Folding Bikes - Bromptons In Brooklyn

2 weeks ago I rode in the annual Tour de Brooklyn here in NYC. It was a fun ride and I saw some Bromptons, as well as other folders there.

David Lam of BFold - I wanted to meet him after the Tour but I lost track of him. I was able to meet his friend Steven though, who works part time at BFold.
http://piofort.zenfolio.com/img/v0/p589413576-4.jpg

An amazing Folder Family - all of them ride folders, 2 Bike Fridays and 2 Dahons.
http://piofort.zenfolio.com/img/v0/p1030244738-4.jpg

2 more Bromptons, in Cornflower Blue and British Racing Green.
http://piofort.zenfolio.com/img/v0/p952120625-4.jpg

My Brompton parked as I corked an intersection. I was a marshal for the ride by the way.
http://piofort.zenfolio.com/img/v0/p819818592-4.jpg

Steven's bike on the left in Raw Lacquer (beautiful!), and my black one on the right.
http://piofort.zenfolio.com/img/v0/p950760536-4.jpg

He has an unusual looking seat, which he says is the most comfortable saddle he has ever had.
http://piofort.zenfolio.com/img/v0/p830460072-4.jpg

I wandered around Brooklyn after the ride, and I saw this. Guess which has the better gas mileage?
http://piofort.zenfolio.com/img/v2/p646566826-4.jpg

Last of the series, Brooklyn Bridge at the background. Happy 125th birthday!
http://piofort.zenfolio.com/img/v2/p894838539-4.jpg

Awesome pics... looks like a wonderful day. :)

Great pictures. What kind of saddle is that "most comfortable" one?

Very nice pictures. How much would a cornflower blue Brompton cost? I'm afraid to ask!

I would also like to know about this saddle. Looks interesting.

--sam

Here's a few of this ilk:

http://www.thecomfortseat.com/products/seat_anim_small.gif
The Comfort Seat (http://www.thecomfortseat.com/)

http://www.ideainternational.biz/bikeseat3.JPG
DD Wings (http://www.ideainternational.biz/DDWings.htm)

http://www.bycycleinc.com/imagesDP/BiSaddle_Froogle_3.jpg
BiSaddle (http://www.bycycleinc.com/)

http://www.spiderflex.com/images/left_seat_intro_b.jpg
Spiderflex (http://www.spiderflex.com/)

Also:
Moon Saddle (http://www.moonsaddle.com/)

Type 'noseless saddle' into Google and you'll find a wealth of links including No-nose.com (http://no-nose.com/) that has a pretty good round up of your noseless options saddlewise.

The saddle shown is the ISM Sport Saddle. The company makes a wider one called the ISM Touring Saddle. I have a few of each on our various bikes and find them extremely comfortable, if adjusted properly. I personally find that the saddle needs to be tilted forward about 30-45 degrees (more of a tilt than the photograph above). Once adjusted, I am using the saddle for balance and partial bearing of weight on the ischial tuberosities (the bones in your buttock) rather than more sensitive areas near the pubis bone.

David Lam of BFold is the one who first showed me the saddle and how it's adjusted.

Thanks guys!

Steve, the Cornflower Blue is a $50 addition to the basic (black) color price. It is very pretty, and well worth the money if you ask me.

As doheir said, the saddle is the ISM Sport saddle. When I tried it, it felt a bit weird, but then again it wasn't adjusted for me. The way it was explained to me, you partially lean and sit on the saddle due to the angle of the seat. I can see how it can relieve pressure from your nether regions, if one takes the time to dial up the settings for maximum comfort.

I'll stick to my Brooks saddle though, which my friend who owns the ISM isn't fond of. It just goes to show that saddle selection is a very personal and intimate process.