Brooks is good
 

So after trying I don't know how many sub $50 saddles, I finally took the plunge and bought a Brooks. Even stiff and new, it feels much better than anything I've owned. I'm anxious to see how it does once it's broken in.

Which Brooks?

Honestly, I think that the stories of extended break-in periods are exaggerated. Give it about 100 miles.

B17 Standard

Brooks IS good. :)

I've got four of them right now.

Won't get any argument from me...I have enough Brooks saddles on my bikes that I could have paid for another bike :rolleyes:

Aaron :)

I love my B17s, we're trying the Team Pro for my wife's road bike, the B17 isn't working out on that one.

If you haven't seen it, check out this video on Brooks and how the saddles are made. Very cool and old school. (Video is 2 parts)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9w-y24Waz4
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYirlnS19-s

Thanks for sharing the vids, that was great! Now I need a Brooks!
Ernest

Very interesting, thanks.

For me it depends on the model. I tried a B17 and couldn't stand it.. I have a Swift and love it! I also have a Swallow and only sort of 'like' it.

I use different models for different bikes, so far all are sprung saddles, but that is what works best for me.

Aaron :)

How come no pics????

Well, here are my brooks on my two vintage 79 Raleigh Comps..

Honey Brooks..

http://www.cehoward.net/newral131.jpg

Black Brooks

http://www.cehoward.net/newral132.jpg


I got a white one on my 85 Prestige, it is a Chinese imitation, but it looks and feels like the real thing for 1/3rd the cost.. ;)

The Prestige got jealous, so I had to post a pic of it too, with its fake-white-brooks seat..;)

http://www.cehoward.net/pressy27.jpg

Former recumbent rider here that went back to a diamond frame bike last year, thanks to my Brooks B17

I'm a heathen. My Brooks is on my mountain bike.

http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/y...-05-39_366.jpg
http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/y...9-19-56_56.jpg

OK.. here's a pic of my Swift.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5186/...b2839ab3_b.jpg
Sputnik by bhop, on Flickr

I'm going to put my current B17 on my mountain bike. I ordered two more B17's for my road bikes.

Breathtaking, just pure Breathtaking!! :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

I just put a Brooks Flyer on my LHT. I did the Proofide thing once and found the saddle comfortable the first ride.

My B-17 was comfortable from the start but it seems to be getting even better. I have about 500 miles on it. Best upgrade ever for my bike.

The video was fun to watch and see where my saddle came from.

I tend to agree. On my first brooks it took about ten miles of riding before I got the adjustments right that it felt comfortable. I must admit it seemed wrong at the time that the seat really did seem to want to be slightly nose up... Of course, I have found that padded shorts seem to work well with the brooks seats, while I found them downright uncomfortable on the stock seats on all my bikes.

Three out of four of my bikes have brooks saddles, two B-17's (touring bike and folder) and one B-17 Imperial on the Specialized Roubaix. I plan on putting another B-17 on my mountain bike, but held off until my last trip where I didn't want to risk a change to the bike while I was so far from civilization.

Has anyone used both a B17 AND a Flyer, and can attest to the pros and cons of each?

I'm a big guy (260#) biking my way back down to a healthier weight. Though not a randonneur, I do tend to ride longer rides and my 'primary contact point' (i.e., my big butt) takes a lot of abuse - I get uncomfortable after 40 miles or so.

I'm considering upgrading to a Brooks and thus wonder if the added suspension of a Flyer would be the thing for me considering my goal and my riding style, or if a B17 would be entirely sufficient.

I know that the decision is ultimately up to me but am interested in the opinion of anyone who has tried both.

Thanks!

Once I found the correct angles, the Brooks saddle is the best bike saddle I've ridden so far. The B17's smooth and slick surface, coupled with lycra shorts, was a considerable reduction in my case of saddle sores. From now on, the only mod to my Brooks, other than oiling it, is to remove the name plate after I sliced my finger on one that came loose, the things are almost razor sharp.

I changed to an ISM Adamo Road saddle from a conventional pattern to alleviate numbness while on the drops and aero bars. I'd like to try the Brooks, but have my doubts about that.

Are Brooks saddles compatible with lower riding positions, or should I stick to my triathlon/TT type saddles?

Yes. I initially was getting 3 B17's, but one was backordered so I canceled it and then bought a Flyer at REI. I cannot fully say if the Flyer is more comfortable yet because I think the one I got was heavily used. The saddle surface had a lot more give to it (and this is not accounting for the springs). I'm about to return the Flyer and try to exchange it for another. Then I can give a more accurate comparison. I did think the Flyer was more comfortable, but that could have just been because someone else broke it in for me.