Brooks Saddles

[Bad JuJu]

I had this same problem, but found the Alpha Q Pro Carbon seatpost has a lot of setback and works well with my Brooks Finesse. BTW, my selcolf seatpost has even more setback, but I couldn't get the saddle angle correct on it so I don't recommend it. I am going to evaluate a kalloy uno aluminum post on my commuter soon, and I'll let you know how it looks.

Thanks for the tip, TG--I'll check it out. I really wanna love the Brooks.

[KnottedYet]

My Waterford has a seatpost on it with an "RT" or "TR" (in a shield shape)logo, and my Brooks ends up way forward on it compared to my Kona's seatpost. Lots of wiggle room. I also like that the tilt is managed by where on a curve you place the seat. Very elegant.

I admire simple engineering.

[Rebeccah]

Very happy with my 2 new Brooks saddles. :-D

Saddle #1: B.67S for my Trek 7100 Hybrid. I got the bike (used) a couple of months ago after my first ride in 6 years on my old Viscount road bike was so uncomfortable. The saddle it came with was comfortable for around the block, but was too narrow and I didn't like the rotational play in the suspension seatpost. The Brooks was comfortable from the outset. I've had to adjust the seat height a couple of times as it's broken in, and I think I may need to tighten the saddle screw a hair. My poor butt had been sore for two weeks following that initial 10-11 mile ride on the Viscount, but I was able to ride 14 miles (and later 15 miles, and 22 miles) on the Trek with the Brooks with no pain at all to speak of.

I've got one spot on the left where the edge of my underwear rides up and makes a lump (it does that annoyingly even off the bike, if I just wear snug-ish jeans), but as soon as I get off the bike, that discomfort disappears.

Saddle #2: B.17S to replace the 29-year-old Avocet Racing W-II on my 29-year-old Viscount Gran Sport. Wow, what a difference. I don't know if it's really just the saddle, or if it's also partly the fact that now I've done some riding with the other bike so I'm a little bit stronger, plus my first ride was significantly slower - hence less weight on the pedals and more on the butt for that first ride. The b.17S is a good bit harder out of the box than the b.67S, and slipperier (the b.67S has a texture to it), but one dose of Proofide solved the slipperiness, and either the Proofide or the previous two 2-mile rides or my slightly improved condition or simply the length of the ride meant that on my real test ride yesterday (12 miles), it wasn't too hard at all. It felt great!

Rebeccah

[mimitabby]

Very happy with my 2 new Brooks saddles. :-D

Saddle #1: B.67S for my Trek 7100 Hybrid.

I've got one spot on the left where the edge of my underwear rides up and makes a lump (it does that annoyingly even off the bike, if I just wear snug-ish jeans), but as soon as I get off the bike, that discomfort disappears.


Rebeccah

Hey Rebeccah, ditch the underwear! get some good bike shorts and no underwear. those seams are harder than your skin.
glad you like your brooks!

[KnottedYet]

Decided to stick with my B67, even though it still snaps and pings. It's perfectly breaking in. The noise is just the price I have to pay for supreme comfort.

And I suppose if the springs and frame didn't torque under my lopsided hip, it wouldn't be so comfy. A solid frame might be quieter, but less compliant.

Plus the B67 looks so cool on Flossie! (it looked cool on the Kona, too)

[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.