Touring - Terry Liberator

I've been trying to break in a Brooks B17 for 850 miles and it's killing me. I just picked up a Terry Liberator and I took it out for a short ride ( 10 miles ) and it didn't feel to bad. Has anybody here toured with a Terry? I just can't believe the Brooks is the only saddle for touring.Thanks for any replys, George

I use a Liberator saddle (Ti version). I've done century rides, Ragbrai, and unsupported touring on it. No complaints. Total of maybe 2500 miles.

I put a Liberator on my bike a couple weeks before our 2800 mile tour in 2005 and never noticed it. Which is the the best thing you can say about a saddle, in my opinion. Note also that it didn't need much if any breaking-in.

I also got a Brooks that I'll put on my new touring bike, I have about the same mileage on it as yours. I hope to get it broken in at some point.... The Liberator has a thin leather covering, so I don't expect it to last as long as the Brooks. But for comfort, I'm happy with the Terry.

-- Mark

Terry makes a great saddle-- if Brooks doesn't fit you, Terry would be my second choice.

Happy riding in Texas.

I just came back from a short spin and my butt is killing me. I stopped every 2 blocks to try minute adjustments and nothing felt good. Anyhow thanks for the responses, I'm headed for the Hill Country and I really was hoping the Brooks would work, but so far the Terry is going to go instead.

George the liberator bothered you during the short spin?

Sorry, wording was bad. The Liberator felt good and I'll be riding it for a while to see how it feels on longer rides. I'll probably know by the end of the week.

I've used both and prefer the Brooks. Granted, you have to break in the Brooks properly...or in my case improperly. Leave it out all night in a gentle rain then ride 70 miles the next day in wet gear.

You know that's not be a bad idea. They're just going to sit on the self anyway.

I'd just ride on the Liberator and trade the Brooks for something else. Post a note at the LBS if they'll let you.

The Liberator is comfortable but not so much after 50 miles of riding. However, I'm able to go much longer if a suspension seat post is attached along with the Liberator.