coldfeet

My first Brooks was an Imperial that I scored from the free test models they gave out to a lucky few a couple of years ago. It was good from start, and got better over the next 500 km or so, there didn't appear to be much "forming" of the saddle over that period. I wasn't convinced by the cut out, so eventually bought a honey B17 special, ( mostly for the looks ) after about 50 km I used it on a 225km charity ride weekend, while it would be a lie to say there was no pain, I don't blame the saddle for any of it.

When I think about the saddle at all, I think about how it still feels hard, but it fits, so, it's not a problem. I proofride it every 6 months to a year, and cover it from the rain. Haven't had to tension it yet.

I love the look, it has taken on a lovely patina now. There is still not much "shaping" on my saddle, and I weigh 200lbs and ride several thousand km a year. I assume my butt is very similar to whoever they used for the pattern, a "British Standard Butt" if you will......

AdamDZ

Hm... that's a good point

I may give the Imperial with cutout a shot. Their price dropped, it seems.

AlmostGreenGuy

I just had to resurrect this thread, as it finally pushed me to buy a Brooks, which happened to arrive today.

I'm one of those people that is never comfortable in his saddle. I'm always squirming around, trying to find a comfy spot. I suffer from chronic numbness in my privates, no matter what saddle I try (I've got a pile of them). I'm also always broken out in ingrown hairs on my butt, much of which is caused by the friction of all the squirming around. I also have wide seat bones, which makes saddle selection a nightmare.

So of course I bought a $100.00 dollar saddle for my $40.00 Craigslist bike. Hahahahahahahaha...... But initial testing this evening is positive. It's a basic black Brooks B68. I almost went for the Imperial version, but decided to just try a stock saddle first. The Brooks is about the same width as my two most comfortable plastic saddles, which are '90's style Diamondback and Avenir mountain bike saddles. But the B68 is much harder than any plastic padded saddle. I'm talking wicked hard, not that it's a bad thing. My seat bones need to get a bit used to the hard saddle, and I'm sure that the saddle will break in a bit, but my test ride today was still much more comfortable than most any ride I've had in years. I experienced no numbness whatsoever. Woohoo!!!!!

And due to the slippery nature of the leather saddle, my butt isn't all broken out tonight. There's just no friction to mess with your tush. It will take some time to get used to the slipperiness though. It's kind of unsettling at first, even with the nose tipped up a bit. But it feels great to readjust yourself, and not have to unstick your butt from saddle first.

I'm not the type to get something new, and immediately cry out that it is the best thing since sliced bread, but it's hard not to be exited tonight. To go for a half hour ride tonight, without the squirming, itching, and nasty nether-numbness, is a positive revelation to me.

dOOBER

^nice

ya I cant wait to get my Brooks B17 Imperial Narrow!!

and I can only imagine how comfy they are, and the only thing I can compare it too is my Red Wing Boots. I am young so I grew up wearing tennis shoes every where and this destroyed my feet and arches. I broke down and bought $300 US Made Red Wing Shoes boots, and after breaking them in I think I can never live without them now there amazing.

-doober

Doohickie

A Brooks saddle feels like Mother Theresa is craddling my bum lovingly in her hands.

There. Now you know.

JPprivate

I just got mine, too. When the LBS installed it on my bike and I saw what it looked like, I started having second thoughts - it looked hard and uncomfortable. But once I got on, it was nothing but comfortable, not broken in yet, obviously, but an unbelievable improvement.

I pondered it for a while, like AlmostGreenGuy, the saddle tripled the value of my bike. I am now afraid that it will become a more attractive theft object.

SurlyLaika

+1
damn, what a good summary.

SurlyLaika

you can buy a small cable to use with a u-lock. That helps. I generally trust mine on campus, but I recently started putting a saddle cover on it to protect it from potential thieves' eyes and from scratches, abrasions, etc from others, aside from me.

JPprivate

thanks. yeah, I did the old, dirty plastic bag over saddle thing. thank god, i don't have quick release, i'll have to look into the cable/ulock idea.

Ipedaltahoe

Thanks everyone, I have been thinking of trying a Brooks and all your chatter has helped me decide to save my money and give it a try.

Thulsadoom

In my experience there is no synthetic material or saddle design that will provide the sitbone contact comfort of a leather saddle like a Brooks.

But leather saddles don't provide much perineum relief. If you are one of those people, who naturally have a pelvis and sit bone configuration that requires a perineum relief in order to be comfortable on a bike, then leather and steel frame saddles typically won't work for you, period.

If you don't have a problem with perineum contact, then the leather saddles will be far and away the most comfortable things ever created, and you're not likely to understand why some people can't ride them.

azesty

She gets about that broad, she cups my buns too! And boy, she does a good job!

z

BigDaddyPete

All 3 of my current rides have a Brooks on them, although only 2 are the B17. The other one is some Brooks Gel abomination from the 90's that just fit, but it's ugly. I'm pretty sure I'm the only person in my neck of the woods riding a Brooks, and I do so because they're comfortable. I tried a Brooks after the saddles on my bikes was uncomfortable with the exception of the Brooks Gel saddle. I figured if that thing was comfortable, the real ones might be as well. And for me it worked. Ride what you want to ride, use what works for you.

PaulH

I hate shopping, and I was tired of having to buy a new saddle every few years. I bought a Brooks B67 for long-term durability, without particularly caring how comfortable it might be. I got the pre-treated/aged one, so there was no Proofhide to mess with. I also got the honey color so it wouldn't stain my pants. In the past 10,000 plus miles, it has required no maintenance and has amazed me by being the most comfortable saddle I have used. There was no break-in periond.

Paul

pallen

I dont have one, but my wife does and I've ridden on a few. I probably will own one eventually, but I'm cheap and already spent too much on bikes so far. My current saddle really isn't causing me any issues, so no rush.

From my limited experience, I'm convinced that the secret is the slickness of the leather. When a saddle is padded or you stick to it, your tissues will shear with every movement as the outer layers stay put while your bones and deeper layers are moving around. All that shearing will tear you up as you get over 50 miles or so. The Brooks completely eliminates it.

demoncyclist

I also scored one of the free test units- a B17 Imperial Narrow. By far the best saddle I have ever ridden.

corkscrew

Why do I love my Brooks B-17 Imperial?

It's the most comfortable saddle I own. I've had it for about a year now and have soaked it down with proofhide once so far - along with a tighter lacing pattern.

I'll probably buy a Imperial - Narrow when I can afford another. The current Imperial rubs me kinda funny, which isn't good come the sweaty summer months. That said, it's still the best saddle I have.

Mr IGH

Commas can be important....

BarracksSi

corkscrew

I'll sort of agree with this. I tried a Brooks flyer and couldn't stand the damn thing due to perineum pressure. Exchange it for a B17 Imperial, and that's no longer an issue.

no motor?

You'll quit squirming and sliding after it gets broken in. Which should make you like your new saddle even more when it's not so new.