Which Brooks Saddle?

The Professional sounds like what you want. My experience has been
that the wider B17 is more appropriate for folks who have a more
upright position.

Is there a particular reason that you are going with Brooks? Except
for the retro cachet, I don't understand why anyone, except someone who
can't get comfortable on another saddle, would use one.

[censored] "been there, done that" Durbin

Olebiker said:

Is there a particular reason that you are going with Brooks? Except
for the retro cachet, I don't understand why anyone, except someone who
can't get comfortable on another saddle, would use one.

I've not found a comfortable saddle yet. Current one is a Terry Ti Race
with a couple of years on it. Before that was a Sella Royalle(?) racy type
saddle. Loss of circulation drove me off of the Sella Royalle after many
many years, including a cross country trip. No sentimentality. I tossed
that thing in the dumpster with glee. The Terry has been a big
disappointment, despite raves (at the time) by the majority of the riders
at the LBS team. My Terry is very swayed. The only way I can keep my sit
bones on the back is to tip the horn high, which causes numbness. Even with
the horn high, I can feel my low back fighting to push my hips back (and I
don't have my bars way out in front). My low back has been getting worse
over the past 2 years (I generally have difficulty walking after a ride of
more than hour) so I'm hoping to find a saddle that will "catch" my sit
bones better, if that makes any sense.

I've not, "done that" with leather saddles yet and given that good saddles
seem to be in the same price range, I thought I'd give a try.

pinnah said:

I've not found a comfortable saddle yet. Current one is a Terry Ti Race
with a couple of years on it. Before that was a Sella Royalle(?) racy type
saddle. Loss of circulation drove me off of the Sella Royalle after many
many years, including a cross country trip. No sentimentality. I tossed
that thing in the dumpster with glee. The Terry has been a big
disappointment, despite raves (at the time) by the majority of the riders
at the LBS team. My Terry is very swayed. The only way I can keep my sit
bones on the back is to tip the horn high, which causes numbness. Even with
the horn high, I can feel my low back fighting to push my hips back (and I
don't have my bars way out in front). My low back has been getting worse
over the past 2 years (I generally have difficulty walking after a ride of
more than hour) so I'm hoping to find a saddle that will "catch" my sit
bones better, if that makes any sense.

It sounds like you might benefit more from a good bike fit than another
new saddle. Having said that...

Quoted message said:

I've not, "done that" with leather saddles yet and given that good saddles
seem to be in the same price range, I thought I'd give a try.

I did, and I'm one of those singing the praises of a Brooks; B17 in my
case. (You do know you can expect every r.b.t regular who doesn't like
Brooks to chime in with a "don't do that" post, don't you?) Figure out,
first, how far apart your sit bones are. wallbike.com lists the B17 as
170 mm wide, the team pro at 160 mm. I'm guessing you'd want to allow
30-40 mm for rivets and a comfort zone, so if your sit bones are more
than, say 120-130 mm apart, go for the B17; your choice otherwise.

My B17 was never really uncomfortable, but was comfortable after about
100 miles, and disappeared before 500 miles -- it was so nice I never
noticed it after that. Wallingford (wallbike.com) is my recommendation
if you're going to mail order a saddle, since you can return it for a
refund within 6 months if the saddle doesn't work out. You really only
risk shipping and handling, and maybe some Proofide.

Pat

I couldnt find a great saddle until I tried a b17 Standard. I also
have the b17 n which is no better than anything else.

pinnah said:

Olebiker said:

Is there a particular reason that you are going with Brooks? Except
for the retro cachet, I don't understand why anyone, except someone who
can't get comfortable on another saddle, would use one.

I've not found a comfortable saddle yet. Current one is a Terry Ti Race
with a couple of years on it. Before that was a Sella Royalle(?) racy type
saddle. Loss of circulation drove me off of the Sella Royalle after many
many years, including a cross country trip. No sentimentality. I tossed
that thing in the dumpster with glee. The Terry has been a big
disappointment, despite raves (at the time) by the majority of the riders
at the LBS team. My Terry is very swayed. The only way I can keep my sit
bones on the back is to tip the horn high, which causes numbness. Even with
the horn high, I can feel my low back fighting to push my hips back (and I
don't have my bars way out in front). My low back has been getting worse
over the past 2 years (I generally have difficulty walking after a ride of
more than hour) so I'm hoping to find a saddle that will "catch" my sit
bones better, if that makes any sense.

