Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Brooks Saddles

Been looking at them and I have to admit they make some beautiful saddles, which leads me to ask: are they really worth the price? Also, I saw they have quite a few different models, which ones would be best for a fixed gear? I don't know a whole lot about bike seats.

According to people on here, they LOVE them i hear they take a while to break in but they will last forever. I actually found one on my local CL for $50 but it would look awkward on my bike so im passing it up.

Search, search...search.

Saddle is one of the most personal components on the bike, one saddle might work for my ass but it could split yours in half. Some people like them, some don't. With that said, there are many people who does. I've heard that they work better on a touring bike or bikes with not a whole lot of saddle to bar drop and more up right set up.

This (http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=16424&category=1714) is one of the most affordable Brooks, might work for you, might not.

Search, search...search.

Saddle is one of the most personal components on the bike, one saddle might work for my ass but it could split yours in half. Some people like them, some don't. With that said, there are many people who does. I've heard that they work better on a touring bike or bikes with not a whole lot of saddle to bar drop and more up right set up.

This (http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=16424&category=1714) is one of the most affordable Brooks, might work for you, might not.
Yeah I need a saddle but I'm just not sure how to go about it. I don't know what kind to buy since I don't know what kind would be best/most comfortable for me, and the only way to find out is to try them out. And I'm already on a tight budget as it is, so I can't go buying 10 different saddles.

You could always buy a cheap one just to start, Charge Spoon (http://store.citygrounds.com/store/product/7178/Charge-Spoon-Saddle-CrMo-Rail/)/Bucket (http://store.citygrounds.com/store/product/5869/Charge-Bucket-Seat/) are always a popular choice.

Here's one from BikeIsland for only $19, I have not used it before, no clue how it's like.
http://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_STOR20.cgi?Action=Details&ProdID=1841

Yeah I need a saddle but I'm just not sure how to go about it. I don't know what kind to buy since I don't know what kind would be best/most comfortable for me, and the only way to find out is to try them out. And I'm already on a tight budget as it is, so I can't go buying 10 different saddles.Idk about your lbs but mine lets you buy a saddle and try it for a week or swap it out if you want to.

I'm actually curious as to how much of Brooks is "I spent a year breaking this thing in, I will LOVE it no matter what. I spent too much time working on this to hate it."

I bet very little seeing as how they have been in business for like 100 yrs of something, but its still an interesting question

I'm actually curious as to how much of Brooks is "I spent a year breaking this thing in, I will LOVE it no matter what. I spent too much time working on this to hate it."

I bet very little seeing as how they have been in business for like 100 yrs of something, but its still an interesting question

There's a lot of bulldust spouted about breaking in a Brooks and funnily enough, the people complaining have usually used something other than the recommended Proofide (engine oil is a popular one). The thicker leathered saddles such as the Pro take a bit longer to break in, the B17 usually takes little or none. A greater issue is getting the tilt angle right - they tend to like a nose up position. Most problems I hear about associated with a Brooks are usually things I'd address by tilting the nose up a bit.

I've got two B17s - both were comfortable out of the box and just kept getting better though they both took 100km to lose the shine and a bit longer to develop the dimples for the sit bones. How much riding do you do? That's a week's use for me but if you only do 5km down to the shops on a satdy arvo, it'll take a lot longer. I'm putting together an order for a Hillbrick frame and she'll be wearing yet another Brooks. Incidentally, I haven't worn padded pants in 7,000 kms of riding and that's not a fashion thing, I just don't need them with my Brooks.

Like all saddles though, for some people, they just don't work. YMMV

Richard


incidentally, this sort of post is sort of compulsory in any Brooks thread - I guess this was just my turn :D

I don't have one. I only personally know one person that does and his (b17) took a few months, he's a messenger in Denver. But all things aside, I do believe you, he swears by his and he's not one to keep something he doesn't like. He'll turn it for a profit instead.

I plan on buying one. I would own one now but it would just look wierd on my beater Lager. Once I can build the bike I want or once I get a geared bike I'll probably be purchasing one.

