Commuting - B67 S Brooks saddle--good for potholes?

I ride on lots of bumpy streets with potholes. My bike (Raleigh Detour Deluxe '09) has seatpost suspension and cushy saddle (Avenir Comfort), which I've changed to BikeSmart Smoov saddle...

still not satisfied. Now I am thinking of getting a B67s. I wonder if the B67s (sprung) will really take out the pothole bumps better than cushy saddles (I am 130lbs).

What do y'all think?

Thanks in advance.

-Donna

I've got a B67 on my bike. In my experience, cushy saddles are good for chafing and wearing holes in $1,000 suits. The springs on the B67 are really stiff, and at first, I wan't sure if they worked at all. Going to a rental bike with an unsprung saddle, I realized how much the B67 springs were doing. Certainly, the DC area has as many potholes as anyplace in the world and I am very pleased with the B67.

Paul

I ride on lots of bumpy streets with potholes. My bike (Raleigh Detour Deluxe '09) has seatpost suspension and cushy saddle (Avenir Comfort), which I've changed to BikeSmart Smoov saddle...

still not satisfied. Now I am thinking of getting a B67s. I wonder if the B67s (sprung) will really take out the pothole bumps better than cushy saddles (I am 130lbs).

What do y'all think?

Thanks in advance.

-Donna

I think you should avoid potholes, if possible, or at least slow down for them and rise out of the saddle and take the jolt with bended knees. Don't be caught sitting on the saddle when going over potholes.

BTW I have used B66 saddles which are identical in shape and spring configuration to B67) for the last 12 years of commuting and swear by them.

I've got a B67 on my bike. In my experience, cushy saddles are good for chafing and wearing holes in $1,000 suits.

Paul

That's a really good point. One hesitation I have for the Brooks is that it is expensive. But I do notice that my pants are wearing out faster since I started my longer bike commutes. If the brooks saddle can help minimize these wear, I have another good reason to spend the $$.

Thanks,
Donna

If you don't care about speed, bigger tires are better for potholes.

I just put on a B.67 (had a champion flyer which is a sprung b.17) and the B.67 is CUSH without being bouncy. Great for potholes, but for me it is noticeably wider in the thigh area and mine is a little noisy. Any tips on quieting it up? It's not really squeaky, more of a creak that at first I thought was my chain making noise.
Got mine new on ebay for $89 i think.

If you don't care about speed, bigger tires are better for potholes.

Something to think about...
I am running 32c right now. If I switch to 35c will it be much different? I am already riding slowly, so would prefer NOT to have slower tires.

Speed and comfort, can't I have both?

On one hand, switching to the Brooks saddle will add another 1.5 lbs on the bike (my estimate anyway), on the other hand, I am not adding weight to the wheels...

I am running 32c right now. If I switch to 35c will it be much different?

No. One size difference in tires is a non-issue. You'll likely notice more difference between brands, or models than by changing the size.


My wife has a B67s which she likes. I changed it to something different last weekend (to force her to try new things) and she start complaining about sore parts about 7 miles into it and didn't stop until she went to sleep that night. Changed it back and she rode 15 or so miles the next day with no issue. I assume she's smart enough not to ride through the potholes either way though.

I have a B67 on one bike, but I don't ride it enough to have an opinion - and with 2.35" tires on it I doubt the springs are doing much of anything.

I have the Brooks flyer pre-aged (B-17 with springs) that I really enjoy. It is on my LHT and does what it is supposed to. To really feel (or not feel) the springs working it is suggested your seat is below or even with your handlebars. I went to Sheldon Brown's site for information about the sprung saddles. But of course everyone is different.

However I do not think it is suggested that you have both a sprung saddle and a shock absorbing seatpost.

If you're on 32s now, move up to 38s if you can squeeze a pair in there.

I just put on a B.67 (had a champion flyer which is a sprung b.17) and the B.67 is CUSH without being bouncy. Great for potholes, but for me it is noticeably wider in the thigh area and mine is a little noisy. Any tips on quieting it up?

Silicone spray on all the metal to metal connections as well as on the springs of a B66 works wonders. I assume it would do the same for a B67.