Selle Anatomica Saddles
#151
Banned
#152
#153
Non omnino gravis
#154
I use Covermate Stretch-to-Fit Food covers from the WalMart, a couple bucks for a variety pack. The largest size perfectly fits an SA saddle. I have one stashed on the bike at all times, just in case.
Also an option, those disposable showercaps you can nick from hotels.
Also an option, those disposable showercaps you can nick from hotels.
Good advice Doc. Thank you.
#155
Full Member
Well it's between the Selle Anatomica and the Brooks B17 Narrow. Have a Brooks B67 on a cruiser fat back and love it but attracted to to lack of break in needed on the SA.
My hesitation is the need for constant adjustment in regard to keep proper tightness on the leather. Does the adjustment ever settle in or are you constantly adjusting? How long will this saddle go before you run out of available adjustment thread?
My hesitation is the need for constant adjustment in regard to keep proper tightness on the leather. Does the adjustment ever settle in or are you constantly adjusting? How long will this saddle go before you run out of available adjustment thread?
#156
Non omnino gravis
#157
Full Member
I haven't touched the bolt on my H2 in probably 6 months. I have about 5 threads showing in front of the clamp, meaning probably 80% of the bolt remains. I think it has around 10k miles on it?
Disclaimer, I apparently "ride light," so I don't put a lot of abuse on the saddle.
Disclaimer, I apparently "ride light," so I don't put a lot of abuse on the saddle.
Doc: Thanks for the feedback. I went ahead and placed an order for the X2.
#158
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
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Well it's between the Selle Anatomica and the Brooks B17 Narrow. Have a Brooks B67 on a cruiser fat back and love it but attracted to to lack of break in needed on the SA.
My hesitation is the need for constant adjustment in regard to keep proper tightness on the leather. Does the adjustment ever settle in or are you constantly adjusting? How long will this saddle go before you run out of available adjustment thread?
My hesitation is the need for constant adjustment in regard to keep proper tightness on the leather. Does the adjustment ever settle in or are you constantly adjusting? How long will this saddle go before you run out of available adjustment thread?
#159
Full Member
I bought an X2 and was told it would come pre-tensioned. It didn't. There was no tension on the leather at all. An email to Selle said to tension it to get about 1/2" of sag, which is not easy to measure. For a few rides, I carried an allen wrench and fiddled with different tensions. Once I got it where it felt good, I have not had to touch it since. That was probably about 2000 miles ago, maybe more.
#160
So I received my H2 today and fitted it onto the bike. It came properly tensioned, with the 1/4 in gap, as described in the instructions. I haven't ridden it yet, but just sitting on it I can feel the difference. It most definitely feels like your butt is in a hammock! It's night and day compared to the first time I sat on my SQLab saddle. Can't wait to get try it for 30 miles or so tomorrow!
#161
Full Member
I received my X2 yesterday. There was no tension on the adjustment bolt. I snugged it up a bit. I have a 1/2" gap at the most narrow part of the measurement.
My question is, will the gap decrease to the recommended 1/4" dimension if I put more tension on the the saddle? I did tighten it up bit but the gap did not decrease in size. Perhaps I need to break it in first?
My question is, will the gap decrease to the recommended 1/4" dimension if I put more tension on the the saddle? I did tighten it up bit but the gap did not decrease in size. Perhaps I need to break it in first?
#163
Junior Member
I received my X2 yesterday. There was no tension on the adjustment bolt. I snugged it up a bit. I have a 1/2" gap at the most narrow part of the measurement.
My question is, will the gap decrease to the recommended 1/4" dimension if I put more tension on the the saddle? I did tighten it up bit but the gap did not decrease in size. Perhaps I need to break it in first?
My question is, will the gap decrease to the recommended 1/4" dimension if I put more tension on the the saddle? I did tighten it up bit but the gap did not decrease in size. Perhaps I need to break it in first?
#164
I received my X2 yesterday. There was no tension on the adjustment bolt. I snugged it up a bit. I have a 1/2" gap at the most narrow part of the measurement.
My question is, will the gap decrease to the recommended 1/4" dimension if I put more tension on the the saddle? I did tighten it up bit but the gap did not decrease in size. Perhaps I need to break it in first?
