Road Cycling - Brooks saddle sizing question?? B17 Narrow or Team Pro??

I bought and love my Brooks B17, but I am a big rider 6'3 - 200+.. My friend who had a horrible saddle day last week on 70 miler is willing to give one a try.. He is 5'4 - 160 lbs.. Stocky with 32 inch waist size.. This will be going on a Merlin Road bike so which is a better fit the B17 Narrow or the Team Professional Saddle??

I personally am torn between getting a Conquest or Flyer for my Mountain bike.. Any input on these saddles would also be appreciated..

Ah.... another Brooks thread. Both saddles are equally as comfortable for me. The Pro is a bit firmer though... I think a black Team Pro with those huge rivets would look nice on a titanium frame.
I just ordered a Conquest for my rigid Kona Mtb. I will write a short review on its comfort and performance in a couple weeks.

George

If my friend goes with the Team Pro is it better to get the Pre-softened model.. Is there a noticeable difference with the break in period..

I am leaning towards the Conquest since it seems that it is specifically made for Mountain bike riding..

I have a pre-softened and a regular Team Pro. The break in for the regular one did seem to take a little bit (maybe 70-100 miles before it was spot on), whereas the pre-softened disappeared under my butt pretty much from mile one. I don't see the time it took to break in the regular one as a big deal.

I agree with booyah. I'd get the regular.

George

I bought and love my Brooks B17, but I am a big rider 6'3 - 200+.. My friend who had a horrible saddle day last week on 70 miler is willing to give one a try.. He is 5'4 - 160 lbs.. Stocky with 32 inch waist size.. This will be going on a Merlin Road bike so which is a better fit the B17 Narrow or the Team Professional Saddle??

I personally am torn between getting a Conquest or Flyer for my Mountain bike.. Any input on these saddles would also be appreciated..

Just out of curiosity, did you notice any difference in the weight or handling of the bike after installing the Brooks? One of the major digs in the forum about Brooks is that they are heavier saddles. I am considering the B17 as well.

Thanks,

Sheldon

I agree with booyah. I'd get the regular.

George
The regular looks cleaner too... doesn't have the 'pre-softened' scroll across the top. I only ended up with a pre-softened by accident as the supplier ran out of regulars after I placed my order.

I didn't notice any real difference in the handling of the bike after adding the Brooks. My butt was thanking me so much that I couldn't really concentrate on anything else. ;)

Just out of curiosity, did you notice any difference in the weight or handling of the bike after installing the Brooks? One of the major digs in the forum about Brooks is that they are heavier saddles. I am considering the B17 as well.
Thanks,
Sheldon
I've been using the Flite saddle on my Litespeed Classic for close to ten years until I switched over to the Team Pro. Although the Brooks weighs more than twice that of the Flite, it made absolutely no difference in the handling of the bike. Of course, the bike now weighs 250 grams more...... :( So, to compensate, I took a couple pounds off my gut. Now, I can really hammer up that hill.... :D

George

I too noticed no difference in the handling after putting the Brooks saddle on my bike, I used a Selle Rolls saddle previous.. I will take 6 extra ounces on my bike for maximum comfort. I now have a solid 200 miles on the saddle and I am really feeling that the saddle is more comfortable.. I think the hardest thing with the Brooks is mental not physical.. It is just plain weird to try to allow yourself the thought that a hard saddle can be comfortable, but it is.. Give one a try..

I too noticed no difference in the handling after putting the Brooks saddle on my bike, I used a Selle Rolls saddle previous.. I will take 6 extra ounces on my bike for maximum comfort. I now have a solid 200 miles on the saddle and I am really feeling that the saddle is more comfortable.. I think the hardest thing with the Brooks is mental not physical.. It is just plain weird to try to allow yourself the thought that a hard saddle can be comfortable, but it is.. Give one a try..


Thanks, I'm convinced! My OCR2 came with a Royal Selle Viper. Not a bad saddle, but it is a bit uncomfortable at times. Not being a racer, I kept wondering why I should stick with a not-too-comfy saddle if I could get a better one. I ordered a B-17 today from Nashbar and will be looking forward to trying it out!

Sheldon

Any opinions yet for my friends saddle choice.. It seems like the Team Pro is popular.. But how does it differ from the B17 Narrow???

My friend who had a horrible saddle day last week on 70 miler is willing to give one a try.. He is 5'4 - 160 lbs.. Stocky with 32 inch waist size.. This will be going on a Merlin Road bike so which is a better fit the B17 Narrow or the Team Professional Saddle??

Can't really help of the Team Pro vs. B17 Narrow, but the Team Pro is meant to be one of the better saddles for a more aggressive riding position (e.g. saddle higher than handlebars). If he buys it from Wallingford Bicycle Parts (http://www.wallbike.com/) he will have 6 months to return for an unconditional full refund of the saddle price if he's not happy with it.

Team Pro 160x280 (width length)
B17 narrow 152x280 .

