Road Cycling - more saddle questions

I posted a week ago about body types and saddles that are better suited for "wider" men. I received some very helpful responses and now have a couple of questions.

My first question is about buying a brooks saddle used. On ebay you can get some great saddles used, but are you getting a saddle that's already been molded to someone else's rear end or does your rear end mold to the seat?

Also, someone said to try riding with the saddle that is causing discomfort and to try and make small adjustments while riding. This is saying that it might not be the width of the saddle (in my case a selle flite) that is causing pain, but the angle that it's positioned at. Any thoughts on that?

Any responses are welcome. Thanks.

I've bought used brooks on e-bay, but I've been really
careful about looking for "gently used" or NOS.
I just bought a 1984 Brooks Pro NOS, no breakin at
all. I think unless the saddle is really broken in (almost
to the point of being useless) it should conform to you.
As I said tho, look for NOS or gently used.
From what I read in your first post, I think your discomfort is caused by 2 issues.
1) your sit bones/butt just isn't used to riding and
its sore. Happens to all of us.
2) saddle is too narrow.
Adjust all you want, if the saddle don't fit, it won't work
for you.
I'd suggest (again) the B17, a bit wider than a pro
and should be comfortable out of the box.
Give Bill all wallingford Bikes a call (or e-mail) he can help
and has good guarantee.
Marty

I posted a week ago about body types and saddles that are better suited for "wider" men. I received some very helpful responses and now have a couple of questions.

My first question is about buying a brooks saddle used. On ebay you can get some great saddles used, but are you getting a saddle that's already been molded to someone else's rear end or does your rear end mold to the seat?

Also, someone said to try riding with the saddle that is causing discomfort and to try and make small adjustments while riding. This is saying that it might not be the width of the saddle (in my case a selle flite) that is causing pain, but the angle that it's positioned at. Any thoughts on that?

Any responses are welcome. Thanks.

I too will recommend the Brooks B-17. I've got them on all my bikes including the tandem. A good place to buy them on sale right now is Persons-Majestic http://www.permaco.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/race.html?L+scstore+tqjm4928fffc42fc+1082072258 I've received excellent service from them.

Dave,

the Kirk really begs for a swift, or even better a new
swallow.

Marty

thanks, your very helpful!

Dave,

the Kirk really begs for a swift, or even better a new
swallow.

Marty

Wait 'till 'ya see the "new" Kirk Marty! In a couple of weeks.

I have the same problems if I get a saddle that's too narrow, and my sit bones are plenty broken in! I have had two of the Ti railed race blabla saddles, 100 bux+ that I could NOT get comfortable no matter how much tilting and twirlling I did. The SI Pro Link genuine gel fit me OK but wore out in about 6 months of riding, this is when the others came into the pic.

Enter the Brooks Team Pro, HOLLY COW this is the bomb! Even adds a touch of class to a plain jane Trek 2000 Al bike, British racing green with copper clad rails. This saddle also soaks up a lot of road buzz and bumps, and you couldn't trade me 5 of the other saddles for it.


One other note. Most manufactures list the with of their saddles on the web. Brooks also list what ridding style, raceing, in between, touring, that each saddle is best suited for. It took me almost two years to come around to giving the Brooks a try, and I am SOLD! :D

Dave,

would that be the Kirk with the Curved seat stays
(KCS?) that you posted in what bike thread?

Marty

Dave,

would that be the Kirk with the Curved seat stays
(KCS?) that you posted in what bike thread?

Marty

Yowza!

Dave Kirks' personal bike: http://www.kirkframeworks.com/news.htm

I really like the look of Frame #16, nice paint scheme
and Dnovo's #12 isn't too shabby either.
I think Ben needs to look out, KCS is coming !

Marty