brooks saddle on my Specialized Ruby

[kenyonchris]

Hi everyone...I lurk here but don't post...but I need a little input. I have a Specialized Ruby Expert...just bought the little darling...and upgrade from my Trek 1600. I was using the Ruby saddle on my Trek and all was fine, but I don't like the Ruby saddle (the same one I had on the trek, I didn't like the stock white so had them change it) on the specialized. I was fitted for the bike by the big kahuna at the bike shop and everything else feels OK, but go figure on the saddle.
A friend mentioned the Brooks and I think they are beautiful and a well fitting one never is uncomfortable...but they are, of course, heavy. I am not out to win the tour de france, but what is the point of a Carbon frame bike, etc. if I stick a brick on it. And the bike shop gave me the "yes, you are an idiot" look when I mentioned it. I KNOW I don't like puffy saddles, and if my backside is comfortable for 100 miles, I am happy to add a few ounces. I have ridden in quite a few saddles, and, as my behind is a calloused and, uh, well used thing (having ridden horses competitively for over 25 years on those little English saddles) I have generally considered myself not picky...until about mile 55...then I am picky.
So, all you Brooks people (and others)...whaddya think? Along wIth the raised eyebrow I got from the LBS, they weren't sure it would mount correctly on my bike's stem....and they may laugh heartily when I bring it in for its servicing if I show up with it. But as I said, I don't care if it works.
BTW, I am a narrow "wisp of a girl" as someone said once...5'5 and 115 lbs (wet) and I have, also a quote, "a bony butt." So, if I take the plunge on the brooks, which one?
Thanks for any help!!!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

So, all you Brooks people (and others)...whaddya think? Along wIth the raised eyebrow I got from the LBS, they weren't sure it would mount correctly on my bike's stem....

They're right, it probably won't. Tell them to try mounting it on the seatpost instead.

and they may laugh heartily when I bring it in for its servicing if I show up with it. But as I said, I don't care if it works.

LBS guys laugh heartily at everything they don't sell.

BTW, I am a narrow "wisp of a girl" as someone said once...5'5 and 115 lbs (wet) and I have, also a quote, "a bony butt." So, if I take the plunge on the brooks, which one?

A thin slip of a girl. Probably a B17 would work well for you. I strongly advise you to NOT get the "S" model though (the so-called women's model B17S). It's just shorter and so you can't move it forward and backwards as much on its rails....annoying and limiting.
The regular B17 is what I would recommend, unless you want to try one of the narrower "racing style" Brooks saddles. Being slender, you could probably get away with them. I doubt you need any of the Brooks with springs- that'd be going a bit too far on a sleek road bike and a lightweight rider.
Think of the extra weight of the Brooks over another saddle as being simply like the weight of a half glass of water. Big deal.
But a butt screaming in pain after 40 miles?....now THAT'S a big deal.

Go for it!- Order from Wallingford and you can always return it after trying it out!

[kenyonchris]

After some floundering about, I did find the prior discussions on Brooks saddles...(way to utilize that search bar...hey) but, of course, remain in my perpetual state of confusion and information overload.

There is the b-17 champion..which has titanium rails...is the only advantage in the weight? I think you are right about the men's...the women's widths (as apparent on the web site) seem to be too wide for me, just mathmatically.
I have to get on the stick here...I have a century coming up in three weeks...love the bike, hate the seat.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

After some floundering about, I did find the prior discussions on Brooks saddles...(way to utilize that search bar...hey) but, of course, remain in my perpetual state of confusion and information overload.

There is the b-17 champion..which has titanium rails...is the only advantage in the weight? I think you are right about the men's...the women's widths (as apparent on the web site) seem to be too wide for me, just mathmatically.
I have to get on the stick here...I have a century coming up in three weeks...love the bike, hate the seat.

If you want to pay extra for titanium rails then that's totally cool. Yeah, the weight is the thing for the titanium. Well maybe the rails are stronger but I think it's the weight thing people buy it for.

The women's "S" models are not much wider at all- maybe just a bit- but are much shorter in length....both the top and the under rails are shorter.
In any case, the B67(springs) and B68(same but no springs) are the WIDEST in the back. I need that width as I have very wide hip bones. I doubt you do, at your height and weight.

The B17 is a nice medium all around model to try for a woman who doesn't have extremely wide hips. Get titanium if you want to spend the extra for slightly less weight.
You can always exchange it after a few weeks of riding it- as long as you don't put any goop or oil on it other than ONLY the recommended Pruf-hyde that Brooks sells.
You might experience some significant sitbone soreness during the first few rides. I did. Your sitbones have to get used to being sat directly upon, without a bunch of cushy padding. If your two sitbones are sore, then you know your weight is coming down where it should. You might have to experiment with the tip of the saddle nose up and down too. Read the various threads on adjusting Brooks saddles. I suggest you start with the saddle all the way back on its rails (furthest from the handlebars) as a starting point.

There is also a possibility that your bike puts you in a very forward/down racing position and that this position will put your weight more in front on your tender girly areas rather than back on your sitbones. This can be a problem and can make it hard to feel comfortable even on a Brooks saddle. The more extreme the racing position, the more tricky it can be to find a comfortable saddle that won't hurt your female parts in front. But there's no way of knowing until you try out a few different saddles. At least Wallingford offers a great return policy, so what's to lose?

