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  1. #16
    Join Date
    May 2005
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    Bay Area, CA
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    Quote Originally Posted by emily_in_nc
    Do those of you who have the Atola have the regular model or the Gelaround?
    Mine is the regular Atola womens saddle. I ordered it from Cambria Bicycle Outfitters for $64.95

    Quote Originally Posted by Slinkedog
    Hey BikerZ... which Terry saddle did you have before?
    I had a Terry Women's Butterfly Titanium. I was just looking at the picture of it on the REI website, and my cutout looks like it was quite a bit narrower than the photo. Hmmm - maybe I had some sort of reject saddle... Oh well, I'm happy with the Atola and it was $40 cheaper!

  2. #17
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Traveling Nomad
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    6,763
    Thanks for the info, Bikerz...

    I was also interested to see that the Atola is ever so slightly lighter weight than the Terry Butterfly ti (254g vs 262g), I guess because it is a little smaller. So for it to be that much less expensive than the Butterfly ti is pretty cool. I have Butterfly ti models on three of my four bikes now, but I'm looking forward to trying out this Atola!

    Emily
    Emily

    2011 Jamis Dakar XC "Toto" - Selle Italia Ldy Gel Flow
    2007 Trek Pilot 5.0 WSD "Gloria" - Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow
    2004 Bike Friday Petite Pocket Crusoe - Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow

  3. #18
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    WA, Australia
    Posts
    3,292
    Quote Originally Posted by emily_in_nc
    Based on the recommendations here, I decided to order a Selle San Marco Atola Gelaround saddle (found it at Colorado Cyclist for $69.99, most other stores that carried it were in the UK). I have been riding Terry Butterflies for years but think the back is too wide; I get lots of chafing towards the back. Love the cutout and general feel of the saddle. I wanted to try a narrower saddle but one that was not too incredibly hard (I tried the Terry Damselfly and OWWWW....way too hard, and the cutout was too narrow and pinched!) I chose the Atola Gelaround over the regular Atola since it sounded like it would be a bit softer in the sitbone area. So I'll report back once it comes in and I can try it out.
    Emily
    Hey Emily - How is the new saddle working out?
    The most effective way to do it, is to do it.
    Amelia Earhart

    2005 Trek 5000 road/Avocet 02 40W
    2006 Colnago C50 road/SSM Atola
    2005 SC Juliana SL mtb/WTB Laser V

  4. #19
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    San Jose, CA
    Posts
    1,485
    Yeah, I'm seriously considering having another look at that one... I got to see BikerZ's and it looked pretty nice!

  5. #20
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    WA, Australia
    Posts
    3,292
    Quote Originally Posted by slinkedog
    Yeah, I'm seriously considering having another look at that one... I got to see BikerZ's and it looked pretty nice!
    slinkedog - Im pretty happy with mine the sit bones are still not quite use to the change from my terry but the rest of my sit area feels much happier.


    If you go the Atola give us a review - always like to hear how stuff works for others.
    The most effective way to do it, is to do it.
    Amelia Earhart

    2005 Trek 5000 road/Avocet 02 40W
    2006 Colnago C50 road/SSM Atola
    2005 SC Juliana SL mtb/WTB Laser V

  6. #21
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Traveling Nomad
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    Quote Originally Posted by Trekhawk
    Hey Emily - How is the new saddle working out?
    Hi ~ It only arrived Tuesday via UPS (rather slow shipping since it had to come from Colorado to NC, and they didn't ship for several days after I ordered), I mounted it on my Aegis, but didn't go to the women's club ride last night b/c rain threatened, so I rode my older bike on the trainer indoors instead. So, it will be Saturday before I can try it out - but I'll report back.

    I love the way it looks, the shape, size and feel of the "gelaround", but I could tell immediately that it was heavier than my Butterfly ti saddles, even though per the weight on the Selle and Terry websites, it was supposed to be a few grams lighter! I weighed it on my super-duper-accurate postal scale, and it is exactly 2.1 oz heavier than the Butterfly ti, which really doesn't surprise me b/c of the gel and cro-moly rails, but someone isn't telling the truth - either Terry is under-reporting their weight or (more likely) Selle is off in the other direction. So, since I am sort of a weight weenie just on this particular bike, I was a bit disappointed, but I still plan to keep an open mind and try it. I'm down a couple lbs. in the bod since my accident, so I guess I can spare 2.1 oz. if the saddle is better for me, right?

