Saddle questions

: The cautions about saddles being a matter of personal choice are
: correct, as are the cautions about mail order. But, as I said earlier,
: Wallingford has a great return policy that makes it worth considering
: if you are thinking about a Brooks saddle. This is from the Wallingford
: web site's warranty page:
:
: 6 Month UNCONDITIONAL SATISFACTION GUARANTEE - new BROOKS saddles.
: Return your new saddle at any time within six-months of the ship date
: for a full refund of the price of the saddle. Shipping will not be
: refunded unless there is a manufacturing defect issue that would make
: the return a factory warranty issue.
:
: Around here, a six month test would just about take you through an
: entire season of prime-time cycling. --Roy Zipris

What you write is true, BUT--I ordered a Brooks saddle from them and tried
it out and returned it. It was killing me! I thought it was just the wrong
model, so I got another one, the B-17, and still have it. There is an
ongoing battle, though as to who will give up first--me or the saddle. So
far, the saddle's winning. Brooks saddles are NOT for everyone or
Wallingford wouldn't have their "buy it used" listing.

Pat in TX
:

Ken Marcet said:

Does an one know of a economically priced saddle that will let me

ride more

Quoted message said:

than a couple of miles without the need for padded cycling pants? Or

is this

Quoted message said:

just a dream of mine? I was browsing nashbar and they have some in

the $30

Quoted message said:

to $40 range that look as though they have a bit more padding than a

"stock"

Quoted message said:

read "cheap" seat.

Ken

FWIW, I usually have a bit of discomfort when I get back in the saddle
after a long stretch without riding. My mountain bike has a fairly
firm seat so I've been tempted in the past to upgrade the saddle. I
usually find, however, that I toughen up a bit after the first week or
so of regular riding.

If it's painful, however, there's no sense in keeping the same saddle.
Of course, they're very personal purchases and comfort means something
different to everyone. And I guess if a new saddle will encourage you
to spend more time on the bike, then it's a worthwhile investment.

-Bill H.

"Zoot Katz" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Thu, 10 Mar 2005 03:04:03 GMT,
<[email hidden]>,

maxo said:

Mike Kruger said:

The other used Brooks I've bought have been in the
$30 range. (one at Urban Bikes in Chicago, just to name

one

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

good place for stuff like this.)

Are they still around? I used to LOVE that place. They only

had a pair of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

vintage and frighteningly hard Ideale saddles when I was

there last.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

[Shivers]

I've always preferred Ideale to Brooks. The arched top fit's

my

Quoted message said:

anatomy better than the flat assed British saddles.
--

Urban Bikes is still there. The odd thing is that Urban Bikes
had a couple of Ideale leather saddles in stock when I bought
the Brooks there. I wonder if they are the same ones you saw!
I went with Brooks because I was familiar with the brand name
and (in my limited knowledge) I had never heard of Ideale.

Pat said:

What you write is true, BUT--I ordered a Brooks saddle from them and

tried

Quoted message said:

it out and returned it. It was killing me! I thought it was just the

wrong

Quoted message said:

model, so I got another one, the B-17, and still have it. There is an
ongoing battle, though as to who will give up first--me or the

saddle. So

Quoted message said:

far, the saddle's winning. Brooks saddles are NOT for everyone or
Wallingford wouldn't have their "buy it used" listing.

This pretty much mirrors my experience. I first tried a Brooks
Professional for 3 months and 1,000 miles. It was the most horribly
uncomfortable saddle I've ever used, despite trying every possible
adjustment. I traded that for a B17, which was a bit better, making it
only the second most uncomfortable saddle I've had.

I traded the B17 to my sister, she had a new bike with a Selle Italia
"Trimatic" saddle. She loved the B17, I rode the Trimatic on a 250 mile
brevet without discomfort about a month after I put it on.

Tom Sherman said:

Ken Marcet said:

Does an one know of a economically priced saddle that will let me

ride more

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

than a couple of miles without the need for padded cycling pants?

Or is this

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

just a dream of mine? I was browsing nashbar and they have some in

the $30

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

to $40 range that look as though they have a bit more padding than

a "stock"

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

read "cheap" seat.

