phughes

That is also a symptom of a too high seat height. You tend to drop to one side to compensate, causing the issue you describe. I noticed it with my B17. I dropped my seat height, and the issue went away. Now, the dimples in my seat are equidistant from each side, and both look to be the same. I am more comfortable as well.

dksix

This conclusion isn't based on impressions left in my seat but when measuring my sit bones per the directions of a saddle manufacturer. I have measured myself, in the same way, many times with the sitting on corrugated paper, always rocking left and right until I made a measurable impression. This time I was watching a video made by SQlabs about their active saddle technology, which allows the saddle to rock back and forth. Looking at it from that perspective made me think about what was going on when I had to rock to force contact.

The SA may not the answer but, so far, fate is smiling on me. I ordered it early Friday morning before work and before they raised all the prices $20/saddle later in the day.

phughes

If you rock back and forth, you cannot expect to make the impressions equally on each side. There is simply too many variables. I would not read too much into the impressions made that way. The only thing the impression really tells you, is the position of your sit bones. You are reading too much into the results.

dksix

No, what I'm saying is that unless I rocked back and forth my right side bone didn't make an impression, the goal was to make an impression that could be measured. Imagine drawing a horizontal line from the contact point of each of my sit bones and then drawing a line vertically through my spine. Where the lines intersected would not be 2 right angles, one a few degrees beyond 90 and the other a few less. If I sit with my spine vertical and press myself into something my left sit bone leave a deeper impression because it's literally lower than my right sit bone. I subconsciously correct that when I'm sitting in a chair watching TV, or at my desk working or when driving by leaning but leaning doesn't work well on a bicycle so I'm looking for a saddle that will counteract that my unevenness.

phughes

Okay, still too many variables to come to that conclusion. Now, if you have been assessed by an orthopedic, who measured, then I would buy it, but based on impressions achieved by sitting on something, no. If you have to press yourself into whatever you are trying to make an impression in, then you will not be able to do that with exactly the same force, equally on both sides.

dksix

So you don't "buy it" that I could have an anatomy abnormality based on everything I've told you and are still convinced that I just have a seat too high?

phughes

No, I am not saying either. I am saying the method by which you came to the conclusion isn't conclusive. I also never said your seat was too high, I don;t know. I mentioned that what you describe cane be a symptom of that, not that it is in your case. You may very well have what you say you do, but sitting on something to make an impression cannot accurately detect that. There are too many variables.

I hope the saddle works for you. It is a great saddle. Let us know how you like it. I have a feeling you'll love it. I find the Sella to be a very forgiving saddle. If I didn't already have my Brooks, I would get one.

dksix

Did you read post 100, where I described how I used my weight bench and lat attachment to align my spine vertically and the lat bar to push down against?

phughes

Yes. Unfortunately, it is impossible to push down completely equally on both sides, and impossible to know if your body distributes the force equally on each side as you push down. Too many variables. It's not important at this point though. What is important is that the seat works for you. I have a feeling it will, but then again, I don't know. I do know you chose a quality seat that almost everyone I know personally who owns one, likes it. I like the way it feels as well. It is comfortable for me, right out of the box. It is a nice supple seat. As I said, I would have one on my bike if my Brooks wasn't working for me.

Enjoy your new seat.

dksix

Sy Reene

Curious.. why didn't you try an SQLabs saddle instead?

phughes

I doubt I am seeing anything you are missing. I can only offer suggestions and speculate, you are actually there. As for the choice between the SA or the Brooks Imperial, I would be inclined to go with the SA, and I cannot truly justify that answer. I love Brooks, but I've never tried the Imperial. I think the Selle is a very nice saddle, and unless you are a true clydesdale, it should last a good long time. Saddle choice can be tough, but honestly, the Selle is a great seat and should be very comfortable. The fact that you found the SA in the color you liked best, is another reason to go with the Selle. Now if your were buying a seat that didn't have a good reputation based solely on color, then no, but in this case it's just one more added benefit.

dksix

dksix

My B-DAY is the 28th. I'll be getting another saddle then. Either another SA or a Brooks if I don't 100% love the SA.

