Help choosing a Brooks

[skyhand]

Here she is, post-proofide, so you'll notice some darker streaks where it's still not dry. Leaving it overnight like recommended, then buffing. Pics are on the larger side for detail:

http://www.skyhand.com/brooks/1.jpg Frontward angle view
http://www.skyhand.com/brooks/2.jpg Downward angle view
http://www.skyhand.com/brooks/3.jpg Packaging & saddle overview
http://www.skyhand.com/brooks/4.jpg Rear view / nameplate
http://www.skyhand.com/brooks/5.jpg Skirt / side close-up
http://www.skyhand.com/brooks/6.jpg Nose
http://www.skyhand.com/brooks/7.jpg Full profile

I'll post pics after I buff it and put it onto my MTB. It'll look pretty slick on that one with similarly colored sidewalls on the tires... If this saddle works for me, I'll get a black one for my yellow & gold Lemond Zurich. Of course. Ya can't stop at just one Brooks, now can ya?!

[RoseC]

I like the shorter nose of the Finesse because when I stand to climb I feel the B-17 hitting my legs and I don't feel the Finesse.

And just to be the "everyone's different" contrarian...

One of the things I *do* like about my B-17 is that when I stand to climb, the nose is still (just barely) there. It feels more secure to me, and it means I can just slide back at the end of the climb, without hooking my shorts.

I'm probably the only one who likes the nose for that particular reason, I admit, but...it's still a reason!

[RoseC]

Gosh, you take nice photos, skyhand! Very pretty! That's a different color than I think I've seen - I like it! Goes beautifully with the rivets.

[sandra]

I am GREEN with envy. That is one beautiful saddle.

[skyhand]

If only those photos really do it justice! Really there's nothin' like having it in hand. Incredible craftsmanship.

Now, let's hope my bootie likes it!

[dex]

If this saddle works for me, I'll get a black one for my yellow & gold Lemond Zurich. Of course. Ya can't stop at just one Brooks, now can ya?!

I know I couldn't.

Of course, I'm about to trade a bike that currently has my B17 on it, so I'll have to decide which bike gets treated with the upgrade. Hrm...

[skyhand]

hey dex, how's your B17 do our rainy seattle winters? i bought a waterproof cover for mine, but likely will slap on an ultra high tech, plastic grocery bag or something if it's pouring.

[mimitabby]

Sky
when I'm on the bike and i'm riding i don't worry about the saddle. If i go into a restaurant when it's raining i cover the saddle in the handy plastic bag I always carry for times like that. Also for transporting the bike in the rain; i always have that plastic bag. Don't waste your money on that brooks saddle cover; water goes RIGHT THROUGH it.

Your saddle might suffer if you do really long rides in the rain. My DH has ruined two brooks saddles already; he does 200 k's and 24 hour rides...

[dex]

I do the plastic bag thing too, and it seems to work just fine. The bonus being that plastic bags are cheap (free!) and way portable. Of course, I've only had my Brooks saddles (and my bikes) since this past spring, so I haven't gone through a full rainy winter yet.

[skyhand]

cool, plastic bags are so handy — good for other things besides groceries and dog doo! i'll keep one handy.

i did buy the waterproof saddle cover from Wallingford (not the Brooks one) though. had i thought about it i wouldn't've bothered and just used a plastic bag! doh!

[KnottedYet]

I use a heavy plastic bag (one for each Brooks) and broccoli rubber bands. (y'know, the thick blue ones around bunches of broccoli) When I'm on the bike, I don't worry about the wet. But I proofhide the bejeebers out of the top and bottom of my Brooks saddles, so i'm hoping they're well protected while I ride. And there's also my butt protecting the topsides...

I also use the broccoli bands as "parking brakes."

They work great!

[skyhand]

broccoli bands? holy MacGyver, Batman! that's resourceful! nice, i'll remember that. they're pretty strong too.