Brooks B17 "N" or Selle An-atomica

[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?

[FreshNewbie]

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.

[bikerz]

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 ). 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!

[Kitsune06]

The slit doesn't pinch your bits?

[bikerz]

The slit doesn't pinch your bits?

(Sorry Kit, just saw this question...)

No, not now. The first ride it did a little, and I think it was because I didn't have the tilt right. I don't notice the cut-out at all now.

You can take an exacto knife and trim the leather edges of the cut out so it isn't sharp, and also buff the edges, but I haven't done that.

I have had to retension it a few times - I'm almost certain that the saddle got too slack, causing the sides to flare out too much, and this caused the side-chaffing issue I experienced on the Wine Country Century ride. It's possible that I'll max out the tension screw, but I read somewhere that if that happens, they will fix it somehow.

On yesterday's ride I was plagued by a creaking with every pedal stroke, so I think I need to add some dry lube to the contact points and the tension screw.

But, I think this may well be the saddle for me, if the tensioning works out.

I am curious about the idea of lacing the An-Atomnica - I know people have done that with their Brooks to adjust the width and stiffness.

Andrea - I hope you like your saddle!

[Kitsune06]

I want to know why some people are so anti-an-atomica...

BikerZ I was thinking of butchering my Brooks anyway (the one where you "swallow-ize" it to make a slimmer profile like the Swallow has) I'd imagine that would cut down on 'flaring' but I'd imagine lacing would be possible, too. I'd limit how tight you lace, though, and be careful to waterproof/grease your laces fairly regularly. Leather held tight like that can "dry rot".

This should probably go on a different thread, but very quickly, how would I go about raising my handlebars? I already have a decent degree of 'lift' in my stem as it is. I'm concerned that I won't have enough room on the steerer tube to add spacers etc...

[Andrea]

This should probably go on a different thread, but very quickly, how would I go about raising my handlebars? I already have a decent degree of 'lift' in my stem as it is. I'm concerned that I won't have enough room on the steerer tube to add spacers etc...

If you don't have room for spacers, you can get a stem that has an angle to it. If you already have that, then I'm not really sure

[bikerz]

BikerZ I was thinking of butchering my Brooks anyway (the one where you "swallow-ize" it to make a slimmer profile like the Swallow has) I'd imagine that would cut down on 'flaring' but I'd imagine lacing would be possible, too. I'd limit how tight you lace, though, and be careful to waterproof/grease your laces fairly regularly. Leather held tight like that can "dry rot".

Since I would be lacing it to make the sides narrower, I'm a little worried that the laces themsleves would be what I rubbed against. Thanks for the tip about protecting the laces - I'm considering that butchering as a last resort!

I like the look of those "swallow-ized" saddles quite a bit!

[divingbiker]

I wonder how many people try the an-atomica and hate it?

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.)

[Kitsune06]

I'm just trying to assess the risk involved in sending my beloved brooks in to get pruned...

[divingbiker]

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.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Aren't the an-atomica saddles made from much thinner more flexible leather than the Brooks saddles?? I can't imagine that cutting a slit in a Brooks would make much difference in terms of the girly bits pressing the leather down. If the problem pressure area is up near the nose anywhere I would think it would make even less difference.
Also, if you cut your Brooks you won't ever be able to sell it for much if you decide you don't like it. Just a thought....

[KnottedYet]

Kit, before you send your beloved Brooks in to get slaughtered, can I ask a really stupid question?

You've probably already dealt with this... so forgive me.

You did level only the NOSE of your Brooks, right? So that the nose is level, and the back flares upward? (the back rivets will be higher than the nose)

[Kitsune06]

I've experimented pretty thoroughly w' saddle tilt. It just still mashes the h*ll out of my bits. Especially up front. Level, tipped up, tipped down I slide forward and put too much weight on my hands...

i'm just getting sick of having my bits rubbed raw. Even curled tight with tight abs, tucking tailbown down as low as I can in the 'pelvis neutral' position, when I get into the drops, things 'heat up' down there from friction and I know if I go more than 20-30 miles, things will be chafed beyond recognition.

[KnottedYet]

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?

MtKitchen "absolutely hates" her An-Atomica Titanico. Maybe she'll sell it to you?