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So, after another not comfortable saddle I am finally looking into Brooks and Selle An-atomica. I am looking at Brooks B17 Narrow saddle and Selle An-Atomica saddles. Since I am not able to put any miles during weekdays and ride only on weekends, and brooks requires braking in period I am really scared that it will take me a loooong time to break it in. On the other hand Selle An-atomica is presoftened and might feel comfortable right away. What would you do?
TE has a good return policy on the Selle An-atomica. I've never ridden mine more than 30-some miles because it's on my singlespeed which I only ride afterwork. But the thing didn't take any break-in at all.
I've never ridden a Brooks to compare.
Yep TE has a great return policy. I guess considering that I don't ride enough to break it in pretty fast I would be better off with Selle An-Atomica. Darn, nashbar has brooks b17 "n" on sale for 60$ bargain!!!
Why do you want the B17 "N"? Are your sit-bones that narrow?
My Brooks took about 40 miles to break in. And actually it was extraordinarily comfortable right out of the box, as I got a saddle that really was the right size for me for probably the first time EVER! (Brooks B67)
Wallingford Bicycle Parts www.wallbike.com gives a 6 month trial period for all the Brooks saddles. You can return it within 6 months, no questions asked.
Most members of the TE Brooks Cult get their saddles from Wallingford.
Knotted, I am on a narrower side. I had Specialized jett in 144 mm and it was a good size for me except that saddle just HURTs. So 177 mm would be a little too wide for me. I am trying to save a little money right now for my vacation in may, so that's why I am attracted to Nashbar deal on B17 N. Although, if Selle anatomica is a better saddle for me I will definately buy it.
The B17N and the Titanico sound like they are going to be about the same width, which is very cool for you. At least all you have to consider and compare are cut-out, leather firmness, and cost.
From a cost standpoint, $60 for a Brooks vs. $145 for the An-Atomica.... well, I'd go for the Brooks. (but I'm a member of the Brooks Cult! :D )
BTW the B17N is $94 at Wallingford. Even if you don't like the Brooks, I'm betting you could sell it for close to what Nashbar is asking on ebay or TE or Craig's.
You might consider contacting Mimitabby. She has Brooks and An-Atomica. One of her Brooks is 30 years old and still going strong.
I can't track all of the Brooks saddles. Some have very short rails which can make the fore/aft position difficult. The Selle An-atomica has long 10 cm rails.
Just info to help you make a decision based on where you need to put the saddle.
I'm thinking the B17 "N" would be too narrow for just about ANY woman. The regular width B17 would probably fit you great. I have the B17"S" which is slightly wider for women, and it's really too narrow for me.
Your hips are not narrower than most GUY's hips, are they? If they are not, then you should opt for the regular B17. You want your sitbones to rest WITHIN the saddle metal frame edges, not directly ON the frame edge. If your bones sit ON the frame edge, they will not be able to create the leather indents that makes these Brooks saddles so comfortable for your individual butt once they are broken in.
If you apply lots of Proof-Hide (order it along with your Brooks saddle) in the first weeks, it shouldn't take long to break it in to the point where it's comfortable. And as Knot mentioned, you can return it.
Lisa, you raised a great question. Just measured my sit bones with white paper, and they come out to 5' and 3/4 inches. I guess B17 would be too narrow for me so best bet would be to go with Brooks B17 regular and I can always either return or sell. The rails are 8cm long on Brooks b17 which is a big difference I guess, but since it's better for me width wize.... Thanks for all your help, will order Brooks today and see how it will like my butt.
I think the sprung Brooks saddles have the shorter rails. The usable rails on my B67 (with springs) are only about 9 cm. I still have maybe 1/2-1 cm that I could scoot the saddle back if I needed, but it is almost as far back as it will go.Quote:
Originally Posted by SadieKate
So, just ordered standard B17 saddle from walbike, actually the standard one was the same price as nashbar's. Ordered the maintainance kit along with it. So how often should I apply that greasy stuff on the saddle, and where do I apply it? Just under the saddle or on top too?
they telll you to apply it to the top only but i put it on the underside too.
Saddle size has to do with sitbone distance, not hips.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lisa S.H.
I don't have that big hips but they're there. However my sitbones are really close to each other and any wide saddle is very uncomfortable to me.
Hey there, FreshNewbie! Here's wishing you many happy miles on your B17. I'm a big Brooks and Wallbikes fan -- I have a B17 on my mtn. bike, a B17S on my Trek road bike, and a Team Pro S on my newly resurrected Bianchi road bike. Here's the drill as far as proof hide goes on non-aged saddles like yours:Quote:
Originally Posted by FreshNewbie
1. When you get the saddle, put the proof hide on the top & bottom of the saddle. Wait a while and use the provided rag to buff off the top. (You don't have to buff off the bottom.)
