Tom Milton, maker of Sella An-atomica dies
Week of 25th. Tom Milton... (from the Rivendell website) http://www.rivbike.com/blogs/news_post/232
April 26, 2010
Tom Milton of Selle An-Atomica saddles comes by once a month or so to get another set of wheels by Rich here, and was by about four days ago to pick up another set, his fifth. You know what's coming. About halfway thru Saturday's local Devil Mountain Double Century, as tough and hilly as double centuries get, Tom died of a heart attack. Tom appeared to be in his late 50s, or early 60s. He was about 6-1 or so, weighed about 165, and was an experienced high-mileage rider, tackling centuries, doubles, and brevets. He looked super bicycle-fit.
Tom loved bicycle and riding, and after a career as an engineer, he set out to design the most comfortable saddle ever, and most riders who tried his Selle An-Atomica saddles will vouch for his success. I will, for sure. I believe he was working on some modifications to improve the saddles, but I don't know what they were.
It's been said and will be again that Tom died doing what he loved, and there may be some solace in that. But dead is the final, sad word.
Tom is the guy who made Brooks sit up and pay attention. Would Brook's new Imperial model, with the slot and all, have been resurrected from the early 1900s if Tom hadn't converted so many Brooks riders to Sella An-Atomica? We don't know, but I'd bet not.
Tom was the swaggery guy one who took on the King and inspired others to do it, too. No doubt Brooks's sales are at an all-time high, and good for Brooks (we R fans...). But Tom deserves credit for his contributions to comfort. A new Selle An-Atomica Titanico Clydesdale saddle is still, to my crotch, the all-time comfort king.
Tom Milton was a good guy, and he certainly made his mark. People die every second, but it's sad when you know the guy. We and many will miss him.
-- G