I prefer sling-mesh seats with a foam pad. You could inquire at
Lightning Cycle Dynamics since they make such a seat, but I expect

their

Quoted message said:

seat is more in the $300-400 range.

--
Tom Sherman - Earth

THE SEAT COSTS $400?????????????????????????????? The Seat??? I paid
40 dollars for my new seat and when I mentioned I bought a seat someone
promptly corrected me as being a "saddle" not a seat.
I think when spring arrives and I start riding more, I have alot to
learn about this sport of champions.
All Good Things,
Maggie

11 Mar 2005 07:41:38 -0800,
<[email hidden]>,

Maggie said:

Quoted message said:

I prefer sling-mesh seats with a foam pad. You could inquire at
Lightning Cycle Dynamics since they make such a seat, but I expect their
seat is more in the $300-400 range.

--
Tom Sherman - Earth

THE SEAT COSTS $400?????????????????????????????? The Seat??? I paid
40 dollars for my new seat and when I mentioned I bought a seat someone
promptly corrected me as being a "saddle" not a seat.
I think when spring arrives and I start riding more, I have alot to
learn about this sport of champions.

Mr earthman rides bent.
Rememember, babies, toilets and recumbents have seats.
Bicycles have saddles.
--
zk

Roy Zipris said:

Someone once described the feeling of a Brooks B-17 as riding while
sitting in a hammock. Got it pretty right, in my experience. You can't
go wrong with Wallingford, which sells them with a 6-month
guarantee/return policy.

But, as you will no doubt hear, saddles are extremely personal things,
and no one "size" fits all. And padding is not necessarily a good
thing on long rides. --Roy Zipris

I enjoy my Brooks a lot. However, I would not ride on it without my padded
shorts.

Roger Zoul said:

I enjoy my Brooks a lot. However, I would not ride on it without my
padded shorts.

That's what I thought about mine, until I tried riding it without padded
shorts, and still found it comfortable, at least for shorter distances
( < 20km). I think the main benefit of the "padding" is actually moisture
absorption.

Mind you, for the first week or so when I was breaking in the Brooks, I
carried a gel seatcover with me for when it got too uncomfortable. I'm
very low on "natural padding"...

--
Benjamin Lewis

I regret to say that we of the FBI are powerless to act in cases of
oral-genital intimacy, unless it has in some way obstructed interstate
commerce. -- J. Edgar Hoover

Benjamin Lewis said:

Roger Zoul said:

I enjoy my Brooks a lot. However, I would not ride on it without my
padded shorts.

That's what I thought about mine, until I tried riding it without
padded shorts, and still found it comfortable, at least for shorter
distances ( < 20km). I think the main benefit of the "padding" is
actually moisture absorption.

Mind you, for the first week or so when I was breaking in the Brooks,
I carried a gel seatcover with me for when it got too uncomfortable.
I'm very low on "natural padding"...

Yeah, my butt hurt a lot at first, but after the first real ride on mine
(like 50 miles) my butt transfered enough heat into the saddle to cause it
to give. Then I saw these two dents on either side of center. That was
curious.

Roger Zoul said:

Benjamin Lewis said:

Mind you, for the first week or so when I was breaking in the Brooks,
I carried a gel seatcover with me for when it got too uncomfortable.
I'm very low on "natural padding"...

Yeah, my butt hurt a lot at first, but after the first real ride on mine
(like 50 miles) my butt transfered enough heat into the saddle to cause
it to give. Then I saw these two dents on either side of center. That
was curious.

You now have an accurate impression of your ischial tuberosities 🙂

--
Benjamin Lewis

I regret to say that we of the FBI are powerless to act in cases of
oral-genital intimacy, unless it has in some way obstructed interstate
commerce. -- J. Edgar Hoover

Benjamin Lewis said:

Roger Zoul said:

I enjoy my Brooks a lot. However, I would not ride on it without

my

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

padded shorts.

That's what I thought about mine, until I tried riding it without

padded

Quoted message said:

shorts, and still found it comfortable, at least for shorter

distances

Quoted message said:

( < 20km). I think the main benefit of the "padding" is actually

moisture

Quoted message said:

absorption.