For me (and I'm pretty narrow) the 152 width is a bit too narrow
for my butt.
I also have this feeling (not backed up by anything even remotely scientific)
that in the long run the presoftened saddle by its nature will require more
tension adjustments. The standard softens under your sit bones, the pre softened
treatment is the entire saddle top.

Marty

I recently purchased the B17N and after about 200 miles it was broken in. After years riding Selle whatever saddles I could not see going wider. The narrow is already about 10-12 mm wider than most of the Selle saddles. I find this saddle now to be the most comfortable I have ever ridden. The Team Pro is another 8mm wider than the narrrow and costs more. If your friend has gotten used to the feel of a "regular" racing saddle I think the narrow may be the way to go.
I cannot see what to me looks like a "beach cruiser" saddle on a racing bike.

Hi,
wallbike.com may have a suggestion. As a guess....if his handlebars are lower than his seat, go with the Pro. If he isn't seriously gung ho and has his bars at the same height as his seat, get a B17. I am a big fan of the B17 Champion Special, and all their titanium railed saddles.

I went to a couple website to look at ordering the Team Pro and a Conquest for myself.. I noticed that there was a Professional and Team Professional model available.. The regular pro was priced about $15.00 less than the Team Pro and had the same dimensions. What is the difference between the Pro and Team Pro??

I have a 5 inch drop from the top of my saddle to the top of my bars. No problems with the B17N even though the first couple of rides took some getting used to.

Hi,
the Team Pro is the fancy version with big rivets. Wall bike has them at the same price. One of my Brooks is green, and I was surprised by how much I like it (assuming it goes with the overall color scheme of the bike)

I went to a couple website to look at ordering the Team Pro and a Conquest for myself.. I noticed that there was a Professional and Team Professional model available.. The regular pro was priced about $15.00 less than the Team Pro and had the same dimensions. What is the difference between the Pro and Team Pro??The Team Pro has huge rivets. The regular Pro, medium sized rivets.

George

Thanks everyone.. Looks like Team Pro for my friend and Conquest for my ATB..

As far as Proofide, how many times a year should I proofide the saddle.. I have heard 3-4 times a year to only once a year.. Some say if you proofide too often the saddle will sag...

Hi,
after break-in you do it when it needs it. Once a year is fine if you live in Cal. If it gets wet, that will have a damaging efect, and you can apply a little after it dries.If the leather starts looking dry, apply a little. Too bad no one wears shoes or boots anymore; it's the same as caring for good shoes.

Ok I guess I figured out one of the main differences between a Brooks and a regular saddle and it can be summed up in one word 'FRICTION"

Rode my Mtn bike today with my trusty Selle Rolls saddle and I could feel the friction, it was noticeable. After riding my road bike with the Brooks for last couple weeks I must of gotten spoiled with the way you glide on the Brooks.. I'm ordering my Conquest 1st thing Monday morning..

Is the Brooks comfortable enough to ride without padded pants?

Is the Brooks comfortable enough to ride without padded pants?When its broken in, yes.

What dealers in Chicago area carry the Brooks line? Or do they have to be ordered online?

What dealers in Chicago area carry the Brooks line? Or do they have to be ordered online?

Seems online is the cheapest route. Most LBS will special order them for you.

On EBay, I see the B17 going for around $75 including shipping and Proofride (is that the same as neats foot oil?). Are these fair prices?

On EBay, I see the B17 going for around $75 including shipping and Proofride (is that the same as neats foot oil?). Are these fair prices?Check here first. I've purchased several saddles from them.

http://www.permaco.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/saddles.html?L+scstore+wzhm6031ff293729+1084375646

Check here first. I've purchased several saddles from them.

http://www.permaco.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/saddles.html?L+scstore+wzhm6031ff293729+1084375646
I second that... have had great service from these guys (Persons Majestic Company). Have bought 2 team pros from them.

$75 for a B17 standard would be overpriced. For a B17 champion special? Not too bad, but not cheap enough for me to warrant an eBay purchase and potential service problems.

Proofhide is the Brooks brand saddle treatment, a but like Sno-Seal. Seems to work well for me, though I've never tried the neats foot oil.

The best deal on the B17 right now is Bike Nashbar, it selling for 49.95...

Don't forget the extra 10% off.. Use W189 in the comments sections and it takes 10% off total order..

I have seen Neat's Foot oil and other things mentioned for Brooks saddles, but I would never put it on one of mine because:

1. Oil would probably soften the leather. It may seem counterintuitive, but you do NOT want to soften the leather of a Brooks saddle. A large part of the comfort somes from the firm support. Mine sound like wood when you knock on them, and that is the way they are meant to be.

2. Maybe I'm just simple-minded, but it seems to me that the people who MAKE a product MAY just possibly know best how to maintain it. Naturally, they are going to recommend their own stuff, but I assume it is probably designed to be just the right formulation. From the smell and texture Proofide seems to contain a certain amount of beeswax. Its purpose is to nourish and protect the leather, not to soften it.

