Outdoors NW Gear Review!

With today’s consumer focus on Made in America companies, San Diego-based Selle Anatomica is one of my favorites. Not only does this family-owned business build its bicycle saddles in America, it uses American leather.

The company was founded in 2006 by cyclist Tom Milton, who passed away while riding a double century in 2010. At the time of his death, his sister, Carol Milton Hosmer, and her family knew very little about the company and cycling in general, but they took it over and have carried on a great tradition with a keen eye toward innovation.

The X2 is the latest generation of the company’s split-top leather saddles with attention to green details often overlooked by many companies.

Traditional hard-leather saddles require time to conform to your body, and that can be an uncomfortable and time-consuming experience. The adjustable split down the center of the narrow leather Selle Anatomica saddle allows it to conform instantly to your backside. As the leather stretches you can adjust it with a simple hex key.

The X2 introduces a modular aluminum frame with stainless steel rails making it 420 grams, lighter than previous versions. With a hex key the saddle easily can be disassembled and reassembled, which means you can replace the leather top over time instead of tossing out the entire saddle. Selle Anatomica considers its leather tops a consumable product that can be replaced every five to seven years. MSRP: $214.99