guidoStow

Even with a zero set back saddle I could not get a decent fit that left room for a Caridice bagman support. I don't have the problem with the Rivet Independence, a Cobb jof Randee or several different Selle Italia models I have used over the years.
I have had the issue on both my Merlin Cyrene and more seriously with the more slack seat tube angle of my Soma SanMarcos... Finally gave up trying and sold the saddle...
I'm 6' 1" with 34" inseam and short Femurs...

dwmckee

If you do get one, note that you should not use the tension screw to get the top as high and tight as the Brooks. On an SA saddle, the tension should only be tight enough to get you 1/8 - 1/4 in above the seat post when riding. If you tighten it much more than that you will stretch it to the ends of the adjustments and likely not get the comfort out of it you should. Properly tensioned, it still will have a fair amount of sway in the top.

The SA is not as pretty as a Brooks with its sagging ridge, unflattering nose, flaring sides and sometimes asymmetric shape it assumes when it conforms to your butt, but it is far more comfortable in my opinion. Best bet is to just keep it working under your butt instead of admiring it

smoore

Thanks for the pics Rick. Looks like that saddle has a few miles on it. Nice of SA to provide that service to you, but I notice that Rivet now has a tab with snaps that pull the sides together. Appears to be an effective and more elegant way to address the problem. But for now, my SA is so darn comfortable there is no way I'm going to try something else unless I need to.

Rick@OCRR

Yes, smoore, you are correct! That saddle was on my fixed gear bike since 2006 so very many miles; not sure now many but 3 fixed gear centuries and lots of shorter rides. Will have to look into the Rivit option, I'm not familiar with that brand.

True dwmckee, I don't think the Selle Anatomica is pretty at all. However, as you say, that doesn't really matter when you're riding it! The SA would look more "at home" on a steel touring bike rather than my carbon KHS. I do ride that bike on double centuries though, so that's where it will stay.

Rick / OCRR

1loosemoose

I took advantage of the sale and ordered a SA saddle X model and today was my first ride with it. I only went 10 miles on my trainer but I can definetly already tell it's an upgrade over the bontrager gel saddle my Domane came with.

JRV

I put an X graphite watershed on my Roubaix this month as well. I have about 90 trainer miles on it and am pretty impressed as well. I thought my Specialized Toupe was pretty good but was running into some issues with it after 3,300 miles and decided to give this a shot. I will bring it down to AZ next week and put it on my bike down there and give it a good test. Can't wait to ride outside for a few days. Have a Merry Christmas!

smoore

I have read several time that Rivet was formed a few years ago by a former SA employee. Don't know any of the background to that and would rather not, but it does look like Rivet has come up with a few clever ideas of their own.

fietsbob

The saddle began as a Sideline for a Company that made Industrial Leather Pump Cups and Shaft packing [like used on an inboard motorboats,to keep the water out ].

vesteroid

I had one years ago and couldnt stand the look and the weight. I did however break down and buy one at the 99 special (and I signed up for the beta and got another 15 off).

sitting on the trainer for 3 hours prompted me to get a cushy saddle again, but darn that thing is heavy

StephenH

I'm expecting a new bike sometime in January, and my wife got one of the SA saddles on sale for me. I'll report back if/when I have anything to report.

scottz123

Recently purchased a Selle Anatomica X series watershed. Did a couple of low effort short spins (30m) on rollers and felt good.

Went for 1hr 45m ride outside today and really felt the front of the cutout (short part that runs perpendicular to long cutouts) 1 hour or so into ride. BUT, I did not feel sit bone burn like I felt before with my other saddles - I did use a chamois creme for the first time though.

I set this saddle up with my normal measurements nose to stem and BB to top of seat (roughly- not counting sag in leather to much).

I have not touched tension screw, I weigh 195ish.

Tilt is set up 1/8" high in the nose. I will try saddle at neutral, than try tensioning a turn or so if that does not do it. My first impulse is to radius front of cutout, but not crazy about modifying new saddle that I may end up selling...

Thanks in advance

avidone1

I am 145 lbs and ride about 2000 miles per year. Based I what I read on the Selle Anatomica website I ordered a T series watershed black.
After reading the comments here, I wonder if I would be better off with an X saddle in either watershed or truleather. I have been having sit bones aches after riding about 40 minutes or so. I would hate to use up all the tension adjustment in just a few months and be uncomfortable on the saddle because it a saggy droop. I wonder if a hole punch and a zip tie wouldn't add some tension? Sort of like laces on a brooks........hmmmmmmmmmmm

Wanderer

Selle Anatomica suggested an NSX Watershed to me, as their strongest, most durable, and longest lasting saddle. A big plus, is that it looks nice too, and comes in lots of colors. I opted for graphite, to go with my silver and black Sirrus.

I'm used to Brooks B-17, so the hardness of leather didn't surprise me - and I have not had the AnAtomica on a long ride yet ----- but it is definitely more comfortable to sit on right out of the box. It feels very similar to my Brooks, just more compliant...... I'm sure the X would be even more compliant.

