Don Buska

Yes, per the SA website it is recommended to keep the front around 1/4" higher than the rear. I put the bike on a level surface and use a two foot level to tilt the front up 1/4" from the level reading. If you don't you will notice the tendency to slide forward

kcblair

Good point Don, I discovered that issue, as I rolled out of the driveway, on my first SA saddle . I hit the brakes, and almost slide off the saddle. I found that a little more than 1/4 in. but, everyone's tilt may vary . KB

one4smoke

So, I got my Selle H yesterday and my first impression out of the box was, no way this thing as rigid as it is, is gonna be very comfortable. Put it on, and after several adjustments got it feeling pretty good.

Went out for a 25 mile ride (doing all the adjustments along the way as Don suggested) and I was totally amazed. This saddle felt better than any I've tried the last 3 or 4 years! No pain anywhere. I thought maybe after the ride I might feel some soreness somewhat ...but, no. Not a bit. And... this was riding with NO PADDED SHORTS.

I'm definitely a believer.

kcblair

Welcome to the club, that's what we're talkin about. KB

Sy Reene

Has anyone tried their all-carbon model?

Kedosto

I imagine stretch would be virtually nil?


-Kedosto

canklecat

I'm trying to imagine the twins getting pinched in that thing.

Might oughta rename it the Selle Anatomica Castrata Soprano model.

one4smoke

You're trying to imagine that?!?

Tanstaafl

Whatever you do, don't remove the sticker from the bottom of the seat!

A tragic tale with a happy ending.

The Tragic part
I recently bought a seat from Sella, along with the waterproof cover and saddle sauce to protect it from our wet Houston weather. The instructions say to coat the entire underside of the saddle and any raw edges of the leather with the protectant. Well, there were a couple of stickers on the bottom of the saddle that needed to be removed so I could fully coat the leather.

Fast forward to the next morning, when I go online to register my saddle for the warranty. The form asks for my saddle serial number, which is on the sticker on the bottom of the saddle. oops. I emailed Sella and explained what has happened. They responded and let me know they did have a record of the sale, but removing the sticker with the serial number voids the warranty. It even says so on the sticker. Now of course I don't have the sticker to confirm this, but I am sure it was there. Yes, I screwed up. I did not go dig up a magnifying glass so my old eyes could read that tiny print. On the other hand, how are you to properly treat leather covered in paper stickers?

The Happy Ending
Their email to me had a phone number and extension, so I called them up this morning. To my surprise, i did not get some customer service drone. The company owner answered the phone. She was very nice. Yes, my warranty is still void, but she assured me there would be no problem since I had purchased directly form them and they had a record of the purchase. If I had purchased from a bike shop it would be a different story, since there would be no way of knowing when I bought the seat. Yay!

BTW, I really like the seat. It took me all of about 5 seconds to decide it was waaaay more comfortable than my previous seat. I've got a 100 or so miles on it now (it keeps raining down here). Add to that a company whose owner answers email, and include her phone number. Who worked with a customer who messed up? I want to deal with that company.

One last thing. Normally, I would have bought from my LBS. Even if they are a bit more expensive, I like to support them. In this case, it turns out Sella was having their annual half price sale. Could not pass up a deal like that. In this case it was fortunate I did. I will make it up to my LBS somehow.

In the meantime, for the rest of you, learn from my mistake: DON'T REMOVE THAT STICKER!!

Don Buska

Thanks for your story and the wise wisdom about the stickers. I just checked on my latest SA saddle it does state removing the sticker invalidates the warranty. However, on my older saddles that message is not printed on the sticker.

Since I ride vintage (70's-80's) road bikes I avoid riding in the rain. I also carry a plastic bag that I can slip over the saddle just in case I do get caught in a sudden rain storm. I do have the Saddle Sauce that I have used on a couple of mine, but the others are still virgin. I'll throw my body over the saddle before I ever let it get soaked

Don Buska

Great to hear that the H models are comfortable right out of the box. I was afraid that they would be more 'Brooks-like' and require some extensive riding to get comfortable. SA really seems to know what they are doing.

Thanks for your story. I started recommending the SA saddles right after getting my first one. I did worry a bit that since I haven't tried all the newer high priced saddles that I might be leading people down the wrong road. My butt has never felt a Brooks sorry Now after four years I no longer have that fear, as I've only received positive comments from those "I've Converted"

speedevil 

I just ordered an H1 in black/gunmetal for my Cannondale ST600 build. I have an X1 on my Eddy Merckx road biek and I really like it. Looking forward to finishing the build and getting this old sport/tourer back on the road. While I'm waiting for it to be delivered, I might be able to finish up the rest of the build.

WNCGoater

I'm trying to imagine how they'd get there. Unless they can travel on their own??? Do you ride commando? Nevermind, don't answer that.

Anyway, to clearly imagine would require some level of envisioning which I don't care to do.
Keep 'em where they belong and they'll be no problems.

one4smoke

Just curious as to your line on thinking on going with a H instead of an X. Also, the 1 instead of a 2. I know what mine was at the time, but would like to get another perspective.

Being so pleased with my H1, I'm thinking about ordering an X just to compare the two.

speedevil 

@one4smoke, 2 reasons.

1. I'm on the line between the X and the H weight-wise (but weight is coming down). I have an X with not too many miles on it so seemed reasonable to try an H.
2. The H1 was available on the SA website as a B clearance item, and I wasn't able to find anything here, or paceline, or ebay.

one4smoke

Don Buska

I found my black version for the Yellow 75 Fuji S10-S. I checked SA and they had a "used" X2 version for $79.95. I grabbed it. This will be my first X2, but the silver colored saddle frame will go great with the Fuji as it's all Yellow, Black and Chrome!

Sy Reene

Does anyone find the 1yr warranty a bit odd, considering there seems to be a comparison to the brooks?

kcblair

Nice, Only 2 of my SA saddles are new, just can't beat those Used and Blemished deals, if it works. KB.

one4smoke

How long is Brooks warranty?

Sy Reene

10 years if you register your purchase on their website

Road Fan

I have one of the early ones, but I haven’t ridden it yet.

fietsbob

Buy one sit on it ,If you like it OK if not try something else....








...

one4smoke

So, after a 40 mile ride Thursday and a 50 Saturday, the saddle is still working out well for me.

Sure is nice to ride and not be constantly thinking about your butt the entire time!

DrIsotope

I'm finally starting to see a little stretching of the leather around the nose rivets on my old X1. Saddle is closing in on 11,000 miles, tension bolt is just past halfway used. I'm closing in on being comfortable ordering an X2 for the bike, maybe sometime this summer or fall-- I just couldn't bring myself to replace it with the newer model when it was in perfect condition. Prior to the Selle Anatomica, I went through 6 different saddles in 15,000 miles.