c.miller64

On further review, it may not be as great a deal as I originally thought. On the "Store" page, it describes the saddle as being a chromoly rail model, while on the "blog" page is says the special sale is for "steel rail" saddles. I've got an email out to them to verify which model the saddle is.

etw

I am very interested to hear the end results of the testing. I was all set to buy a Brooks. Once I heard about these, I am leaning toward the Anatomica. My current saddle kills my butt.

kjc9640

I am one of the testers and the first saddle that I received developed some issues in the tension bolt area. I returned the saddle to Selle and they replaced the frame with a stronger tension bolt. I have now ridden the replacement for about 150 miles and have not made any adjustments what so ever. I don't know when the X model will be available to the general public but it will be worth the wait to get one.

Selle vs Brooks: No breakin period for Selle and you don't need to treat the leather.

c.miller64

Just heard back from Carol, and the saddles on sale do in fact have chromoly rails. Their blog post was referencing a prior sale.

etw

Good to know. Are there any issues with leather stretching or does this X version solve that?

kjc9640

My initial thought was that there was excessive stretch but I don't seem to be having any problem now. The saddle that was returned to me had the original skin with just new rails and tension bolt. I have now ridden the replacement saddle about 200 miles and have yet to adjust the tension bolt. A friend of mine got one for Christmas and he has not had to adjust the tension bolt and he has about 400 miles on his.

c.miller64

No design change will ever solve the "stretching leather" problem. The leather on your saddle will be prone to stretch, or it wont. The good news (from what I've heard) is that problem saddles are rare, and their issues almost always arise within the one year warranty window. I've been riding mine going on three years with over 20k miles and haven't adjusted it since the first month I has it.

kjc9640

I just finished a 50 mile ride and I don't feel the need to adjust on my saddle. We did however apply one turn of the tension bolt on my friends today. Both of us are just as pleased as we can be with this saddle.

MileHighMark

On my older SA Clydesdale saddle, I haven't touched the adjustment bolt in ages. On my newer Titanico (CroMo frame), I actually loosened the bolt until there was noticeable play, then I tightened it until there was just a little play in the nose. I'm just over 200#, so I'm probably one of the few who actually prefers more flex.

MileHighMark

I just ordered Selle An-Atomica saddle #3. Is there an N+1 rule for saddles?

kjc9640

If there is that would be N+2. What color did you get? I have the mahogany color. I liked it because it looked old school and my bike is a 82 Raleigh. Well the frame is 82 every thing else has been upgraded and changed several times. It was repainted in 92 and powdered coated last month (blue and gold). Wheels are Mavic open pros with Ultegra hubs, new 105 cranks and bottom bracket, 105 front and rear der. New Nitto drop bars with front and rear Dinotte lights, and Ultegra bar end shifters.

etw

Is the Beta test over? Is the new saddle out?

kjc9640

I am still testing and reporting one the one that I have. Not sure if production has started yet.

MileHighMark

I ordered the sale color, which is the "regular" brown.

Rona

Squeeeee... I got the brown that was on sale in the mail this weekend.... been on it inside on the trainer and I REALLY like it so far. I'm really glad I got the sale one- with customs and international shipping it was as much as full price! Had to dish out 32 euros in customs and VAT. Now I need some matching brown tape for my drops!

It seems a little long nosed for a women and I wonder if they will ever make a women's version. Other than that, it's much better on my bones than the Selle Royal I had prior. WOOOT

kjc9640

Rona, good choice on the saddle, I think it is a great value at any price. I can tolerate almost any discomfort except sore sit bones. If you do any long distance riding you are going to love it.

kjc9640

For those that might be following this thread, I did a 82 mile ride today and my bottom could not be any happier. A friend of mine that has one of the Selle saddles was with me today and he is as happy with his saddle as I am with mine.

c.miller64

Rode 413.4 miles at Sebring Saturday on my SA, and while just about every other part of my body hurts, my bottom came through unscathed.

kjc9640

Man 413 miles, that is outstanding. Can you share more details. I assume that it was at the 24 hours of Sebring.

bernmart

I've had a SA for about three months. I liked its comfort from the first, but its final test was an organized century ride (Palm Springs) a week ago. Conditions were awful, and my arms ached for days from holding the bike steady against 60 mph crosswinds. But my bottom felt fine; not a twinge of discomfort. I've ridden a dozen centuries with a variety of saddles under me, but never anything that felt this good. I'm about 200 lbs and bought the Titanico. It stretched enough during the first month so that I was worried, but I haven't had to adjust the tension in many weeks. I couldn't be happier.

c.miller64

Yes, it was at the 24hrs of Sebring. It was my first official Ultra race and I enjoyed it immensely. Great weather, great people and I was fortunate enough to not have any major issues along the way. Won first place in the 24hr Men's Solo division (standard bike drafting) which was a total shock and just icing on the cake.

kjc9640

Congratulations on first place. That amount of mileage is outstanding. How did you train for such a ride? Anything special, or just a lot of saddle time? I ride a lot of miles per year(9-10 thousand) but never anything close to what you did in 24 hours. Have you ever considered RAAM?

c.miller64

Thanks, it was a total shock to me. I rode without a crew and didn't really know where I stood until after the event. The guy in second place overall rode the exact same milage but was 3 min behind me at the finish. 1st place was really just icing on the cake since I was already on cloud nine from achieving my goals of staying on the bike for the full 24hrs without a break, and not having any nutritional/digestion issues.

I also ride about 10k per year, but due to time constraints I almost never ride over 7 hours. I do however try to ride at a high intensity about 80-90% of the time. I've found that this is *much* more important than saddle time to improve as a long distance rider (once you have a good base).

Here's an excellent piece on the subject- https://www.ultraracenews.com/2011/11...ycling-events/

That's my ultimate goal, but still a few years out. I'm nowhere near where I need to be for that monster.

XR2

If anyone is interested the Titanico X is available special order. 619-269-1120 9-5 PST.

vesteroid

I emailed these guys and asked if the saddle was available. They told me to go ahead and order on the website and put in the paypal notes I wanted the X and they would build me one.

After reading this thread, I had to try one. when I was being fitted I spent about an hour and a half on the trainer and my but hurt for 3 days.

I know it gets better and all that, but hey, if I can avoid, or minimize, why not.