Resist the urge to tighten those adjustment bolts. I'd be more inclined to lace it, than adjust(stretch) it. Lacing it will give it more structural strength, by spreading the load to the vertical sides, rather than letting them splay outward.

And, I see no reason that it couldn't be laced, if it needs it --- I just may pre punch it to get it ready. Plus, the holes look nice, and make it lighter (at least 10MPH faster.....) LOL

Did I say "resist the urge to adjust the tensioning bolt"...... Personally, I have found leather saddles to be the most comfortable when perfectly level. I don't get pushed around on it, and can slide anywhere I want easily. I always adjust saddles until I don't move when riding, and where it feels invisible beneath me.

rekmeyata

Someone gave you wrong information. The Watershed will hold up to water better then Truleather will but it stretches more and thus you will be adjusting the bolt more and will eventually bottom the bolt out. The Truleather is stiffer and because of that takes longer to break in because it doesn't stretch as much and thus will last longer; all of which I mentioned in an earlier post.

See this: Selle Anatomica Titanico: Best bike touring saddle? - Pedaling Nowhere

Road Fan

It's great that they have stood up to help you, but I hope they are good at lacing. The flaring happened on my first one (from Tom Milton's days in the company), and I could not get it to work for me, for some reason. When I laced it it held in the sides, but rotated the left and right sections so the slot edges stuck up and caused irritation. It was better without lacing, which I removed. After a while on the shelf I went back to that saddle, and has again been one of my most comfortable.

I bought another one new a year ago, and it has been great.

The first one sagged, but I would not call it excessive or a problem. The bolt needed tightening to about 60% of its length, then it stopped changing. Again, it was surprising, but not excessive.

Road Fan

Great news! I'd love to se a picture of how they did it.

Road Fan

Yes, I felt it when I set it up that way. But you are then too far forward on the saddle.

What works for me is to try to get my sit bones on the two little dimples on the wide part of the saddle - this is at the widest part of the saddle. I'm pretty sure this area of the leather is intended to hold your sit bones. After that adjust nose up or down angle to not slide forward, and not have excessive pressure forward of your sit bones. Adjusting saddle tension is also a part of this setup.

It's in the instructions.

Road Fan

"Resist the urge to tighten those adjustment bolts" is necessary for a Brooks - if you never touch the bolt, you're probably best off, except I had a "pre-softened" Pro that was pre-sagged.

For a SA it is intended that you do so - it's part of the adjustment procedure. It's even possible to over tighten and then back it off.

Rick@OCRR

Hi Road Fan,

For photos, please see post #43 on this thread; previous page.

Rick / OCRR

Road Fan

Yes, thanks, I finally found them!

So, no issues with the edges of the cutout after lacing? It's good that they only laced in the nose area - the wide area was left nice and flat!

Rick@OCRR

No issues so far and while I've done several rides on the saddle after lacing, I haven't done any really long rides so will have to wait until after the first century (at least) before I know for sure. So far though, it's all good.

When I first contacted Selle Anatomica about the problem, I was going to try to lace it myself but they replied that they knew exactly where to place the lacing and I should therefore leave it to them. Okay, no arguement from me, esp. when they said they'd do it no charge.

Rick / OCRR

Wanderer

I agree, that it may be more "usual" to have to tighten an AnAtomica , than it is with a Brooks - but you can just as easily over tighten, and ruin it. Best to contact the maker for tightening advice, as there have been cases where it was over tightened, and warrantee denied, because of the error. There should always be a certain amount of "sag" with this saddle. Tighten it at your own peril ----- therefore, "resist the urge to tighten any leather saddle" unless it is absolutely required, is good advice - even backed up by Selle AnAtomica. Over tightening will pull at the attachment points, ruining it forever.

Contact the maker, for specific tightening direction, before you do it. Selle Anatomica has a very specific amount of sag that is ALWAYS required.

Resist the urge to turn that adjustment bolt!

Worknomore

I have been riding SA for several years now, very comfy. My first one stretched out quickly but was replaced no charge with the new thicker model which is holding up well. I was impressed with their customer service. The saddle pictured in my avatar pic is the earlier thin model, I like it loose like a leather hammock. BTW I weigh in around 190.
I have a B17 on my MTB. The only way I can ride a Brooks without getting severe numbcox was to cut a relief notch along the top and lace the underside. I think the Brooks will probably last forever. Still find the SA better for me.

tcs

FWIW, Gyes offers factory pre-laced models (example).

avidone1

I got my selle anatomica T series watershed today. Took a little while to adjust the seat so that I felt comfortable. It's a little farther forward then I thought it would be. Slightly ahead of the mid line. The leather is stiffer than I expected. I did tilt the nose up slightly. I haven't really given it a good road test yet, but it's all set to go.. More will be revealed