Need help from Brooks owners, please.

[sundial]

...if you position your saddle all the way back on its rails...

Lisa, I can see where you would have center of gravity issues with it shoved all the way back. What I strive to do with all my saddles is to have the rails centered over the seatpost, as I find this offers the best fit, and coincidentally, the best balance on the bike. On the bikes with the relaxed geometry I have to use a setback seatpost. On the bike with the more aggressive geometry, I have to use a zero setback seatpost.

SLash, I remember with each new Brooks saddle the feeling of pressure in the hammock area of the saddle. It wasn't causing pain--just pressure. I took shorter rides initially until it was broken in--which was usually around 120 miles for me. Perhaps as you break in the saddle more it will become less of an issue and you'll feel "one" with the bike. I remember having to make several micro-adjustments up until it was broken in. The nose of the saddles are tilted just a hair up and the seatpost is lowered about an inch or so.

If you have questions about the fit, call Wall Bike. They are more than happy to help their customers.

[SLash]

SLash, I remember with each new Brooks saddle the feeling of pressure in the hammock area of the saddle. It wasn't causing pain--just pressure. I took shorter rides initially until it was broken in--which was usually around 120 miles for me. Perhaps as you break in the saddle more it will become less of an issue and you'll feel "one" with the bike. I remember having to make several micro-adjustments up until it was broken in. The nose of the saddles are tilted just a hair up and the seatpost is lowered about an inch or so.

If you have questions about the fit, call Wall Bike. They are more than happy to help their customers.

I've emailed Bill several times and he's been a big help. Very nice guy.

I think the padding in the shorts I wear (Shebeest Triple S) makes what would be pressure into pain (dull pain while on the bike but last night 4 hours after ride it still hurt-still dull). I'm considering giving my shorts a *trim* in the pad area at the front just to see if it will help. The way I look at it I have nothing to lose by at least trying it on one pair.

I'm waiting to hear from the lbs I bought my bike to see when they can get me in for a re-fit. Today I'm having a lot of pain (pinched nerve type pain) in my right shoulder/shoulder blade area that I wasn't having before. Think it's due to my ride yesterday. Granted, it was windy as hell so maybe that's part of it.? After I get fitted and have a chance to ride again, I'll re-evaluate and maybe call Bill at that point. I'm hoping for a *small* miracle after I get my fit adjusted. Plus, as you point out the breaking in process should give me some relief in time. I hope I see some improvement quickly.

Thanks for the tips.

[Biciclista]

before you cut up your shorts, don't you have anything else you could wear? Even a pair of cotton slacks, just to see?

[SLash]

before you cut up your shorts, don't you have anything else you could wear? Even a pair of cotton slacks, just to see?

I've ridden twice in knee length cargo type shorts (regular shorts not bike) and it felt more comfortable than my bike shorts. One pair of my shebeest shorts is pretty worn so those are the ones I would experiment on.

I wouldn't remove the pad just thin it some... as in take a little off the top.

[jezbael]

I recently saw bike shorts with a pad that was split down the middle. I wonder if that would help?

[SLash]

I recently saw bike shorts with a pad that was split down the middle. I wonder if that would help?

I think it would, do you remember the name or company that makes them?

Thanks!

[jezbael]

I just called the bike shop, and they said they are Pearl Izumi. They were men's shorts. I was looking at them, because I like the longer shorts but women's were all short.

Hope that helps!

[sundial]

before you cut up your shorts, don't you have anything else you could wear? Even a pair of cotton slacks, just to see?

Good idea, Biciclista. Part of my Brooks break-in regimen is riding in jeans around the hood. SLash, it sounds as if you might benefit from a thinner newer chamois. Perhaps you can call TE and chat with them about chamois and go shopping. You need a new pair of shorts to go with that classy saddle.

[SLash]

Good idea, Biciclista. Part of my Brooks break-in regimen is riding in jeans around the hood. SLash, it sounds as if you might benefit from a thinner newer chamois. Perhaps you can call TE and chat with them about chamois and go shopping. You need a new pair of shorts to go with that classy saddle.

Ha, I'd have a hard time convincing any one that I need a new pair of shorts (but I agree I need a pair with a chamois with a thinner center ). In the past week I've got 2 new (baggy with too thiick liners ) pairs of short/capri.

I have ridden in regular shorts but the seams would bother me for very long rides I think. Do you ride in jeans around your hood 'cause it accelerates the break in process?

[Biciclista]

I ride around in jeans because it's comfortable. Not sure how comfy it would be on a long ride, but for 2-5 mile stretches, jeans and a brooks is definitely a nice way to go.

Took me about 200 miles on average to break in a Brooks, btw.
My husband bought one once that we couldn't break in. We sold it to a 200 pound guy who loved it.

[sundial]

Do you ride in jeans around your hood 'cause it accelerates the break in process?

No, I just don't want to change into roadie gear. I roll up the pants leg and away I go.

My husband bought one once that we couldn't break in. We sold it to a 200 pound guy who loved it.

See, there are advantages to being a Clydesdale. Was it the Team Flyer saddle?

[sgtiger]

Pain in the soft tissue area is not a good sign and will get worse over time. It can even cause damage to the area, so you definitely want to avoid it. No amount of breaking in of the saddle will alleviate the pain in the soft tissue area.

For a Brooks it's best to start with the nose of the saddle level (I got that advice from BSG) and work it up or down in tiny adjustments from there depending on if you're sliding forward or back. I find I like it with the nose pointed slightly upward, but depending on my position on the bike and if I tend to wear padded shorts or not with that particular bike the tilt is slightly different. The B72 (same top as B68) on my touring bike is tilted a hair lower than my other bikes because of that.

I just put a B17 on my Xtracycle and the leather on it is thicker and harder than the leather on the B72 and B18 that I have on my other bikes. It took little to no breaking in period for those saddles, but it's going to be a while before my sitbones don't feel bruised after a ride on the B17. I hope it doesn't take 1,000 miles or I may abandon for a B68.