I have one on both my bikes. Swift on the Aurora, Swallow on the Sputnik. I started with a B17, but it didn't suit my riding position, so I switched up. I've had the Swift for a little over a year, so it's got some mileage on it. It feels pretty good. I've only had the Swallow a little over a month, but it felt more comfy than the swift out of the box. I think they're worth it, obviously..

wallbike.com has a 6 month return policy if you want to try one. If you like it, cool, if not, you'll just be out the shipping costs.
"6 Month UNCONDITIONAL SATISFACTION GUARANTEE - new BROOKS saddles. Return your new saddle at any time within six-months of the ship date for a full refund of the price of the saddle. Shipping will not be refunded unless there is a manufacturing defect that would make the return a factory warranty issue"

Good to know, appreciate the info. Smiley face

I have one on both my bikes. Swift on the Aurora, Swallow on the Sputnik. I started with a B17, but it didn't suit my riding position, so I switched up. I've had the Swift for a little over a year, so it's got some mileage on it. It feels pretty good. I've only had the Swallow a little over a month, but it felt more comfy than the swift out of the box. I think they're worth it, obviously..

wallbike.com has a 6 month return policy if you want to try one. If you like it, cool, if not, you'll just be out the shipping costs.
"6 Month UNCONDITIONAL SATISFACTION GUARANTEE - new BROOKS saddles. Return your new saddle at any time within six-months of the ship date for a full refund of the price of the saddle. Shipping will not be refunded unless there is a manufacturing defect that would make the return a factory warranty issue"
Damn mang that sounds rad. I'll probably end up doing that, bookmark'd.

If your bars aren't too far below your saddle, the B17 would probably work. Mine was comfortable right out of the saddle.

Over time I've had it on my mt. bike, my two road bikes and my fixie. It's worked well on all of them.

I spent well over the starting price of a Brooks B17, buying 3 different saddles for my road bike before trying a black Brooks. Best $85 I ever spent. It was a no brainer to put a honey version on my single speed as well. I figure I will go through numerous bikes over the years, but I will stick with the Brooks. Looks a little odd on my road bike, but you can't tell when I am riding it. Comfortable right out of the box, and I don't wear cycling shorts unless going more than 10 miles.

+ 1 on the Wallbike return policy, you spend a little more buying the saddle from them, but if you are hesitant it is a good way to go. I wanted a honey Brooks so bad that I accessorized my fixed gear around the saddle.

wallbike.com has a 6 month return policy if you want to try one. If you like it, cool, if not, you'll just be out the shipping costs.
"6 Month UNCONDITIONAL SATISFACTION GUARANTEE - new BROOKS saddles. Return your new saddle at any time within six-months of the ship date for a full refund of the price of the saddle. Shipping will not be refunded unless there is a manufacturing defect that would make the return a factory warranty issue"
Check Wall bike's ebay store too. They auction off these lightly used saddles from time to time for good savings.

Been looking at them and I have to admit they make some beautiful saddles, which leads me to ask: are they really worth the price? Also, I saw they have quite a few different models, which ones would be best for a fixed gear? I don't know a whole lot about bike seats.

I have a Brooks Swift on my fixie, works like a charm. Some good advice on here, especially about saddle position. My theory is that a lot of people who have trouble with Brooks have the saddle level or nose down and end up with their weight borne by their perineum on the narrow part of the saddle. Having the saddle slightly (very slightly) nose up ensures your sit bones take the weight and the saddle breaks in correctly.

As for breaking them in, it does take a while but I have two (B17 on a touring bike) and they were both pretty comfortable out of the box. So it wasn't a case of suffering for 500 miles, it was more like a progression from OK to excellent. I think the Swift is better than the B17 for the more aggressive set-up of my FG, with the bigger saddle to bars drop.

My favorite Brooks are the B66 and B72, both of which I find very comfortable. I've tried a Brooks Professional, but never came to terms with it. Still have it, but won't use it on anything I ride.
I have found that they last a very long time IF you keep the leather treated.

I have had many saddles since 1971, the year I started riding seriously. I am not a racer but I like fast long rides. In my younger years I did a lot of touring as well. This post is in no way meant as a criticism of other saddles or riders preferences, we are all unique. That said I have only been comfortable on a brooks. I have ridden Fiziik's for thousands of miles, nothing but the sensation of a large object being shoved up my rectum. Ditto Sella, Bontrager, Specialized and every other plastic saddle I have used. I drifted away from Brooks over the past several decades due to my desire to have the saddle look right on the bike, again nothing but pain and numbness. In trying these other saddles I was nothing if not peristant, infinate saddle positions, did not help. Finally I checked the distance of my sit bones-135 mm apart, I thought a bit wide but most of the above saddles were in the 130-140 range. I went with an old Brooks with a width of 170 that I found, forgotten in a remote corner of my garage, oiled it, kept it level and went out for a fifty mile ride that was just bliss, no pain, no numbness, just great support.
Now I realize many love their saddles that are narrow but for this wide hiped cyclist the Brooks was an answered prayer and I have increased my miles tremendously as a result. Hope this helps. Oh, I have broken in several Brooks over the past and it is for me at least not a big deal. 100-150 miles and it fits me like a glove. Hope this helps and good luck.

