Brooks Imperial

[momof4greatkids]

I just finished a week-long bike tour (GOBA) of moderate distance (320 miles) and lots of climbing (for me anyhow, a flatlander) w/the Imperial.

The saddle developed a squeak, so the mechanic at Century Cycles (shout out to Derek, you are awesome!) lubed it up w/beeswax (no proofide handy) and tightened the laces, which had become baggy. No more squeak.

The saddle felt significantly firmer after the ties were tightened.

Adding ties might be just the ticket for your B68, Thorn. Especially considering the width of the saddle.

As to weight, I'm "a hundred and plenty" and so, far NO issues with the sagging or pinching.

I am so impressed w/this Brooks Imperial. I ALWAYS had chronic sore spots and issues w/the Terry Butterfly, I just thought I would have to suffer w/it to keep riding.

The Imperial is so comfortable w/absolutely no chafing or hot spots.

Colleen

[Thorn]

Thanks for the review Mo4GK. I hope Brooks goes ahead with the Imperial line--I'm amazed at how happy riders are over on the BF thread. I'm also impressed with the Brooks marketing strategy--get all those happy riders gushing about a saddle you haven't made yet. I bet the orders will fly in when the release it!

I'm growing to like my beat up and abused and Selle Anatomic'd B68. So far, it has been on the bike that sits on the trainer. Due to endless thunderstorms with hail last weekend, it got a 3:45 ride. No soreness. No numbness. And, trust me, after 3 hours on the trainer my tush would not have been that happy.

I did lace it up prior to the long trainer ride. I drilled 3 holes around about the Brooks logo on the side and laced it up. DH and I tugged a solid tension. Boy did that make a difference! It really minimized the pinching on the cutout yet the saddle stayed comfortable. Guess it is time to put in on the outside bike (but, sigh, that honey leather just doesn't match my purplish-gold Waterford ).

This is the best saddle I've tried yet. The Selle SMP Lady Strike had a wonderful cutout, but was too narrow in the sit bones for me and caused one leg to go numb; the Topeak Allay was a great theory, but failed terribly in practice being way too soft. I still have a Terry Rosie on back order and will probably try the real B68 Imperial when it hits the street in fall--the cutout shape is different and I think it might alleviate that last bit of pressure.

[mimitabby]

I just finished a week-long bike tour (GOBA) of moderate distance (320 miles) and lots of climbing (for me anyhow, a flatlander) w/the Imperial.


As to weight, I'm "a hundred and plenty" and so, far NO issues with the sagging or pinching.

I am so impressed w/this Brooks Imperial. I ALWAYS had chronic sore spots and issues w/the Terry Butterfly, I just thought I would have to suffer w/it to keep riding.

The Imperial is so comfortable w/absolutely no chafing or hot spots.

Colleen

Colleen, did you ever ride a Brooks before this one?

[momof4greatkids]

Colleen, did you ever ride a Brooks before this one?

Mimi, my previous experience w/Brooks was w/a B67 on my hybrid, purchased from Wallbike. I rode it for a while, over 500 miles. I eventually returned it to Wallbike under their 6 month reurn policy because I wasn't happy with it. I had perineal pressure, especially in front on the soft tissue.

That's just not right! I couldn't take it.

Thorn, it sounds like you are really attached to your B68. These saddles develop more character as they get old and battered. I'm sure your looks great, I think the honey leather looks good anywhere.

Colleen