Back in stock after a long absence: the popular R2 Rubber Saddle from SELLE ANATOMICA, the only manufacturer of handmade leather saddles in the United States!
Developed in 2007 by long-distance ultra-cyclist Tom Milton, the company's saddles are the result of his years of cycling experience and research. Today, his family in San Diego, California, continues the development, while each saddle is carefully handmade at their manufacturing facility in Wisconsin.
The R2 Rubber Saddle made from specialized rubber
The R2 Rubber Saddle is a standout model in their new lineup. It features a weather-resistant rubber top and a modular design that allows the seat and frame to be easily detached. The unique tensionable rubber top is a first for the cycling industry.
While slightly firmer than leather, its exceptional waterproof properties mean you don’t have to worry about maintenance after riding in the rain, making it an ideal saddle for touring, commuting, school, and riding in all weather conditions. From the very first day, you will experience the comfort of a saddle that feels like it’s been your favorite for years.
Furthermore, the aluminum frame and stainless steel rails used for the R2 are lightweight and high-strength, and parts can be replaced by the user. You can even upgrade to carbon fiber rails or replace the top with a leather one yourself when needed. Being able to replace and repair components yourself without sending them back to the US makes for a thoughtful design that is environmentally friendly and allows the saddle to stay with the user for a long time.
Designed to eliminate the discomfort experienced with traditional leather saddles
The saddle is the point of contact between the bike and the human, and its importance for both daily and long-distance rides is immeasurable. Leather saddles have long been the choice of many riders because they move with the body like skin, breaking in to match the rider's shape over time. However, their biggest drawback has always been the long time it takes to reach that point of comfort.
Selle Anatomica’s original saddles were designed based on the discomfort they personally experienced with traditional leather saddles. To resolve these issues, they conducted their own research into the medical problems associated with leather saddles.
Anatomic design in pursuit of comfort
They focused on the movement of the human body on the saddle.
The area that comes into contact with the saddle is the "pelvic floor muscles," located at the base of the pelvis (between the pubic bone, coccyx, and ischial bones), which are surprisingly delicate despite their name.
When these muscles weaken, it can lead to issues such as a dropped bladder, making it harder to exert pressure to close the urethra, which can cause urinary leakage. Additionally, weakened pelvic floor muscles may fail to support organs properly, potentially leading to conditions like uterine prolapse. It is also a characteristic that female pelvic floor muscles are longer, thinner, and weaker than men's.
It might be hard to imagine these risks when it concerns parts of your own body that you rarely hear about or see. However, with bicycles becoming an essential tool for daily life—not just for long-distance riders—these risks are a reality that affects everyone.
Working with doctors, they researched how to minimize or eliminate these medical issues, concluding it was essential for the saddle to adapt to the independent movement of both legs while cycling. This led to the creation of "THE SLOT" (the center cutout). This allows both sides of the saddle to move freely beneath the sit bones, relieving the stress placed on the body by the saddle surface. This is their patented "Flex-Fly System," which gave birth to what is often called "the most comfortable touring leather saddle in the world."
[SELLE ANATOMICA]
R2 Rubber Saddle
Features
- Hex key tension system
- Lightweight, high-strength frame that allows users to replace the seat top themselves
- Patented Flex-Fly slot relieves perineal discomfort and eases bone pain
- Waterproof and weather-resistant
Specs
Surface: Tensionable Vulcanized EPDM Rubber Top
Frame: Cast aluminum
Rails: Stainless steel tubular rails
Weight: 453g
Weight limit: Up to approx. 113kg
※The tension bolt is shorter than on the leather models; this is intentional, as the rubber material is less prone to stretching than leather, and using a shorter bolt prevents over-tensioning.
Price
29,480 yen (tax included)
