knowledge and
insight to research and product design efforts. Blackwell Research is a
company committed to making cycling products that push the technical and
aerodynamic boundaries of cycling. Jimmy Blackwell’s passion, and John
Cobb’s vision and expertise, make the partnership between John,
Blackwell Research, and the ISM™, the perfect fit.
“As long as I breathe, I attack.”
-Bernard
Hinault