shreksur

I'm awaiting delivery of my new Steamroller frame set and have gathered all the pieces for the build minus one - the saddle. I want leather and am leaning toward the Selle Anatomica. My question is for any fellow Clydesdale out there with experience with this brand of saddle : I'm 250# + and am wondering if I should purchase the model without the cutout, the NSX, or go for the X series which has the cutout. I've watched a video on YouTube that said the cutout was okay for riders 200#+, yet also saw a chart online that indicated riders 250# and above should use the NSX. Will a 250# rider cause the X series to flare and cause it to dig into the thigh or can the tension bolt eliminate that?

As always, any and all feedback/direction is appreciated.

Photok

I just had the same question as I'm right at 250#, their maximum recommended weight limit. I contacted them directly and they confirmed that the NSX is what I should order. Look at the FAQ section on their website, they have some specific guidelines to follow regarding rail position, maximum amount of setback on your seat post, recommended size of clamp on your seat post and avoiding bent rails. Good luck!

EDIT: If you're set on having a leather saddle with a cutout take a look at the Brooks Imperial with a Velo-Orange 30mm setback seat post, I tried a Brooks first and couldn't get the seat back far enough for my liking because Brooks has a short clamping area.

After trying the Selle Anatomica, I ended up ordering the setback seat post from Velo-Orange to try with the Brooks B17. I think I'm going to return the Selle Anatomica, for me the Brooks is more comfortable once I was able to get the setback right. I'm going to ride both again to confirm though.

shreksur

Thank you for the reply Photok. I appreciate it. Did you purchase the saddle and if so, do you like it?

Photok

Beat me to it! Take a look at the edit to my original post.

shreksur

When speaking with Carol at Selle, did she indicate any particular seat post that works well with their saddles, or in performing your DD did you find one? I already ordered and have received delivery of the Thomson Elite. But in reading the FAQ's, Thomson seems to be a cause for rail failure with their saddles. Thomson's website says it has a long seat post clamp length, 1.614 inches, which is longer than the minimum Selle suggests for their saddles.

arex

FWIW, I'm 260# and I use Brooks saddles on setback seatposts. They're a bit finicky to get set up at the right angle so you stay put and don't abuse the harbles too much, but once you've done so, they're really comfortable. The saddles seem to be holding up pretty well under my weight, no undue stretching or damage. I lightly Proofide them every one or two months, more often if it's been wet (in the high desert, not often).

shreksur

What Brooks saddles are you using? Have you tried other leather saddles?

arex

A B17 and a Swift. Tried a Swallow knock-off for a while, but I eventually replaced it with the Swift. The Swallow was kind of an ass-hatchet.

shreksur

I was told a B17 narrow would be a good choice for me. It may end up being the right choice after all. I think at this point I need to call Carol at Selle and ask her directly if my seat post is going to work and go from there.

Much thanks to you Arex and also to Photok for your input.

Photok

She didn't mention brands specifically, just mentioned a maximum setback of 15-20mm. I told her I had a Ritchey that came with my bike with no more than 20mm so I thought it should be good. You also can't clamp the Anatomica all the way at the front of the rails, they say .75" back, so I was able to get just enough setback for my liking, maybe an extra 1/8-3/16" to spare. With the VO 30mm setback seat post and Brooks saddle I still have about 3/8" to spare if I want to bump it back further. I really want to like the Anatomica more than the Brooks so I'm going to try it for another 8-10 mile ride and see, maybe play with angle and height and see if I can get it more comfortable than the Brooks. I really like that when you call Anatomica, you talk to the owner who knows her product inside and out and can offer advice.

shreksur

I love the look of this saddle and like you I want to make it work. It seems that it isn't the Thomson seat post so much as the placement of the clamp on the rails irregardless of what make or model seat post. If the straight Thomson doesn't work, I'll get the setback version or find a setback seat post that will. I want to support this company if at all possible.

dim

Gilles Berthoud Aravis is what I bought .... I will buy another for my daily commuter bike

shreksur

Did you have any issues with your choice of seat post?

dim

no issues .... The Gilles Berthoud Aravis (has titanium rails) is fitted to my Surly Long Haul Trucker. I don't have a recent photo, but here is a photo showing my bike before I started customising it. I have kept the seatpost This photo shows the original saddle that was supplied)



and this is a Gilles Berthoud Aravis (I will be getting another one in brown for my daily commuter):




another good saddle that my LBS is raving about is the Brooks Cambium C17. Not leather, so no issues with rain, and he says that out of the box, it's as comfy as a well broken in Brooks B17.

oddjob2

I have many bikes and many saddles. I recently bought several C-17 Cambiums. First, they don't break in or change shape as it's molded rubber. Second, it seems that the nose is slightly longer, although I have yet to measure or do a side by side. Whether it's comfy to you, only your a$$ can be the judge of that.

I think the C-17 is great to look at and looks great atop a rebuilt 1970's Schwinn Sports Tourer.

shreksur

I appreciate and thank you for your input oddjob but I'm definitely hooked on getting a leather saddle. I want to feel what riding a well broken in leather saddle feels like. And from the pictures I've seen posted I love the look of a leather saddle.

shreksur

I'm canceling my Selle Anatomica order Dim. There are two things working against me: my weight and the Thomson seat post I've already ordered and received. I spoke with Carol at Selle and she said the Thomson is a definite problem. With my weight issue it would seem a waste to even try this saddle at this time. I ordered a Berthoud Aspin saddle. I spoke with Bill at Wallingford and he said there was no weight restriction with the Aspin that he knew of. It's a great looking saddle and gets great reviews where its comfort is concerned.

FrenchFit 

Good move. When I was around 230 I tried the Anatomica X and found it the most uncomfortable saddle ever, by a mile. Unbearable, and I not all that choosy. I know it's great for some, but I was stunned how poorly it fit me. Might have been an expensive lesson.

shreksur

What saddle are you currently using?

dim

nice! .... also get the Gilles Berthoud saddle cover (it's only a few dollars and is really good when there is rain), aswell as a tub of the Gilles Berthoud saddle conditioner cream. Keep us updated!

also make sure it has the disk on the underside (the round disk thingy).... it ensures that the rails remain true... all new Gilles Berthoud saddles have these:



some guys also add a drop of lockite blue to each screw (uses a standard allen key to tension them)

FrenchFit 

My useable saddles have included B17, B17N, Iscaselle Tornado, Ariake Jaguar, Fizik Aliante, SMP Pro. The SMP Pro is not particularly comfortable, but useful on two MTBs.

arex

The nose is a fair bit longer, in comparison to a typical B17. Interestingly, the women's C17, when viewed from above, is about the same general dimensions as a men's B17, length- and width-wise. I obtained the women's saddle by mistake, but I'm tempted to keep it for when I get a bike ready to put it on, to see how it feels.

shreksur

I was wondering about the wrench I would need. I watched a video on Youtube that followed the process of an Aspin being made but I couldn't tell from it what the pattern was on the head of the screws. Thanks for the info. regarding the lock rite and the heads up about the disc. Is the bolt that tensions the leather an allen head as well?

dim

it's a standard allen key.... you need to get the blue locktite stuff, and just a drop on each screw:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thread-lock...ctite+243+blue

shreksur

Thank you for all your input and info. Dim. I'll post pics when the bike arrives. Surly must have had a lot of demand for this frame set as it won't be in to my LBS until 6-21