Mind you, for the first week or so when I was breaking in the Brooks,

I

Quoted message said:

carried a gel seatcover with me for when it got too uncomfortable.

I'm

Quoted message said:

very low on "natural padding"...

Aren't you lucky. I think. Ummmmm. Very low on natural padding may not
be that good. Everyone likes a nice butt on a nice guy. :-) I guess
it depends on how low on natural padding you are. What is this thread
all about? I forgot.
All Good Things,
Maggie

Two thoughts:

1. definitely ride with bike shorts that have a liner (sometimes called a
chamois, even if made from artificial material). The benefit is not
cushioning, but rather preventing chafing. The pad in a well designed pair
of bike shorts will be made with special flat seams that will not irritate
you, and the materials typically wick away perspiration to further reduce
the chance of chafing. Also, don't wear underwear, since the underwear's
seams will just negate the benefit of the pad. I buy my the house brand
shorts from Nashbar or Performance, and have been very happy with them. I
get the six or eight panel shorts, which cost more, but they fit better.

2. Check out Terry saddles.
http://www.terrybicycles.com/product.html?c=Saddles
Georgena Terry originally introduced the saddle design with a cut away in
the middle for women. But the concept caught on for men, too. Her company
now makes a wide selection of seats for men as well as women. Look at the
the Liberator (the basic Terry model), which has padding as well as the
Terry cut-out, and the Liberator Y, a variation with more padding. I've only
heard good things about the Fly and Fly Tri (sportier), and I'm trying to
decide between one of them and a gorgeous Brooks leather saddle for an old
touring bike I'm having restored. The Brooks would be perfect on the bike,
but at $180, I may have to forego the luxury.

If you're experiencing discomfort on your bike, you probably should change
your riding position before you do anything else. The saddle really is a
critical component in how a bike feels and how it responds -- and the
padding is the least of it. Height, horizontal angle (nose up or down), fore
and aft position, relationship to handlebars all make significant
differences.

Check Sheldon Brown's web site for articles saddles and riding position.
This will get you started.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html

Good luck.

"Maggie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Tom Sherman said:

Ken Marcet said:

Does an one know of a economically priced saddle that will let me

ride more

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

than a couple of miles without the need for padded cycling pants?

Or is this

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

just a dream of mine? I was browsing nashbar and they have some in

the $30

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

to $40 range that look as though they have a bit more padding than

a "stock"

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

read "cheap" seat.

I prefer sling-mesh seats with a foam pad. You could inquire at
Lightning Cycle Dynamics since they make such a seat, but I expect

their

Quoted message said:

seat is more in the $300-400 range.

--
Tom Sherman - Earth

THE SEAT COSTS $400?????????????????????????????? The Seat??? I paid
40 dollars for my new seat and when I mentioned I bought a seat someone
promptly corrected me as being a "saddle" not a seat.
I think when spring arrives and I start riding more, I have alot to
learn about this sport of champions.
All Good Things,
Maggie

I use a Specialized Body Geometry with the cutout. It is a pretty firm
seat but as others have said it fits my bones pretty well. I bought it
on Ebay for about $35 or so. I have heard a lot of good things about
Fizik brand seats also. A nice on goes about $100.

Brooks Swift works great for me...

"Peter Cole" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Pat said:

What you write is true, BUT--I ordered a Brooks saddle from them and

tried

Quoted message said:

it out and returned it. It was killing me! I thought it was just the

wrong

Quoted message said:

model, so I got another one, the B-17, and still have it. There is an
ongoing battle, though as to who will give up first--me or the

saddle. So

Quoted message said:

far, the saddle's winning. Brooks saddles are NOT for everyone or
Wallingford wouldn't have their "buy it used" listing.

This pretty much mirrors my experience. I first tried a Brooks
Professional for 3 months and 1,000 miles. It was the most horribly
uncomfortable saddle I've ever used, despite trying every possible
adjustment. I traded that for a B17, which was a bit better, making it
only the second most uncomfortable saddle I've had.

I traded the B17 to my sister, she had a new bike with a Selle Italia
"Trimatic" saddle. She loved the B17, I rode the Trimatic on a 250 mile
brevet without discomfort about a month after I put it on.

