adjusting the an atomica

[fastdogs]

So I got a new clydesdale an atomica for my mtb. It came with a lotion and waterproofer, so I applied those as per the instructions, and put it on the bike. I rode around a bit last night, not too bad, but felt like I had to keep scooting back.
Today at lunch time, I headed out on the road for an 8 mile ride. I felt like I needed to be up on the back of the saddle, so kept stopping to adjust the angle. Nothing seemed to work, so finally remembered that I am also supposed to adjust the tension. When I tightened it up, it felt better, so I finished the ride. It didn't hurt, but I felt like with the nose up, it would if I rode any distance (8 miles at lunch, 6 miles after work)
After work, I stopped by al foster to ride to stinging nettle and ride some trails. Once again, it felt kinda like I was sliding forward. So I put the nose up- too much, and that didn't feel good. I think the next time I need to level the saddle and tighten it up some more. It's kind of worrisome, because it's brand new and will only loosen with age, I would think. I've got it over half way tightened already. Does it just take a lot of fiddling to get it right?
I didn't get any mud on it, just me and the bike. The trail was mostly dry, but there were some wet patches. On one, a ditch with just enough space at the bottom for your front wheel, and a steep wall up the other side (not very long), I got too far behind the saddle when I dropped into it, but the impact bounced me too low and I couldn't get back up on the saddle so we fell over in the mud (there was water in the ditch)
vickie

[redrhodie]

I have a sliding issue with one of my pairs of shorts. It's the fabric-leather combination. Terry T shorts are good with this saddle. Not slippery. I still wear the slippery shorts once in a while, but the first few miles are always annoying, then it gets better. Weird.

I'm pretty sure adding tension is not what you want to do to keep from sliding forward. Adding tension is supposed to keep you from feeling like you're in a hammock, which creates pressure at the nose and tail. That doesn't sound like your problem.

I'm looking at the manual that came with my saddle, and it seems like your issue is with tilt. It says "this adjustment may be the most important and challenging compromise." I think you gotta work on the tilt angle. I had mine tilted up at first, then put it dead even. It took just a couple of rides for me to get it right.

Good luck!

[fastdogs]

so today I took the mtb out for a short ride on the road during my lunch break. It was all about tweaking the saddle. Before I took it off the hitch rack I lowered the nose, so the saddle looked more level. After riding just a short time, I got off and tightened up the tension- I was still feeling like I was pushing myself back all the time. It felt like I was in the middle of the saddle, and my sit bones seemed to want to be way back on the rivets. I also moved the saddle back some. It felt better after tightening it- its a bit over halfway tightened now. I need it to feel like my sit bones are actually where the dents are in the saddle, instead of somewhere in the middle of the saddle. I will need to move the saddle slightly forward I think- too much weight on my hands today after I moved it back. I think I've got to try to go in increments to see if I can get it right.
My legs are fried. Fourteen miles yesterday (2 of them were mtb trail) and only 5 miles today- I think it's from continually scooting to the back of the saddle. I think I can recommend this saddle to maximize the workout from short rides.
vickie

[Andrea]

I went through 2 of those saddles (first one replaced under warranty, gave up on the 2nd one)- I tightened both to the end of the tension bolt and they both because too loose for me to ride comfortably (the 2nd one I even poked holes in the sides & tied it up for extra tension.
I may be unique, though. I have seen one other person in town riding one, and he had just ridden his until it was sagged a little and shaped to his butt. I found that if I rode without a lot of tension that the cutout would cut/chafe me. You may be different, though.

[hikeandbike]

I have the an atomica on both my road and moutain bike. Fit is great on my moutain bike but on the road I was always having to scooch back. I found moving the seat forward helped quite a bit. Are your handlebars level with, above or below seat level? My road bike is below and mountain bike is level with, that might have something to do with the sliding.

[fastdogs]

my mountain bike handlebars are about level with the saddle. It always feels like they need to be higher, since my other bike is a hybrid and I'm used the handlebars being higher.
I rode it today for about an hour, hour and a half, and forgot all about messing with it, I was having so much fun. It must be adjusted pretty close to right, because I remember sliding myself back a couple of times at the start and never messed with it after that. I was riding a great trail, and it was a little slimy on the surface (not leaving ruts, just slick) so I had to concentrate and take it slow- it winds around a lot with a lot of places where the trees are barely wide enough for the handlebars.
So I think its going to work out, need to still do a long ride with it. I've found that a tyvek shoe cover makes a great saddle cover for it.
vickie