Rivet review?

[Brian Hanson]

Has anyone been able to ride a new Rivet saddle long enough for a review?  I'm thinking about the mahogany Pearl for the new Hunqa build.  I just took it out for the shake-down ride to work today.  It was a smooth ride!  Thumbs up so far.  I am realizing the small saddlebag will have to move to a taller bike with more clearance (59cm AHH) as I got some tire rub.  Luckily I have an XS Keven's bag that will do it up right. 

http://flic.kr/s/aHsjzosf8m
Brian
Seattle, WA

[William]

On the San Francisco Randonneurs Google Group, there have been several posts about the Rivet.  None of them are blog length narratives, but they have all been 100% enthusiastically positive.  It is my perception that all of the people who posted there on the SFR page went into it agreeing with the mission of Rivet, which is splitting the difference between a too-hard Brooks and too-soft Selle Anatomica.  It is also my perception that all of the people who posted also went into it liking Deb Banks very much personally, and so all of them really wanted to love their new saddle.  That doesn't prove anything, but it does provide context if you go to that group and search the archives for reviews.  I also like Deb Banks very much, and will probably buy one of her saddles soon.  

[Toshi Takeuchi]

They stink because I need to buy another Rivet ($) to replace another
saddle that now seems too uncomfortable!

My first big ride @ the beginning of June...

Toshi

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[qwerty]

Hi Brian,

Sorry I can't help out with a Rivet saddle review, but if one of those
doesn't work out for you, you might consider looking for a B.17 in
maroon. Somewhat rare, but they do turn up for sale now and then. I
recently found one on eBay for my recent Hunqa acquisition. (I also
have a Haulin' Collin rack but it resides on my rSogn).

http://flic.kr/s/aHsjzoE2Md

Best,

Mike Gillespie

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[Bill M.]

I bought a mahogany Pearl Rivet (with Ti frame, no less) directly from Deb & company at NAHBS in Sacramento.  I only have 300 miles or do on it to date.  As far as it splitting the difference between a Brooks and an SA, I'd say its firmer than either.  That's not a bad thing necessarily, the firm leather does a good job of supporting the sit bones which keeps the softer stuff from crushing against the saddle.  The SA is a different approach entirely, it's leather is soft enough to act like a hammock and supports you more because the leather is in tension under your weight.  What I find to be really stellar about the Rivet is the shape - the nose is long and narrow, with a sharper flare out to the wider part of the saddle.  That keeps the edges of the saddle from contacting the inner thighs,  It gets out of the way better than the B17 or the SA.  

One other rider in my club has a Diablo (the narrower one), and he likes it a lot.  He also probably rides more miles a week than I do a month.  

I haven't been uncomfortable yet on the Rivet, and I expect it to get better with more miles.  I like it.  And I have to admit, I only briefly met Deb but I did like her too.

Bill

Stockton, CA

On Tuesday, May 15, 2012 2:39:38 PM UTC-7, stonehog wrote:

On Tuesday, May 15, 2012 2:39:38 PM UTC-7, stonehog wrote:

[iamkeith]

 For the sake of consolidating useful info, I'm reviving an old thread rather than starting a new one.  But with a request for new/different feedback.  I know someone here will be able to help:

Can anyone tell me how Rivet saddles compare specifically to the Selle Anatomica?   I've been using the later since Tom was around and Deb was a part of things, I think, and have been so happy with them that I just didn't have a reason to change or experiment with others.   When something works....

But Selle Anatomica appears to have recently changed their rail design, and it no longer works for me.  I can't slide it far enough forward and, even if I could marginally make it work by buying a zer0-setback seatpost, would likely be precluded from using a Carradice saddle bag support (which clamps onto the rails behind the seat). That alone is a deal breaker.   I'm not sure why they did this, because it was the other direction (people sliding them too far backwards) that had been resulting in bent rails and durability issues, from what I've read.

I might be reading too much into things, but it seems like they're getting a bit too corporate / mainstream / trend-chasing, too.  Their new all-carbon saddle is going the wrong direction for my tastes, for instance, and I don't think Tom's sisters are even personally involved anymore. 

Do Rivet saddles have similar adjustability range to the older Selle Anatomica Saddles?  I'd love to see a side-by-side photo of the undersides, if you know of one or could take one.  Can anybody offer any impressions regarding the fit of the different models (Diablo, Independence, Pearl) compared to the Titanico?  I assume the Diablo is based on the design of the same name that Tom was working on when he died.  I once thought I'd want that, but I'm obviously comfortable with something wider.

Or perhaps I should take a look at the new Brooks Cambium.   Can anybody offer an impression/comparison in that regard?

Thanks for comments!

 

[Steve Palincsar]

Although both (most models, anyway) have slots and look somewhat similar, the Rivet and the SAA don't feel much like each other.  The Rivet saddles have an arched top.  For $25 you can join the Rivet demo program and try them yourself - very well worth it, in my opinion, whether you decide to get one or not.

