Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Tell me what's wrong with a too wide saddle.

I'm thinking that I need a wider saddle for my bike so I'm thinking of getting the Brooks B67s which has the added benefit of springs, too. It's wider than the saddle I have now. I had a friend, a very good friend, measure the distance between my sit bones. (Don't be nasty!:rolleyes:) Anyway, it came out to over 152mm. The B67s is 205 or 207mm wide. I wondering if there's a problem with getting a saddle that's wider than you need.:innocent: I don't go super long distances but I would like to get up to 20 to 30 miles and I don't want an issue with an over a hundred dollar saddle. So, I'm just throwing it out there to the universe hoping for an answer.:lol:

I'm thinking that I need a wider saddle for my bike so I'm thinking of getting the Brooks B67s which has the added benefit of springs, too. It's wider than the saddle I have now. I had a friend, a very good friend, measure the distance between my sit bones. (Don't be nasty!:rolleyes:) Anyway, it came out to over 152mm. The B67s is 205 or 207mm wide. I wondering if there's a problem with getting a saddle that's wider than you need.:innocent: I don't go super long distances but I would like to get up to 20 to 30 miles and I don't want an issue with an over a hundred dollar saddle. So, I'm just throwing it out there to the universe hoping for an answer.:lol:

Chaffing on the sides, which was the problem I had with the Brooks I sold you.

Over all wide saddles can cause problems with your legs rubbing it while you are pedaling. They may also feel squishy if the top is not properly supported.

In general wider saddles are usually recommended for women, or bikes where the handlebars are higher than the saddle (approximately an inch or more).

Unfortunately turtlewoman there is no guarantee that the Brooks will work for you since everyone seems to be a bit different. However Brooks has a huge following for a reason. Also, if after a few rides you decide you don't like it, you may be able to resell it for close to what you paid for it.

Neil, it's the saddle that I got from you that I think is too narrow. I'm just wondering if wider would be better?

Neil, it's the saddle that I got from you that I think is too narrow. I'm just wondering if wider would be better?

What is the saddle that you have now turtlewoman? <Also, you bought a saddle from a poster that changes names seems kind of suspicious. A man like that sounds like they may have something to hide :lol:>

turtlewoman,
I think I'm gonna revisit my recent Brooks purchase.... and have since RE-thought my approach to which Brooks might be better suited to me:

I found a Honey B17-S (-Short- "for women") on a local Craigs List for a mere $60. The lady logged a mere 300 miles on it, used half the can of Brook's treatment in an attempt to soften it, then decided to give up. She was a tall lady, certainly not 'slight', but it didn't live up to her expectations.

I'm a 5' 1" 237 pound dude, with sit bones measured at "155mm". The Specialized saddle I was measured for was working for me, but I simply wanted a leather Brooks. Cutting to the chase, I LOVE MY BROOKS!.....
- but -
I find myself questioning if the "Short" (S model for women) is not working for me. I kinda think my ass is not being supported properly, that it might not be the nose of the S model that's "short", but that it might be the actual seat that's shorter (???)!
(Please, somebody offer to buy it from me for what I paid ((& shipping))

Now..... I've since concluded that just because my legs are short, the 'S' model is not meant for my manly butt. When I buy a new Brooks, it will not be the "short" model.
I have also concluded that there really is no reason for me to get one of the wider B66, B68, etc. saddles. Though my seat is lower than my handlebars, and I am a candidate for one of the wider Brooks, I don't think I need one. The B17 just seems wide enough! I DON'T need to deal with any chafe'ing problems!!!

I seem also to have developed a little irritation, and dispite adjusting the angle of my saddle, I am convinced that I -WANT- the central cut-out of a Brooks Imperial. I do NOT want to revisit the discomfort of something that may or may not have been seat angle.

About the springs...... I'm undecided. Because I may not likely gain the flexibility any time soon to adjust my handlebars lower than my saddle, I would be justified in getting a sprung saddle (and wider if I so desire). In fact, I'll be looking for a sprung saddle with a central cut-out, and choosing to avoid getting anything significantly wider than a traditional B17.

Anybody wanna buy a Honey B17'S' for $60 + shipping?

I will EASILY get another Brooks, I like it THAT much!

EDIT:
I was SURE that my B17 was gonna cause some chaffing problems, as the bottom sides of the saddle seemed to stick out some..... I've been told that some people punch holes in their saddle and string leather to pull the sides in to prevent problems when they get "too loose". I did not find the sides to be a problem, no chaffing.....

Ok, I'm an idiot. The saddle I got from Neil was a B67. I didn't bother to look at the saddle. So, with a red face, I think I better just HTFU.

I have a b17 and a B17 Flyer (sprung) I prefer the straight B17. When you hit a bump with the flyer You move up and down 3-4 times at about 1/2 second cycles and it messes up my cadence.Doesn't matter which bike I put it on. Also you have to adjust the nose down so that when you sit and compress the springs it is level. So when you sit down you have to slide back each time to get the correct for and aft position.

I have seen that your riding position helps determine the saddle style. I sit upright, and a wider saddle works best. If one rides in a more forward, racing position, a narrow saddle is best.