I have a Swift that's very nice and comfy. However, I recently switched to a plastic Kashimax which is the exact opposite and I also like that.

I have a Swift that's very nice and comfy. However, I recently switched to a plastic Kashimax which is the exact opposite and I also like that.

I recently rode a Brooks Swift for 4500 miles, loved it right out of the box AND it looked great. However it failed last month, hence my retreat to the old Pro. Though the Brooks Professional looks somewhat dorky I will continue with it . For me a wider saddle really helps in the overall comfort.

I recently rode a Brooks Swift for 4500 miles, loved it right out of the box AND it looked great. However it failed last month, hence my retreat to the old Pro.

Failed? How? I've got much more than 4500 miles on mine...

So which Brooks would you guys recommend for long rides? (Like a few hours or more?)

Failed? How? I've got much more than 4500 miles on mine...
Good question. When riding I would hear an annoying click that I narrowed down to the saddle. Concurrent with this I started to feel the seat post bumping my but. When I checked the saddle I found it extremely slack with the tensioning bolt very loose. I tightened the bolt, restoring the tension and eliminating the creak. However this began a cycle of repeated tightenings in order to keep enough support . Eventually I could no longer tighten the bolt and the saddle remained slack. The late Sheldon Brown warned of messing with the tensioning bolt but I read this a bit too late. I was suprised with this as I have never needed to adjust this bolt with other Brook models. The leather looked quite a bit thinner on the Swift than the Professional, perhaps this could be a factor.

So which Brooks would you guys recommend for long rides? (Like a few hours or more?)

I really like the Professional or B-17. I have ridden both many thousands of miles with no problems. I have on order a new Brooks Professional, copper railed and black. A little narrower and more attractive than the old, I mean REALLY old womens honey colored professional that I have on my bike ( Merlin Lunaris) now.

"So which Brooks would you guys recommend for long rides? (Like a few hours or more?)"

The classic - the B17.

Listen to what's being said. What position are you going to be in for those few hours? I can ride my fixed with 12cm saddle to bar drop all day with the Brooks professional. I tried the Velo Orange knockoff of the swallow and it was just too narrow. I think the b17 would be too wide for my riding position but perfect if I was more upright. With a broken in brooks your butt will be fine for a few hours but everything else might hurt!

Brooks saddles are very nice, but if you leave your bike exposed to the elements you may find a good plastic-based saddle will last longer.

N.B. I have 3 Brooks saddles in use here -- 2 B66s and a Team Pro. The newest one (Team Pro) is 27 years old and still going strong. The oldest one is 38 years old and also going strong. Keep them out of the rain and apply Proofide sparingly and they should last indefinitely.

So which Brooks would you guys recommend for long rides? (Like a few hours or more?)

I rode my Sputnik with the Swallow today at the velodrome for a couple hours, then took my bike to the beach and rode for around 2 hours straight. My buns feel nifty.

I've been contemplating a Brooks saddle of late too. I measured my sitbone width by sitting on a thin piece of styrofoam (surprisingly good method btw) and c to c it's like 13cm or 130mm. The kickdown saddle I've been riding (Selle Italia Ti Flite) has been killing me and tonight I found out why: It only measures 13cm out to out at the widest point, and it slopes too; so the effective width is more like 8 or 9cm. Long story short, I'm looking at 2 different Brooks models: The Team Pro Classic 160mm, and the 175mm B-17 Standard. The only roadblock is reconciling the classic looks with my racy '97 Specialized.

Your butt will make it worth the "looks"

I've been contemplating a Brooks saddle of late too. I measured my sitbone width by sitting on a thin piece of styrofoam (surprisingly good method btw) and c to c it's like 13cm or 130mm. The kickdown saddle I've been riding (Selle Italia Ti Flite) has been killing me and tonight I found out why: It only measures 13cm out to out at the widest point, and it slopes too; so the effective width is more like 8 or 9cm. Long story short, I'm looking at 2 different Brooks models: The Team Pro Classic 160mm, and the 175mm B-17 Standard. The only roadblock is reconciling the classic looks with my racy '97 Specialized.

You may want to try the swift or swallow. My experience with the swallow was unusual. It certainly looks nice on a racing frame. For me, though the swallow was comfortable, I like the Professional (standard, not team) better. It fit my but (135mm) better and provided great support.

i have a black b17 and a professional, theyre both amazing

For a long ride either the Swift or one of the B-17 variants. I did a century ride on a Swift and it was amazing, I would have thought it being rather narrow would have caused some discomfort over time but apparently I was wrong.