Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - RE: Brooks Saddles, what's the big deal?

I've heard mention of the Brooks B17 saddle all over these forums, yet have yet to hear anyone post why they are so great.

I would be interested in hearing some testimonials, or other saddle recommendations if you guy's have them.

:roflmao2:

Did I make a funny without knowing it?

Yes, they are a great touring saddle. They conform to your keister, and are supportive, and don't chafe (Prob=vided your bones are right. ;) )

I have a B17 on both of my road bikes. When I got my first, and took it out of the box, I could not believe that it would be comfortable. Put it on, figuring I'd go for a ten mile spin, and ended up going 40 miles, pain free. They are the most comfortable saddle I have ever used.

I have a B17 on both of my road bikes. When I got my first, and took it out of the box, I could not believe that it would be comfortable. Put it on, figuring I'd go for a ten mile spin, and ended up going 40 miles, pain free. They are the most comfortable saddle I have ever used.

How far were you going pain free before you bought it, if you dont mind my asking?

A Brooks becomes a very personal thing. It breaks in for you, and holds up for years and years. Over in C&V there are Brooks that have been around a very very long time, and still providing many enjoyable miles for their owners.

I sold every bicycle I owned in 1995 thinking my riding days were over. I kept my Brooks, however, just in case. It returned the favor again this morning, as it always does.

I read today there is a price increase on Brooks saddles. Even with the price increase it is still a very good deal when compared to some of the more high end road saddles out there, and it will out last any of them with proper care.

While they may not look good on a new CF framed Wunder Bike, they have a classic look that befits most any bicycle they grace,YMMV.

hi,
My first bike was a street bike I tought this old leather saddle looks pretty beat up, I didn't have alot of money at the time so I didn't change it out, 20+ years ago when I was in the navy. My bike was a big expenditure at the time even if it was used.
After a couple rides the seat seemed to feel different not hard anymore,it was pretty flexiable but firm.
I missed that comfort and ordered a B17 honey for my mountian/modified bike, it may look weird but my butt will thank me.
Doug

While I agree leather seats are the way to go the B17 doesn't work for me.

Seat that came with bike was 1-2 hours before real discomfort. B-17 8+ hours and no discomfort from the saddle.

I think they look kinda kick ass.

bb

How far were you going pain free before you bought it, if you dont mind my asking?

It was a couple years ago, so I don't remember it well, but I'd say 10-15 miles into a ride I would start feeling uncomfortable. Had to stand up more often, shift in the saddle, etc. The best saddle I had pre-Brooks was an overpadded Serfa. It wasn't bad-did a century in it-but the change to the Brooks was noticeable (for the better).

The typical "modern" bicycle saddle is made from some sort of plastic. The Brooks saddles are leather. Leather, being a natural material, "breathes" (unlike plastic), which prevents moisture due to perspiration from causing your skin to become irritated.

Also the Brooks saddles have a hard surface. It's counter-intuitave, but a hard saddle remains more comfortable over a long ride. With a soft saddle, you see, the cushy material of the saddle presses up against and between softer tissue, and the action of pedaling causes friction which also causes chafing. With the Brooks, your weight is supported as God and Mother Nature intended - after all, your cave-man butt was designed to sit on logs and rocks, right?

The combination of breathability and proper support are the key to the comfort of a Brooks saddle. These factors also tend to prevent saddle sores, as the bacteria that causes them loves the damp, sweaty environment caused by a plastic saddle, as well as the broken skin due to the chafing from the too soft padding.

I have two B17's - one on my Surly Long Haul Trucker and one on my Trek 820 mtb. The LHT has about 800 miles on the Brooks saddle, and it has become quite comfortable. When the opportunity arose to do some long distance riding on a non-paved surface, I decided to use the mtb, so I bought another Brooks. I was surprised that the new Brooks was just about as comfortable as the broken in one. I was on it for about 6 hours on Sunday, and it remained comfortable all day.

I'm running a Brooks Flyer on my road bike right now, basically a B-17 with springs. This along with my 32mm tires and my bike rides like a Cadillac.

I also have a brooks flyer. It is on my Randonee. I got the honey one, because i thought it would look cool on the brown and tan bike. I wasn't even out of my driveway before I fell in love with it. And it does look good, if I do say so myself. Definatly worth the money, IMHO.

