Brooks B17 "N" or Selle An-atomica

[KnottedYet]

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.

[mtkitchn]

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! But anything to get rid of it.

[KnottedYet]

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?

[Eden]

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.

[Kitsune06]

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.

[dex]

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?

[Kitsune06]

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?