New commuter/touring bike. Saddle advice needed!!!

[uforgot]

As usual, you ladies are AWESOME! Thanks especially for the very informative link. I tried to search TE for applicable postings but there was just too much information for me to sift through.

It seems I'm going to try a B66 or 67 since I aim to sit quite upright on the bike. It means I'll have to order another saddle but thats OK. Any advice anyone? I can't seem to figure out the differences between the B66 and B67...hrm.

I would try adjusting the saddle and using a level first before getting the B66 or B67. The B17 is comfortable for me, but the B68 (Another wider one) felt like I was sitting in a hammock. Others love it. Everyone is different. Maybe take a look at some of the bikes here with the Brooks on them to check placement. Here's mine.

Mimi and Lisa both have the Brooks. Look for their pics. Your lbs may be telling you that tipping the saddle up like that is normal for Brooks but if they are like mine, only one or two customers actually ride them, so they really don't know.

[fidlfreek]

ZEN - I LOVE big sunglasses. And yes, the seat is low but not as low as it looks. Part of the reason I want this bike is so I can put my cheap violin on the rack and ride to rehearsal for summer concerts in the garden. Thus I want to be able to put a toe or two down without a lot of trouble. In the picture I'm on a curb AND wearing 4 inch heels. So there's the explanation.

I think I'm going to go w/ a Brooks B67 aged. Its sprung (so I can sit upright) and is aged so its going to be comfortable from day 1. I am just not into spending a year making the saddle work for me. I plan on having the beautiful Miss Cherry for many many years and want my butt to love her from the start.

jp

And Uforgot, your Surly is LOVELY I totally understand why the B17 is right for you given the bike setup

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I think I'm going to go w/ a Brooks B67 aged. Its sprung (so I can sit upright) and is aged so its going to be comfortable from day 1. I am just not into spending a year making the saddle work for me. I plan on having the beautiful Miss Cherry for many many years and want my butt to love her from the start.

Hi, just a couple of things before you order your new saddle-

You don't need springs in order to 'sit upright' on a Brooks. Most people with Brooks saddles have bikes that allow them to sit fairly upright as compared to racing bikes, springs or no springs. My husband and I have 5 touring type bikes with Brooks saddles, none of which have springs and all of which let us ride pretty upright on rides of between 20-70 miles long.

Also- the B67 is a 210mm wide saddle- the widest width they make. I ride a B68 which has the same width. I have VERY wide hips and sitbones. From looking at your picture, I can't imagine you needing Brooks' widest saddle...210mm is really wide. Just my opinion, but I'd say a B17 non-sprung would be a great medium width saddle for you. My husband slathered his new one with linseed oil, top and underneath, and that immediately got it soft and broken in- though it did make the color a rich dark brown. Once you do that though, you can't exchange it for a different one.

Just my own 2 cents

[fidlfreek]

Hrm. The new saddle hasn't been ordered yet (back ordered actually grr) so I'm not tied down to anything yet.

Agh this is so frustrating. I am maybe the most indecisive person when it comes to bike parts. Agh.

Bleeker, Thanks SO much for the advice. Maybe I just want a B17 aged so its soft already....Hm.

[uforgot]

A lot of people don't even need the break in time for a Brooks. I know they are comfortable out of the box for me.

[fidlfreek]

Yes, just slippery. And very very very different feeling than my road bike saddle setup w/ chamois etc.