folderfan550

I recently acquired a 1970's Raleigh Sports 3-speed and plan to replace the original saddle with a leather Brooks. The bike currently has a Brooks double rail mattress saddle. Would I be better off going with a B67 and new single-rail seatpost or a B66 on the original double-rail clamp and seatpost. Thanks!

MnHPVA Guy

I can think of no reason to buy the B-66.

The B-67 functions exactly the same as the B-66, weighs 2 oz. less and costs less (at least wholesale).

The 2 rails of the B-66 are a pain. The double wire saddle clamps aren't made of the good, hard steel of yesteryear, so the serrations don't hold up. And they are expensive to replace. I have the Seat Sandwich and a modern seatpost on one bike and it's an ugly lump of metal that looks out of place

We have two B-66s, two B-72s and five B-67s. Wish they were all 67s

BTW There is now a single rail unsprung version with the same top as the 66/67, the B-68.

ollo_ollo

I commuted on a 69 Raleigh Sports to grad school & work back in the early 80s & it had a B72 saddle which appeared to be original equipment, well broken in & a perfect fit for my sit parts. Most comfortable Brooks I ever rode, still kick myself for not swapping that saddle when I sold the bike. I am using a seat sandwich & B72 with the original Laprade single rail seatpost on my Expedition Touring bike. Works well. Don

wahoonc

Depends on if you want to swap out the seat post or not. I have a B-66 on my Superbe a B-72 on another Sports that I have, putting a B-67 on my Staiger (commuter soon to be Xtracycle) a Champion Flyer on my single speed and my wife is getting a couple of the B-18 Lady's for her bikes. I also have a Wright 32N (B-17) on my tour bike, but it is getting pretty loose and will be replaced with a Champion Flyer sometime in the future.

If you choose to go with a more modern seat post go with the B-67 if you want to keep the old seat post or a straight alloy similar to the steel go with the B-66. FWIW I buy all of my saddles from Bill Laine at Wallingford Bikes, hard to beat his service and guarantee.

Aaron