Quote Originally Posted by kmehrzad View Post

I'm considering the B68 or B17 Imperial. For owners of either of these two saddles, can you please give me your thoughts on the requirements that I'm looking for: long nose and narrow sides yet at least 5.5 inches width at the back of the saddle. I'm not quite sure how to address the rivet issue, though. Maybe a B68 would be so wide that it would provide a nice platform so that I wouldn't feel the need to ride towards the back.


Thanks.
The B68 is 210mm wide. The B17 is 170mm wide.

5 1/2 inches is close enough to 145mm for my math.

Subtract 20mm from the width of each saddle to account for the metal frame where the rivets are. You don't want to sit there.

That gives us B68 190mm and B17 150mm

145mm is rather close to 150mm, shifting just slightly (making a turn, easing your position, moving into the drops) could land you on the metal frame and rivets.

Add to that your observation that the acreage of saddles tends to make you want to scoot back to find a wide enough spot.

The B68 Imperial might be your best choice for a first try.

As Blueberry said, you really can't go wrong ordering from Wallingford Bicycle Parts with their 6 month free trial on saddles. http://www.wallbike.com/