Commuting - Another Brooks Post!

:eek:

They were the only artisans felt worthy to produce the leather seats and harness for the Spitfire aircraft which won the Battle Over Britain.


Wasn't the Spitfire frame manufactured with Reynolds 531 as well?

You are destined to be a man of history when a BROOKS is
thumping
> your testicles and abraiding your thighs.

And I just thought they were comfy saddles. Hereforth, I shall thump with pride. :D

> When one further reflects that it was this sterling company that did
all
> the saddlery for Roy Roger's horse Trigger, fashioned the glove that
made
> Ted Williams the baseball great he was, did the leather tunic for
> Alexander the Great, and (a little-known fact) styled and made the
aninal
> skins Adam and Eve wore when shuffling out of Eden.


Which means they are the gods of saddles!!!!

Oops, this could be headed to the P&R forum :D

I held my ass high with pride today, I had to fart.

I held my ass high with pride today, I had to fart.

Heathen! :D

I bought my roomie a B67S that just came in a few days ago, after many exhortations as to the source of her discomfort on her flat-bar ride, (she IS a stubborn one!). I happily removed the existing OEM crappy suspension post and "ComforTech" spongey-plastiky apparatus, and set up the Brooks for a quick fit and she seemed to like it already.

The ritual preparations are almost finished, with only the final incantations to be chanted over it before final mounting. Will report after her permanent conversion has taken place.

:)

OK I'm tired of listening to all this crap. :mad:

Time to participate ;)

Where's the best place to get a Brooks, and is the B17 the only one or do I have to consider different models?

OK I'm tired of listening to all this crap. :mad:

Time to participate ;)

Where's the best place to get a Brooks, and is the B17 the only one or do I have to consider different models?

You will be assimilated! Resistance is futile! :)

I like www.permaco.com for their prices and selection, but if your scared you won't like the model you get and want the option of a 6-month, no-questions-asked return policy, go to www.wallbike.com.

Which model depends on how/what you ride, and so on. More info needed please.

OK I'm tired of listening to all this crap. :mad:

Time to participate ;)

Where's the best place to get a Brooks, and is the B17 the only one or do I have to consider different models?

I have dealt with the good folks at wallbike.com on several occasions. They provide excellent service.

Unless you have a specific requirement for a very lightweight saddle, or one with springs, start out with the B17. Get a tin of proofide as well.

OK I'm tired of listening to all this crap. :mad:

Time to participate ;)

Where's the best place to get a Brooks, and is the B17 the only one or do I have to consider different models?
www.permaco.com and www.wallbike.com are both great sources.

Typically, B17 (or B17 champion special) if the saddle is in line (or close to in line) with handlebars, and look at a Professional (or Team Professional) if your saddle is above the bars.

Join the thumping! :D

Typically, B17 (or B17 champion special) if the saddle is in line (or close to in line) with handlebars, and look at a Professional (or Team Professional) if your saddle is above the bars.

That's right. Also, don't forget the B17 Narrow - it's a classic that's stood the test of time as well, and it's not too pricey as Brooks' go. Now you can get it in Antique Brown as well as the good ol' black.

It's time for me to go out and get thumped!! :love:

OK I'm tired of listening to all this crap. :mad:

Time to participate ;)

Where's the best place to get a Brooks, and is the B17 the only one or do I have to consider different models?

Sheldon Brown has them too. I just picked up two "Professional" saddles... one to replace a well worn 20+ year old Brooks (some might say "just broken in").

Harris Cyclery (http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/index.html)

Nothing like a new Brooks... some complain about break in, but give me a well "oiled" hard saddle to reduce chafing and put one in control. I happened to also couple this with new shorts, new cleats, new cassette and well oiled chain... I thought I had just died and gone to heaven. Everything was clicking just right... and that is on a 20+ year old bike. :D

I picked up 1 MPH on my entire commute average speed... It just had to be the saddle, eh.

My saddle is a little higher than my bars, because I am tall and had to raise the saddle, but the bar height isn't adjustable (except by changing the stem angle, that is adjustable, but only so far).

It's a MTB-style hybrid, flat handlebars, currently has a suspension seat post but I'm thinking of ditching it, I'm not sure it is really worthwhile. I ride ~5 miles each way to work and home.

My saddle is a little higher than my bars, because I am tall and had to raise the saddle, but the bar height isn't adjustable (except by changing the stem angle, that is adjustable, but only so far).

It's a MTB-style hybrid, flat handlebars, currently has a suspension seat post but I'm thinking of ditching it, I'm not sure it is really worthwhile. I ride ~5 miles each way to work and home.

You sound like a prime candidate for a B17. :)

How are brooks saddles if your preferred riding gear is blue jeans with (gasp) briefs underneath. On hot days I wear cutoffs or hiking shorts. I do go on long five or eight hour rides on any given weekend, and the Brooks Saddles appear more for the padded shorts and shaved leg crowd, yet I can dig the look of a Brooks and appreciate their reputation.

How are brooks saddles if your preferred riding gear is blue jeans with (gasp) briefs underneath. On hot days I wear cutoffs or hiking shorts. I do go on long five or eight hour rides on any given weekend, and the Brooks Saddles appear more for the padded shorts and shaved leg crowd, yet I can dig the look of a Brooks and appreciate their reputation.

