Cyclosaurus

I am planning to buy a Selle Anatomica X saddle. I like the idea of the Watershed leather being pre-softened and water-resistant, but am concerned about two things which seem to be the downsides to it:
1) the amount of fussing over tension
2) the life of the saddle

I'm curious to know about anyone's experiences between the two leathers. How much shorter is the life of the watershed compared to the truleather?

Epicus07 

I had a Selle Anatomica Titanico prior to the X models with their newer stretch resistant methods. My titanico was immediately comfortable out of the box. It was absolutely amazing...however within one year half of the tension threads were used. I replaced it with a Watershed a few weeks ago. The Watershed is NOT immediately comfortable out of the box. It is a little better than a brooks but not by much. It will definitely have a serious break in period. Fortunately this should solve the stretch issues.

I would imagine that the watershed will still last at least 5-10 years based on its current feel perhaps longer.

mikemowbz

I have experience only with the pre-softened Watershed (not the stiffer TruLeather), and not long enough to speak to much to durability.

One comment I will make, though, is that some colour variants can have issues (aesthetically speaking) with the surface being marred quite quickly as the colour wears away with normal use, leaving markedly lighter contrasting patches - as per my recent experience with a mahogany Titanico X Watershed after quite limited miles, and no particularly rough treatment.

The black one I got first doesn't seem to exhibit this problem. Not a big deal on my thrown-together rider, and I got a bargain on the saddle very lightly used (though I see they're now having an 'any saddle for $99 promotion for the holidays), but I'd have wanted to know this prior to to purchase if the saddle were destined for a particularly pretty build project.

Haven't experienced any tension problems yet, beyond having to tension the used mahogany one initially when I received it from the PO. But we're talking maybe a few hundred miles on each of the saddles, so perhaps just a matter of time.

I'm a pretty big guy, so I definitely share your concern with stretch/lifespan on these. Hoping for the best, as they're shockingly comfortable.

rhm

So, if these things don't last very long, what do you so with them when they're stretched to the limit? Trashed ones don't appear on eBay, I've looked. If you have one, please let me know!

tcs

Selle Anatomica offers a 'New Skin' service.

rhm

Ah! That is good. What does it cost?

mikemowbz

Currently, $89.

With the current any-saddle-$99 promotion, I might be inclined to hold off and just buy a new one - but it is certainly a positive that they offer this service (they will also provide a new frame for about the same price, lest you manage to wreck your rails but retain some resilient leather).

Of course, albeit after limited use, I'm loving both mine and won't need to do either for some time...I hope.

rhm

I actually emailed them about buying just a frame some time ago, and they said they don't sell just the frame. I like their frames, and their nose hardware design is the best I've seen. I'm not paying $89 for one, though.

surreal

I'm fat. Don't own one yet, but i'm going for a tru-leather nsx.

crank_addict

Curious why? I was tempted on getting two of them as they seemed priced right, even before the sale plus made in the US. However looking at some used ones (not to buy) but for real testimony, I noticed some have bowed rails. I've watched the used ones posted on ebay for the last six months. Then the issue of the leather longevity makes me wonder if its worth it. I realize any leather saddle is not kind to abuse but the rail situation should rarely happen.

crank_addict

I'm confused, this statement is complete opposite to what they describe.
[h=3]What is the difference between WaterShed and TruLeather?[/h]

TruLeather is stiffer, is slower to stretch, but takes more time to break in. WaterShed is instantly comfortable, takes almost not time to break in but will require replacement sooner.

https://www.selleanatomica.com/faq/

rhm

I was not aware of the rail issue. Bent rails, not good.

Why? I put new leather on one (maybe a titanico?) several months ago. Like I said, I liked the frame and especially the design of the nose hardware. I'd like to get more of the frames, if the price were right.

Road Fan

rhm, there seem to be a lot of "trash S-A" threads. Presumably there are a lot of people on BF who'd like to be shed of the things. Put up an offer to buy.

MetinUz

I have three Watershed and one TruLeather S-A saddles. I put them on bikes I typically use for long rides: double centuries or longer. I weigh 140 lbs, typically end up adjusting the tension every 300 miles or so. I figure a saddle may be good for 5000 miles in my case. They are very comfortable, no saddle complaints after a 1200K, so I don't mind treating them as a consumable. For comparison, I have a B17 on my commuter that I have used for over 10 years, 30,000 miles, never adjusted the tension bolt.

I only recently got the TrueLeather saddle, just a 300K so far. It feels more like a Brooks, time will tell how comfortable and long lasting it is.

Another thing to keep in mind is that different colors stretch differently because of the tanning process. Black is the best color for Watershed, lighter colors stretch more. Natural should also be good (TrueLeather).

Epicus07 

My personal experience was that their original saddle was truly comfortable out of the box. However it stretched through half of its life in only one year. They decided that this was a problem and redesigned their line. They now offer two options. The Watershed and the TruLeather. The Truleather is stiffer and will likely last longer. The watershed is described as being comfortable out of the box but i certainly did not find that to be true. It is much stiffer than the super stretchy original. It will require some break in before i deem it truly comfortable. However it is still easier on my rear than a brand new brooks imperial.

Bandera

mike,

Thanks for the heads up, just ordered a T-X Black & copper Watershed for my Rando-ish build.

-Bandera

koolerb

$99,,, I'm trying one out. Titanico X, TruLeather - Vintage, Copper Rivets. Going on to my light touring build.

mikemowbz

Glad that info turned out to be of interest. I figured it might be to someone.

Bandera

Got it yesterday and 1st ride impression: This will work.

-Bandera

jgscisum 

I ordered a X Watershed Black right before leaving for a 4 day tour. No time to break in so I assumed the Watershed was the way to go. The supplier mistakenly shipped a X Black Truleather. Just a tad upset but I thought what the hey, I'll try it. They do a have a great return policy. I weigh 180lbs and the Truleather was a pleasant surprise. Never once thought about the saddle after starting the 200 mi ride. I guess that's about as good as an endorsement gets. Glad they shipped the wrong one. For me the Truleather was comfort right out of the box. No need to worry about the stretching that some experience with the Watershed.