    More complete report soon!

    Emily
    Emily

    2011 Jamis Dakar XC "Toto" - Selle Italia Ldy Gel Flow
    2007 Trek Pilot 5.0 WSD "Gloria" - Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow
    2004 Bike Friday Petite Pocket Crusoe - Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow

  7. #22
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    Jul 2003
    Location
    Traveling Nomad
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    Thumbs up So far, so good

    Okay ladies, I tried the Atola Gelaround yesterday on a 40 mile ride (my first of that distance since my accident - yippee!!!) It's too early to say definitively, but I think I am going to like it.

    When I sat on it right at first, it felt like the right shape and size, and I could feel my sit bones being well supported in back, even though it's quite a bit narrower than the Butterfly, so that confirms that I didn't really need the extra width of the B-fly. It also seemed like the areas in back that chafe on the B-fly weren't even hitting the saddle anymore, so it really might be an improvement there, as I'd hoped. The cutout is perfect, completely unnoticeable, the nose is comfy, the shorter length is fine, the only thing that was not perfect was that it definitely has a firmer feel in the sit-bone area (as I've read here), and as a result, I got a little sore by the end of the ride just on those two small areas, but I think this is something I can toughen up.

    Riding the Atola was a very different sensation than my first couple of rides when I tried the Terry Damselfly (two years ago) and thought it felt like a 2 by 4, and it also pinched and rubbed me raw in the labial area b/c the cutout was very narrow and firm. After the first ride on that one, I wondered how anyone could ever find it comfortable! A few rides later, it came off the bike, never to be used again.

    So far, I am happy with this purchase! A final verdict will come a bit later, but I'm cautiously optimistic.

    Thanks for the recommendation!

    Emily
    Emily

    2011 Jamis Dakar XC "Toto" - Selle Italia Ldy Gel Flow
    2007 Trek Pilot 5.0 WSD "Gloria" - Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow
    2004 Bike Friday Petite Pocket Crusoe - Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow

  8. #23
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    WA, Australia
    Posts
    3,292
    Quote Originally Posted by emily_in_nc
    Okay ladies, I tried the Atola Gelaround yesterday on a 40 mile ride (my first of that distance since my accident - yippee!!!) It's too early to say definitively, but I think I am going to like it.
    Emily
    Emily - pleased to hear it might be a winner for you. Im still happy with mine but as you said time and distance will tell but its looking good so far.
    Enjoy your riding.
    Leslie
    The most effective way to do it, is to do it.
    Amelia Earhart

    2005 Trek 5000 road/Avocet 02 40W
    2006 Colnago C50 road/SSM Atola
    2005 SC Juliana SL mtb/WTB Laser V

  9. #24
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Traveling Nomad
    Posts
    6,763

    Thumbs up The Atola is a keeper!

    I used it on a 50-mile ride today, and it felt great; my sit-bones have now completely adjusted, and it fits me just great. Sexy looking, too. I'm very happy with this saddle! SO glad to have read about it here. Thanks again!

    Emily
    Emily

    2011 Jamis Dakar XC "Toto" - Selle Italia Ldy Gel Flow
    2007 Trek Pilot 5.0 WSD "Gloria" - Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow
    2004 Bike Friday Petite Pocket Crusoe - Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow

  10. #25
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    3
    I've been lurking for a long time gathering very valuable information from this site, so I felt compelled to finally register and post a reply where I've had some minimal experience since I'm a relatively new rider. I bought a San Marco Atola Gelaround saddle this spring and have since put almost 3000 miles on it (I'm a new rider, but I really like it). For the most part, the Atola is very comfortable--even during centuries. My only complaint is that there is little padding in the nose. So I find it a lot less comfortable when I'm riding in the drops. Now that I'm getting a little faster, I find I like to ride in that position more, so I'm looking for a similar saddle that might accomodate that better. If you don't spend much time in the drops, I believe you will be very pleased, though.