I've not, "done that" with leather saddles yet and given that good saddles
seem to be in the same price range, I thought I'd give a try.

I have similar issues with a Terry saddle, I've never really liked it. I
went the Brooks route, w/o success, although I know many who like them a
lot. I've found that I'm most comfortable on very flat saddles, like
Selle Italia. The very plain ones (Flite) are good for moderate
distances (several hours), but I like a little more padding (Trimatic)
on all day rides. I get wicked numbness with saddles that have any front
to back curvature. Leather saddles kill me in that respect. With both
the Terry and especially the Brooks, I was always trying to get my sit
bones back, as you describe. There just doesn't seem to be enough room
between the nose and back of the saddle.

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

Quoted message said:

pinnah said:

Olebiker said:

Is there a particular reason that you are going with Brooks? Except
for the retro cachet, I don't understand why anyone, except someone who
can't get comfortable on another saddle, would use one.

I've not found a comfortable saddle yet. Current one is a Terry Ti Race
with a couple of years on it. Before that was a Sella Royalle(?) racy

type

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

saddle. Loss of circulation drove me off of the Sella Royalle after many
many years, including a cross country trip. No sentimentality. I tossed
that thing in the dumpster with glee. The Terry has been a big
disappointment, despite raves (at the time) by the majority of the

riders

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

at the LBS team. My Terry is very swayed. The only way I can keep my sit
bones on the back is to tip the horn high, which causes numbness. Even

with

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the horn high, I can feel my low back fighting to push my hips back (and

I

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

don't have my bars way out in front). My low back has been getting worse
over the past 2 years (I generally have difficulty walking after a ride

of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

more than hour) so I'm hoping to find a saddle that will "catch" my sit
bones better, if that makes any sense.

I've not, "done that" with leather saddles yet and given that good

saddles

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

seem to be in the same price range, I thought I'd give a try.

I have similar issues with a Terry saddle, I've never really liked it. I
went the Brooks route, w/o success, although I know many who like them a
lot. I've found that I'm most comfortable on very flat saddles, like
Selle Italia. The very plain ones (Flite) are good for moderate
distances (several hours), but I like a little more padding (Trimatic)
on all day rides. I get wicked numbness with saddles that have any front
to back curvature. Leather saddles kill me in that respect. With both
the Terry and especially the Brooks, I was always trying to get my sit
bones back, as you describe. There just doesn't seem to be enough room
between the nose and back of the saddle.

Ditto the recommendation for Selle Italia. I tried a bunch of different
saddles when I got my first "real" road bike (Bontrager, Specialized Body
Geometry, Avocet), but never found comfort until I got the absolutely
minimalist Selle Italia SLR. I do a fair amount of climbing, so in addition
to the comfort factor, I like that it's one of the lightest saddles on the
market (especially when compared to the Bricks...err, Brooks).

Of course, saddle selection is a highly individualized issue. One man's
Barca-Lounger will be another man's Bed o' Nails, and vice versa. That's
one reason most seasoned roadies have at least 3 or 4 saddles in a box in
the garage.

Specialized brand has attempted to address the problem recently (and
generate some marketing buzz). They market their saddles in different
widths, and have provided bike shops with the aptly named "Assometer" that
will measure your sit bone width in an attempt to fit you with the proper
saddle.

www.RoadBikeRider.com markets an e-book that supposedly has a lot of advice
for finding the perfect saddle:
http://www.roadbikerider.com/bookstore.htm#Finding_the_Perfect_Bicycle_Seat_

--
~_-*
....G/ \G
http://www.CycliStats.com
CycliStats - Software for Cyclists

pinnah said:

I need some advice on choosing between Brooks Professional and the
wider, Standard B17.