My question is, will the gap decrease to the recommended 1/4" dimension if I put more tension on the the saddle? I did tighten it up bit but the gap did not decrease in size. Perhaps I need to break it in first?
I'm doing a 30 miles ride later today, and i can't wait to see how the saddle fare!
#165
Senior Member
I was at the Selle Atomica factory and one of the guys that worked there warned me not to tighten it unless the saddle with nobody on it is less than 1/4" or a 6mm hex head couldn't slide through the narrowest part. He said that once you tighten the saddle, you can't loosen it because leather isn't elastic. Experiment with the tilt. The guy at their factory told me 2cm up, but I had to keep adjusting the nose up until I didn't slide. I ended up with 2 to 3% nose up.
#166
So I rode only 20 miles today, mostly gravel. As soon as I got on the bike and started riding, I could feel a big difference from my other recent saddles. The SA saddle is more compliant. It definitely isolates your butt from some of the irregularities of the road. So...my sit bones were feeling great...a nice change from my recent rides on the SQlabs saddle. It wasn't all rosy though. I felt something with the new SA saddle that I haven't felt in the past: perineum pressure. So the sitbones felt great, but there was an uncomfortable perineum pressure. I'm thinking the saddle may need adjustment. I had the sense that I was sliding forward a bit, a sense that the sweet spot of the saddle was slightly behind where my butt was wanting to rest. So before the next test ride I'll raise the nose a very slight bit. Does that seem paradoxical, to raise the nose to eliminate pressure from the nose on my perineum? I also think I have some fit issues. The seat could stand to be raised a half inch, and I think I need to move it rearward a slight amount. Problem is that I'm using a zero setback post and I'm already close to the front limit of the saddle's rails.
#167
Non omnino gravis
Yeah my SA saddles were definitely not "set it and forget it." I tinkered with the fore/aft and nose angle on mine for several months before getting it where it was most comfortable.
Saddle height may be too low for you, if you're measuring the top of the saddle "unloaded." When you sit down, it drops a fair amount. At least mine does.
Saddle height may be too low for you, if you're measuring the top of the saddle "unloaded." When you sit down, it drops a fair amount. At least mine does.
#168
Senior Member
So I rode only 20 miles today, mostly gravel. As soon as I got on the bike and started riding, I could feel a big difference from my other recent saddles. The SA saddle is more compliant. It definitely isolates your butt from some of the irregularities of the road. So...my sit bones were feeling great...a nice change from my recent rides on the SQlabs saddle. It wasn't all rosy though. I felt something with the new SA saddle that I haven't felt in the past: perineum pressure. So the sitbones felt great, but there was an uncomfortable perineum pressure. I'm thinking the saddle may need adjustment. I had the sense that I was sliding forward a bit, a sense that the sweet spot of the saddle was slightly behind where my butt was wanting to rest. So before the next test ride I'll raise the nose a very slight bit. Does that seem paradoxical, to raise the nose to eliminate pressure from the nose on my perineum? I also think I have some fit issues. The seat could stand to be raised a half inch, and I think I need to move it rearward a slight amount. Problem is that I'm using a zero setback post and I'm already close to the front limit of the saddle's rails.
#169
Yeah my SA saddles were definitely not "set it and forget it." I tinkered with the fore/aft and nose angle on mine for several months before getting it where it was most comfortable.
Saddle height may be too low for you, if you're measuring the top of the saddle "unloaded." When you sit down, it drops a fair amount. At least mine does.
Saddle height may be too low for you, if you're measuring the top of the saddle "unloaded." When you sit down, it drops a fair amount. At least mine does.
I was hoping to get the saddle dialed in before the expiration of the 30 day return period, but as you have found, it may take longer. I'm optimistic that it will work out.
#170
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 16,960
Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8
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I received my X2 yesterday. There was no tension on the adjustment bolt. I snugged it up a bit. I have a 1/2" gap at the most narrow part of the measurement.
My question is, will the gap decrease to the recommended 1/4" dimension if I put more tension on the the saddle? I did tighten it up bit but the gap did not decrease in size. Perhaps I need to break it in first?
