which Brooks for my touring bike?

[Zelda_K]

I want to have a go at bike touring this summer, so I thought I'd transform my old hybrid bike (Specialized Crossroads) into a touring bike. Looking for saddles at the Brooks website, I wondered if I should choose the B17 S or rather the Flyer S. I have never had a saddle with springs. Are they really useful on rough roads? The Flyer is heavier than the B17. Does the advantage of greater comfort outweigh the disadvantage of higher weight?

[Slowspoke]

I don't feel like the weight of the seat will matter much. I have a B17 and LOVE it. I also have a B68s and like it alot but still am not sure about the snub nose on it. I have not been on a longer ride with that one. Try one out, that's the only way you will know.

[Biciclista]

I have several Brooks, not sure why you would get an "s" saddle.
I just got a B68 after years of using sprung saddles, i don't think the springs add that much really, and without them, yes your saddle weighs less.
If you go through Wallbikes, you can try the B17 and if you don't like it, you can go for the B68.. You can also ask them all these questions and get quick answers.
oh heck i just noticed you're in Europe. Sorry about all that Wallbikes stuff. You can probably buy the saddles right from England!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I don't know much about you, but I'd suggest trying both the B17 and the B68 (for slightly wider sit bones). I suggest no "S" models, no springs.
You really don't need springs for distance riding on roads, even on dirt or gravel roads. Springs are nice for city riding with potholes, cobblestones, etc.

If you've never ridden a non-padded saddle before, you'd be wise to break in both the Brooks saddle and your butt for a little while before doing any really long rides on it. ;)

[Zelda_K]

thanks for all these infos.

so far I have been riding mountainbikes (saddles = Ariel 130 mm and Ariel 143 mm) and road bike (Bontrager saddle -> changed for a selle Italia Gel Flow Lady). I can easily ride my road bike for 4-5 hours without any complaint (even when I used the original Bontrager).

The Brooks website says the "S" saddles are specifically for women. Why do you think that it isn't useful for a woman to buy an S saddle?

As for the springs: I believe now that I won't need them.

[KnottedYet]

"S" stands for "Short".

"S" saddles have short noses so skirts won't catch on them.
People find that the "Short" saddles have rails that are far too short to allow saddle position adjustments, and some don't like the loss of control from the shortened nose.

[Zelda_K]

"S" saddles have short noses so skirts won't catch on them.

Really? how ridiculous. thanks for the explanation. Now I know I won't need an S model. I think I will get a B 17.

[Biciclista]

Well, they ARE using the same equipment to make saddles that they used 100 years ago, and back then, women wore volumenous skirts.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

And yet one more reason that I went from an "S" Brooks to a "regular' Brooks was...
Because the rails on the "S" were so short, there was not enough room for me to attach the Bagman saddlebag brace that I wanted to attach my Baggins Little Joe saddlebag off the saddle rails with. In this photo you can see the nice long black rails in back with the saddle shoved all the way back (love it!) and the silver Bagman clamp attached to the saddle rails. With the "S" Brooks, there was not enough room left on the back rails to attach my Bagman to, so I would have needed a rack for my Little Joe bag. Now I get to have my saddle further back the way it feels good to me, and my fave saddlebag without a rack.
This saddlebag setup works really well for me. Mostly I keep stuff in my bag that is not super heavy- tire/tube/tool stuff, maps, extra vest, rain jacket, or shirt (warmer layers in winter), lock and cable, cell phone, etc. I can strap a loaf of bread on there too. :D
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1308/4712415698_c86befb664_b.jpg

One thing about Brooks saddles though is that you have to mess around with getting them leveled just right (as in nose up or down). A tiny change makes a huge difference. Once you get that angle right, it feels good. I'd also suggest starting out with the saddle pushed all the way back as a starting point. This is what Grant from Rivendell Bicycles recommends and it definitely works for me.

[Zelda_K]

Wow, that bag looks amazing. I have never seen anything like it :-)

[malkin]

On the tandem, the short nose is good, because with a longer one catches my pants and pulls 'em down. :o