advice on bike saddles

hello, this is my first post on this forum. I seem to get directed here whenever I google about bike seats, so I might as well stick around!

I need some input on bike saddles. I currently commute on my cyclocross with an Avocet o2 saddle. It's done me well for the last couple of years, but since it's that synthetic buffalo "leather" it's frayed beyond pathetic now. I really need to replace it, but it's so difficult when everyone's shaped differently and most stores won't let you try them out anymore.

I've recently tried a Terry ATB Comp and found it to be one of the most uncomfortable pieces of bricks shaped like a saddle; I'm numb in minutes.

I'm fairly small, and my sit bones are quite narrow. I'm contemplating a Brooks B-17, but am a bit scared about the initial break in phase.

Any suggestions? thanks!

Hi Badger, and welcome!

You'll find Terry saddles at MEC that you have at least a month (if not three!) to test and return. That's a start.

I have found Dizzy Cycles (on 4th) and Campione (on 7th) somewhat accommodating. I'm not keen on Dizzy's range of products, but they have Specialized BG saddles, which some ladies on this forum seem to enjoy. Campione has a much broader range, but perhaps more on the road bike/racing side. They have Selle Italia Lady Gel Flow saddles, which a few of my friends swear by.

For Brooks, perhaps try La Bicicletta (on Broadway), or perhaps even Mighty Riders (also on Broadway) while you're at MEC...

I've been interested in a Selle An-atomica for a while (available here on TE) but I haven't made a move yet. If you see one somewhere in Vancouver please let me know!!

Good luck!!

I'm a real brooks saddle fan. You can order any brooks at wallbike and you get a 6 month guarantee.
I tried the b17 and didn't like it.
About the break in, on the seats I like (the b67) i just start riding. I hardly notice the saddle. I guess what i'm saying is it won't be a day and night change. And if the saddle is really really uncomfortable after it is set up in the right position, no amount of breaking it in is going to change it.

thanks guys!

grog: I know all of the stores you speak of, my cyclocross is actually a Cramarotti - and it came with the men's version of Selle Italia but they gave me a damaged one (nose was banged and there was a noticeable rise on where your bits fall, VERY painful!) and swore it had nothing to do with them (doubtful).

I know Ed (Mighty Riders) from when he was working at Main Station Bikes. Not the best of friends, so I've avoided going in there, though anyone who knows anything about bikes swear by MR.

MEC's very heavily stocked on the Terry and I think one Fiz'ik and not sure I like any of their styles. My recent foray into Terry was because I found it for $15 (including shipping!) on ebay...

I got my Avocet O2 from Dizzy, and I can concur with your finding of their selection.

I think I'll try a Brooks through Wallbike - I've been browsing at that site all morning and may give the B-68 a try, as B-17 looks a bit slippery with the smooth leather.

thanks again!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mimitabby

And if the saddle is really really uncomfortable after it is set up in the right position, no amount of breaking it in is going to change it.

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I'd have to say that when I first started riding my Brooks saddle, I was in considerable sitbone pain for the first week, less pain and soreness for the second week, then pretty comfortable for the third and fourth week, then VERY comfortable after that. Lots of people might have given up after the first few days. I think a lot of it was not the saddle breaking in, but my sitbones breaking in. :p
All worth it now, because I love my comfy Brooks saddle.

Badger- expect some slippery feel at first from ANY Brooks. It will go away after a week or so of riding.

I think the B68 is an excellent choice. it is more comfortable to me than the b17, it supports the delicate parts better.

I had the B17 and it was not quite wide enough for my sitbones. The B68 is what I have now, and it is just great. The better you support your sitbones, the more weight you will take OFF of your sensitive girly parts. :p

I love my Brooks Champion Flyer S. My sit bones were a little bit sore the first day or two, but nothing major, particularly compared to the pain my girly-bits had been feeling. The Champion Flyer is a B17 with springs, I believe.

Not to mention the status symbol. Every Brooks gets a 2nd look from me. Even an old Brooks that's been mistreated. I see a bike with a Brooks and think "Now there's a REAL cyclist."

My bike, Hulk, won't speak to other bikes unless they have a Brooks. Except for the ones she lives with in the garage. And the ones she spends the day with in the bike shelter. But she is pretty snooty about it. You can hardly live with her since I hand-built a rear wheel for her. She's getting a front wheel with a generator hub for christmas, and I don't know if she'll even let me ride her after that. I may not be good enough for her any more.

+1 for all that Mimi and Lisa said.

