General Cycling Discussion - Brooks saddle position?

First, I'm sure this has been discussed but I can't find the right thread (too many Brooks thread to read over, must be hundreds)

Anyway, I recently switched to a brooks b-17. Darn comfortable I must say. However, I have always used a bubble level to make sure whatever saddle I was using was in fact that, level, and never had to adjust the pitch afterward. But this brooks is a bit different animal. It seems my rear really wants the nose pointed up a few degrees. But, I'm afraid I'll be dong this at the expense of a "proper break period".

Anyone else experience this "nose up" with a brooks?

Thanks,

ehenz

Yes, and you've described it perfectly. It's exactly what I went through when I first got my B-17; as if the saddle is thrusting me forward a bit too much. I adjusted it a little "nose up" and all is well.

I found out later that most B-17 users use the nose up position as well.

Enjoy.

All my Brooks saddles (B-17, Swift, & Pro) are pitched upwards slightly more than my non-Brooks. I also find my butt sliding forwards on the Brooks when riding no-hands if not pitched up a bit.

George

Yep - same experience here.

Dead flat is right for me on all other saddles I've used, but on my Team Professional I have it tilted up a bit at the nose. I have about 250 miles on it now and it's definitely the most comfortable I've ever tried. Buying a B-17 today to throw on the commuter...

After experimenting, I found that I prefer my Brooks Swift generally level rather than tilted up. Very comfy, though.

Brooks B17 tilted up at nose about 1 or 2 degrees.
For my Brooks pro, 1 degree uptilt at most, otherwise
I end up with too much pressure on perinium.
All other saddles, whatever angle they end up with
in the parts box now that I'm riding Brooks.

Marty

B-17...tilted up at nose about 1 or 2 degrees.
All other saddles...... end up within the parts box now that I'm riding Brooks.
Marty

What they all said. The key to most Brooks saddles is to have the part where you sit mostly level. Don't worry about the 'break-in', it will happen regardless of the angle. I've found that by loosening the tension screw about 1/4 to 1/2 turn for the first few rides, and then tightening the tension screw to its' original setting will make the break-in quicker and more comfortable.

I like mine tilted down just a little bit. One of the first things i noticed about this saddle is that it tries to "throw" you forward. I first thought that was a negative. I have since learned that it is better to have the weight off of my bum and onto other parts of the body, mainly the legs. The centrifical force manufactured by pedaling supports a lot of this weight.

This position allows only for the sit bones to hit the seat, nothing else (important stuff) is in free space.

I like mine tilted down just a little bit. One of the first things i noticed about this saddle is that it tries to "throw" you forward.
In most cases that puts a lot of pressure on your palms......resulting in numbness.

Set the saddle to where you are comfortable and ride. The Brooks will get even better over time.

Don't worry about 'break in'. It's not a big deal. The saddle should be comfortable from the get go.

A little off-topic, but I thought it would be of interest... an equipment review of the Brooks B17!
http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2004/reviews/brooks_b17

Very nice article. There are more reviews of Brooks
saddles at www.wallbike.com

Being a "lightweight" the breakin for a B17 isn't bad at
all, and the Pro isn't all that worse than the B17 for being
comfortable after about 25 - 50 miles.

Marty

In most cases that puts a lot of pressure on your palms......resulting in numbness.

Although I have never experienced numb palms, I would rather have them than numb nads. :D

I'm a little guy, 5'7", 145# & have a B-17 on 4 of my bikes. I found each to be comfortable right out of the box and over a few months time they evolved into the "very comfortable" category. I have other leather saddles on other bikes, Avocet touringII, Selle Royal, Selle Italia, Turbo, Gippieme Team, Pryma. They all fit well & some are lighter than the Brooks but none are more comfortable on a long ride. Don