Maggie said:

Tom Sherman said:

Ken Marcet said:

Does an one know of a economically priced saddle that will let me

ride more

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

than a couple of miles without the need for padded cycling pants?

Or is this

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

just a dream of mine? I was browsing nashbar and they have some in

the $30

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

to $40 range that look as though they have a bit more padding than

a "stock"

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

read "cheap" seat.

I prefer sling-mesh seats with a foam pad. You could inquire at
Lightning Cycle Dynamics since they make such a seat, but I expect

their

Quoted message said:

seat is more in the $300-400 range.

--
Tom Sherman - Earth

THE SEAT COSTS $400?????????????????????????????? The Seat??? I paid
40 dollars for my new seat and when I mentioned I bought a seat someone
promptly corrected me as being a "saddle" not a seat.
I think when spring arrives and I start riding more, I have alot to
learn about this sport of champions.

See <http://www.lightningbikes.com/sp38blue2.jpg> for a picture of the
seat in question. In all likelihood, more labor goes into fabricating
this seat than most bicycle frames.

--
Tom Sherman - Earth

Tom Sherman said:

See <http://www.lightningbikes.com/sp38blue2.jpg> for a picture of the
seat in question. In all likelihood, more labor goes into fabricating
this seat than most bicycle frames.

And here it is /without/ the pedals and chain:
http://www.horsemanpro.com/articles/photos/trot.jpg

:-P

B i l l S o r n s o n said:

Tom Sherman said:

See <http://www.lightningbikes.com/sp38blue2.jpg> for a picture of the
seat in question. In all likelihood, more labor goes into fabricating
this seat than most bicycle frames.

And here it is /without/ the pedals and chain:
http://www.horsemanpro.com/articles/photos/trot.jpg

That version has a bonus: <http://www.wrightguide.com/media/IM000942.JPG>.

--
Tom Sherman - Earth

In article <[email hidden]>,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

A new Brooks is over a hundred bucks. In fact I've seen used ones

sell for that
much.

Matt O. <<

Try $50-60 for the b-17 standard. The expensive ones are a bit lighter
is all

The brand newly upgraded B-17 will be more expensive and they will be
out in the spring of 2005. The classic B17 standard is getting harder
to find, but not impossible.

David.

In article <1110421358.f05c6d9e4af23442183b6915be704e0e@teranews>, Mike

Kruger said:

[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>A new Brooks is over a hundred bucks. In fact I've seen

used ones

Quoted message said:

sell for that
much.

Try $50-60 for the b-17 standard. The expensive ones are a

bit lighter

Quoted message said:

is all

I've managed to equip multiple bikes with used Brooks saddles.
My first one came on a garage sale bike that I bought for
$10 -- I got a Brooks saddle, a pair of pedals, front and rear
derailleurs and levers and a couple of other random parts off
that bike. The other used Brooks I've bought have been in the
$30 range. (one at Urban Bikes in Chicago, just to name one
good place for stuff like this.)

I also got one by reading a posting from a guy disparaging
Brooks saddles. Sure enough, he had one and was happy to sell
it to me cheaply.

There is a love hate relationship with current Brooks saddles. That's
why, there is a person that modifies Brooks saddles to make them more
comfortable. The website is http://www.mcmwin.com and they sell the
modified version of the B17, the Pro and I think the Swift under the
brand name Selle Anatomica. The Titanico is the B17 with 3 different
cutouts plus a color of your choice!!

In article <[email hidden]>, Baka Dasai

Quoted message said:

On Fri, 11 Mar 2005 15:44:20 -0500, Roger Zoul said (and I quote):

Quoted message said:

Yeah, my butt hurt a lot at first, but after the first real ride on mine
(like 50 miles) my butt transfered enough heat into the saddle to cause it
to give. Then I saw these two dents on either side of center. That was
curious.

You're lucky. After about 10 minutes on my B17 there were two large
deep depressions under my sit bones, which would be fine, except the
depressions were so deep that they left a high center ridge down the
middle of the saddle that pressed painfully on some sensitive bits.

This happened with two B17s in a row - the second of which was prepped
exactly in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations.

And what would that be?

You can tension your saddle with a special Brooks spanner you know?

David.