The shaved leg crowd shuns Brooks cause they're heavy. Padded shorts are to prevent chafing and should never be though of as a requirement for saddle comfort.

I often ride my Brooks B17 in jeans or shorts.

Breaking the saddle (and your ass) in works faster without padded shorts too.

:D

Thanks for the replies. I won't be getting silky underwear though. I'm glad too see I'm not the only one who rides in jeans.

How are brooks saddles if your preferred riding gear is blue jeans with (gasp) briefs underneath. On hot days I wear cutoffs or hiking shorts. I do go on long five or eight hour rides on any given weekend, and the Brooks Saddles appear more for the padded shorts and shaved leg crowd, yet I can dig the look of a Brooks and appreciate their reputation.

Nah, you don't have to wear a chamois to ride a Brooks after it's broken-in a bit - even sometimes when they're brand-new if a model fits you really well. Many times I hop on my rig for errand runs, etc, and I often get 10-15 mile casual rides in with my S.O. in jeans or khakis.

There aren't many other saddles you can say that about!

Of course some might argue that after 20+ years it is just now getting broken in.

Been a trusty saddle mind you. But it is showing signs of wear. There is a tear along the back near one rivet, and frankly the thing has gone somewhat soft.

I just replaced the saddle on my road bike... replaced a plastic thing with good Brooks, decided my commuter/touring "truck" needed an update too.

Been a trusty saddle mind you. But it is showing signs of wear. There is a tear along the back near one rivet, and frankly the thing has gone somewhat soft.

I just replaced the saddle on my road bike... replaced a plastic thing with good Brooks, decided my commuter/touring "truck" needed an update too.

Yeah, I'd say by the looks of the old one that it was time for an update.

And that you got your money's worth.

How does the B17 S (lady's version) ride? What is better springs or no springs? I think it's the Champion Special that is essentially the B 17 with springs? I just ride my bike for fitness and fun. It's an old '94 Schwinn Sidewinder MTB (Love My Bike!). Would a Brooks look ridiculous on something like this? Okay, I'll stop now....too many questions :-D

How does the B17 S (lady's version) ride? What is better springs or no springs? I think it's the Champion Special that is essentially the B 17 with springs? I just ride my bike for fitness and fun. It's an old '94 Schwinn Sidewinder MTB. Would a Brooks look ridiculous on something like this? Okay, I'll stop now....too many questions :-D

People put Brooks' saddles on all manner of bikes, it doesn't have to be any certain type of bike or "retro-look". The main thing is if you're riding for fitness & fun, you want to be comfortable enough on your bike so you'll want to ride, not so it becomes a painful experience after 20 minutes.

The Champ. Special S (women's sprung B17), or Countess (women's sprung Team Pro) are probably your best choices. Also the B67-S is nice if you're sitting upright and want a bit wider seat than the Ch. Sp.

As I said above, a few days ago I put a B67-S on my S.O.'s flat-bar 2003 'modern' road bike. She has only 10 miles on it so far, but already likes it a lot. We both think it looks pretty darned good on that rig too.

People put Brooks' saddles on all manner of bikes, it doesn't have to be any certain type of bike or "retro-look". The main thing is if you're riding for fitness & fun, you want to be comfortable enough on your bike so you'll want to ride, not so it becomes a painful experience after 20 minutes.

The Champ. Special S (women's sprung B17), or Countess (women's sprung Team Pro) are probably your best choices. Also the B67-S is nice if you're sitting upright and want a bit wider seat than the Ch. Sp.

As I said above, a few days ago I put a B67-S on my S.O.'s flat-bar 2003 'modern' road bike. She has only 10 miles on it so far, but already likes it a lot. We both think it looks pretty darned good on that rig too.

Great! Thanks for the great advice! I'm thinking that the sidewinder might have a Brooks in her future :-)

I'm thinking that the sidewinder might have a Brooks in her future :-)

Kewl!

Nashbar has the b17 for $69 now.

I've put about 75,000 on my Brooks. It is probably a B-17 although I'm not certain because it came as standard equipment on my 1986 Trek 720 touring bike at a time when I had no idea as to what a Brooks was and no appreciation for it. I only later learned that it normally takes some breaking in. Not for me. I was comfortable from the beginning. It is now very swayed and clearly conforms to my personal anatomy. I can ride it for an entire day without any padding at all. Some have said it requires a lot of attention. I've only taken care to keep as much rain off as possible, but that is not always possible, and I apply the conditioning wax on the underside maybe once a year.

Nashbar has the b17 for $69 now.

Yep, Nashbar sells Brooks, and here are a few others off the top of my head:

www.permaco.com
www.lickbike.com
www.aebike.com
www.speedgoat.com


For example, the standard B17 is $48.99 at A.E. Bike, but the better price on a Team Pro ($88.) might be at Permaco, while Conquest's ($84.95) might be cheaper at Lickton's. OTOH, places like Speedgoat include shipping in their prices.

Shop around - it's fun!

Two photos of my well-used Brooks. Both on my other bike, a Bike Friday Air Glide, taken June 4, 2005

Another Brooks Post? Don't you mean Another Brooks Seat? :p