Brooks B17 "N" or Selle An-atomica

[FreshNewbie]

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

[KnottedYet]

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! )

[FreshNewbie]

proofhide , proofhide, proofhide ( slowely repeating to myself while waiting for a mailman)

[mimitabby]

and proofhide is good for the skin of your hands!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

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.

[merryn ferguson]

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.

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 squirms

[Kitsune06]

...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....

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

...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.

[freshsushi]

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.

[mimitabby]

Kit, I have a B67 on MY road bike!!

[KnottedYet]

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.)

[Kitsune06]

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...

[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?