Brooks Saddles

Thanks everyone for your help. I called Wallbikes this morning to order my fully-decided-upon Flyer... and then Bill asked, "Did you have any questions about it?" Ha! A 15-minute conversation later, and he put me through to Brent from whom I ordered the B67. :D

I still don't know if it's the "right" choice, and I probably really won't until I have it for a while. Meanwhile, it's in the mail!

Biciclista, thanks tons for encouraging me to come back to talk about positioning. If I need to, should I do that here, or in a new thread?

heh, put Brooks saddle in the title, and we will find it :cool::cool:

Hope the Brooks experts can help. :) I'm thinking about one for a new touring bike but understand you're not supposed to ride them wet. So what happens if it rains on tour? Plastic bag?

I'm small and think the sit bone measurement is 120-130mm - bit hard to be sure. But I use a pretty firm saddle on the roadie and I prefer a narrow nose. Would I be on the right track with a B17s or Finesse? No trial system here, so I'd like to be pretty sure.

A lot of people ride them wet. My husband did a 24 hour ride in the rain that ruined his saddle. there's a big difference between 2 hours and 24 hours if you catch my drift.
A lot of people here in the NW USA (where it rains) have Brooks saddles. I have ridden mine in the rain with no problems at all; many many times.
If you ride extremely long distances and are in a rainy climate, you probably would be better off with an An-atomica

Just take a couple of heavy plastic bags with you and tie them over your Brooks if it's really raining hard. Always handy to have a couple of good plastic bags packed on a tour anyway! (and a good bungee cord...and bandages...and a bandana....and...and.....) :D

Also, Wallingford Bicycle Parts sells Brooks saddle covers:
http://www.wallbike.com/brooks/veloxseatcover.html

sadly, they are not waterproof.

Thanks everyone. :)

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Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl

Always handy to have a couple of good plastic bags packed on a tour anyway! (and a good bungee cord...and bandages...and a bandana....and...and.....) :D

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Yeah, my packing list is starting to look like that. lol

Does anyone have a "trick" for making the B67s stop pinging? I remember reading that KnottedYet had the same thing happen with her sprung saddle. It makes a creaking and pinging noise, sometimes. I love the saddle so much, that even if I can't silence it I'm keeping it. I was just curious if this is something that will fade away with use, or if I can do something to make it stop.

Today was my first real ride on my new LHT with the new Brooks saddle (B-17). I was in the saddle for something like 90 minutes, and frankly I didn't notice the saddle existed during my ride.

Shortly after my ride, however, I noticed a little pain in a very particular place - and just on one side. I am going to assume that it was my sit-bone complaining a little - but is it usual for only one side to complain? Just curious, thanks! It passed pretty quickly, so I certainly am not worried about it, just wondering if this was common or a sign that perhaps something isn't adjusted properly.

Oh yes, I did notice that I was slipping a bit on the leather and seem to remember adjusting my position pretty frequently. It didn't feel like my saddle was tipped down or anything, but that my knickers were slipping on the smooth leather.

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Originally Posted by Biciclista

sadly, they are not waterproof.

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But the ones made by Randi Jo Fabrications (formerly Rainy Peak) are - https://www.randijofab.com/products-...s/saddle-cover

She'll make custom ones to fit the wider Brooks saddles too. She made me one for my B68s that's been on my bike since the rainy season started and it's great. It has a flap underneath to keep the underside dry, and stays snugly in place so you can leave it on while riding. Can't recommend it highly enough!

she makes great cycling caps too. Every member of our household, including the 4 and 6 year old, have 'em now.

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Originally Posted by Catrin

Shortly after my ride, however, I noticed a little pain in a very particular place - and just on one side. I am going to assume that it was my sit-bone complaining a little - but is it usual for only one side to complain?

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Catrin, the same thing happened to me. It was just the right side sit bone area. It went away on it's own. I'd ride it a little more, and then if it still hurts after a few more rides, maybe adjust it a tiny bit?

I just did one of the Spinervals with my LHT on the trainer (fish would enjoy cycling outdoors right now) - both for the exercise and to practice shifting. Granted, I have only put about 25 miles on my new bike - couldn't ride this week at all - but I noted something with my B17.

Last weekend I took my new bike to the park and put on about 13 miles getting used to it and getting comfy moving my hands on the bars. I noted nothing going on with the saddle - indeed didn't even notice it was there.

This time - on the trainer - I was quite aware of my girly bits and though I got off the bike about 10 minutes ago I still note a little numbness down there. However, when actually riding it last weekend I noted none of this.

Could this somehow be related to the trainer? Could this be a possibility? Obviously more testing off the trainer is required :D However it is supposed to rain for the next 4 days.... sigh

Using a very unscientific method to check, I THINK that my sit bones are close to the rails on the saddle, though I could be wrong... the fitter at my LBS was sure the B17 was the right size but I wonder....

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Originally Posted by Biciclista

sadly, they are not waterproof.

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I've got a cover and I've been thinking about using the spray that makes clothing waterproof. I wonder if that will help.

Just put a B17 on my mtb. Now I'm second guessing myself about whether or not it should have been a B17S. I bought it from the LBS, so if it doesn't work, I'll have to sell it. Still, it is loads better for my bum than the WTB I was riding.

Deb