Bonus points: proof hide the bottom before mounting it on the bike. ;)
2. The proof hide helps the saddle be less slippery during the break in period.
3. I put proof hide on the top of my saddle every week or so for the first month of ownership. You'll notice that the first few times you use proof hide, it dries to a matted finish that shines up nicely when you buff it. After a few applications of proof hide, you'll notice that it stays shiny. I take that as a sign that it's had enough of the initial proof hide applications, and you can go into maintenance mode.
4. Maintenance mode: Depending on your climate, you should only have to apply proof hide every 6 months to a year.
Your saddle will come with maintenance instructions that say pretty much what I've said, but in more charming, British English. :)
-- Melissa
My own advice is to Proofhide both sides liberally before putting the saddle on, then do another application like every other day for a week or two of riding, then slowly less often until it feels totally confortable and you can see sitbone dents- eventually just once every other month or so. Do not continue to ride the saddle if it gets sopping wet in the rain! Let it dry before riding again.
Expect to feel some soreness for the first few rides on a new Brooks- your butt actually adapts to the saddle as well as the other way around. ;)
:D Thank you all. I will follow your instructions on proofhiding it. Also, how should I level the saddle. Did you find that it should be completely level across the saddle or the nose part should be level? Thanks again
I leveled the nose. The back comes up slightly, but I have springs under the back. I think others have mentioned levelling the nose on the un-sprung saddles, too.
I guess start by levelling the nose, then tweak it as needed. A little tilt will make a huge difference. (and don't forget the proofhide!:D )
proofhide , proofhide, proofhide ( slowely repeating to myself while waiting for a mailman) ;)
and proofhide is good for the skin of your hands!
Yeah what they said. Level the whole nose part, and the back edge will be just a bit higher because it swoops up a bit at the back edge. If you feel yourself slding forward too often then tip the nose up 1/8" or so, then ride again. If you feel your front girly bits are getting too mashed then tip the nose down a bit. Find the perfect balance slowly. Start with the saddle sitting right in the middle of its rails (forward/backward) and only make adjustments one at a time, slowly.
Every tiny adjustment will make a significant difference. Wear a good chamois and put something like chamois butter or hand cream on so your "bits" can adjust and change position if they need to as you ride. Prevents chafing, etc.
Expect it to feel slippery for the first couple of weeks, and expect to be sore at least the first few rides. Your sitbones will stop feeling sore after a week- it's like when you first start doing anything different physically- you are sore at first then it's ok.
Love my B17! But one day I will get a B67 like Knot, because my sitbone dents are touching the edges of the saddle frame, and I know it should be wider.
I had at first tried the 148 in the jett and it felt like I was giving birth thru the pelvis area so then went up to the 155 and it made a huge difference and they are great for about 40 miles and then I just squirm for whatever amount of miles I ride on it after that......they just hurt after about 40 miles and Im trying to complete a double I would like at least 60 or 80 miles before the squirmsQuote:
Originally Posted by FreshNewbie
...and b17s would be ok for a road bike? I'm trying to talk X into succumbing to the Brooks side with her road bike....
Absolutely! They are designed for touring long distances, and are narrow nosed, with drops bar posture in mind.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kitsune06
The first time I rode my B17 (regular), it rubbed my girly bits raw. I couldn't sit at work very comfortably, everything hurt. This continued for about 3 or 4 more rides - it did slowly get easier and easier, but it really hurt. Out of desperation, I googled up ways to break in your saddle, and someone suggested soaking a towel in water and placing it on your seat.
Whatever you do, don't do that!!! Just tough it out!!!! I did put the towel onto my seat for about 10 minutes, and it did break in just perfect by the very next ride, but I noticed a weird little rough spot the other day - and I'm pretty sure that the wet-towel break in was the reason. I proofhided it, so hopefully that'll prolong the saddle a little bit, but I really don't want to replace this saddle now that it's perfect.
Kit, I have a B67 on MY road bike!!
If X likes to steer her bike with her thighs on the bike nose, she might prefer a B17 rather than a B17 Short. ("s" is for "short")
If she rides in skorts, she might like the B17S more. I ride in skirts, but I prefer to use the nose of the saddle to help me control the bike. And in all honesty, the skirts never catch on the full-length nose of my B67. (now, the back of my capris sometimes snag, but not my skirts. I chalk that up to me just being clumsy.)
call me a noob, but steering w/ the thighs is more a road thing than a mtb thing, isn't it? I think back on all my riding with mz cakes and I don't remember ever really using my thighs to do much steering-wise... but in the drops etc I'd assume turning would involve much more weight-lean, and to that end, the thighs would be more important...
It might just be a personal riding-style thing.
