General Cycling Discussion - Brooks saddle dimensions

My stoker needs a low profile seat and I'd love to get her a Brooks.

She is rather petite so I don't think she needs a wide saddle.

My B17 and Pro measure between 5-6cm from the center of the area the seat clamp mounts to the underside of the leather.

Her current saddle a selle xo measures 3cm from the same point to the underside of the saddle PLUS the plastic base and padding add another 2cm to the height.

I'm thinking of getting her a Swift or a Swallow or maybe a B-17 narrow, could anyone who owns one of these or all measure from the center of where the seat clamps to the rail to the underside of the leather?

I can probably do that on a Swallow, but why do you ask? Is it because the seatpost has only a limited amount above the clamp?

You also need to remember that the distance you come up with will differ between a new Brooks saddle and one that is broken in. There is a very slight dipping of the leather as the sitbone depressions develop.

If you are concerned about fit and knee problems, measure from the spindle on the crank to the platform where her butt resides on her current saddle, then adjust the new Brooks to the same distance.

I'll get back to you on the Swallow measurement.

One other gratuitous bit of advice... order from Wallingford's so that if whatever model you order doesn't fit, you can send it back and get another without, I believe, too much hassle.

I doubt that the Pro is 5-6mm. My Imperial narrow (B17 narrow with cut-out) is 55mm or 5.5cm. Saddle has about 700 miles.

OOPS!!!! I meant CM!

Corrected.....

there is a sprung version of the B17 and Pro, as stokers cannot see the bumps hidden by the captains back,
they take them sitting down rather than standing on the pedals , then the spring is welcome..

If you don't use a suspension seat post, instead.

the sit bones on women's hips are wider because men don't give Birth .
its not a weight thing ..

The bike fits her now with the seatpost bottomed out, and 170 cranks. She's 4'11". size 0 or 1 clothes.

I will be getting shorter cranks and that should give us more breathing room, I'll have her try my B-17 before I order anything, I'm hoping to have enough space to add a sprung saddle, but I'm not too sure if there will be room.

I looked up Wallingfords they have a nice selection and great prices I'll definitely go there!

The B17 narrow is good for someone with less than 135mm wide sit bones. If the spacing is more than 135mm, then stick to the B17. It's still more restrictive than the B17 narrow, but lacing the flaps will definitely improve leg motion for higher cadence.

OK, now I understand the issues. The Swallow is little different from your measurements for the B17 and Pro -- 5.16cm from the underside of the rail to the underside of the leather.

As you say, a shorter crank might help, but whether a 165mm or even a 160mm will be enough, is moot. In addition, that will alter the vertical knee-over-pedal-spindle alignment, and that also could become a more pronounced problem because the Brooks saddles don't move as far back on the seatpost clamp as other saddles.

You may have to experiment with a seatpost with more setback than is currently on there to achieve the same fit as she has now.

Thanks guys, we have some shortened crankarms on the way now, and I'm hoping it leaves us enough room for sprung saddle, I suspect now a B67s will do but it's not as pretty as the Special Flyer S!