Brooks saddle - no cut outs?

Well DM, your post gives the impression that you didn't even try the saddle before you sent it back.

If you had actually tried it, that would be different. These saddles aren't for everyone, obviously. But it's worth a try. Which is what the ladies in the posts above were trying to tell you.

I thought what you posted was hurtful to Biciclista, OakLeaf, Thorn, melissam, and sundial, who took the time and effort to give you very helpful advice, which seems to me you blithely ignored.

You let them know from your post that they wasted their time trying to help you.


I don't even bother trying to explain Brooks saddles to people anymore. As this thread so perfectly demonstrates, it's just another example of the "blah blah Ginger" syndrome.

(That said, I might someday borrow those posts from Biciclista, OakLeaf, et al. to explain why Brooks saddles are worth trying - those were really good explanations. So thanks ladies :D)

Who buys a saddle and sends it back without even trying it? Thats pretty stupid!

i rode a brooks saddle for over a year and finally gave it up because it was still uncomfortable. I think some anatomies just need the cutout.
I found even after breaking the brooks saddle in (100 miles a week or more) still there was too much pressure on my soft tissue causing a sort of constant irritation. Perhaps my junk is bigger than most, perhaps my sit bones do not protrude enough. Regardless, the brooks is a beautiful saddle but the fit is not for everyone.

I ended up feeling great on a Selle Italia Lady Gel flow. http://www.selleitalia.com/eng/index.html

It might have something to do with the kind of shorts you wear as well.

In my experience I have found that shorts with really thick chamois cause too much pressure and give me discomfort in my girly-bits / soft tissue region.

Nowadays I prefer shorts with relatively thin chamois. I'm a big fan of the shorts (jitterbugs & mojos) and knickers (witches britches) from GroundEffect in New Zealand.
http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/index.htm

I wish TE sold them, because I like to send my business to TE whenever I can. But it looks like Ground Effect only sells direct.

(FWIW I've had no probs with ordering from Ground Effect, the shipping cost is reasonable and my orders arrive almost as quickly as orders from TE, which is saying a lot).


Ed to add:
I realize this whole discussion of hard saddles, especially paired with thin chamois, seems counter-intuitive. But, it works for me, and I shall leave it at that. :cool:

I love, love, LOVE my Brooks. Both of them.:D That being said, it's definitely not for everyone. Dogmama, sorry it didn't work out. I hope you find saddle nirvana soon.

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Originally Posted by sgtiger

I love, love, LOVE my Brooks. Both of them.:D That being said, it's definitely not for everyone. Dogmama, sorry it didn't work out. I hope you find saddle nirvana soon.

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That's a little nicer than all of the "icing my crotch" posts.

Yes, I tried it. No, I did not like it. I didn't think I would like it out of the box, but tried it because all of YOU gave it such rave recommendations. So, please don't assume anything.

You know, when I joined this board many years ago, it was very supportive. Now, people are looking to criticize and take offense. I even got slammed for starting a new thread on Brooks saddles (Beane saying there were "eight thousand threads" here on Brooks saddles).

Kermit - please don't call me stupid. I've been riding a road bike for 20 years and I know a few things about being comfortable. When I started riding, there were no saddles with cut outs available and I was quite comfortable. This was back when we had to rely on our LBS because we did not have extensive internet shopping. I've logged many many miles on flat saddles.

Sorry that you took my post the wrong way. But, please don't be so quick to assume - and then pile on nasty posts. It really is quite hurtful.

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Originally Posted by Dogmama

Yes, I tried it. No, I did not like it. I didn't think I would like it out of the box, but tried it because all of YOU gave it such rave recommendations. So, please don't assume anything.

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I read what I read. I appologize that I did not interpret your words correctly (all seven of them).

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You know, when I joined this board many years ago, it was very supportive. Now, people are looking to criticize and take offense. I even got slammed for starting a new thread on Brooks saddles (Beane saying there were "eight thousand threads" here on Brooks saddles).

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Uh, in case you didn't notice, people on this thread WERE being supportive. You were apparently too busy being annoyed at Beane's post to even acknowledge any of the other posts.

