I’m glad you guys came back to this post with the wire solutions! I have tried an S 84 in a few situations and I like as much as Professor Mooney does. These wire spring devices suggest a solution to the stoker saddle for my ongoing tandem build, if coupled with a damper. If my favorite stoker isn’t happy, I’m not happy.

My need for setback: somehow I do not feel in balance on a bike unless my sit bones (widest portion of saddle) are about 27 cm back from a plumb line to the BB. I can only achieve this with Brooks products or my old Ideale 92 with a deep seat tube angle (71 degrees on my ‘50s Rudge) or a high-setback seat post. It’s better with the long rails on Selle AnAtomica or Specialized saddles, and not so good with the Rivet design, at least the one I bought.

I don’t think my frames are all too small though some are a little too French (high seat tube), but life has trade-offs. High seat tube angle today is 73 degrees in my size, and I know that requires a 30 or 35 mm seatpost setback. Many very desirable light vintage machines, like my Masi and Mondonico frames have angles greater than 75 degrees otherwise they fit well. And no, not all of those builders’ products were custom; such angles represent The Way They Thought Things Should Be. But it doesn’t usually work for me at least at my current level. If I finally become ready for stage racing maybe that will change (lol!).