Women and Brooks saddles

[obinja]

Any women out there using Brooks saddles? I'm considering one for touring.
Opinions? Comments? Experiences?

[malkin]

Without TE I wouldn't have landed on a Brooks, and without a Brooks, I wouldn't have been able to ride more than 5 minutes.

[Antaresia]

I'm using two, I won't get rid of them, but I won't buy another one either.

I got a B17s for my mixte, and I LOVE it on that bike. I think that model saddle does really well on upright bikes. You're *** will be sore for a week at first, but it's worth it. The only problem I have is that it's got "sides" to it, it's not a thin seat and this creates rubbing when I wear shoter-style shorts. Not a problem if you don't mind longer style shorts. Brooks' thinner seats are a little out of my budget.

I got another B17s for my CX frame commuter, and I like a little less on that bike. It's just not as a good a fit on a bike that I want to go fast on, but it's isn't painful either (until mile 25, but I don't wear padded shorts). I'll switch it for a good quality thinner saddle if I find a good deal on Craigslist, which is what I did for my SS beater. I'm really happy with this saddle (http://www.brauns.com/gc/gc_item.exe?K=BBB-BSD-08-ANATOMICDESIGNSADDLE) I picked up for $20, the guy wanted a gel seat for his bike : /

[malkin]

If I rode through the excruciating discomfort that I would certainly experience on a B17, I would probably need to have it surgically removed from my pelvis.

MEASURE YOUR SIT BONES!

If the saddle fits, ride on it!

[murielalex]

I have a B17 and love it. I've had no issues since I got it in just the right position for me (took a couple weeks of tiny tweaks) and didn't have the break-in period issues others have reported. It was comfy on day one and has just gotten better.

[obinja]

Oy vey...Now I am confused. I had a Terry butterfly on my very first tour about 4 years ago. Not that I ever begin something in a small way, I rode 1,000 miles across the midwest. The Terry was Ok. It's now on a townie.
My touring bike is in London, I'm in Colorado until we meet up again in September for a ride this fall and winter.
The touring bike is a Salsa Fargo with drop bars. The stock seat served me well while touring England. I'm going to switch to a more upright position for comfort. My current bike came out of a dumpster and is about 20 years old. Aside from a slightly bent bottom bracket, it is in good working order, a little heavy but it's got new cables, break pads, chain etc. I aslo switched out the handlebars to an upright position. If anyone is interested it's an original Kona mountain bike.
The seat sucks! My plan is to put a new saddle on it (Brooks if I can work out the best fit) and then take it with me to put on the Salsa.
I could try measuring my sit bones but where does one find an instrument that precise?

[murielalex]

If you order from Wallbike, they have a six-month return policy. There is an extensive Brooks saddle thread on this site, and after reading it, I decided to try for the B17 to start, but was also looking at the B68, based on women's recommendations here.

[Crankin]

Meh, I guess I'm the only person on TE who hated the Brooks. I really don't remember which one I had, but it was measured correctly, etc. I had it for 4 months, maybe 5 and my azz never stopped hurting. I sold it to someone on TE, who put it on her commuter or mixte.
It also didn't look so great on my Kuota. Thankfully, I stumbled on the Terry Falcon X after this and I've been happy as a clam since.

[Sky King]

Oy vey...Now I am confused. I had a Terry butterfly on my very first tour about 4 years ago. Not that I ever begin something in a small way, I rode 1,000 miles across the midwest. The Terry was Ok. It's now on a townie.
My touring bike is in London, I'm in Colorado until we meet up again in September for a ride this fall and winter.
The touring bike is a Salsa Fargo with drop bars. The stock seat served me well while touring England. I'm going to switch to a more upright position for comfort. My current bike came out of a dumpster and is about 20 years old. Aside from a slightly bent bottom bracket, it is in good working order, a little heavy but it's got new cables, break pads, chain etc. I aslo switched out the handlebars to an upright position. If anyone is interested it's an original Kona mountain bike.
The seat sucks! My plan is to put a new saddle on it (Brooks if I can work out the best fit) and then take it with me to put on the Salsa.
I could try measuring my sit bones but where does one find an instrument that precise?

Okay, so this Brooks is for a more upright position? If so I would look at the B68 but then if you want to also put the same saddle on the Salsa I see the dilemma as you are in two different positions and a B68 isn't going to be comfy with drop bars and a more forward position.

Hope you read the measuring sit bones thread and of course to muddy the waters further - pear shaped and t-shaped.

I am riding the rivet pearl and like it so far, was concerned it may be to pear shaped for me but haven't had any issues but then again, i have yet to ride it over 35 miles in one sitting.
just an fyi, we also offer a six month return on saddles :)

[Thorn]

...and a B68 isn't going to be comfy with drop bars and a more forward position.

As a counter....I ride a B68 on all my road bikes. While it may be designed for an upright bike if your sitbones need the width, the B68 will work on a road bike, albeit, I'd suggest the Imperial version (or adding a Selle Anatomica slot) as do all of mine.

BTW....glad to hear the Rivet is doing well. Let us know how it rides on a long ride. Curiousity gets to me, even if the Pearl is too narrow for me.

[jobob]

Grab some coffee. (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=1493)



Wow that thread goes waaay back!!!

And is full of excellent advice, I might add. ;)

[Sky King]

As a counter....I ride a B68 on all my road bikes. While it may be designed for an upright bike if your sitbones need the width, the B68 will work on a road bike, albeit, I'd suggest the Imperial version (or adding a Selle Anatomica slot) as do all of mine.

BTW....glad to hear the Rivet is doing well. Let us know how it rides on a long ride. Curiousity gets to me, even if the Pearl is too narrow for me.

Awesome, thanks, I don't know anyone using a B68 on road bikes.

FYI - the DH sold my Rivet out from under me yesterday!!! Hopefully will get a new one soon (still trying to get ahold of Rivet, grrr) So I had to ride my old fizik's last night and it is NOT as comfortable in any way shape or form.

[moderncyclista]

In my experience,

Brooks B17 specials seem to be made from more supple leather. I have a "Standard" and a couple of "Specials". The specials are noticably "more" comfortable straight out of the box and just in general. I love my Brooks, they are on all my bikes! :D

I have broad hips, but I am comfortable and my sit bones do fit on a B17. Trust me, I've got the curves.

Try one out. Get a B17 special. Go thru Wallbike so you can return it if you don't fancy it.

If you don't fit. Try out a B67 or B68.

Best of Luck to you!