Brooks Saddles

[Kitsune06]

Just confirming what Knotted said. My sitbones are 155-160ish and I'm going for the B17S, just because it's closer to 170 and should be more accomodating to my wider base. What was hard for me was learning that though I have a skinny butt, my bone measurements could be a little wider than expected- AND that I was sitting on my seat ALL WRONG. I had all my pressure on that little bridge inside one's thighs and very little on my actual sitbones. No wonder I was getting chafing issues, etc...

So... I hear ya. =) I'm sure the more seasoned Brooks pros will be able to confirm/deny my assumptions.

Also... I'm getting my 1st brooks this weekend!!! YEE!

[khgulledge]

Thanks...I'm still not sure whether I'm actually sitting correctly on the saddle. I did the paper towel measurement last night and my bones are narrower! I put the paper towel on the carpet, sat on it and wiggled just a little to make sure I made an impression - then measured and got 4.5"! That's close to 115mm! Can this be wrong??

Anyway, I adjusted the Butterfly so that it's ever so slightly tilted UP and went for a test ride. I also, tried to hold my abs in a little more and concentrated on making sure I sat more on the bones (I think). Riding like that, I didn't have much discomfort in the girly parts area, but I don't think I could ride for a long time like that (abs held in). Could be that my posture on the bike is not correct...

Guess I will try the Butterfly out at Bikefest and go from there.

How do you get your SO/husband to understand the issues you have and that you may need to try SEVERAL saddles before you find the one that's right??

Karen.

[xeney]

Can't help you on the husband issue; mine got terrible saddle sores on his first ride when he got his Giant, and he has a collection of about a dozen discarded saddles (not including the ones he's given away), so he understands. Although he hates Brooks saddles and doesn't believe that I really like them.

But my sit bones are also about 4.5 inches apart. I should probably try some men's saddles. (The B-67 works great for me, but I use it on a very upright bike -- I don't think it would work on a road bike.)

[dachshund]

Also, I put a Bianchi Veloce on layaway a couple of weeks ago and it's that same gorgeous celeste color as yours, Dachshund. Nice to see how the Brooks looks on it--lovely! Wondering how the honey color might look with the celeste, with maybe handlebar tape in a color similar to the saddle. Hmmmm, so many accessories to check out.

Congratulations on the bike purchase! I thought about the other Brooks colors, too. The matching handlebar tape might work. The brown honey and brown colors are classic. It was almost a coin-toss for me, but I decided to stick with the black & celeste color combo.

[Kitsune06]

W00t! DGF (not DPITA for now!) just bought me the B17S! *paces staring at the mailbox and repeatedly checks her watch*

[Veronica]

Congratulations on the bike purchase! I thought about the other Brooks colors, too. The matching handlebar tape might work. The brown honey and brown colors are classic. It was almost a coin-toss for me, but I decided to stick with the black & celeste color combo.

You know Brooks does leather bar tape. I have the black. It's very comfortable and holds up well in the rain.

V.

[donnambr]

W00t! DGF (not DPITA for now!) just bought me the B17S! *paces staring at the mailbox and repeatedly checks her watch*

If that's not love, I don't know what is...

[Kitsune06]

well... I haven't been able to thank her properly yet, but hey, the weekend's coming up!

[FreshNewbie]

Wait wait Kitsune I am confused, the husband you mentioned is DGF or they are two different people

[Kitsune06]

um... DGF=Dear Girlfriend. DPITA=Dear Pain In The A$$.

They're both names for the same girl I'm lucky to have supporting me.

...my husband and his girlfriend are another matter entirely, and no, I won't go into it.

[FreshNewbie]

sorry I tend to be very very noise sometimes

[Bikingmomof3]

W00t! DGF (not DPITA for now!) just bought me the B17S! *paces staring at the mailbox and repeatedly checks her watch*

Let us know how you like it. I have that one and love it. It was nice to begin with, now it is absolutely wonderful. It feels as though nothing is under me.

[farrellcollie]

I just ordered a B67 and am sending my B17 back to Wallingford - I can't wait to try the wider saddle on my hybrid.

[Kitsune06]

It's too warm out and I'm a little sickish, so I won't be able to take a trial ride, but my impressions of my B17S are thus:
"Thank god I got the shorter nose! This feels just right!"
"... Is it SUPPOSED to sound like wood when I knock on it?"
"Geez, this thing's slippery on jeans. Gonna be WORSE on lycra!"
"This kinda hurts!" (I lowered the seat half an inch as is suggested on lots of sites and it actually made all the difference, oddly enough!)
"Oh, it didn't come with proofhide?" (I thought they did... hmm. I have boot dressing made of only pine tar and beeswax, the main ingredients in proofhide, so I'll be using that... It worked quite well on my doc martins, which didn't break down until I accidently got actual patroleum on them.. =P)
*knocks on it* "woah. yeah, still sounds like wood." ... (I'll probably do that for awhile... just for the novelty of it.
It didn't seem a whole lot heavier than the old saddle... actually 'bout the same. Seeing the little tabbies on the back, though, made me want to get one of the little leather seat bags.

After adjusting as much as I could without a real trial ride (and in jeans no less, but I usu. ride in cargos unless riding long/hard or with a group) it did feel really comfortable. Not sure how it's going to work with my pierce... might end up taking it out unless something changes or I tip the nose down to put all the weight on my sit bones, but that'd put more weight on my hands (so I don't slide off!) and legs. so... not sure yet.
It looks hot, though.

[Quillfred]

Kitsune

I would resist the urge to put anything but Proofhide on the saddle as it could either over soften it, or otherwise make it difficult to exchange should you decide to later.

I had my Team Pro for 3 months and after getting another saddle (Finesse), I realized I want to exchange the old one for the women's version.

I think this is covered earlier in this Brooks Saga.

Quill