Wanting a new saddle for my new bike

[sandra]

Of course I'm wanting a Brooks. I think! I'm riding the Bontrager saddle that came on my Trek 1000 and it's not bad at all. I have nothing to compare it to, so there might be something better.

I've been talking with Bill at Wallingford Bikes via email and he recommends that I first start looking at one of the S models, either the Finesse, Team Pro S, or B.17S, depending on my budget and my tastes. He says all of these will all ride about the same.

I don't know WHY, but I was hoping he would tell me to go with the B68. I love the way it looks.

I've searched and I know there are tons of threads on saddles. If you have opinions or ride any of the models he suggested, please comment.

Thanks in advance.

[melissam]

Hi Sandra,

Once you go Brooks, you never go back! OK, just kidding -- while I love my Brooks, they aren't for everyone.

I have bought 3 Brooks saddles from Wallbike, and agree with everyone else that their customer service and return policy are superb. I have a B17S on one road bike, a Team Pro S on another road bike, and a B17 on my mountain bike. The saddles on all of my bikes practically disappear under me -- most of the time. There are times when I notice them.

One of the things that I enjoy about the Brooks is that once I got them broken in, I don't have to use my cycling shorts on shorter rides. For example, I can do 50 minute trainer rides in my sweats and underpants. I can do my one mile bike commute from the train station in jeans and underpants. (Although I'm pretty sure I'd be comfy on just about any saddle that fits me for a mile.)

Now, as far as which saddle to buy, it probably depends on your sit bone width. The B68S and B68 are both 210mm wide. The B17S, Team Pro S, and Finesse are all 177mm wide. The difference between the B68's and the other women's saddles is 1.3 inches, which is kind of significant.

That said, you need to ride what's comfy for you. With Wallbike's great return policy, you do have a margin of error.

Happy shopping!

-- Melissa

[RoseC]

My story and opinions, for what they're worth:

Awhile back, I bought a regular (not s) B-17 from Nashbar, during one of their really good sales. I didn't know much about Brooks, but it was pretty and not very expensive, and I liked the idea of the thing. When I got my first road bike (A Bianchi Volpe) earlier this year, I put the B-17 on it. My first impression was *mostly* positive. It was really slippery at first, but that went away after the first fifty miles or so, as I recall. I still wasn't convinced it was right, and I tried a Terry Liberator X for about one day after using the Brooks for awhile. It made me realize some of the good points about the Brooks that I'd hardly registered: it was smooth (no feeling stuck in one place), it bounced slightly on the rough parts and therefore absorbed a lot of shock, it moved with me when I pedaled, it didn't start to pinch after a short ride, and it was mostly pretty narrow in the nose while being wide-ish in back.

The Terry *hurt* because the nose (especially the transition from nose to back) was so wide, and the cutout did horrible things down there. Plus it felt sticky, and like I was falling off the edges. Ick. So I went back to the Brooks and mostly have been pretty happy with it.

However, now that I have over a thousand miles on the Brooks and it's starting to change shape a bit, it's becoming obvious that my sit bones are wide enough that I'm more or less perched on the frame most of the time. Lucky me. So I've been researching the wider ones. The B-17S is probably wide enough, but it scares me that it has a short nose. I like having that nose there for me to grip when I'm turning and such! If there was a such thing as a B-17S with a longer nose, I might go for it. As it is, I've ordered a B-68 from Wallingford, which should be here by next week. I worry a little that it'll feel *too* wide, but it does have a nice narrow nose and a very fast transition to the wider back, which should mean it doesn't get in the way pedaling. I hope I hope I hope. Plus, as you said, it looks pretty nifty! Love that pebbled leather! If it doesn't get in the way when pedaling, I think the extra real estate will make it all the more comfy over the long haul.

[KnottedYet]

Sandra - if your gut instinct is hollering "B68!!!!" then I'd go for the B68!

You have 6 months to make up your mind.

I have two B67 saddles. Similar, but with springs which the B68 doesn't have. I adore these saddles. They have completely changed my world. I ordered my 2nd B67 *after* the B68 came out. When it came down to the wire, my gut told me to get another B67 rather than the B68. Trust your gut! (and you really do have 6 months! Bill is awesome for help with saddle issues, too, as long as Wallingford isn't too busy at the moment. I've had him call me back when he had less on his plate.)

I've stayed away from the "S" Brooks saddles (for "short") because I prefer a long nose to help me control the bike.

[sandra]

Can you explain to me the difference you feel in sprung and unsprung or why you prefer one over the other?

[farrellcollie]

I use the sprung saddles (B67 I think) on my commuter hybrid and my folding bike - it helps smooth the bumps out on the road and makes the ride more comfortable. I use the regular B17 on my road bike - because I have it and it fits me well. A lot of people do not use sprung saddles on road bikes - I think the reason is for weight issues and aesthetics. I did not put one on my road bike because I started with the middle of the road vanilla approach - B17 being the most popular saddle and also because I just did not think about sprung for some reason. No real reason for me to worry about saddle weight (or aesthetics) until I lose 40 lbs.

[KnottedYet]

I've never ridden on an unsprung Brooks. I ordered a second sprung one just because I did like my first so much. And I sort of figured "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."