Believe me, I have heard all kinds of recommendations for Brooks saddles, including SOAKING in Neat's Foot oil. Another guy said only Proofide the bottom of the saddle and body heat draws the oil/wax up through the leather. I assure you it would take about a hundred years for the stuff to be drawn up far enough to have any benefit to the top of the saddle. I don't care if Sheldon Leonard himself (sorry Sheldon) recommends something different, I am sticking with the apparently foreign concept of following the manufacturer's recommendations for care and use of their own product, on which they are staking their reputation. But then I tend to be a contrarian by nature. :D The only thing I have done slightly differently is to smear on Proofide top and bottom then leave the saddle in a warm (not hot) place to keep the Proofide soft to give it time to perhaps soak in some. When they were new I did this every other day 4-5 times. It seems to have given them a good base of protection. Now I smear some on top every 2-3 months.

The best deal on the B17 right now is Bike Nashbar, it selling for 49.95...

Don't forget the extra 10% off.. Use W189 in the comments sections and it takes 10% off total order..


The B17 is not showing on the nashbar.com website. I just got a catalog from them and it is listed at 69.95.

They were there last week.. Maybe they are sold out at Nashbar...

Besides the lower weight does anyone think the Swift is better than the B17 or Team Pro? Anyone have any pictures of a B17 on a compact geometry bike? Seems like it might look a bit odd.

The B17 is not showing on the nashbar.com website. I just got a catalog from them and it is listed at 69.95.

I purchased one last week but do notice it's not listed anywhere on their site right now.

Sheldon

Here is a picture of the B17 on my Eddy Merckx Motorola Team Issue.. There is also a model called a B17 Champion Special - same dimensions as B17 but a little more streamlined.. It seems like the Team Pro is saddle of choice unless you are a Big rider.. I am 6'3 - 200+ so the B17 fits me great..
There is also a company in Nor California called Momovelo and they seem to habe good prices..
http://store.yahoo.com/momovelo/brooks.html


http://www.geocities.com/e_pipins/merckx.jpg

I went on a 20 mile trail ride today that was mostly on crushed limestone. By the footprints, I could see that the trail is used by equestrians. What a rough ride!
That helped me decide to order the B17. I hope to have it within a week.

Good luck with B17.. I ordered a B17 Champion Special and a Conquest for my MTB.. They are supposed to be here on Monday... Just make sure to allow yourself the thought that a hard saddle can be comfortable.. It's difficult to wrap your brain around that idea but I have a couple of friends who are going to try them after suffering on some long rides..

I am thinking about a swift. I is a tough decision. Then I start thinking high tech, then back to the swift.............

PM is out of black right now. SO, more time to think.

PS. Rumor has it the The Fixer just removed all of the seats in his car and replaced them with B-17s.

all this stuff about weight - and handling differences caused by Brooks saddles is killing me.......tell me it's an April fool!

I first became aware of Conquest saddles in the late 80's (I think). Put one on my '85 Rockhopper about 15-16 years ago. Can't imagine why any non-racer would use anything else off-road: way too comfy to discard.........

Seems like US parts distributors are selling Brooks saddles at premium prices. A B17 would go for around £30 in the UK. Very unusual for bike stuff to be cheaper here than in the US

I first became aware of Conquest saddles in the late 80's (I think). Put one on my '85 Rockhopper about 15-16 years ago. Can't imagine why any non-racer would use anything else off-road: way too comfy to discard.........
No kidding!... I took out my new Conquest out on my rigid Mtb the other day and absolutely loved it. The only problem was that the honey saddle didn't quite match my blue mtb frame so I decided to use it on my fixed gear Steamroller instead. I love those massive springs! I guess the older you get, certain ugly things start to look cool... I'll probably order a black Conquest for my mtb.

No kidding!... I took out my new Conquest out on my rigid Mtb the other day and absolutely loved it. The only problem was that the honey saddle didn't quite match my blue mtb frame so I decided to use it on my fixed gear Steamroller instead. I love those massive springs! I guess the older you get, certain ugly things start to look cool... I'll probably order a black Conquest for my mtb.


]That saddle does have a certain FU look to it, doesn't it?

Thanks, I'm convinced! My OCR2 came with a Royal Selle Viper. Not a bad saddle, but it is a bit uncomfortable at times. Not being a racer, I kept wondering why I should stick with a not-too-comfy saddle if I could get a better one. I ordered a B-17 today from Nashbar and will be looking forward to trying it out!

Sheldon

Here it is! Received my Brooks saddle from Nashbar, at a great price (thanks to all in the forum for the lead and coupon info). I haven't ridden it more than a block yet so no feedback. I will post any thoughts I have.

I was actually surprised at how small it looked when I opened the box. From the postings, I expected this monster brick.

Sheldon

Here it is! Received my Brooks saddle from Nashbar, at a great price (thanks to all in the forum for the lead and coupon info). I haven't ridden it more than a block yet so no feedback. I will post any thoughts I have.

I was actually surprised at how small it looked when I opened the box. From the postings, I expected this monster brick.

Sheldon

It really doesnt look as big or "not sporty" as it does in the pictures either.