[Kieran J]

Here are a Rivet Pearl and SA Titanico X side-by-side. Both are new.

KJ

[Tony DeFilippo]

The Rivet seems much more substantial and hardy than the SAA.  I had a Titanico X that bent badly over the course of a 100 mile ride... on the other hand I haven't subjected the Rivet to the same length ride but it feels more sturdy.  I've found it to be quite comfortable up to 40 miles which is as far as I've pushed it so far.

[Kellie]

I found the Rivet too hard and now ride all Aged B17's.

[Eric Norris]

I reviewed the Rivet saddle a few years ago:

http://campyonlyguy.blogspot.com/search/label/rivet%20cycles%20saddle%20rivetcycleworks%20cycle%20works

Summary: Took much longer than a B-17 to feel comfortable for me, but once it did I loved it. I still have this saddle on my Quickbeam.

--Eric Norris
campyo...@me.com
www.campyonly.com
campyonlyguy.blogspot.com

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[iamkeith]

Thanks for the replies, everyone.  Very helpful.

It does look like the Rivet rails offer a similar adjustment range to the old SA.   I wasn't aware of the try-before-you-buy program, so that sounds like the thing to do if I decide to go that way.

For the benefit of anyone else looking at this thread, that SA in Kieran's photo is "new" as in not used - but it's the "old" design, with the longer rails.   Attached are some side-by-side photos of the old and even newer (re-designed) versions.   Taking a page out of Coca Cola's playbook, the new and improved one now offers about 1/8" to 1/4" more rearward adjustment, but reduces the forward adjustment range (and bag support clamping real estate) by about 1 1/2".  Such a shame.

[iamkeith]

 Well, good news - now that I've muddled up this Rivet thread:

I finally spoke with Selle Anatomica.  Turns out I wasn't the only one frustrated, and they now offer a base with longer rails.  It isn't listed, and it isn't standard, but at least its available.   Also, Carol - Tom's sister - is still running the company and handling customer service.

I'd still appreciate hearing more reviews of the rivet, from anyone with experience to compare to the SA.

[Ron Mc]

I put 35 miles on my Rivet Indy on my go-fast last weekend.  I have actually been playing so much with my new upright, I hadn't even ridden the bike in 5 months.  So this is fresh.  

Now a year and month old, I replaced a stretchy SA with the Indy.  The Indy hit its stretch limit for me in a couple of rides (which the SA never did after 6 months and over half of the stretch bolt).  The saddle is pretty firm on your sit bones, though plenty comfortable, and is tolerant of sliding around a bit.  When you do slide forward, you feel the hammock deflect.  Delighted with it after my 35-mi ride on this application.  

I like the contact, fit and especially the cooling in the s. Texas summer heat.  

Also should point out I'm a total fan of B17 Special on my other bikes.  

There is one little weirdness.  The "violin hole" I think has a too small radius in the back hole, and this causes a little crown pinch at the back edge of the hole.  However, it looks more intimidating than it feels and myrecent ride supports it.  

[Peter Adler]

That's gratifying to hear. I've been riding SA-As for six years, and I'm still a little disoriented by the Great Saddle Shortening of 2013, when the original design dropped 25mm (330 to 305), and then lost length again in 2014 (305 to 285). I was used to that long nose; now it's sized like a Brooks with a long cutout. In addition to giving you more repositioning room, the longer saddle was weird-looking enough to discourage theft.

Also, I wish they'd bring back the Watershed leather in Golden. The Vintage Tru-leather is a reasonable color match for Brooks honey and VO elkhide macchiato, but SA-A's saddle sauce is a thoroughly inadequate water prevention treatment. I ordered a shiny-new saddle in last December's annual Xmas sale ($99 a saddle), sauced it up per the instructions, and then Stormageddon hit in the Bay Area - the one big rain event we've had in the last year. I got water blisters all over the saddle, and took it off to dry out. It's still in my parts box, while the previous year's non-matchy mahogany Watershed has gone back on.

I am not amused. A saddle that falls apart in the rain, when you make another saddle that can withstand Biblical floods - that's not exactly touring-friendly.

Peter "human interface fascist" Adler

Berkeley, CA/USA

[Eileen Lloyd]

My Brooks B17 is only good for up to 300K rides but the Rivet has worked for 400+ and 600K rides including one weekend of a 500K followed the next weekend by a 600K.  Unlike Brooks, you don't need to use a seat cover on Rivets for rainy day brevets.
Eileen

On Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 2:39:38 PM UTC-7, stonehog wrote:

[Lungimsam]

Too bad they don't make a sprung saddle.

[Geoffrey]

I have three Rivet pearl seats.  I'm obviously a fan.  The leather is thicker than a brooks (I have one that is well broken in) but once the Rivet breaks in (quicker than a brooks btw) it seems much softer.  I ride mine with 2 degrees nose up.  Great saddles.

[Deacon Patrick]

I initially tried Rivet saddles because of Debbie's one year trial refund. I got on the Diablo and haven't looked back since.

With abandon,

Patrick