Brooks Saddles

[dachshund]

I've decided to take the plunge and buy a B17. I have no idea what saddle is on my Bianchi, it's some no-name brand. (I'm sure it has a name, but it's something like "ABC" or "XYZ"..) I've been somewhat in denial about the soreness from it, because, well, I didn't get sore on my old Bianchi, and it had one of those darned tough leather seats! Gosh darn it.

So it occured to me to research leather saddles. (well Duh) After reading this thread 3 or 4 times, I bought a B17 today. I'll report on it as soon as it gets here.

I sent an email to the company to ask a question. In the reply, the fellow mentioned I might look up a site called Team Estrogen, because their forum has informative discussions about saddles! From half-way around the world... what did we ever do without the internet, I ask ya.

-Amy

[mimitabby]

I sent an email to the company to ask a question. In the reply, the fellow mentioned I might look up a site called Team Estrogen, because their forum has informative discussions about saddles! From half-way around the world... what did we ever do without the internet, I ask ya.

-Amy

Didja buy from Wallbike?

[dachshund]

Yes, ma'am.

[WrensMom]

KnottedYet--So how wide are your sit bones? I am really hoping that the 177mm of the Team Pro S will work for me, as my bones are at 159mm. My DH said that he would ridicule me if I got a saddle with springs!

[mimitabby]

the springs mockers in my club quit mocking my springs when they saw me sit for 100 miles in one day on a new saddle without any discernable discomfort. Further dampening their case against my saddle was when another couple got brooks front and back on their tandem.

Now (get this!) my husband wants a B67 too!! he is going to sell his b17 so he can "move up" to the real thing.

[WrensMom]

Well, actually, I don't know what the verdict is yet. I can feel that I am on my sit bones, so that's a good thing, but it still seems like I am smashing the girly-bits also to a degree. Since the saddle is convex, I think the bones are sitting lower than the bits, hence the smashing Even tho the stated width of the saddle is 177, and my bones are at 159, the "usable" sit bone distance on it appears to be quite a bit less than 177--so frustrating--I wish these saddle makers would say what the maximum usable sit bone distance is on these things; that would make choosing one a lot easier. Anyway, I only rode it a short way (had to get back to my toddler), and since Wallingford has the 6 month return policy, I plan on giving it a serious try before I really decide. I will fiddle around with the adjustments and see if I can get it in a position that works. So, Mimi, I may have to face the spring-mockers after all

[WrensMom]

Hey Mimi, another question--do you have a B67 on your Bianchi, or only on your tandem? There is this part of me that just really wants my Veloce to stay "cool", if you know what I mean But of course comfort is paramount to coolness, in the real world--wish I could have it both ways!

[mimitabby]

Hey Mimi, another question--do you have a B67 on your Bianchi, or only on your tandem? There is this part of me that just really wants my Veloce to stay "cool", if you know what I mean But of course comfort is paramount to coolness, in the real world--wish I could have it both ways!

I have a brown b67 on the tandem and a black b67 on the Bianchi.

how is This not cool??

[melissam]

I have ordered a B17S from Bill at www.wallbike.com. It should ship on Monday and I'll get it by the end of next week.

I'm curious to see how this will work for me -- my sit bones are fine on my other saddles, but I notice slight discomfort in the front.

I think I'm going to try the saddle on my mountain bike (which I ride on weekdays for about an hour a day on the trails after work) and on my road bike (weekend warrior).

If all goes well, I'll probably get another one.

I can't wait to check it out!

-- Melissa

PS Here are my "burning questions":
1. Will it be comfortable? I realize that some break in time may be necessary.
2. Will it look out of place on my road bike (Trek 5200 WSD)? (If it's comfortable, who really cares?)
3. Will I like it better on one bike than the other?
4. How hard will it be to find the seat post settings with the new saddle?
5. Is the uniquely conforming leather saddle thing all it's cracked up to be?
6. How does this work if your seat bones are kind of narrow?

I know, I probably over think these things.

[mimitabby]

I have ordered a B17S from Bill at www.wallbike.com.
"burning questions":
1. Will it be comfortable? I realize that some break in time may be necessary.
2. Will it look out of place on my road bike (Trek 5200 WSD)? (If it's comfortable, who really cares?)
3. Will I like it better on one bike than the other?
4. How hard will it be to find the seat post settings with the new saddle?
5. Is the uniquely conforming leather saddle thing all it's cracked up to be?
6. How does this work if your seat bones are kind of narrow?

I know, I probably over think these things.

Do you think it looks out of place on my Bianchi? (see about 8 posts up)

it took me about 3 tries to get the post set up just right.

at first you will be surprised because it is HARD. be sure to treat the saddle with the leather treatment.
then you will notice 10-20 miles down the road that it's still hard but you're not sore.
then you will notice 30-50 miles down the road that this is the best saddle you've ever sat on.
I have one on each of my bikes.