Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - saddle with a cutout vs hacked brooks

What saddle will be the most comfortable and easier on the family jewls, a modern saddle with a cutout, suck as a selle itallia slk, specialzed toupe, or similer, or a hacked brooks? update, I also just saw a brooks with a cutout on ebay, thinking of buying that and cutting it up. I really like the look of modern cloth matrial saddle with the different colours and such, but I'm also really liking the look of a hacked brooks, hate the look of a normal b17 , so selle, or similer, or hacked brooks with or without a cutout?

I think you should do it by yourself and take pics. end up to post this after you've done... ;)

Unless you've got the proper tools and know what you're doing, I wouldn't hack the Brooks. I've got no problems with my Brooks or my Selle Italia.

Are you saying you like a Brooks with the sides trimmed off? That's been done by lots of people to make a B-17 lighter and look like the more expensive Swallow.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3013/2963112451_a21711ae8f.jpg



Or do you mean one with the middle cut out? I've only seen that on the Brooks B-17 Imperial

http://www.ecovelo.info/images/imperial-oren.jpg


You might find this article interesting on "blocking" your Brooks. http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/components/brooks-blocking.html

http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/components/spooner-brooks1s.jpg

The back end of the saddle has been removed and hammered down(blocked) to make it racier.

Another "how-to" article here: http://davesbikeblog.squarespace.com/blog/2008/8/11/my-brooks-saddle-butchered-but-not-blocked.html

I was thinking a b17 or imperial, with the sides cut off, and I was wondering on peoples opinions on this vs. a selle or similer saddle, also I've heard that the colour on a black brooks can rum off, is this true? I don't want nasty dye stains on my butt

best. saddle. ever.
http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/250/50-7380-YEL-ANGLE.jpg

I wouldn't worry about the dye wearing off on your pants unless you wear the same pants over and over and never wash them. The color will eventually wear off but it's like a leather jacket, takes years and when it's got that worn look the chicks will swarm on you. ;)

If you do a search on chopped Brooks over in the Classic and Vintage forum, you'll see lots of examples and instructions. The two links I put in the post above should be enough. Extremely sharp blades and much patience are a big help. Some people also lace their Brooks; especially if the leather has stretched or swelled due to rain.

The Selle Anatomica is another great saddle; you won't go wrong with either one. You can use the Brooks Proofide or neatsfoot oil or mink oil or kiwi clear shoe polish often to keep the saddle in tip-top condition.

I got my wife the B-17S but she didn't like it so I got her the B-68S which is better for her more upright riding style. I put the other saddle on my Raleigh.

You may have to fiddle with the adjustment to get it just right; it often fits best when the nose looks to be tipped up a bit.

veg4life sig and a brooks. Gotta love that.

As far as saddles go, no one can tell you what's good or not since everyone's body is different. One person's great saddle is another's ass hatchet. You just have to ride a bunch of different ones and figure out what works for you.

veg4life sig and a brooks. Gotta love that.

As far as saddles go, no one can tell you what's good or not since everyone's body is different. One person's great saddle is another's ass hatchet. You just have to ride a bunch of different ones and figure out what works for you.

+1

as long as you are not riding on the seat that comes with my schwinn, i about died today.

cutout doesn't make it better for your jewels, it makes it better for your taint veins.

best. saddle. ever.
http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/250/50-7380-YEL-ANGLE.jpg

All I can imagine is getting a nut caught in that thing...

I was thinking a b17 or imperial, with the sides cut off, and I was wondering on peoples opinions on this vs. a selle or similer saddle, also I've heard that the colour on a black brooks can rum off, is this true? I don't want nasty dye stains on my butt

Don't hack the skirts on a B-17 Imperial.

I was part of the pre-market testing for the Imperial and I've got over 5000 miles on mine. Trust me, you'll ruin the thing if you hack the skirts on it. That center cutout removes enough material that lacing the skirts is necessary to keep the middle section of the saddle from flexing, even when the tensioning bolt is properly set.
Chopping the skirts off the Imperial will lead to a very saggy saddle that needs tensioned too often, and once you get to the end of that tensioning bolt, it's time to chuck the saddle and get a new one.

If you get a B-17 Champ. Std. to hack up, check the design on the Swallow first. Make sure to leave a couple of flaps to fold underneath the center of the saddle, and secure them together with cable ties to help add some structural integrity to the saddle after it's been chopped down. (You can't do this with an Imperial because it would pull the edges of the cutout up and apart, creating a sac chomper effect when you sit on it.)