[KnottedYet]

If you're worried about the weight of a Brooks, just be sure to go pee before you ride.

Seriously. That's about all the difference a Brooks adds.
(like BSG said, about the weight of a glass of water)

Now, I ride on Brooks B67 saddles, which have springs and a bit more metal to the frame. They are heavier, but I ride so much faster and farther with them that they are WELL worth it!! (the springs are miraculous for adjusting to my lopsided pelvis, I am not giving those puppies up!)

[mimitabby]

I had sit bones well seasoned by horseback riding, so going to a Brooks was a natural transition. did anyone tell you to try Wallbike? they have a generous return policy!!

oh, and i have an expensive custom road bike with a brooks saddle on it.

[KnottedYet]

Wallingford Bicycle Parts, affectionately known as "Wallbike"
www.wallbike.com

6 months return policy on Brooks saddles.

They used to be in the Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle (about 10 blocks from where I lived) but now they are in New Orleans.

Oh, and after you measure your sit bones, be sure to "ignore" the outer cm on each side of the Brooks saddles when you choose which width of saddle you want. Those outer 1 cm edges are right over the metal cantle plate, so you don't want your sitbones to be perched on them. Your bones would be on leather-over-metal at that point, rather than suspended leather.

Hypothetical Example: Sarah Sitbone has ischial tuberosities that measure 170mm. She buys a B17 which is 170mm wide. She is miserable, because her tuberosities are on the outer 1 cm (where the rivets and cantle plate are) and are getting the everlovin' cr*p beaten out of them. She switches to a B68 which is 210mm wide. 20mm of that is cantle plate, so she has 190mm of suspended leather and her tuberosities are happy again.
(that outer 1 cm at the cantle plate on each side is vitally important "wiggle room" which will get used as you switch positions and shift around with different levels of effort. it's all good.)

[kenyonchris]

OK...this is all good information. Thanks everyone and feel free to chime in...

The guys at the LBS (all guys) are pretty frustrated with me...I am a woman of IMMEDIATE decision once I am given sufficient info to make one...but they just aren't wildly helpful on this particular topic.

I am going to try the Brooks and the Vitesse...I'm just going to order away and return what doesn't work...so we'll see and I will report in. I am *really* narrow (neither of my kids fit) so typical women's saddles just haven't worked for me (the couple I have tried)...the Ruby saddle on my Trek bike worked the best so far.

I need to hop on it! I have a century in three weeks...so on to my uncomfortable I get for my 35 today I need to do!

[malkin]

Keep in mind that even if you are a wispy one, your sit bones may not be whispering width apart. I'm kind of a scrawny girl, but it's a long distance call between my ischeal tuberosities.

[elk]

I don't know how much lighter it is.... the Selle Anatomica is less beefy (literally I s'pose!!) than the Brooks. It also has a cut out to compensate a bit for a more forward position.

But it is essentailly a Brooks that is slimmer and has a cut out.

I think it looks flimsy on a hybrid where a Brooks would look better...so maybe there's a clue.

He has a 30 day guarantee. Check it out: http://www.selleanatomica.com/

Be sure to watch this film, which I think is a riot...turn the sound on...
http://www.selleanatomica.com/Aug%20...ls%20short.mpg



Look at this fancy new one...ha!

[Miranda]

I don't know how much lighter it is.... the Selle Anatomica is less beefy (literally I s'pose!!) than the Brooks. It also has a cut out to compensate a bit for a more forward position.

But it is essentailly a Brooks that is slimmer and has a cut out.

I think it looks flimsy on a hybrid where a Brooks would look better...so maybe there's a clue.

He has a 30 day guarantee. Check it out: http://www.selleanatomica.com/

Be sure to watch this film, which I think is a riot...turn the sound on...
http://www.selleanatomica.com/Aug%20...ls%20short.mpg



Look at this fancy new one...ha!

I had a negative experience with them on the return policy. It still upsets me very much. I've thought about posting a thread about it, but in short, the policy is not risk free as it seems... buyer beware.

[GLC1968]

Keep in mind that even if you are a wispy one, your sit bones may not be whispering width apart. I'm kind of a scrawny girl, but it's a long distance call between my ischeal tuberosities.

This is what I was thinking, too. I'm the opposite of you - build extremely solidly. I will NOT blow away, even in a stiff wind. I have narrow sit bones and cannot stand saddles of any width. All of the saddles I ride are 'men's' saddles. The weight of your body has little to do with the width of your sit bones!

My H and I have the same sit bone width measurement and he rides a B17 on all his bikes. He LOVES it and I hope you do as well!

[ilima]

If your hip bones are narrow, you might try a Selle San Marco Aspide Glamour FX. It's a minimalist-style saddle.

I have a Brooks Finesse (Ti rails) and when I bought it I didn't really understand that it was mostly just a shorter version of a men's saddle. If I did it again, I'd get the Professional with Ti rails. The rails on the Finesse are short, very short. The saddle is on my commuter and slammed as far back as it can go and really isn't as far back as it should be. I'm probably going to end up taking it off and using a different saddle. Also, the leather squeaks when I ride. Noise emanating from my bike is a big No-no for me.

I also can say I wouldn't want the Brooks on my road bike. It's fine for more upright riding (my commuter is a 'cross bike), but not so cool when I'm riding in the drops.