My question is, will the gap decrease to the recommended 1/4" dimension if I put more tension on the the saddle? I did tighten it up bit but the gap did not decrease in size. Perhaps I need to break it in first?
#171
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 16,960
Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8
Liked 681 Times
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520 Posts
So I rode only 20 miles today, mostly gravel. As soon as I got on the bike and started riding, I could feel a big difference from my other recent saddles. The SA saddle is more compliant. It definitely isolates your butt from some of the irregularities of the road. So...my sit bones were feeling great...a nice change from my recent rides on the SQlabs saddle. It wasn't all rosy though. I felt something with the new SA saddle that I haven't felt in the past: perineum pressure. So the sitbones felt great, but there was an uncomfortable perineum pressure. I'm thinking the saddle may need adjustment. I had the sense that I was sliding forward a bit, a sense that the sweet spot of the saddle was slightly behind where my butt was wanting to rest. So before the next test ride I'll raise the nose a very slight bit. Does that seem paradoxical, to raise the nose to eliminate pressure from the nose on my perineum? I also think I have some fit issues. The seat could stand to be raised a half inch, and I think I need to move it rearward a slight amount. Problem is that I'm using a zero setback post and I'm already close to the front limit of the saddle's rails.
If you slide the saddle back, you should probably again think about leg extension and adjust saddle height. I usually need to reduce saddle height as the saddle is adjusted back.
#172
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
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This sounds correct - I think I advised it backwards recently. Sorry about that!
#173
Not really paradoxical. The rear part of the saddle is wide enough to handle your sitbones. If you slide forward (kinda "fall off the platform") you'll be on the narrow part of the saddle, which causes perineal pressure. So raise the nose a bit at a time until you are set on the wide part of the hanging leather. If your bones feel the cantle plate you are sitting too far back. Then use whatever method you use to re-assess your leg extension, you might need to raise the saddle. Nose going up means butt is going down, so you might want to raise the saddle to adjust. This could also affect your knee position, but maybe just see how it feels after you get this much adjustment finished. Nothing wrong with changing to a setback seatpost, however!
If you slide the saddle back, you should probably again think about leg extension and adjust saddle height. I usually need to reduce saddle height as the saddle is adjusted back.
If you slide the saddle back, you should probably again think about leg extension and adjust saddle height. I usually need to reduce saddle height as the saddle is adjusted back.
So the question is, what is considered a "level" saddle?
#174
Non omnino gravis
Level as in... level. Parallel to level ground. With the SA saddles, it's easier to go by the rails, as the tops aren't flat.
I make no measurements on mine at all until the saddle is where it feels best. Then I measure the distance from the tip of the saddle to the stem, and the tip of the saddle to the top tube. The actual "distance above level" is arbitrary. Some folks will end up with the nose way up, some will end up with it raised only slightly. Your pelvis will determine the proper angle, not a spirit level.
I make no measurements on mine at all until the saddle is where it feels best. Then I measure the distance from the tip of the saddle to the stem, and the tip of the saddle to the top tube. The actual "distance above level" is arbitrary. Some folks will end up with the nose way up, some will end up with it raised only slightly. Your pelvis will determine the proper angle, not a spirit level.
#175
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 16,960
Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8
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520 Posts
So here's a question. When Selle says to raise the nose 1/8 - 1/4" up from level, what is considered level? I can run a spirit level from the top of the nose to the highpoint in the back. Is that considered "level?" If so, even with the nose raised 1/4", the rear section of the saddle, the part where SA had made the pair of sit bone marks, that section is not level...that section is sloping down towards the front. If my sit bones are to rest on a section of the saddle that tilts forward, then I'd certainly expect to slide forward.
So the question is, what is considered a "level" saddle?
So the question is, what is considered a "level" saddle?
If you have a level that will fit on the rear flat portion of the saddle where the two little sit-bone dimples are, you can actually set the flat portion level and see if that does what it should. But it still doesn't matter because the adjustment is in relative terms, not absolute terms.
You should still be aware of the potential need to adjust height or setback in conjunction with raising or lowering nose.