Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More - View Single Post

05-25-2004, 08:16 AM

On Tue, 25 May 2004 10:12:38 +0000, Baka Dasai wrote:

> So is there something of a similar shape, width and firmness to a Brooks
> B17, but isn't a Brooks?

I ride a Brooks Champion Flyer, which is the B17 with springs. I've also
owned two plain B17s. My Flyer is brilliant, and the B17s were
comfortable, but I've experienced a much 'lighter" version of the
sensation that you mentioned. There's much at play: leather thickness,
saddle tension, and rider weight. I weigh 165-185 depending on the
season, and it seems that the B17 really likes riders to be under the
180lb mark since it's one of Brooks' saddles with thinner, but more easily
broken in leather.

Now if you don't weight as much as me, and are having this problem, I'd
say one of four things are happening: your sit bones are simply too
wide for the B17, too much proofhide, low saddle tension, or you're a
fairly sweaty rider (join the club :P) and the saddle gets moist and
distorts while you ride. I'd try giving the tension nut a couple turns to
tighten up the saddle--usually I recommend against folks messing with this
since it's easy to get over-eager and over tighten. Also check your saddle
angle, though it doesn't sound like this is a problem, I run mine pretty
much parallel to the ground.

Now if you're still having trouble, which is a likely bet, then moving to
a Brooks with a thicker cover/wider profile is a great alternative.
Alternately, if you can find an Ideale saddle (used, they're no
longer made)--they seem to have thicker covers.

The B72 is a little wider and thicker and might be your cup of tea. Also
have a look at the B33 which might be just the thing if you're a sturdier
rider. It's perhaps not the thing for longer rides and one look at its
springs might make you gasp--but I've ridden a few. Oh Boy! They're
Cadillacs! Think of all of the admiring glances.

There's quite a few models to choose from, have a browse:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/saddles.html

As far as something "like" a Brooks, I think you're out of luck, unless
you can find something vintage on eBay.

Good luck and don't give up on Brooks, it sounds like you just didn't get
the right saddle for you. The B17 might be "standard", but I'm a male, and
it's almost too narrow for my sit-bones--so it may be even less of a fit
for you.

Good Luck!

05-25-2004, 08:16 AM	#2 (permalink)
maxo Posts: n/a	Re: Wide saddles that aren't soft and mushy On Tue, 25 May 2004 10:12:38 +0000, Baka Dasai wrote: > So is there something of a similar shape, width and firmness to a Brooks > B17, but isn't a Brooks? I ride a Brooks Champion Flyer, which is the B17 with springs. I've also owned two plain B17s. My Flyer is brilliant, and the B17s were comfortable, but I've experienced a much 'lighter" version of the sensation that you mentioned. There's much at play: leather thickness, saddle tension, and rider weight. I weigh 165-185 depending on the season, and it seems that the B17 really likes riders to be under the 180lb mark since it's one of Brooks' saddles with thinner, but more easily broken in leather. Now if you don't weight as much as me, and are having this problem, I'd say one of four things are happening: your sit bones are simply too wide for the B17, too much proofhide, low saddle tension, or you're a fairly sweaty rider (join the club :P) and the saddle gets moist and distorts while you ride. I'd try giving the tension nut a couple turns to tighten up the saddle--usually I recommend against folks messing with this since it's easy to get over-eager and over tighten. Also check your saddle angle, though it doesn't sound like this is a problem, I run mine pretty much parallel to the ground. Now if you're still having trouble, which is a likely bet, then moving to a Brooks with a thicker cover/wider profile is a great alternative. Alternately, if you can find an Ideale saddle (used, they're no longer made)--they seem to have thicker covers. The B72 is a little wider and thicker and might be your cup of tea. Also have a look at the B33 which might be just the thing if you're a sturdier rider. It's perhaps not the thing for longer rides and one look at its springs might make you gasp--but I've ridden a few. Oh Boy! They're Cadillacs! Think of all of the admiring glances. There's quite a few models to choose from, have a browse: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/saddles.html As far as something "like" a Brooks, I think you're out of luck, unless you can find something vintage on eBay. Good luck and don't give up on Brooks, it sounds like you just didn't get the right saddle for you. The B17 might be "standard", but I'm a male, and it's almost too narrow for my sit-bones--so it may be even less of a fit for you. Good Luck!