woodcycl

The following is the latest addition to my stable of bike saddles -- the Selle An-atomica Titanico. When I was in my early to mid 20's I could ride on a wooden plank and had used the original Selle Italia Flyte saddle for about a decade before trying new saddles to reduce numbness in the taint/perinial area. I've gone thru a few of them like many of us have. I've been riding the Fizik Arione on all my road bikes thus far and have been pretty happy. However, now and then on longer rides, I still wish I had something that worked a bit better. Not wanting to spend $350 on the specific Brooks Swallow Classic, I turned to trying the newer Selle An-atomica. In late 2005, I got ahold of Tom Milton via email. He suggested I wait until the end of the following year or so when the Robusto (more narrow saddle) would be made given only the Titanico would be made in most of 2006. After a few emails and waiting, Tom stated earlier this year via email that they decided to ONLY carry the Titanico and not make the narrower saddles as originally planned. Kind of bummed really as I was looking forward to trying the Robusto.

I received the wider Titanico model in the mail today. I took several photos before and a few after mounting it to the my Six13 to better show those who are curious about the saddle what it is all about.

I rode it for ~3 miles in my neighborhood before the heavy rain began tonight. It was VERY comfy in those short miles ...didn't even feel my sitbones touching the saddle. But, my much longer rides this weekend will be the real test. Also, I've learned from other users of the Titanico that a lot of adjustments and fine-tuning is required.

My sitbones are somewhat narrow ... as I at one time I was on the 143mm Specialized Alias, but could've ridden the 130mm as I fell right smack-dab in the middle of those two widths. So, not real sure how I will do with this UBER-wide saddle. Tom tells me that it will not cause a problem. I hope he is correct.

I'll edit this post and add a review after this weekend and again after a few hundred miles on the saddle.

So, without further ado ...

woodcycl

woodcycl

NealH

A nice looking saddle that I have also been pondering over trying. And your 6/13 looks like a million bucks.

BAL

I have some additional photos of the Selle Anatomica saddle pictured with the Specialized Toupe Gel:

BAL

Here is a photo of my 2007 S-Works Roubaix with the Selle Anatomica saddle. I have ridden just over 700 miles on the Selle Anatomica and before that I had put 2,000 miles on the Specialized Toupe Gel. The Toupe Gel did just what it advertised --- all of the weight on the sit bones. I really enjoyed the Toupe saddle on every ride unless I was in the saddle over 2 hours. After 2 hours the sit bone area just started to have increasing discomfort. So, I decided to give the Selle Anatomica saddle a try. I will be writing an extended review of the Anatomica saddle in a few days.

I have put three 70+ mile rides and one 112 mile ride on the saddle and while it wasn't perfect, it may just be what I have been looking for.

woodcycl

I look forward to your review BAL! I notice you have a slight tilt to your titanico ... I too am trying a tilt.

When you first received your Titanico, did you tighten the screw any? Mine was so loose that I tightened a full 3 revolutions before I felt it was at a minimum amount of tension on the saddle.

bmike

I've tightened the tension, I'm about 1/3 from the end of the bolt, and I heard folks on the Randon list having trouble with the bolt loosening so today I picked up a locknut to slip on the back of the bolt. Its metric threaded - FYI. Took forever in the corner hardware store to figure that out.

I'm still going back and forth between my well worn Brooks Swallow and the new SA. I like both - but feel the Titanico is just too wide for me. I initially had trouble with position - having to raise it quite a bit due to the 'flex'. When I did get it just right I really liked it.

Tomorrow is a 200k. I haven't decided which saddle to ride. Just swapped my BB... so that will have to wait till morning.

MIN 

Wow-cheese grater for the nublets.

Looking forward to your long term thoughts on the saddle.

bmike

not quite.

dekindy

Great saddle porn!

BAL

Interesting you have brought up the subject of tension as I have been experimenting with various tensions. When I first received the saddle I left the tension alone and did a 20 mile and then 70 mile ride. Those two rides were quite comfortable but then I decided to try tension adjustments. I first thought less tension may be more comfortable and it took about 200 miles to decide I shouldn't have adjusted the tension at all. Now, I have it about 3 turns tighter than when received and I think this might be the better option.

Never having a saddle with a tensioning option in the past, I have been looking over the Brooks threads to try to determine if there exists some general opionion of comfort vs. tension for a leather saddle. All I have found are some comments indicating you don't want it too loose. I am beginning to believe you can't make a general statement regarding tension vs. comfort.

I have 700 miles on the saddle in about 22 rides and currently the saddle is tensioned about 3 turns tighter than received. I placed a permanent pen ink mark on the bolt and I have yet to notice the bolt moving during use. But, if I ever find what I think it the "best" tightness, I think I will add a lock nut just to be sure it doesn't change unexpectedly.

Ahaz

I bought this saddle about two months ago. At first, it was really comfortable, but after I started taking longer rider (20 miles or so, I've only just started cycling) I came to the realization that it's way too wide for me. I'm 5' 11" and 130 pounds, so I'm pretty damn thin, and after a while the titanico just cuts my thighs to shreds.

