If any of you nice folks have personal experience with riding on a Selle Anatomica X saddle and a Brooks Cambium C17 saddle, would you tell me which one you preferred and which was the most comfortable? I have a Brooks B17 on my bike right now and it is getting better, but far from comfortable at this point. I will ride the B17 until my butt falls off, but I would like to be prepared for a plan B. Thanks!

did not like the slotted leather one.. have not used any Cambum rubber saddles, they have a hole in the center version

I have been using a Brooks team pro I got in 1975, on bike tours.. that is the shape my backside likes with drop bars..

you have a different pelvis , so I cannot say what will work for you..

the C stuff wont get wet and stretch.. the more expensive B17 models get better leather.. most buy the basic model.




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I have 2 C17s and 1 C13 in the wider version (like the C17 with carbon rails) and they are my butt's preferred saddle. They have a nice flex and so no need for silly padding that doesn't work and they don't create the pressure points of other saddles. Also no break in time because the saddle isn't made from someone else's skin but a great combo of canvas and rubber.

I would recommend getting a Cane Creek Thudbuster and whatever bits of suspension you can for the Alibi. The company I work for decided to buy some and even just bringing them in from our bikes we lock up outside you can feel minor imperfections in the road surface without even riding. With a pneumatic tire it would help greatly with comfort but like many companies for well over 100 years, Specialized thought they had something new and better with a solid tire.

I have a Selle Anatomica X. Very comfortable from the start and very quick break in.

I have a Brooks B-17, and a Selle AnAtomica NSX - and like them both.

It took a LOOOOOOOOONG time to break my Brooks in (or myself to the Brooks,) but it's fine now.

On the other hand, the AnAtomica NSX was comfortable right out of the box - and remains so today.

At this point, I am happy with both - but total comfort goes to the AnAtomica, if I had to pick one/

Thanks everyone for your information. I plan a 25 miler today on my B17, going to be a near perfect day here in SE Texas!

I have all of those you mention, and then some, lol. I think out of the box, the Selle Anatomica X was the most comfortable. I had it in my, "this is the only saddle I'll ever need column" until I had to keep adjusting the tension repeatedly. I've got a little room left to adjust tension on it, but not a ton. I understand they've remedied that problem with newer saddles. I'd probably get another one if I need to replace one of the b17s though. I like them a ton too, but the SA is super comfortable right away.

I bought a couple of C17 carveds last season, and put a few hundred miles on them. I have to say that I do like them. They measure a little narrower than either the b17 or SA, but ride like a wider saddle. It's almost a toss up for me which of the three is the most comfortable.

You might benefit from a seat bone width measurement though. I was trying different road style saddles last year, and striking out. I really didn't want to throw a b17 on my "fast" bike. Turned out, I needed a saddle that was at least 158 or wider. So, I found a specialized Oura in a 168 that also works quite nicely for me.

Thanks for the great info! I actually rode my personal best today at 30.29 miles. The B17 was uncomfortable the whole way....not painful, just not comfortable. I think I will order a SA tonight and make use of their 30 day return policy, if needed. Thanks again!

Out of curiosity, how do you have the saddle positioned? This can make a huge difference in comfort. My experience has been best with my leather saddles slightly nosed up

Very different saddles. I know three folks who ride the Cambium (solid, not slotted) and like 'em. To me the saddle feels a bit too stiff and wouldn't help with the only problem I experience after about 30-50 miles -- pressure on the perineum.

I know another half dozen folks who ride the Selle Anatomica X, including a couple that are laced to adjust tension as needed. I tried one around the block and it felt immediately comfortable.

I'm not picky about saddles for rides up to 30 miles, but I wouldn't buy another saddle that didn't have the cutout or recess to relieve perineum pressure.

Agmetal, hi, I have the nose up a few degrees on my B17. If I sit at the extreme rear of the saddle I find the most comfortable spot. I have tried tilting more to keep me way aft, but then the front becomes crushing feeling. Also, I have the saddle as far forward as my seat post allows so that I sit mort to the rear of the saddle, no knee problems yet.
Thanks!

A common problem with leather saddles is being unable to get them back far enough...I'm surprised that you have yours so far forward. You might try setting it a bit closer to level, with only a degree or two of nose-up, and pushing the whole thing rearward a bit