And when you did finally respond, you still did not bother to acknowledge (much less thank) any of those well-meaning and thoughtful and supportive posts, nor could you be bothered to take that extra moment to mention that you actually tried it.

Had you clued us in that you actually tried the saddle, I (and obviously, others) would not have gotten the distinct impression that you simply blew off those well thought-out and supportive posts.

That is precisely why I said this:

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If you had actually tried it, that would be different. These saddles aren't for everyone, obviously. But it's worth a try. Which is what the ladies in the posts above were trying to tell you.

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Again, I apologize for my incorrect assumption.

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Originally Posted by Dogmama

Yes, I tried it. No, I did not like it.

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Dogmama, just thinking....wonder if you are in a season of menopause where things are thinner/drier/different and saddles are just uncomfortable. I've noticed lately that there are days in the saddle that are really uncomfortable and other days that it feels right. I'm 5 years post menopause and this season has been really difficult for me.

I wish you luck in finding the right saddle.

I was not trying to be hurtful either and I apologize if it seemed that way. I figured I was just continuing in the same spirit as your comment about Brooks saddles.

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OMG. How can this be comfortable? It's like a piece of slick plastic over ... a board

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I thought you were being sarcastic and funny so I responded in kind.
I don't expect everyone to like Brooks saddles, and I don't think less of them for it. There are 100's of saddles, there's something for everyone.

Ack. Too many hurt feelings and misunderstandings. I don't thing Dogmama meant for y'all to think she was being dismissive. And Dogmama, I don't think the ladies meant to come off as harsh. Let's all hug and be friends, we've been here too long to stay mad..m'kay?

May I ask that we refrain from name calling?

Now back to the Food Network Challenge, because that's what fat, non-bike riding moderators do.



Shoot. Me. Now.

Sorry for my smart a** humor but it was actually in your defense. Someone said that you "didn't even try it". We've all probably looked at a saddle and known "no way" will that work. But you know you will put it on the bike and sit on it cuz you never know. I was actually trying to buffer the bad juujuu already in the post.
I personally love the Specialized Ruby. That is all!

Thank all of you who posted supportive replies and I apologize for not being more forthcoming with information. Yes, I was actually in a hurry and probably should have waited until I had more time.

Sundial - menopause, ugh. Yes, that's me but I finally caved and I've taking estrogen in various forms & things are better "down there" - but who knows?

OK, group hug (((((((everybody who posted on this thread)))))))))).

Don't scream - I actually still have the saddle - I haven't sent it back yet. It's all packaged up and in my car. I really do value everybody's opinion and don't see how I can have such a difficult time with a saddle that so many people love - even on other boards. Maybe once I heal up, I'll try repositioning it.

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Originally Posted by Dogmama

don't see how I can have such a difficult time with a saddle that so many people love - even on other boards.

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Why? Do you expect clothes that fit other people, should also fit you? There's a reason there are so many shapes and sizes of saddles, and fashion ain't it. (Okay, it's part of it, but not all. ;))

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Originally Posted by Dogmama

...don't see how I can have such a difficult time with a saddle that so many people love - even on other boards. Maybe once I heal up, I'll try repositioning it.

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For what it's worth-
When I first got a Brooks saddle my sit bones were so sore from it that I could hardly walk for a few days. I just was not used to having my weight so directly on my sit bones- I had been riding a padded hybrid saddle from a loaner bike.
I would have returned it for sure- I was in awful pain and it felt like sitting on a board. But my husband told me the soreness would fade and I might really like the saddle after that. I respect his opinions so I stuck with it. Sure enough, after two more weeks of soreness and riding, the Brooks saddle became incredibly comfortable for me. Now, thousands of miles later, I have them on both my bikes and would never want any other kind of saddle. It's like they are not even there- you know your saddle fits right when you never notice it.
Just my own story.

As the initial snarky wizeazz responder, I take responsibility for the disintegration of the thread.

TE should have a demerit system ... :o

Hugs back. Happy monday.