Getting the Brooks dialed in was the hardest part for me...once I got that right, I didn't care if it was hard...in fact, my specialized padded seat for some odd reason gives me a more sore set of bones than my Brooks. My MAIN concern was keeping pressure off the front parts...and...knock wood..
I haven't had any trouble at all. B67 on my hybrid and B68 on my road bike.

ALso..get the Proofhide and use it liberally. It helps with the slippy part.
I slather it on and let it sit over night before buffing it off. Slather it on the underside and leave it there.
IF you like the Brooks.

The Selle Anatomica is like the B17 in shape but the leather is thinner and softer and it has a cut out.

heehee it's something to be able to GIVE advice on saddles when I was going crazy at first trying to get it right...TE'ers helped me SO much.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by badger

I currently commute on my cyclocross with an Avocet o2 saddle. It's done me well for the last couple of years, but since it's that synthetic buffalo "leather" it's frayed beyond pathetic now. I really need to replace it, but it's so difficult when everyone's shaped differently and most stores won't let you try them out anymore.

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Why not just get the same saddle? They can be difficult to come by but the chromolloy-railed version is out there. My LBS in Davis, CA can get one. I know certain frame builders who can. They can be found on eBay. Probably Palo Alto Bicycles can get one (because they used to or still have an affiliation with Avocet).

I ride the ti-railed version on all my road bikes and adore it. I stockpile it. I haven't found a saddle with anywhere near a similar shape and design.

the reason why I'm looking at something other than the Avocet is that I still get numb on it after about an hour. Which really isn't a great thing, is it? and I was really disappointed with the durability, or the lack thereof.

Compared to the Terry (I switched back to my Avocet last night), it's way more comfortable, but I don't find it to be oh-my-god comfortable.

Can someone tell me about the springs on Brooks? I haven't actually looked at them because the look of springs just...well, doesn't look quite right with my cyclocross. Do the springs absorb shock? I can't say I've honestly ridden a bike with springs, but at this point I'm going to say screw it to image, I want comfort now! :D

I think the springs look great...but then I'm a retro freak....
I have them on my hybrid (B68) because I do some really crummy roads on it and they are quite good at absorbing shock. They are heavy though.

I have the B67 (same saddle w/out springs) on my road bike and the difference on bumps is noticeable. But since I rise out of the saddle when I need to, its no big deal.

I think what Knot said about saddle shape has been really useful. Do you prefer a T shape or a pear shape. I love the T shape of the B67/68 because the nose does not chafe my thighs...it's "invisible" unless I want to grip on a turn.

I can;t remember the advantage of the pear shape.:rolleyes:
But Wall bike.com has good info and if you call them, they're helpful and nice. And if you get the wrong one, they'll replace it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by badger

the reason why I'm looking at something other than the Avocet is that I still get numb on it after about an hour. Which really isn't a great thing, is it? and I was really disappointed with the durability, or the lack thereof.

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Ah, then it really hasn't done you well.

More expensive, but ti rails provide more spring than chomolloy rails.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by elk

I think what Knot said about saddle shape has been really useful. Do you prefer a T shape or a pear shape. I love the T shape of the B67/68 because the nose does not chafe my thighs...it's "invisible" unless I want to grip on a turn.

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can you link me to whatever knot said? I'm also wondering about the shape. B-67/68 looks very wide. I've also read on here some time ago when I was googling about Brooks how some women don't like the B-17S for women, and that they find the regualr B-17 better.

Since I do only city riding with no offroad component, perhaps I don't need to consider springs and keep my search to B-68 or B-17.

you probably don't need the springs. They are heavy.
The pear shape supports your body weight on your sit bones. if you get too narrow, guess what you are being supported by? the tender things in there.
The "S" size is shorter, for some reason someone thought women would like/want a shorter saddle. I have regular length saddles, and I am not large in any dimension.
I hope that helps.


ps, city riding IMHO is pretty bumpy sometimes. Potholes and cracks can be pretty bad. Unless you live somewhere where roads actually get repaired in a timely way

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=17863

Here's a good thread...and there are some great photos comparing the B17 with the B68....

one more thing...

almost everyone I can remember who bought an "s" model exchanged it for the regular one. Me included. The Brooks have short rails and getting them back far enough is easier with the regular length.

Worth a try. You'll love it or hate it.

oh...and ANOTHER thing. If you do think you'll be returning it...you can get shipping credit depending on if the saddle looks new; they judge by the knicks on the rails more than anything.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by elk

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=17863

Here's a good thread...and there are some great photos comparing the B17 with the B68....

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that was a great thread, thank you!