Road Fan

I'm not sure I get the disconnect, but it's so long since I bought a new Brooks, I don't think I know their warrantee any more. I do greatly appreciate the capacity of the S-A saddles to be serviced based on listed available parts. I find the thin leather on the modern, off the peg Brookses rather odd considering the healthy-feeling leather on a Selle AnAtomica. Mrs. Road Fan, who doesn't even overload a Selle AnAtomica pre-X base model, caused a Brooks Professional S to just collapse on one side, in the past. OTOH, she now has a NOS Brooks B17 Select with leather more like the SA, and loves it. I loaned it to her, then she nearly attacked my hand when I wanted to put it on my bike, which I had bought it for. Lucky for us I found another Select on-line just lately.

Sy Reene

just an FYI, the SA saddles and the company itself look well put together
https://www.brooksengland.com/en_us/brooks-forever

DrIsotope

While I genuinely applaud Brooks for putting out a 10 year warranty (which in this day and age is almost unheard of) but I have an equally genuine issue with calling it "Brooks Forever." Because, umm, 10 years ≠ forever.

This is the most blatant case of false advertising since my suit against the movie The Neverending Story. -- Attorney Lionel Hutz

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Road Fan

I have had that same experience on several SA saddles. It's almost as if we should be setting saddle position (when we do it my measuring) to the wide space where the sitbones are, rather than along the seat tube of the frame. It would allow for setback and for tilt.

robnol

I like selle products but I prefer Adamo saddles more....

kcblair

That sounds like a good idea. Almost makes you look like you don't know how to setup a saddle, when you seethe tilts. Oh , well, it does work and very comfy . KB

tcs

Aaaaaaaaand just for fun, here in 2019/Year of the Pig tensioned leather saddle manufacturers include: Berthoud (France), Brooks (UK), Gyes (Taiwan), Ideale (France), Lepper (Netherlands), Nasiruddin (India), Selle Italia (Italy), Selle Anatomica (USA), Selle Monte Grappa (Italy) and Tabor (Portugal).

Road Fan

For me, comfort is the goal, not following some rules. The Heel Test is about the only convention on saddles I buy into, and it's still just a starting point.

dksix

After a month of nearly 10" of rain I finally got to ride the new SA I order the first of the month. I felt good right from the start but I quickly noticed I want sliding forward on the saddle. I had set it up with the nose 1/4" high. After about 10 miles I adjusted the nose up a bit, but about twice as much as I should have. It took care of the sliding forward but caused some noticeable perineal nerve pressure, I split the difference and all was good. At the end of 2 hours, I was feeling the edges bulge a bit and when I finished the ride the slot looked a little narrow. I'll tension it before riding again.

Saturday is suppose to be nice weather but I've got too much to do around the house to not take advantage of the 1 day of good weather being forecasted, back to rain and snow next week. Here are some pictures of today's ride with my new camera that I don't know how to use.

fietsbob

Probably because you just look @ the Men's Race bike saddles ....


I discovered a Fizik Vitesse version that Brompton got made for them, Steel Rails a high clearance Bend,, Black .

NOS @ CM Wasson , so I got 4.. its a C17 width, unisex .. light, dense padding.. Pleather cover so rain proof..








...

Sojodave

I was on vacation in San Diego and stopped by the Selle Anatomica warehouse. I picked up an H2 saddle in black. I thought it looked awesome and I was excited to try it out. I started with it 1% up, I slid. Tilted it 1.5%, I slid, I tilted it 2%, stopped sliding, but I had pain in a place where you don't want to have pain. I lowered the saddle a cm, it felt a little better. I played with fore/aft, didn't help. I rode 125 miles outside and 2 Zwift sessions and I was feeling pain. I can get used to a lot, but not when it caused pain down below. It broke my heart, but I decided to send the saddle back. I'm back to my Pro Stealth saddle and I wish I could have got used to the H2, but it wasn't meant to be.