Brooks Saddles

[mimitabby]

ha, i thought my b67 was all broke in ... then I got on my Raleigh Hybrid
yesterday with the old b66 on it for a little 10 mile ride omigod!!!! you would NOT believe what
a 30 year old saddle feels like. Ever have a really good leather jacket??
kind of like THAT!!!
I am reconsidering whether or not to move some saddles around here!!

[Kitsune06]

Knot, what *exactly* is making the noise? When torquing the frame, are coils of one or both of the springs overlapping, causing that weird pinging sound, or is it a metal-on-metal thing?

I'm wondering if my mechanical inclinations might be able to help in *some* way because the thought of you on a noisy saddle if it's in any reparable is enough to drive me nuts.

Without seeing it, I'm thinking an actual metal-on-metal squeak problem could be solved with copper or lithium grease (just a dab'll do ya) something thick with staying ability...but if we have overlapping coils, that might be a much more serious thing... Maybe Wallbike would have suggestions beyond a replacement (though I think you went through that already...)

Erring on the side of conservatism, I think trading up to a B68 might be a better idea, as you'll be putting lots of miles on Flossie anyway, and I think it's best to do so with a saddle that will last the test of time without lots of noisy complaints. The honeymoon period w/ flossie will ease the saddle-breakin period, so you and she can grow together as time goes on... My $.02

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I've been so distracted by trying out my newly purchased fall/winter clothing layers over the past three weeks of suddenly cool weather, that I completely forgot about my Brooks B17S saddle. I realized yesterday that the reason I've forgotten all about it is because it now feels so good that it's like it isn't even there!
Now THAT'S how a saddle should feel, right girls?

[mimitabby]

exactly!! instead you feel your quads, etc..

congrats!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Right, Mimi-
Instead of feeling sore sit bones, I feel my thigh muscles burning! I much prefer the latter.

[ridgefieldrooky]

I've been so distracted by trying out my newly purchased fall/winter clothing layers over the past three weeks of suddenly cool weather, that I completely forgot about my Brooks B17S saddle. I realized yesterday that the reason I've forgotten all about it is because it now feels so good that it's like it isn't even there!
Now THAT'S how a saddle should feel, right girls?

Hello, I am just about ready to buy a b17S as well. What made you select the S instead of the standard B17? Bill from Wallbike also suggested the S. Can't wait for butt to stop hurting!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Hello, I am just about ready to buy a b17S as well. What made you select the S instead of the standard B17? Bill from Wallbike also suggested the S. Can't wait for butt to stop hurting!

Because I am a pear shaped woman. I'm not heavy, but I definitely have a "womanly" pelvis, not narrow "boy" type hips like some petite women I know. (not that there's anything WRONG with that!)
The S model is actually only a tiny bit wider- I can use the extra width. My sit bones are a little further apart than many women.

[xeney]

I got a B17S for my new (yet-to-be-built) townie, and it is MUCH shorter and wider than I expected. I'm going to give it a try but I am not sure the relationship is going to work out -- I don't really understand the point of making the nose shorter on women's saddles ...?

[KnottedYet]

My B67 has the long nose (not an "S"). I use the long nose to help control the bike. (one of the reasons I'm really hesitant to return this seat)

About the only way I'd change seats at this point is to get the B68 when it comes out.

The noise is bugging me less now. Talked to a LBS guy who said the noise is the price you pay for supreme comfort. It's the metal on metal in the shackle, Kit. The springs allow the frame to torque and the shackle at the front is the torque limiter, so it makes noise. I've put more grease in there, and have accepted that it will make noise.

It is really amazing seeing the leather soften and realizing how incredibly lopsided I am.

It is the most comfortable saddle I've ever had. I'll stop whining now. It's worth it.

[mimitabby]

I got a B17S for my new (yet-to-be-built) townie, and it is MUCH shorter and wider than I expected. I'm going to give it a try but I am not sure the relationship is going to work out -- I don't really understand the point of making the nose shorter on women's saddles ...?

Xeney, I don't understand it either. None of my saddles are the "S" kind.