advice on bike saddles

[elk]

I think the springs look great...but then I'm a retro freak....
I have them on my hybrid (B68) because I do some really crummy roads on it and they are quite good at absorbing shock. They are heavy though.

I have the B67 (same saddle w/out springs) on my road bike and the difference on bumps is noticeable. But since I rise out of the saddle when I need to, its no big deal.

I think what Knot said about saddle shape has been really useful. Do you prefer a T shape or a pear shape. I love the T shape of the B67/68 because the nose does not chafe my thighs...it's "invisible" unless I want to grip on a turn.

I can;t remember the advantage of the pear shape.
But Wall bike.com has good info and if you call them, they're helpful and nice. And if you get the wrong one, they'll replace it.

[badger]

I think what Knot said about saddle shape has been really useful. Do you prefer a T shape or a pear shape. I love the T shape of the B67/68 because the nose does not chafe my thighs...it's "invisible" unless I want to grip on a turn.

can you link me to whatever knot said? I'm also wondering about the shape. B-67/68 looks very wide. I've also read on here some time ago when I was googling about Brooks how some women don't like the B-17S for women, and that they find the regualr B-17 better.

Since I do only city riding with no offroad component, perhaps I don't need to consider springs and keep my search to B-68 or B-17.

[mimitabby]

you probably don't need the springs. They are heavy.
The pear shape supports your body weight on your sit bones. if you get too narrow, guess what you are being supported by? the tender things in there.
The "S" size is shorter, for some reason someone thought women would like/want a shorter saddle. I have regular length saddles, and I am not large in any dimension.
I hope that helps.


ps, city riding IMHO is pretty bumpy sometimes. Potholes and cracks can be pretty bad. Unless you live somewhere where roads actually get repaired in a timely way

[elk]

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=17863

Here's a good thread...and there are some great photos comparing the B17 with the B68....

[badger]

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=17863

Here's a good thread...and there are some great photos comparing the B17 with the B68....

that was a great thread, thank you!

My sit bones are fairly narrow, a quick measure at work came out roughly 115mm, so the B-17 should be wide enough. I measured my Avocet, and it's about the same width as the B-17, but shorter by about an inch. I don't use the nose of the seat as anything but a perch for my hand when I'm chatting to someone or waiting for a long light so I'm not sure if B-17S will have too much of an impact, but since most girls don't seem to like them I think I'll stick to looking at the B-17.

The comparison pics between B-17 and B-68 was great, too. I thought that the B-68 would look massive on a skinny bike but it looks okay.

The big problem I was having with the Terry was that my girly bits were not accommodated in any way, so no position alleviated the pressure. While my sitbones get sore with my Avocet if I don't ride for a while, it's more the numbness I have issues with.

But I should also mention that I'm not a recreational biker but a necessity rider who commutes to/from work due to lack of parking (and the fact I only live about 4 miles from work). I ride in jeans and other similar pants, so that could also play a role in the discomfort. Still, people rode in all sorts of clothes before padded shorts came along, so I'm still going to think that a Brooks will be in the end a better choice for me. And who knows, if I find the seat comfy, I may want to ride more and longer!

Still not sure which one's better!!

[dex]

But I should also mention that I'm not a recreational biker but a necessity rider who commutes to/from work due to lack of parking (and the fact I only live about 4 miles from work). I ride in jeans and other similar pants, so that could also play a role in the discomfort.

I have a Brooks Finesse on my road bike and a B17 on my singlespeed city/commuter bike. I never had problems doing short rides (typically 3-10 miles) in regular clothes (jeans, capris, or skirts and tights) on either of my Brooks saddles.

Good luck finding the right saddle!

[elk]

I ride my Brooks in streetclothes...and have ridden up to 20 miles thusly
with no problem. In fact, jeans aren't so slippery.

Don't sweat it too much. Lots of gals seem to start with the B17...and if that doesn't work....try the B67, 68 etc.

elk

[elk]

one more thing...

almost everyone I can remember who bought an "s" model exchanged it for the regular one. Me included. The Brooks have short rails and getting them back far enough is easier with the regular length.

Worth a try. You'll love it or hate it.

oh...and ANOTHER thing. If you do think you'll be returning it...you can get shipping credit depending on if the saddle looks new; they judge by the knicks on the rails more than anything.