Stretched to the Max: New Skin for the Miyata’s Saddle

12 Thursday Nov 2026

Last ride I mentioned the Selle Anatomica on the Miyata was stretched about as far as it goes. Here’s the deal.

Selle Anatomica saddles are comfortable from the first mile, and that’s the whole point. The trade-off is that the leather keeps giving. Sheldon Brown’s leather saddle page puts it plainly: SA saddles stretch over time, “particularly in humid and wet conditions.” There’s a tension adjustment, but once the bolt is used up, that’s it. Add a few seasons of Seattle humidity and mine is there. The tension bolt is run out and I am at the point where I feel the top of the seat clamp on occasion. This saddle was actually a used one I purchased a while back when it was already mostly used out. As I only use SA saddles on my bikes these days, I have always planned to re-skin this guy.

The good news is the frame and rails are fine, so this is a skin swap, not a new saddle. This is in my future…

I’m keeping a few things in mind this time, mostly from Sheldon: keep it dry, don’t over-oil it, and go easy on the tension bolt. With an SA, every turn you use is one you don’t get back.

The saddle is holding up so far – no big rides on this one until I replace it, but I’ll let you know how that goes…

Golden Gardens Loop on the Hilsen

09 Monday Nov 2026

Posted by Brian Hanson in Builds, Cycling, Northwest

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bicycle, commute, cycling, rivendell, hilsen, a. homer hilsen, Miyata, bike, Seattle, ballard locks, golden gardens, photography

Took the A. Homer Hilsen out Monday for the same Golden Gardens / Ballard Locks loop I rode on the Miyata Triplecross a couple weeks ago — Maple Leaf west through Greenwood, down to Golden Gardens, south to the Locks, South Ship Canal Trail to Fremont, Burke-Gilman past the U-District and Ravenna, then the climb back up to Maple Leaf.

Biggest difference right away: the Hilsen’s lower bottom bracket. At lights and stop signs I can put a foot down while still sitting on the seat. On the Miyata I’m up off the saddle more often for the same stops. Small thing on paper, real comfort on a city loop.

Parked at my usual Golden Gardens rest spot looking out toward the Shilshole breakwater. One harbor seal at the marina. None at the Locks later, so the salmon run is over.

A. Homer Hilsen parked overlooking Puget Sound at Golden Gardens — Rest spot at Golden Gardens

Copper Hilsen on the grassy shore at Golden Gardens with breakwater beyond — Hilsen at the Gardens

Side view of the lugged copper Hilsen with canvas bags at Golden Gardens — Side view

Hilsen on the shore with Shilshole breakwater and navigation light — Looking out past the breakwater

Harbor seal head above the water at the marina — Harbor seal at the marina

Harbor seal swimming near shore — Same seal, another look

South to the Ballard Locks. Last time on the Miyata there were two harbor seals and a California sea lion working the tail end of the salmon run. Today: empty, and the main channel was completely drained for maintenance. Lots going on down in the basin — crane, lifts, tanks, scaffolding. I took a few pics.

Hilsen parked on the Ballard Locks walkway overlooking the canal — Hilsen at the Locks

Hilsen against the railing with whitewater at the Ballard Locks spillway — Spillway side

Rear three-quarter of the Hilsen at Ballard Locks — Rear three-quarter

Hilsen from behind at the Locks with canvas bags and pizza reflector — Bags and pizza reflector

Hilsen by a rope spool on the Locks walkway — Along the walkway

Drained Ballard Locks main channel with exposed gate and narrow stream of water — Main channel drained

Looking down into the drained lock basin floor — Looking down into the basin

Empty lock chamber floor with silty concrete and wall openings — Empty chamber

Drained lock looking toward the closed gates with wooden access stairs — Toward the gates

Drained main channel filled with crane, lifts, and maintenance equipment — Maintenance in the main channel

High view of drained Ballard Locks chamber with orange container and work platforms — Another angle on the work site

Drained lock chamber with boom lift and autumn trees above — Boom lift in the basin

It was starting to rain on the way back, but I was fine in a woolly warm vest over a merino undershirt. No drama — just Seattle November.

After the Locks I picked up the South Ship Canal Trail toward Fremont, then the Burke-Gilman past the UW. Busy through campus — lots of kids back in school. Steady climb through Ravenna back up to Maple Leaf and home.

The Hilsen is dialed in and shifts well overall. Had a few skipped cogs when I started out, so I may need to look at drivetrain wear. Copper lugged steel, rim brakes, hand-taped drops, friction shifting — still the same quiet, predictable feel I wrote about years ago. Good contrast to the Miyata loop: same route, different bike under me, and a very different scene at the Locks.

Photos on Flickr: Hilsen Golden Gardens Ride.