M_S

I'm finally going to break down and buy one. But I can't decide which model.

What I'll do with it:
Besides around town riding, I do short tours, and weekend rides that are progressively getting longer. Right now I don't ever go much farther than 100 miles a day, but that might change eventually.


Now, the standard is the B-17. That's what it seems most of the Tourers and Long Distance folks use. My concern is that it may be a little too wide for me. Is this foolish? I am pretty skinny though- just shy of 6 feet tall, and just shy of 150 pounds. At the moment, I'm thinking my choice is between the B-17 and the B-17 narrow. I know Brooks makes skinnier, racing-oriented saddles, but those tend to be out of my budget. This purchase is already big for me (a student) especially since I just bought new tires as well.

Any advice is appreciated, oh wise Bikeforumers!

jcm

I've said this before, but I feel it's worth repeating because it deals with the Devil-In-the-Details relating to saddle width.

Most humans vary no more than 15% when it comes to skeletal size, and skeletal structure is what saddle width is all about. So:

The 17 is 170mm wide, edge to edge. Be aware that there is a steel horseshoe frame that runs under the saddle at the rear. No matter how hard you try, you can't break that in. So, you have to make sure that you aren't riding on it. Ok, that's simple advice, and many folks think that there's no more to it. Wrong.

Surrounding your ischial tuberosities - the sitbones - is a fleshy pad that is specifically designed to spread the pressure experienced while sitting. Think of them as being about the size of a quarter or even a fifty-cent piece. All that tissue should fit inside that steel horseshoe or you'll feel it sooner or later on your ride. I feel it at about 60+ miles on a 17. Not bad, but the saddle is just a tad too narrow. For me, a 67 feels better the longer I ride - having no real limit on the 67.

If your ichials measure about 140mm and the 17 is 170mm, you should subtract an even 25mm for the frame (about 1/2" per side) and say that your sit zone is really 145mm inside the steel frame.

goldfishin

buy from wallbike.com.... if you don't like one, try the other. he'll give you six months to find out.

Longfemur

I don't think it will be too wide for you. A B17 is wider at the back than a racing saddle, but it narrows pretty quickly towards the nose (so it doesn't really chafe or interfere with pedalling). That's not to say that you're guaranteed comfort with one of them, though. It can be pretty expensive to experiment with Brooks if you're light of wallet, unfortunately.

mike

I would recommend the Brooks Flyer saddle for you with the springs. You will appreciate the shock absorbing qualities on the tours and even around town.

donnamb 

You may be a skinny young man, but your bones seemed plenty big to me when we were on that ride. Go to River City or 21st Ave Bicycles where they have one of those Specialized sitbone measurer thingys and get yourself measured.

Velo Dog

I'm a Brooks fan of 30 years' standing, but if I were looking for a new leather saddle now, I'd really consider one called the Selle AnAtomica. It's like a B-17, but with a slot cut out of the middle and a reinforcing layer of leather laminated to the underside for support. Grant Petersen at Rivendell is pushing them, and he's never steered me wrong. I've only talked with one person who's used it, but he loves it. It's $100 for the basic model, with lots of options including several colors and finishes, including ostrich. But when Grant says it's more comfortable than a B-17, I have to listen....

M_S

Okay, it's actually kind of a relief that the B-17 is probably right. They come in more colors than the narrow, which is only black

I've thought about checking out some of the Selle's, to the poster above me. Maybe I'll take alook at them before I take the Brooks plunge.

Just a questoion then: if the B-17 and upwards are what's right for most folks, then why exactly do they make the narrower saddles? To appeal to the racy crowd?

goldfishin

some people are narrower and some people don't actually sit on a saddle so much as others. it's both for the racers, and the people who are narrower as well as people who don't sit on a saddle much and just want it out of the way and to keep the seat post outta thier butt.

also, wallbike.com has a 6 month return policy. i urge you to start with them.

SamHouston

There's a Brooks B-17 (Honey) for just $2.00 Canadian!
Here's the link

























okay, it's $2.00 for a -chance- at a Brook B-17....still a damn good deal!

donnamb 

Well, they weren't designed for my skeletal structure, that's for sure. If you went to get your rear end bones measured, you'd know without a doubt. I'm going to venture a guess that on your Aurora, with your plans for longer distance riding when you start school, a B-17 is going to be more comfortable for you.

If you're wanting to get a Brooks saddle locally and retail is what you're going to pay, Universal Cycles has the best prices. If you want the option of being able to bail if you don't like it, go with Wallingford.

jcm

The Selle Anatomica saddles are very interesting. A friend of mine let me ride his restored Rivendell Romulus with one on board. Very nice indeed.... Oh, the saddle was good, too.