Pick one up off Ebay and if you don't get on with it sell it on Ebay.

On average you'll just lose the cost of postage, if you time it right you
might even get ahead.

--
Andy Morris

AndyAtJinkasDotFreeserve.Co.UK

Love this:
Put an end to Outlook Express's messy quotes
http://home.in.tum.de/~jain/software/oe-quotefix/

In article <[email hidden]>,

pinnah said:

I need some advice on choosing between Brooks Professional and the wider,
Standard B17.

My concern is that the wider profile of the B17 may impeed faster riding.
Is this an unfounded concern?

Yes

Quoted message said:

My other concern is that the Professional won't catch and hold onto my sit
bones as well as the wider B17? Is this an unfounded concern?

Depends on your sitbones!

I ride both saddles, but I find the B.17 more comfortable. It doesn't
slow me down in the least.

I would suggest starting with a B.17 because, generally, more folks find
that model comfortable than the Team Pro. Check out wallbike.com for
more comments, as has been noted.

Also, you can read tons of positive reviews on Brooks saddles on
mtbr.com.

Wed, 11 May 2005 11:34:30 -0400, pinnah <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I need some advice on choosing between Brooks Professional and the
wider,
Standard B17.

I get in a 2 or 3 rides a week that range in length from 1 to 3 hours.
Occassionally I get out for longer day long rides and light touring.

On my shorter rides, I generally maintain a cadance of 90+. On day long
rides, it is more likely to be in low 80s, but generally no lower than
that.

My bars are set at the height of my saddle but I spend at least 1/2 of my
time on the drops. The majority of the my time on my shorter, faster
cadance rides is on the drops.

My concern is that the wider profile of the B17 may impeed faster riding.
Is this an unfounded concern?

My other concern is that the Professional won't catch and hold onto my
sit
bones as well as the wider B17? Is this an unfounded concern?

Many thanks,

-Dave

I am a complete Brooks arce, and have been so for twentysome years. I use
the Brooks Professional on my rain and snow commuter bike with flat
handlebars. That gives me plenty of support.
Since you spend half the time in the drops and keep above 80 RPM, I think
you will benefit from the narrower alternative.
On my racer, where the feet and the hands take off part of the load from
the sit bones, I am comfortable with the even narrower Brooks Swift.

If you are a real Brooks man, who appriciates the firm, yet yielding
personal leahter fit, I believe there is a very good chance the Brooks
Professional will suit you.

Ivar of Denmark

--
Sendt med Operas banebrydende nyhedsgruppe-
og e-postklient: http://www.opera.com/m2/

Andy Morris said:

pinnah said:

I need some advice on choosing between Brooks Professional and the
wider, Standard B17.

Pick one up off Ebay and if you don't get on with it sell it on Ebay.

On average you'll just lose the cost of postage, if you time it right you
might even get ahead.

Buy a new one from Wallingford, and return it, if it doesn't work out.
You wil only be out the shipping costs and you can break the saddle
in to fit you.
It is my understanding that Brooks saddles conform to your own
individual sit bone shape, so why buy one that someone else broke in
to fit them.

http://www.wallbike.com/

Life is Good!
Jeff

11 bikes with 11 different Brooks saddles ranging from B-17 to Swallow.
I prefer the Professional to all others unles I am looking for ultra
light weight Brooks, then the Swallow is the chosen one. I wouldn't
ride anything else and haven't for over 40 years.

GaryG said:

Specialized brand has attempted to address the problem recently (and
generate some marketing buzz). They market their saddles in different
widths, and have provided bike shops with the aptly named "Assometer" that
will measure your sit bone width in an attempt to fit you with the proper
saddle.

When I picked up my new recumbent at the LBS, I noticed they had that
Specialized "Assometer" sitting near the floor below their display of
saddles. I gave it a try and according to it, I needed something around
145mm wide.

One of the saddles I had been looking at to replace the too-wide, stock
Specialized Body Geometry Milano saddle on my road bike was the San
Marco Rolls ($30 NOS from nashbar.com), which is ~147mm at the back and
narrow all along the nose.

