Brooks Saddles

[Batbike]

So MANY TE women like Brooks saddles! I must admit, I NEVER looked at them UNTIL I kept reading about how great they are here on TE. I have scanned past posts and made notes of what models people like. I measured my sit bones and compared ... now I am CONFUSED!!

Per website, seems I would use a B17N, Swift, or Finese. I base this on: My sit bones are a just over 5 inches, or 130 - 135 cm. I like a long narrow nose to avoid thigh rub when I pedal. I ride a standard road bike.

So, for all you Brooks-Lovers ... here is my question: Is there anyone out there who is similar to me and what saddle to you like?!!

Thanks, in advance, for your opinions/comments/input!!!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

First, read this thread:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=14348

Then I suggest you CALL the good people at Wallingford- they can really help you decide which Brooks saddle will be just right for you.
http://www.wallbike.com/index.php

[Batbike]

First, read this thread:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=14348

Then I suggest you CALL the good people at Wallingford- they can really help you decide which Brooks saddle will be just right for you.
http://www.wallbike.com/index.php

Lisa -- thanks, I have read the TE thread AND I have visited Wallingford. It is Wallingford that gave me the suggested saddles mentioned ... just hoped there were ACTUAL WOMEN on TE that were riding these saddles ... the more info the better!

[mimitabby]

that would be me. There are also men that like them.

They were designed in the times where MANY people rode bikes all day as their main transportation. Human anatomy hasn't changed in the last 100 years, so we're in luck.
Now the major points in saddle design are focussed on making them lightweight, with comfort being secondary.

Even 100 year old British companies change some, so they have modernized and lightened their saddles without jeapardizing their comfort.

[KnottedYet]

I am no help in the saddle dept, as I have the extra-wide sit bones and ride a B67.

The dimples on my B67 are beatifully within the limits of the steel frame: right out on the leather with a nice margin so I don't sit over the metal frame even when I scootch around.

My 2 cents (bear in mind I'm a wide, so I'm biased): I would get the B17 rather than the B17N, so you do have at *least* 1 cm margin on each side so your sitbones can be cradled by the leather, rather than perching dangerously close to the metal frame.

Ride for a month or so and if you hate it and feel it's just too wide, send it back. If not, ride for another couple months. You have six months with Wallingford, and that's a beautiful thing. You can't lose.

Kitsune06 started off with one of the narrower saddles, but now I think she's on a B17 and likes it better. She also has fairly narrow sitbones. Maybe contact her?

Nose length/width: even my wide-load Brooks has a long and very narrow nose. Very comfortable. (I'm one of the folks who chafes on the wider noses) The "S" saddles ("short" for women) have short noses. Not such a nice thing as far as I'm concerned. If you know you like a longer nose, don't even bother with the "S" or "women's" versions of the various saddles.

[mimitabby]

I concur completely with Knot on all points made forthwith.