My sit bones are fairly narrow, a quick measure at work came out roughly 115mm, so the B-17 should be wide enough. I measured my Avocet, and it's about the same width as the B-17, but shorter by about an inch. I don't use the nose of the seat as anything but a perch for my hand when I'm chatting to someone or waiting for a long light so I'm not sure if B-17S will have too much of an impact, but since most girls don't seem to like them I think I'll stick to looking at the B-17.

The comparison pics between B-17 and B-68 was great, too. I thought that the B-68 would look massive on a skinny bike but it looks okay.

The big problem I was having with the Terry was that my girly bits were not accommodated in any way, so no position alleviated the pressure. While my sitbones get sore with my Avocet if I don't ride for a while, it's more the numbness I have issues with.

But I should also mention that I'm not a recreational biker but a necessity rider who commutes to/from work due to lack of parking (and the fact I only live about 4 miles from work). I ride in jeans and other similar pants, so that could also play a role in the discomfort. Still, people rode in all sorts of clothes before padded shorts came along, so I'm still going to think that a Brooks will be in the end a better choice for me. And who knows, if I find the seat comfy, I may want to ride more and longer! ;)

Still not sure which one's better!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by badger

But I should also mention that I'm not a recreational biker but a necessity rider who commutes to/from work due to lack of parking (and the fact I only live about 4 miles from work). I ride in jeans and other similar pants, so that could also play a role in the discomfort.

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I have a Brooks Finesse on my road bike and a B17 on my singlespeed city/commuter bike. I never had problems doing short rides (typically 3-10 miles) in regular clothes (jeans, capris, or skirts and tights) on either of my Brooks saddles. :D

Good luck finding the right saddle!

I ride my Brooks in streetclothes...and have ridden up to 20 miles thusly :)
with no problem. In fact, jeans aren't so slippery.

Don't sweat it too much. Lots of gals seem to start with the B17...and if that doesn't work....try the B67, 68 etc.

elk

I have both, the B17 and the B67. They are both equally comfortable to me. I ride them both with regular clothes with no problem. If I had my pick, I'd probably pick the B67 or B68, depending on if you want springs or no springs.

If your order from Wallingford Bikes they have a 6 month return policy.

I have two B67 saddles. I loooooove the springs, but I tend to sit "hard" on the saddle anyway which springs really help. Yup, they do add some weight. Grant Peterson feels there's no difference in function between the B67 (springs) and the B68 (no springs). He's not a girl. I'd go by what LisaSH says or what MimiTabby says before I go with what Mr. Rivendell says.

My 2nd B67 came along for my 2nd bike just cuz I loved my first B67 so much, and saw no need to mess with success. (once I figured out the creaking noise issue, there were no No NO problems!)

I'm no expert on the B68 because i've never had one. Would like to try it based on the fact that I don't think my (cool looking) springs flex much when I ride.
I have no evidence that they do. On the other hand, I already have the B67 why replace it? to lose a pound? nah.

I have both...B67 and B68 ( betcha didn't know that...:rolleyes: ) and the springs definitely work. I can feel a clear difference in the 2 saddles on bumps.

I decided to try the B-17S. My boyfriend found one at a local exchange shop for $40 with no signs of wear so I shall give it a go. The measurements are essentially the same as my Avocet, so I don't think the short nose will be too much of an issue, at least I hope not!

the only downside is he's in England and I won't get the saddle til January. I'm excited, though!

Just bear in mind that the outer margin (under the cantle plate) of the Brooks will be pretty much un-useable for the sit bones. You'd be pressing the bones on leather over metal rather than on suspended leather. (so if the saddle feels ridiculously hard, move it back a titch)

I have some info on an S saddle. A friend of mine who rode the Paris Brest Paris this year had a brooks normal sized saddle (sorry; don't know what model) on the back of their tandem. whenever she stood up, the nose of the saddle was poking her. She got the "S" model instead 1 month before the big ride (1200 kilometers). She had many problems* due to the length of time she had to stay in the saddle. But saddle sores was not one of them.

*numbness in hands and feet that did not go away YET, lost toenails, PTSD*

I've ridden an Avocet O2 for years (not the same one, but several of the same on all of my bikes) They do not make them anymore so I purchased a Terry Zero X saddle and I really like it. I use it on my mountain bike. It is minimally padded, but enough for me.

You can purchase them on the Terry Precision Bicycle website.

They have a nice return policy on saddles if you do not like it. Check it out.

I guess there's only one way to find out if I like the S, and that's to try it out!

thanks for the tip on moving it back, knotted. I should be getting the saddle around 7th of January, so I'm really excited!