I just today got a B.17. It's replaced an ancient Sella Italia saddle, which I like well enough to put a few thousand miles on, and just plain wear out. I've just done one short six mile ride on it, and it's great. I need to adjust the height a bit, as it's thinner than the sella italia.

I've put about 1500 miles on a Brooks Team Professional since the beginning of the year. I was riding an arionne on a carbon fiber Look and the black Brooks looks good on a red and black bikes.

There is no discomfort at all and there wasn't any from the beginning. Even though the Brooks seems hard as a rock, it gives a slight bit over bumps and waves in the road. I rode over bricks and put my hand under the leather right under one of my sit bones while pedaling slowly. During each pedal stroke you could feel the saddle flex beneath the sit bone on each side. On a saddle with a plastic or carbon base you are going to get much less if any of this flexing once the foam padding is compressed.

The Arionne while fairly comfortable can't match the Brooks. There is no need to stand up or shift around to relieve pressure on the Brooks. One thing is that you have to make sure to sit well back with the sit bones on the widest part of the saddle. You might have to slide the Brooks forward in order to obtain this position. I keep my saddle completely level. The durablility of the Brooks is probably at least 10 times that of the Arionne. The leather covering of the Arionne tears away from the shell of the saddle.

I recommend the Brooks without reservation. If you like the Arionne I'm pretty sure you'd love the Team Professional.

Get the sprung model. Ride fat tires 32++ And, enjoy. Just remember the spring compress when you sit so adjust seat angle abit more nose down

:roflmao2::crash:

You can get the matching saddle bag too!
NSFW
http://www.raincitybikes.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/nud-787561.jpg

^^^^Nice bike but I think I see something else I'd rather ride.

Isn't that cool handlebar tape? Looks like chocolate!

Isn't that cool handlebar tape? Looks like chocolate!

It's brooks leather bar tape.

yet have yet to hear anyone post why they are so great.

I would be interested in hearing some testimonials, or other saddle recommendations if you guy's have them.

Been thinking about one for a while and this thread has pushed me over the edge and I just ordered one. Will report back.

Another Brooks B17 user here - I was expecting the 1000 miles of pain as others have reported, but it's been extremely comfortable from day 1 for me. Much better than the ass-hatchet fizik that came with my bike. I'm sure they doesn't work for everyone, but I'd highly recommend trying one - if it does work for you then it's like a world of difference.

Been thinking about one for a while and this thread has pushed me over the edge and I just ordered one. Will report back.

I promised to report back, so----

It came this week and today was my first chance to ride it. Since it was 32 degree out today it was all I could do to put in an hour of riding. My feet absolutely froze solid and hurt!

Can't blame that on the new Brooks though. After this one short ride I know a couple of things. One is that feels better than the factory Bontrager that came stock on my Trek 1000. Another is I like the smoothness. I felt myself sliding back and forth and settling into kind of "nest" where everything felt just right. Never heard anyone mention that before.

Having said that, one 14 mile ride is hardly enough for a fair review. I will be back!

Don't forget the Proofide!

I promised to report back, so----

It came this week and today was my first chance to ride it. Since it was 32 degree out today it was all I could do to put in an hour of riding. My feet absolutely froze solid and hurt!

Can't blame that on the new Brooks though. After this one short ride I know a couple of things. One is that feels better than the factory Bontrager that came stock on my Trek 1000. Another is I like the smoothness. I felt myself sliding back and forth and settling into kind of "nest" where everything felt just right. Never heard anyone mention that before.

Having said that, one 14 mile ride is hardly enough for a fair review. I will be back!

It will only get better from here.:thumb:

I really like the smooth surface. Most bike saddles have some kind of texture to their surface and this texture causes shorts to pull and the fabric to fold, causing skin sores. Brooks saddles are IMO immediately comfortable and get better from there. Enjoy.

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_124305_-1_200413_200321_200413
I have this one, I guess its the B17. I love it. As was said, it conforms to you. I went thru like 4 saddles before I found this. It was only $70 when I got it, now its 119. I'd buy it again if I didn't have it. You can't beat it. I even had a Terry Fly that was too hard to ride.