For a bigger guy, I'd recommend it whole-heartedly, though, as long as you're not a weigh weenie or anything. They make two smaller versions too, the Robustico and the Settebello.

woodcycl

Rode my first 40 miles on the saddle today. Here is my email to Tom Milton for any hints he can give me. If anyone with some saddle time on this seat has any suggestions, please let me know.

woodcycl

bmike -- the Swallow Classic is the Brooks saddle of choice if I were to ever try one. But, the price is steep. However, if the saddle would truly work for me, I have no problem spending the money. And, I like the 6 months return policy at wallbike! Can you give me any feedback or comparisons on the Swallow and the Swallow vs. the Titanico? Was it worth the money for you? Sounds as if you are pretty happy with it. What is the width of the Swallow compared to the Titanico? Thoughts on having Tom cut the slit in the Swallow for added benefit?

bmike

I have to say I really like the Swallow. I've ridden a brevet series on it, a lot of trainer rides last winter to break it in, and all my riding last summer was on it.
Its narrow and much longer than the Swift and a B17. It has really long rails as well, which was very helpful when I had a bike fit done, as we slid the saddle way back to get me in a more powerful position.

I go back and forth now between the Selle and the Swallow. I feel like I lose power on the Selle due to its cushiness... but that is just a 'feeling'. I've since tightened it up and have not ridden a long ride on it since being bundled in multiple layers of clothing this winter. I'll try it again next week, for a week.

I would not cut a Swallow. I think part of why the Swallow works for me is that it is firm and the correct width. I do think the cut out on the Selle works... but for me the width seems off. I also tend to move around alot on the bike - I slide forward on the nose or back on the saddle when climbing to switch muscle groups. Last time I rode the Selle I had a hard time doing this.

I'll report back next week after I give the Selle a go again. I've tightened it 3-4 turns and have about 3/8" of threads left.

jp_nyc

You're going to have to fiddle with it. The first week I felt like I was sitting on a big diaper and kept sliding forward. The cutout isn't really doing anything for me. I have about 200 miles on this saddle and I am still adjusting it. I agree that it is too wide. Being used to narrower saddles, I don't like to feel the inside of my thighs rubbing against the sides and back of the saddle. And because it is also longer than most, my shorts/pants get snagged on the nose edges when I go from a standing to sitting position.

But it's feeling better. I think I am getting closer to finding the ideal position and hope to be able to do long rides on it comfortably. Many of the reviews I read on the Selle Anatomica website claim "instant comfort" with the saddle and the ability to do extremely long rides on it "cold". Well, that has definitely not been my experience.

I will be riding with it for a few months before passing judgment and deciding whether it works for me or not. Good luck with yours!

treynolds

but I may can the thought if people think it's too wide.

I've done a lot of reseach on the SA this week, as well as reading as much as I can reagrding the Brooks.

I'm definitely a clyde, at 6'0" tall and 255lbs. I have very large thighs/quads and am uncomfortable with the insides of my thighs chafing on a saddle.

I was looking at the Robusto, but emailed Tom at SA and he saaid that a Titanico would be the perfect thing for me. I now realize that's because they've decided to only produce the Titanico.

I've VERY uncomfortable paying the price SA wants for their saddle when I can get a Brooks B17 at an LBS for $70 plus tax. I'm also concerned that the SA saddle will not breathe as well as the Brooks because of the double layer of leather+glue+waterproof coating...

bmike, woodcycl and BAL, very interested in and comments you might have. The following is a copy of the email I sent Tom, with his response following:

____________________________________________

To: info@mcmwin.com
Subject: Seela An-Atomica Breathability

Good Afternoon!

I’ve been reading up on leather saddles, expecting to go for a Brooks when I ran across your site. Brooks touts their saddles as being ‘breathable”, as they’re made of porous leather. How are your saddles for breathability? One would think that the combination of extra leather lamination and waterproofing would render them nearly impervious to moisture. I was on your site and saw the pics of the two saddles side-by-side after they were misted-down. I guess you’d call me a “clyde”, a term I only learned last week (and I’ve been cycling on and off for 35 years…): 255lbs, 6’0”.

I notice that there is no Robusta listed for sale, only the Titanico…

Any comments on either issue?

Thanks in advance!

_______________________________

Tony,

You’ll like the Titanico LD Watershed Leather Clydesdale model. The flexibility in a suspended leather saddle with appropriate anatomic design attributes is key to comfort at any distance. Something we learned through four years full time research & development.

Regards,

Tom Milton

MCM Selle An-Atomica, Inc.

NoGaBiker

ooooohhhh! the mental picture of something getting caught in that slot as one slides forward is just to much!

probable556

You should have used a better pic of the golden

woodcycl

Oh, okay ... you twisted my arm!! Here is a shill for my wonderful pets!

Bikelyst

Where did you get that mirror on your bike?

woodcycl

Aspire VeloTech -- one great mirror!

https://www.aspirevelotech.com

bellweatherman

Awwwww. Cute little animals. Hideous looking saddle. Looks like a Brooks.

BAL

I think you may have a point about the waterproof SA saddle leather not breathing and therefore not "molding" as well as the natural leather of a Brooks. I have now ridden the SA for over 800 miles and there are dimples in the leather from my sit bones but I don't think it has really molded into my specific bottom as much as all natural leather would. I have not tired a Brooks, yet, so I really can't say for sure if there is a difference --- just an opinion at this time. By the way, I weigh about 190 lbs so given my overall body weight there should be an issue of molding into the saddle leather.

I continue to make adjustments on the SA. While I still believe it does have its benefits, I am not totally sold on it at this time. But I am still trying.