Rivet vs. Selle An-Atomica--how much difference?

[Jolt]

I currently have a Selle An-Atomica on my Surly LHT but am about ready to try something else...I have been playing around with the tilt etc. but just have not been able to get entirely comfortable with that cutout. Sit-bone wise it is great, but the shape of the cutout causes some soft tissue discomfort after a while and got particularly bad on my 40-mile ride this past Saturday (me being kind of wiped out by the end of that ride didn't help, I'm sure). I also have had a couple of rides where the edges of the saddle flared out and caused some discomfort, but that seemed to go away after backing the tension bolt out a little. I seem to remember someone on here recommending Rivet saddles but am not sure if their cutout would be any better or if I might be better off trying a saddle without any cutout (but it seems like things would get squished if you KWIM). Anyone who has tried both care to chime in?

[salsabike]

I used Selle Anatomicas for a while and found the same ever-shifting tension-of-saddle-material problem. I have also tried a Rivet, which my rando husband loves. They are super hard but very chafe-free (I'm sure there's something wrong with that spelling but you know what I mean). Too hard for me, though. My best solution, just fyi, has been a Selle Italia Lady Gel Flow. And for me, it's always about reducing soft tissue discomfort. Will be interested to hear from other Rivet users.

[lauraelmore1033]

I have both and find they are as ok as saddles get for an upright bike. The Selle is great for a while, but starts to flare out and cause chafing. The Rivet doesn't cause the chafing, but the hardness is a little too much (for me) for anything over 50 miles. The recumbent bike has been my best solution. As for the cutout, I think it is actually a little better on the Rivet; the soft bits don't "extrude" through the slot quite as much as with the Selle.

[Jolt]

As for the cutout, I think it is actually a little better on the Rivet; the soft bits don't "extrude" through the slot quite as much as with the Selle.

That is good to know...what you describe is exactly the problem I am having with the Selle An-Atomica cutout. Not comfy!

[Sky King]

My life has been insane so apologize for coming to this conversation late.
I have a Rivet Independence on my touring, go everywhere bike. I have a Rivet Pearl on my Surly ECR. Both work very well for me.
The design of the saddle is such that they will never flare and the cut out stays true to it's shape. On rare occasions I have had a little irritation but I think
it had more to do with what I was wearing over the saddle itself. Rivet also has a no cut out saddle, we have one in the shop but I haven't ridden it yet.
Personally, I love the stiffness and obviously don't find them uncomfortable. The independence seems narrower in the nose and is 160 instead of the 170 of the pearl.
I can ride all day, multi days without discomfort. AND Deb Banks is awesome to work with too
Most of us offer a six month return on leather saddles

[maillotpois]

Rivet's owner is one of my best rando friends. It's a great saddle. I can't say I have compared to an anatomica, but I appreciate Sky King's thoughtful notes on the details of it. Just wanted to plug for Deb (who's presently recovering from a horrible bike accident - hit by underage loser DUI.)