  11. #26
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Traveling Nomad
    Posts
    6,763
    Quote Originally Posted by kim
    I've been lurking for a long time gathering very valuable information from this site, so I felt compelled to finally register and post a reply where I've had some minimal experience since I'm a relatively new rider. I bought a San Marco Atola Gelaround saddle this spring and have since put almost 3000 miles on it (I'm a new rider, but I really like it). For the most part, the Atola is very comfortable--even during centuries. My only complaint is that there is little padding in the nose. So I find it a lot less comfortable when I'm riding in the drops. Now that I'm getting a little faster, I find I like to ride in that position more, so I'm looking for a similar saddle that might accomodate that better. If you don't spend much time in the drops, I believe you will be very pleased, though.
    Hi Kim - welcome to Team E! This is a great place to hang out!

    I found your experience with the Atola interesting, because I ride in the drops fairly frequently and find the nose extremely comfortable. I wear Performance Ultra shorts most often, which have a lot of padding in the front, which may be the difference. I just don't notice the nose of the saddle at all, one way or another, which is a good thing. Once again, just shows how different we all are!

    Again, welcome, and now that you've registered, post on!

    Emily
    Emily

    2011 Jamis Dakar XC "Toto" - Selle Italia Ldy Gel Flow
    2007 Trek Pilot 5.0 WSD "Gloria" - Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow
    2004 Bike Friday Petite Pocket Crusoe - Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow

  12. #27
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Bay Area, CA
    Posts
    1,351

    I'm having second thoughts...

    Well, on the last two 45 mile rides on my Selle San Marco Atola, I started thinking maybe it's NOT the saddle for me after all. I think it might be too narrow at the back. I've been getting some unpleasant chafing where the back of my thigh meets the rear-end itself after about 20 miles... ouch. Bu tthe cut-out is perfect. I may try to find another saddle with a similar cut-out but with a slightly wider back. Any ideas?

  13. #28
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    WA, Australia
    Posts
    3,292
    Quote Originally Posted by bikerz
    Well, on the last two 45 mile rides on my Selle San Marco Atola, I started thinking maybe it's NOT the saddle for me after all. I think it might be too narrow at the back. I've been getting some unpleasant chafing where the back of my thigh meets the rear-end itself after about 20 miles... ouch. Bu tthe cut-out is perfect. I may try to find another saddle with a similar cut-out but with a slightly wider back. Any ideas?
    Maybe you could check out the San Marco Aero. Same cutout but different shape. Some of the girls here at TE recommended that one to me and a few preferred it to the Atola.

    Sorry to hear the Atola might not be a winner for you - saddle searching is such a pain (literally as well).
    The most effective way to do it, is to do it.
    Amelia Earhart

    2005 Trek 5000 road/Avocet 02 40W
    2006 Colnago C50 road/SSM Atola
    2005 SC Juliana SL mtb/WTB Laser V

  14. #29
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    3
    Another thing I noticed is that very small adjustments in bike fit can make big differences. At first I had paid a lot of attention to articles I'd read about how to fit the bike. And that was a good starting point. But I've since found I'm more comfortable if I ignore some of the "rules." The seat post that came with my bike was not adjustable (could move the seat minimally forward or backward, but could not change the angle), but my husband bought me a Bontrager carbon fully-adjustable post a couple of weeks ago--just out of the blue, what a guy. I've been playing around with that a little. Perhaps I just haven't found the perfect angle yet to be comfortable in the drops.

    Thanks for the shorts advice, though. That seems obvious, but I hadn't paid much attention to that--which is why I like this forum. There must be another thread for that, eh?

  15. #30
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Bay Area, CA
    Posts
    1,351
    Hi Trekhawk -
    Thanks for the suggestion - I might try out the Aero because it looks wider at the back. In the meantime I'm ordering a Koobi Classic saddle ($60 for a demo) which has a different cutout - more of a channel, but wider at the back. I'll try the Aero next, I guess.

    I'm trying not to panic! I really need to get a saddle I can sit on day after day, mile after mile for the ALC! Of course, hopefully as I get stronger and develop better riding posture (and my own rear end gets narrower!), I'll find a setup that works.

 

 

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