Jinkster

But I guess I should post it here as well...

Would it be/look ridiculous to put a standard plain black leather brooks saddle on my '02 Giant OCR3 and just call it a "Tourer"?

I've heard so much about the Brooks Saddles I did a little reading up on them and can see where they're definitely worth their weight comfort wise for the rider who's not a racer or tri kind of guy and I'm not...I just want to get to where I can ride all day long if my old worn out butt so desires but would the brooks saddle be an appropriate choice for my particular bike?

Cause my butt has already had enough of these cheap (as I heard one poster put it) "azz-hatchets"

T.I.A. Bill.

Biker395 

Not at all ... I know people that do that.

You might try looking at these too ... I know people that swear by 'em.

Selle Anatomica - We make the world's most comfortable leather bicycle saddle. Period.

B. Carfree

Use whatever saddle is comfortable for you. There's absolutely no bike/saddle match, it's all about rider (bum and posture)/saddle matching.

I hate to spoil your anticipation of the wonders to come of a Brooks saddle, but for many of us they are anything but comfortable. I tossed mine the moment decent alternatives became available back in the late '70s, and I know many other riders who did the same. They force the perineum region to support too much weight resulting in issues for the nerves and vasculature that run through that region. They can work well for people who sit very upright. If you experience any issues "down there", I would suggest that you change saddles immediately.

qcpmsame 

Who cares about what some one thinks, you paid for the bicycle and the seat. I rode with a B17 on my R500T for a number of years, my daughter insisted that it came with the C'Dale when she inherited it. I'm very seriously considering another Brooks for my CAAD 10, probably back to the Team Professional again. Buy it and ride it with pride, just don't get carried away with the Proofide and leave the adjustment wrench alone until it is necessary, not just to tighten something.

If you thing you might have perineum issues try the Imperial model of the B17, it has the cut out done.

Bill

RonH

I have Selle Anatomica saddles on my bikes -- very comfortable -- one black, one graphite

Doug64

I finally ditched a Brooks I'd been riding for many years. I used to take my beloved Brooks off for winter wet weather riding and replace it with a saddle more compatible with wet weather. The Brooks Pro would go back on in the spring. One fall I bought a new winter high quality "winter" saddle, and the Brooks never went back on the bike!

It is really a personal thing, and Brooks saddles don't work for everyone. I now have saddles on my bike that are much more comfortable for me than Brooks saddles, Fitzik saddles are on 2 of my bikes; Terry on the rest.

And no, putting a brooks on and entry level road bike does not make it a touring bike, but it could be used for touring. There is a difference, however subtle. However, it is a free country, and you call it whatever you want.

Zinger

Brooks makes seats that won't look as dated in style as a B17. They also make a B17 Imperial with a perineum slot which I like on my older steel bike..



I also recently bought this modified "Imperial-Swallow" for my '83 Trek 970. I wanted something in leather just a bit more racy than a standard Imperial for this particular bike. It's made from a B17 Champion by an Ebay seller in the Netherlands. You can also get them made from a B17 select or B17 standard for other choices of black or silver rails and rivets and you can get them in black, brown or honey colored.

If you go with an unmodified Brooks, research them well for the right saddle. Some of their models reportedly last best with lighter riders and some might be advisable for heavier riders.

They also make narrow versions of some of their models. And other people besides Brooks make leather saddles as well.

Not everybody likes the Brooks saddles they've owned. As previously has been said, everybody's can is different and you'll get varied opinions on every saddle.

chasm54

This is what, your fourth or fifth saddle thread?

It really doesn't matter what any of us think. The only way to find the saddle that suits you is to experiment. Some you will know, instantly, don't work. Some may seem OK but a couple of hours on the bike will tell ypu different. Some will be fine, despite everyone telling you they're ass-hatchets.

Lots of people like Brooks saddles. Lots of people hate them. They're expensive.