The Assometer was right! I love that saddle even with only maybe 100
miles on it. No chafing or compressed nads as I'd get with the Milano
saddle, and my sit bones are supported just right. If that saddle
didn't do it for me, I was going to get a Brooks B17 Narrow, but I don't
expect to bother anymore. The Rolls fits me.

I'm still faster on the recumbent though :-).

--
I do not accept unsolicited commercial e-mail. Remove NO_UCE for
legitimate replies.

Per pinnah:

Quoted message said:

My concern is that the wider profile of the B17 may impeed faster riding.
Is this an unfounded concern?

Only way to tell is to try one and see if your thighs chafe in an aero position.

Quoted message said:

My other concern is that the Professional won't catch and hold onto my sit
bones as well as the wider B17? Is this an unfounded concern?

How about quantifying your sitbone width? Sit on something that takes an
impression - like 1/2" styrofoam, or cardboard, or even a sheet of paper on the
right kind of rug. The C-C measurement between the indentations will tell the
tale.

--
PeteCresswell

pinnah said:

My other concern is that the Professional won't catch and hold onto

my sit

Quoted message said:

bones as well as the wider B17? Is this an unfounded concern?

Not at all.

I once had a Brooks Pro. The main reason I sold it was that my sit
bones were actually sitting on the steel frame and rivets at the sides
of the saddle. I didn't have that problem with the B-17 Standard.

Mind you, the Standard wasn't very comfortable for me either; but at
least I was on leather, not on metal.

As several others have said, everyone's different; you really need to
figure out how far apart your sit bones are. I memorized that
distance, learned to spread my fingers exactly that same amount, and
used the fingertips as replacement sit-bones when saddle shopping. I
used this to quickly eliminate a lot of saddles.

And BTW, whoever invented the term "Assometer" deserves a promotion!

- Frank Krygowski

pinnah said:

I need some advice on choosing between Brooks Professional and the wider,
Standard B17.

-snip-

Quoted message said:

My concern is that the wider profile of the B17 may impeed faster riding.
Is this an unfounded concern?
My other concern is that the Professional won't catch and hold onto my sit
bones as well as the wider B17? Is this an unfounded concern?

There is no answer to your question.

You have two possible courses of action:
-Buy the B.17 and if it seems too wide, exchange for a Pro.
-Buy the Pro and if it seems too narrow, exchange for a B.17
( or a Champion Special)

Be sure to shop at a Brooks dealer who will allow
return/exchange.
http://www.yellowjersey.org/brooks3.html
for example.
Even the most accommodating among us will insist on 'like
new' return condition so a saddle cover is indicated and do
try not to scuff the sides.

p.s. I have never found any saddle an impediment to faster
riding. Lungs, legs, sure. Saddle, no.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

My B 66 works really good and its spring loaded. But
every 3 speed I see its being walked up hill. I ride up every hill with
my ass never leaving that B 66.

Probably the professional. I used a professional and a Swift for 3-4
years and have since gone back to my old Swallows that I grew up with.
They just feel right.

Tom

Quoted message said:

My B 66 works really good and its spring loaded. But
every 3 speed I see its being walked up hill. I ride up every hill with
my ass never leaving that B 66.

The traditional three speed gearing is 46 x 18 on a 26 inch
wheel. Sturmey Archer AW gearboxes give a 25% reduction and
a 33% increase ( It is a simple planetary arrangement which
drives 3:4 or 4:3) so that's 50-66-88. Swapping the 18 for
a 20 was a popular option when those British bikes were new.

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

Its 28 inch wheels an a AB hub. The only non working
thing is the lighting and thats due to the front wheel generator. I'm
thinking just using front and rear Planet Bike flashing lights.White up
front red rear. I kind of love the Brooks saddle. Had one in the 60s on
a English Racer Robin Hood.

I MTB 2004

05 makes 10 Mtbing

05 makes 10

05 makes 10

05 makes 10

05