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The X-series Touring bike saddles from Selle Anatomica are arguably the most comfortable bikepacking saddles in the world.

The main difference between the two is the frame, one is a chromoly frame and steel rails, the other is lighter with an aluminum frame that can be upgraded to take carbon rails.

Obviously it would be nice to shed some weight and get the lighter saddle with the carbon rails if you don't mind spending the extra money, but what confuses me is that the cheaper saddle is designed for cyclists who ride more than 100 miles per week, and the lighter saddle is designed for cyclists who ride less than 50 miles per week.

What I want to know is, why is the lighter saddle "designed" to go short distances?

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    It could be marketing because saddles are best chosen with your bottom! ;-) – Carel Jul 7 '20 at 17:57
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    Seems like a weird thing to rate a saddle on miles per week. It says they are both ideal for distance and touring. But even a number like 100 miles a week is peanuts for somebody who is doing touring. 100 miles a day isn't uncommon. And even my reasonably short 5 mile commute ends up being 50 miles a week once you count both ways and 5 days a week. I've been riding the stock saddle that came on my bike and probably have 30,000 km on it without any issues. – Kibbee Jul 7 '20 at 18:16
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    Sounds like they hired a marketing person who has never ridden a bicycle more than a km or two to write ad copy in a language the company selling the saddle doesn't understand... – Andrew Henle Jul 7 '20 at 18:31
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This might be the sort of question to ask Selle Anatomica. However, here is an educated guess based on the part descriptions.

Generally, we know that aluminum has a lower yield strength than steel: in lay terms, aluminum can withstand a smaller amount of force before it fails. Also, given the same external diameter and material, I'm pretty sure a hollow tube is weaker than a solid rod. (NB: given the same mass, a hollow tube is stronger than a solid rod).

Assume the balance of the saddle construction apart from the frame and seat rails is identical. Selle Anatomica may believe or they may have proof that the X2, with an aluminum frame and tubular steel rails, is weaker than the X1, i.e. the entire structure's yield strength is lower.

However, their own descriptions are confusing. This sentence about the X2 directly contradicts their usage ratings, emphasis mine:

The new frame used with our Series 2 saddles is lighter weight, stronger, and user serviceable.

Also, they say that the X2 is, emphasis mine:

Designed for cyclists who ride less than 50 miles per week and/or weigh between 120 and 190 pounds

And about the X1:

Designed for cyclists who ride more than 100 miles per week and/or weigh between 120 and 190 pounds

I'd hypothesize that the literature was written by a product manager who did not really think through how the yield strength of the X1 and X2 might compare. In any case, given the plain language of the descriptions, you should be able to ride either saddle if you are between 120 and 190 lbs. By implication, if you are over 190 lbs, Selle Anatomica might think that you are better off on the X1, assuming that the X1 actually has a higher yield strength. Also, the language is a bit sloppy.

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  • Good explanation, but I'm still going with "Italian company hires non-cyclist lowest bidder to write English marketing material". – Andrew Henle Jul 7 '20 at 18:35
  • @AndrewHenle Selle Anatomica is based in California. – kmm Jul 7 '20 at 21:18
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    So we can conclude that native proficiency in a language is not a guarantee of correct writing. – Weiwen Ng Jul 8 '20 at 2:26
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    190lbs maximum rider weight seems quite low for a standard American. – Carel Jul 8 '20 at 7:56
  • I'm no metallurgist or engineer, but "lower yield strength" seems right to me. In the one engineering class I took, the prof said that all metal will fatigue and fail after enough flexing. Aluminum tolerates much less flexing than steel and steel alloys. If you ride twice as much distance over comparable roads, you'll get twice as much flexing. FWIW, I had the leather (not the frame) fail on a saddle once, and it was a little uncomfortable. Go with the steel. You won't regret it. – ichabod Jul 8 '20 at 18:15

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