advice on bike saddles

[mimitabby]

I'm a real brooks saddle fan. You can order any brooks at wallbike and you get a 6 month guarantee.
I tried the b17 and didn't like it.
About the break in, on the seats I like (the b67) i just start riding. I hardly notice the saddle. I guess what i'm saying is it won't be a day and night change. And if the saddle is really really uncomfortable after it is set up in the right position, no amount of breaking it in is going to change it.

[badger]

thanks guys!

grog: I know all of the stores you speak of, my cyclocross is actually a Cramarotti - and it came with the men's version of Selle Italia but they gave me a damaged one (nose was banged and there was a noticeable rise on where your bits fall, VERY painful!) and swore it had nothing to do with them (doubtful).

I know Ed (Mighty Riders) from when he was working at Main Station Bikes. Not the best of friends, so I've avoided going in there, though anyone who knows anything about bikes swear by MR.

MEC's very heavily stocked on the Terry and I think one Fiz'ik and not sure I like any of their styles. My recent foray into Terry was because I found it for $15 (including shipping!) on ebay...

I got my Avocet O2 from Dizzy, and I can concur with your finding of their selection.

I think I'll try a Brooks through Wallbike - I've been browsing at that site all morning and may give the B-68 a try, as B-17 looks a bit slippery with the smooth leather.

thanks again!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

And if the saddle is really really uncomfortable after it is set up in the right position, no amount of breaking it in is going to change it.

I'd have to say that when I first started riding my Brooks saddle, I was in considerable sitbone pain for the first week, less pain and soreness for the second week, then pretty comfortable for the third and fourth week, then VERY comfortable after that. Lots of people might have given up after the first few days. I think a lot of it was not the saddle breaking in, but my sitbones breaking in.
All worth it now, because I love my comfy Brooks saddle.

Badger- expect some slippery feel at first from ANY Brooks. It will go away after a week or so of riding.

[mimitabby]

I think the B68 is an excellent choice. it is more comfortable to me than the b17, it supports the delicate parts better.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I had the B17 and it was not quite wide enough for my sitbones. The B68 is what I have now, and it is just great. The better you support your sitbones, the more weight you will take OFF of your sensitive girly parts.

[Melalvai]

I love my Brooks Champion Flyer S. My sit bones were a little bit sore the first day or two, but nothing major, particularly compared to the pain my girly-bits had been feeling. The Champion Flyer is a B17 with springs, I believe.

Not to mention the status symbol. Every Brooks gets a 2nd look from me. Even an old Brooks that's been mistreated. I see a bike with a Brooks and think "Now there's a REAL cyclist."

My bike, Hulk, won't speak to other bikes unless they have a Brooks. Except for the ones she lives with in the garage. And the ones she spends the day with in the bike shelter. But she is pretty snooty about it. You can hardly live with her since I hand-built a rear wheel for her. She's getting a front wheel with a generator hub for christmas, and I don't know if she'll even let me ride her after that. I may not be good enough for her any more.

[elk]

+1 for all that Mimi and Lisa said.

Getting the Brooks dialed in was the hardest part for me...once I got that right, I didn't care if it was hard...in fact, my specialized padded seat for some odd reason gives me a more sore set of bones than my Brooks. My MAIN concern was keeping pressure off the front parts...and...knock wood..
I haven't had any trouble at all. B67 on my hybrid and B68 on my road bike.

ALso..get the Proofhide and use it liberally. It helps with the slippy part.
I slather it on and let it sit over night before buffing it off. Slather it on the underside and leave it there.
IF you like the Brooks.

The Selle Anatomica is like the B17 in shape but the leather is thinner and softer and it has a cut out.

heehee it's something to be able to GIVE advice on saddles when I was going crazy at first trying to get it right...TE'ers helped me SO much.