I rarely use the drops, but I use my thighs to control the bike.
I tried one of those "noseless" saddles many years ago (on my mtb), and nearly crashed because I couldn't control the bike the way I was used to.
Does anyone have experience with both the Brooks line and selle anatomica? I have a selle anatomica titanico which I absolutely hate. There's way too much saddle and it cuts off the circulation to my legs (too much of a pear shape?). I like the feel of the leather, though. Is a Brooks saddle narrower in the nose and through the middle part of the saddle?
I bought the selle off TE because I heard of a great return policy, but when I got it the package said that if it showed signs of being mounted I couldn't return it. So now I'm stuck with it or have to sell it on ebay! :eek: But anything to get rid of it.
Somewhere there is a picture of the topside of my B67. they are very "T" shaped, narrow narrow nose, abrupt transition to sit-bone perch. (the whole B66/B67/B68 line is like that)
Mine has never rubbed me raw like my Serfas Niva saddle.
If you get a Brooks from www.wallbike.com you have six months no questions asked to try it out.
MimiTabby has experience with both the Brooks and the An-Atomica. (she prefers Brooks)
Can you email SusanO and ask if you can still return the An-Atomica?
A tip I heard if you want to try a saddle with the idea you may want to return it. Wrap the rails in electrical tape before you mount it so that they will not get scratched - then you can likely take it off with no signs that it has been used.
:confused: ok so I threw the saddle with a cut-out on... It seems like I need to just decide what level discomfort I'm ready to deal with. The cutout was a blessing. I could stop, slow down, etc, without mashing my bits (and for good measure I wore all my 'jewelry' because this was only a 2mi ride so I wanted to figure for 'worst case scenario'. Didn't even feel the jewelry. Amazing.
However, the rear was too narrow (or something?) and felt like it was pressing hard on the insides of my thighs... I don't know how to describe it. It was very unlike the firm support of the Brooks.
I'm wondering how much narrower the An-Atomica is than the B-17 standard... but I'm thinking hard about that an-atomica now.
If the Selle An-Atomica turns out to be too narrow for you, I did notice on the maker's site (http://mcmwin.com/sa ddle%20shop%20new.htm -- about halfway down the page, mixed in with the other items) that they also do modifications/"upgrades" to Brooks saddles. So, you might be able to get the width that you like in the Brooks, but the benefit of the cut-out. Just another option to think about?
it is... the thing is- I'm anxious that maybe what if I don't like the cut-out... can't put the leather back, so to speak... :( I wonder how many people try the an-atomica and hate it?
I would assume that a lot of people like it since I never seen one being sold on Ebay. The only reason I didn't get it is because it seems too narrow and also the fact that it's not very durable considering that because of htat cut out this saddle seems to just sink in.
I put Specialized Avatar in 155 width and it was perfect on my first ride. When I do a longer ride I will let you know how it feels.
I got an an-atomica in January on Sadie Kate's recommendation, and I like it, so far.
I have had a really tough time finding a saddle over the last couple of years, and the An-atomica, when it's right, is really great. The only thing that has happened, and only once, is that on the Wine Country Century ride last week, between the saddle and the shorts I was wearing (and maybe some minor misalignment?) I was a hurting puppy from the first 100 yards to the last of 40 miles. But it's been fine on subsequent rides - that chaffing on the sides was the only real problem.
If that saddle were more t-shaped than pear shaped (without the flared sides), I think it would be perfect. I like the cut out, and its length, and that it is so firm. And I have two divits on the saddle now from my sitbones, so that will help with measurements, and figuring out what width saddle I really need.
I am thinking that part of my saddle trouble has been poor bike fit, so I am looking forward to trying the selle an-atomica on my new bike, and seeing how that goes, and then, if it doesn't seem right, maybe tracking back through some of my other saddles I've tried. The next best saddle was the Selle San Marco Aero (or was it the Atola? Can't remember :o ). That was a narrow firm saddle with a cutout. The terry butterfly, on the other hand, was a torture device for me, so not all cutouts are created equal. I might give the Brooks another go as well, but I don't want to change too many things at once.
Finding a saddle - what a trial!
The slit doesn't pinch your bits?
When I called Tom (phone number on the web site Dex mentioned above) he said that nobody ever returns them. Oops, I did. They've got a 30 day return policy if you order directly from them, so there's little risk. (The web site says to call them to talk about what you need before ordering so that you can return the saddle if necessary, but he didn't say much during the phone call so I don't really know what that's about.)Quote:
Originally Posted by Kitsune06
I'm just trying to assess the risk involved in sending my beloved brooks in to get pruned...
Ahhh, got it. I found the slit to be comfortable, with no pinching of the bits when wearing shorts with chamois.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kitsune06