Brooks Imperial

[uforgot]

I noticed that on Bike Forums, several were selected to test the prototype Brooks Imperial. Has a cutout. Anyone here besides East Hill selected to try one? Perhaps someone will submit a pic?

[KnottedYet]

Pictures! Links! Reviews!

(oops, my greed is showing)

[momof4greatkids]

I've been chosen (reminding me of the line Toy Story )

I've been riding the Imperial on my Serotta for about 3 weeks and yes, it's marvelous.

There are many pics, comments about the saddle here.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=408695

Colleen

[Peddlin' Girl]

Has anyone tried both the Brooks and An-atomica? I have seen folks rave about the An-atomica on this forum in the past and was just about ready to order one.

Thanks,

[Andrea]

I have!

They feel a lot different. The Brooks is more firm, and the An-Atomica is more like a hammock. I was very comfortable on the an-atomica until it stretched too much and the edges started to cut into me. I had it replaced once under warranty, but the next one did the same thing- just not as fast. My experience seems to be unique- I think a lot of people never have that issue.
My Brooks was also very comfortable, but I need a cutout for riding in the drops. If I had to recommend one, I'd say get a Brooks from Wallbike- you can't go wrong with a 6 month return policy!

[Thorn]

Andrea--with your SA did you try tying up the sides? I have a Brooks-atomica (a surgically-altered B68 with a SA cutout) and have been toying with trying to add the Brooks Imperial lacing scheme to the BA.

Over the last several weeks I've been reading the BF thread mentioned by momof4greatkids and it seems the difference between the SA and the Brooks Imperial is that the SA uses a reinforcement leather underneath while the BI uses lacing to keep the center from sagging.

Since the B68 is so wide, it doesn't take much pressure for the slot to go from relief-mode to pinching-mode. So I'm toying with adding laces. Just wondering if you'd tried that with either of your SA's.

And, momof4greatkids...how much, if any did you play with the lace tension on your BI?

[Andrea]

Yep- I tied it up. It gave me another month or so of riding before the sagging overcame that as well. I'm 140 pounds soaking wet, too, so I'm nowhere close to the weight limit on the non-Clydesdale version.

[Thorn]

Oohh...that isn't very promising. At 160lbs (I'm tall and no longer a toothpick) and on a wider saddle.....oh well, I'll still give it a try. What is one more surgery to an already altered saddle

[Peddlin' Girl]

Thanks Andrea for the info. Sorry you're having trouble with the SA lasting. Well, I guess I'll have to wait and see since I ordered the SA on Sat. Wish me luck! If worse comes to worse I'll try Thorns' lacing idea.

Keep on peddlin'
Linda

[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