Wanting a new saddle for my new bike

[RoseC]

Lisa (and Mimi and Knotted et al),

Hijacking the thread a bit as I seem to be good at...though it *is* still related to the saddle Sandra is interested in! Maybe good information for others, too.

I think my setup is very similar to yours - my bars are almost level with my saddle.

How do you feel the B-67/68 does on rides over, say, 35 miles? Does the extra width start to chafe on longer rides, or is there such a quick transition from nose to seat that the width really doesn't get in the way of pedaling?

I'm still worrying a little about it, but since there isn't a B-17S with a long nose (or long rails, as you helpfully pointed out!), and since it isn't *that* much wider than regular B-17s, it does seem like the B-68 is the way to go for most gals who don't fit a standard B-17....

I'm just fretting 'cause I've got nothing better to do while I wait for the thing to arrive!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

How do you feel the B-67/68 does on rides over, say, 35 miles? Does the extra width start to chafe on longer rides, or is there such a quick transition from nose to seat that the width really doesn't get in the way of pedaling?

The extra width is in the back on your sitbones, so it does not chafe anything.
If you get the NON-S model, the transition is longer from nose to seat.
I have the B68 (non-S) and am not having chafing on 60 mile rides so far.
A lot depends on how wide you are and on how your thighs are shaped, etc. I'm a "pear" shape and neither fat nor skinny, but I have some padding on my inner thighs fer shure.

[mimitabby]

I've done a total of 5 centuries in my bike career all on a brooks sprung saddle. (two on the B66 and the other three on the B67)

result: sit bones a little sore
chafing: ZERO.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Some people DO experience chafing on their Brooks saddle. Not many, but some. It just depends on your individual shape, your pedaling style and saddle position, and the model of saddle.
There is NO saddle that is universally comfortable for all women riders, just as there is no saddle that is universally UNcomfortable for women riders.

[mimitabby]

LIsa, i got some chafing when I put my saddle on a different tandem and it wasn't set up exactly right. OW!

(then i readjusted it and it was fine)

[RoseC]

So I guess the basic answer is that it'll almost certainly be fine once I get it adjusted properly, but there's of course no certain way to know that I'll love it until I try it...

Since the width is all in the back, I think it'll be OK. My sit bones are, best I can tell, in the 160-165mm range, so the extra space back there will be nice! The only saddles I've had serious chafing problems with were a Terry and one other women's specific type model, right at the part between nose and the rear portion.

Did I mention I hate waiting? So I jabber.

Thanks, Lisa and Mimi! And Sandra, I'll try to post a review and comparison with a standard B-17 as soon after I get it as possible!

[sandra]

I hate waiting too!!! I ordered Power Grips pedals from Nashbar, along with a pump. They shipped on the 1st, today is the 10th and I'm STILL waiting. Meanwhile, I had to go buy a pump!

Is Nashbar typically slooooooooooooooow?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

So I guess the basic answer is that it'll almost certainly be fine once I get it adjusted properly, but there's of course no certain way to know that I'll love it until I try it...

I would not go so far as to say that "it'll almost certainly be fine once I get it adjusted properly"- some women just never get comfortable on Brooks.
But you DO need to give it a couple of weeks of riding and adjusting to make the final call. Expect some sitbone soreness the first 5-10 rides.

Sandra- you should CALL Nashbar!

[sandra]

Sandra- you should CALL Nashbar!

I called a couple of days ago. They tracked it to a sortation center in Dallas on the 4th and said to give it a few more days.

I'm waiting for todays mail and THEN I AM gonna call AGAIN!