Road Cycling - Which Brooks saddle would you recommend?

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rjtokyo
09-07-03, 08:37 PM
I'm just returning to road cycling after a multi-year absence, and rebuilding a Bertoni road bike. I had numbing from the OEM saddle so I thought I'd try a saddle with a cutout and put on a Selle Italia Octavia Trans Am. After 300 mi. or so, it's still barely tolerable, numbing, and shows no promise of getting better. I used a Brooks many years back with a Raleigh road bike and liked it, but the bike got stolen. After reading so many favorable Brooks posts here, I'm convinced that going back to a Brooks would be a good move.

Any recommendations on a particular model? I'm 5'4", 140lbs, typical ride is 30-50 mi., sometimes up to 100mi., 95% on the hoods, cruise on flats usually between 17-20mph. I'm thinking maybe the B-17 or B-17 Narrow? I've heard of wallbike's trial program but being in Japan, shipping cost is a concern. Any suggestions? Thanks! :)

Rich Clark
09-07-03, 09:01 PM
Conventional wisdom is to go with the regular B-17 if you ride in a more upright position (bar tops at or near saddle height). That works for me.

Still, you might want to measure the center-to center distance between your "sit bones" (with the help of a really close friend, perhaps, or by sitting on something soft that will retain an impression, like maybe damp sand) and check the number against the dimensions of the saddle (the B-17 is 170mm wide, the Narrow is 155, for example; see the Flash site at www.brookssaddles.com for specs).

RichC
roadfix
09-07-03, 11:48 PM
My favourite is the Brooks Professional Team saddle. This is the Pro version with the pre-softened leather. It is a narrow racing saddle. It felt comfortable from the very first ride. I also own the Swift and the B-17, but takes longer to break in. They are comfortable as well......no complaints here... A narrow Brooks would look kakkoii on your Bertoni as well.

Joji!