What is the saddle that you have now turtlewoman? <Also, you bought a saddle from a poster that changes names seems kind of suspicious. A man like that sounds like they may have something to hide :lol:>

Not sure if that was a joke or not? Neil has been a member of this forum long before me, in fact is currently staying in my home, and is personally known to many of the fine folk on this forum. That list I believe also includes the Super-Mod, Tom Stormcrowe.

Not sure if that was a joke or not? Neil has been a member of this forum long before me, in fact is currently staying in my home, and is personally known to many of the fine folk on this forum. That list I believe also includes the Super-Mod, Tom Stormcrowe.

It was a joke.

Not sure if that was a joke or not? Neil has been a member of this forum long before me, in fact is currently staying in my home, and is personally known to many of the fine folk on this forum. That list I believe also includes the Super-Mod, Tom Stormcrowe.

It was a joke Peter_C. I was just referring to the name change from TheHistorian to Neil_B. When I first saw the pic and was like TheHistorian but then I saw Neil_B as the name and wondered who stole TheHistorians picture :lol:.

I actually had to check my profiles friends list to make sure who it was :innocent:. I don't always get a chance to visit the C/A forum so I am unsure when the name changed.

If you, Mr.Beanz, turtlewoman, or other posters changed their profile picture I'd be like, who are these new guys with so many posts :D.

Just making sure - no worries~! That's the tough part of posts - many can be taken more than one way. I couldn't tell, so I *tried* to politely reply - hope I succeeded?

Just making sure - no worries~! That's the tough part of posts - many can be taken more than one way. I couldn't tell, so I *tried* to politely reply - hope I succeeded?

No problems Peter_C :hug:.

I try to use the Steven Covey "seek first to understand, then be understood" approach when I post as well.

Sorry to sidetrack your post turtlewoman.

What made you think that you needed a wider saddle, or what were you experiencing with the Brooks? Sometimes with the Brooks, micro adjustments (i.e tilting the saddle slightly or changing the fore/aft position) can make a world of difference.

Just to echo what exile said.....
(I didn't realize how forgiving my Specialized saddle was, UNTIL I mounted the Brooks!!?)

Just the smallest of micro-adjustments had me riding either too far back, sliding off the front, or hurting my scrotum, BUT postioned juuuust right.... I can now appreciate the support that the old-school leather and 'saddle' design offers. (I also had to raise the seat post quite a bit from where it was set for the Specialized.)

Taking the Specialized for a spin yesterday, I am now convinced that I need the central cut-out on my next Brooks. Somebody buy my Honey B17S......

I have a b17 and a B17 Flyer (sprung) I prefer the straight B17. When you hit a bump with the flyer You move up and down 3-4 times at about 1/2 second cycles and it messes up my cadence.Doesn't matter which bike I put it on. Also you have to adjust the nose down so that when you sit and compress the springs it is level. So when you sit down you have to slide back each time to get the correct for and aft position.

I agree with this 99%. On my distance-riding Surly, where I ride with a bit of a hunch, the sprung Brooks and Velo Orange Flyer/B17 I've tried have driven me crazy with the bouncing...even when my cadence gets too high on a smooth surface I would start to boing.

However, while the unsprung VO Model 3 has turned out being perfection for the Surly (you have to abuse these saddles to break them in, but the shoulders seem more rounded and ergonomic...chafing is a memory, which I can't say for the Brooks I've ridden), I moved the sprung Model 5 over to my extremely-upright Schwinn MTB/commuter cargo wagon, and there's very little bouncing, just supreme comfort. The straighter your back, the better the sprung saddles work, probably because you're putting much more of a compression preload on the springs with the extra weight.

It was a joke.

I took it as one too.

Sorry to sidetrack your post turtlewoman.

What made you think that you needed a wider saddle, or what were you experiencing with the Brooks? Sometimes with the Brooks, micro adjustments (i.e tilting the saddle slightly or changing the fore/aft position) can make a world of difference.

+1 for the adjustments!
When I first put on the B17, I was afraid to have the horn up too high for obvious reasons -- it's like sitting on an anvil! But I found myself sliding forward and by about mile 20 my hands & wrists were really feeling it.
After a couple small adjustments, I found the Goldilocks "just right" angle and now I wonder why it took me so many years to get a Brooks -- it's wonderful.

As far as the width issue goes... it's wider than any saddle I've ever had and it's great. I think that it's a personal anatomy thing: my sit bones (which have never been measured) get a little help from the rest of my a$$, which is supported by the ample width of the saddle.

Ps We spend a few weeks in Europe and I couldn't help noticing how MANY Brooks saddles there were on the hundreds and hundreds of bikes parked everywhere. Over half of them had springs, but these bikes weren't being ridden by kitted racers -- they were transportation!

I found that the wide saddle that came stock with one of my bikes pushed my legs outward and eventually led to knee problems. It took awhile to get used to a narrower saddle, but the knee problems disappeared almost immediately. I haven't switched to the Brooks camp yet but I have had good luck with both the Terry Liberator (http://www.terrybicycles.com/Saddles/Mens-Endurance/Liberator-Y-Saddle_2) (non-gel version) and Serfas Rx (http://www.serfas.com/product_details.asp?ID=5) saddles.

Isn't the width supposed to be the distance between your "sit bones'?