It's a Selle An-Atomica Clydesdale.
I gave it a favorable "200-mile report" here. I've really not mentioned it much since, but I've very much enjoyed it. It is, without any doubt, the most comfortable saddle I've ever ridden on.I recently had occasion to appreciate the comfort level.
For you see - my An-Atomica saddle broke! (Doh!) In mid-February, in the middle of a ride, I noticed it seemed to have considerable extra flex. I rode on home, and discovered that both rails were broken, right behind the seatpost clamp.
I contacted the company, and after the exchange of some information, they agreed to repair it. (Officially it had/has a 1-year warranty, and mine was slightly outside of the warranty period. But we all agreed that a $150 saddle really should last longer than a year.) They told me to send it in. Surprisingly, I just received a replacement brand-new saddle; I expected a new frame, but the same leather (which was
still in excellent shape).During the 3 weeks or so my An-Atomica was "offline," I rode on a more conventional saddle. It's one that I've logged thousands of miles on. And my first impression was, "Hey! This is like sitting on a post!" It was not uncomfortable on the sub-25-mile rides I mostly go on... but there's no doubt in my mind that the "butt hammock" provided by the An-Atomica would be way nicer on a 50-miler, or a multi-day bicycle tour.
I'm optimistic the replacement saddle will last much longer. It has to - no matter how comfortable, I can't justify $150/year saddle expense! (The only other saddle I've broken in 25+ years of riding was a $14.98 "Nashbar special.")
More detailed/technical info about the An-Atomica, and "saddle science," can be found on their website.
3 comments:
Different brand, same idea. I switched from a stock Bontrager to a Brooks B17 about 18 months ago. When I received the B17, I couldn't imagine this contraption that felt like a leather brick could possibly be comfortable. To my surprise, it was fantastic! Once I got it properly adjusted, that is. I found I had to point the nose slightly upward compared to the stock seat because I kept sliding over the front and getting poked.
"Butt hammock" is an apt description. Your sit bones rest on the spring-like leather and provide a surprisingly comfortable ride. Sometimes Old School beats Space Age hands-down.
Scott, if my replacement An-Atomica fails, I'll most likely go with a Brooks B17. Same concept, but with a price point about half. (I've gotta stretch those shekels.) Everybody who has a Brooks seems to love it, after a 2-week break-in / adjustment period.
Obviously you can't neglect leather the way you can synthetic materials, but keeping it out of the rain is a small price to pay.
+1 on the Brooks B17
once I got the tilt correct, i really don't even need padded shorts . ..
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