LordOpie

Is that a good size for you?

I think the B17 is 180x280. Memory's not that good, FYI. Nashbar has saddles on sale, plus the 10-20% coupon codes makes it cheaper. I got my B17N(arrow) for $55 and it came with a small tin of Proofide, saddle cover, and leather wrench.

Redhed 

I am happy with the size, just not sure if leather is for me. Is it stiff? It looks smooth, so that will be a good thing. I have never physically seen one (just pics) so I am a little unsure. Where did you get the coupon??? I love coupons!!!!!

lotek 

Redhed,
Sure Nashbar may be cheap, but if you go with Wallingford
( www.wallbike.com ) you get a 6 month money back guarantee.
yup, ride it for a month and don't like it? send it back. Bill Laine will
gladly take it back.
His site is down right now, but it is really worth looking around there.*
Yes the leather is stiff. Feels really weird at first, like this 2x4 is gonna be
comfortable? you will be very surprized (if it works for you).
I have a B17 and a Team Pro, both are great but to be honest I find
the B17 a bit more comfortable for longer rides.

Rev, bout time.

Marty

There is a site www.Wallingfordbicycle PERIOD com that is NOT the one I am talking
about. The Real Wallingford is in New Orleans and looks like a british touring site,
not BMX.

LordOpie

If I wasn't so poor at the moment, I would've bought from 'em.

Redhed, the saddle comes to you hard as a brick, but softens up quickly enough. I saw someone's fully broken in saddle and you can just see how it molded to 'em, like a hammock on a warm spring day.

late

Hi,
that saddle is about the size of a B17. Try to find someone who has one. That would be ideal. You could try calling Wallingford for their advice, they do this a lot. The B17 also comes with titanium rails, which saves quite a bit of weight, and helps with the shock absorbtion. The Finesse only has the one model, and it has them.

Machka 

Check the Wallingford site, the dimensions are there. Or you can email them and they'll tell you.

It took me 800K to break mine in - less than a month, but as I mentioned above, it was definitely worth it!

Yes, you'll likely experience some discomfort in the process, but it gradually gets better till all of a sudden you don't notice the saddle any more at all.

Machka 

It does appear stiff at first, and at first glance it appears as hard as rock ... but it does have give and will eventually conform to your shape.

HaagenDas

We are talking saddles right?

ruchai

I got my first Brooks in the 70s. I now own two Professionals, one B73, and a B66 Champion. I use them for my road bikes, comfort bike, and a folding bike. Go to Brooks own website for details and how to choose one that fit you.

https://www.brookssaddles.com/welcome.htm

Brooks saddles are heavier than plastic saddles but they are very comfortable. For me it's Brooks or walking. With Brooks B66 Champion my 20" Giant Halfway with high pressure tires is as comfortable as my road bikes.

Rev.Chuck

WOW, did that Halfway come blue. We just got silver ones in the US. They did not do to ggod for us, seems a folder is supposed to retail for about $30 even if it is light, well made, and folds down in about thirty seconds.

Redhed 

Well, I have decided, I am going to try one!!!!!! Does Wallingford ship quickly??? Oh, and I am guessing it is not a good idea to try and break it in on a trainer?? It just seems as if the trainer puts you in a fixed position, nothing like the road, so maybe I better wait until I can ride it on the road where my butt can find the perfect position???

P.S. Next winter it will be rollers, I HATE the mag trainer. It is boring and it hurts my butt.

late

I'm not positive, but I think a trainer would be fine.
When you get it, I will tell you about my hair dryer trick.

Redhed 

Hair Dryer?? Hmmmm.......Ok, I let you know when I get it.


Machka, did you get the womens version??

Rev.Chuck

Mine is on a fixed gear, the more saddle time the quicker the break-in.
I have rubbed in proof hide twice, top and bottom. If it is pretty this weekend, I will spend three or four hours on break-in.
Next a pair of Aldens

Machka 

I got the B-17 standard - not the women's version, it would have been too wide.


And you want to be careful using anything (any breaking-in technique) other than proofide on the saddle (BTW - get the proofide when you order the saddle), including the hair dryer technique. Many of those things/techniques can void the warranty. The saddle will break in just fine on its own.

I think you could use it on your trainer for a while. I put the saddle on my mountain bike for the first couple weeks because I was only using my mtn bike for commuting, not for long distance riding ... I eased into riding it. When the little scuff marks appeared where my sitbones sit, I switched it to my Marinoni and started doing longer rides. 400K into a 1000K brevet, it broke in!!

ruchai

I do not think you need that much breaking-in. All my Brooks are comfortable coming out of the boxes. After few hundred kilometers they are better. It just like a pair of good leather shoes. Do,'t worry too much.

It seems bicyle industry did not improve much the last 70 years. My balloon tire Trek Woody with Brooks B73 is still the most comfortable bike made.

iowarose

Wallingford ships FedEx 2-day for $8 - great deal.

I broke my B17 in on my trainer bike, no problem. The first day was a tough one, however.

Scooby Snax

In all seriousness, for that, you paid too much, a Team Pro is what $110? do you really need to save 100g that badly?

I dont like mine on the trainer, I think it's the fixed position, on the road, it is beautiful, no I mean NO break-in at all.

lotek 

Its a limited edition numbered saddle, its not about the weight.

Redhed,
I've used the "hair dryer" trick, basically you slather Proofide on the saddle
(don't forget a good coat on the underside and leave it there), gently heat
with a hair dryer on med setting to warm the proofide (its oil/wax base) so it
soaks in quicker, then wipe off excess. Just as easy (maybe better I don't know)
is to apply the Proofide and leave the saddle out in the sun for an hour or two.
B17 should be comfortable right out of the box.
Call Bill at Wallingford for advice on setup and breakin. He has a vested
interest in you liking the saddle. He can also talk your ear off!

Wallingford Bike web site is back up.

Marty

late

Hi,
a couple points. Sometimes they feel good out of the box. It's a good idea to take a short ride (5 to 10) and see how it goes.
If it feels fine, you're good to go.

I need to help the break in process. I take a hair dryer and melt the Proofide. I use a piece of paper towel to rub it in, and then occasionaly, and BRIEFLY, wave the dryer over the saddle to keep the Proofide melted so it has a chance to soak in. The whole shebang takes a minute or two, at most, once you start applying.
I like to get the edges, and the underside near the edges real good to discourtage wicking in wet conditions.

Scooby Snax

Lotek, trust me... I'd love a Swallow... somehow Mme found the Jake frame hanging half built in the basement before I sold the other bike... long story short... I hope they do another run, cause I should have the bread saved by August...

KrisPistofferson

I got a used one a few weeks ago, then proceeded to split it wide open trying to tension it properly. I was pretty effin' mad. Congrats Rev!

I-Like-To-Bike

Agree with your comments about Brooks' comfort. My SchwinnCruiser w/B73 Saddle ain't half bad either in the comfort department.

slvoid

Ahahahha... careful, some people are easy to offend.

You can pay $85 for a brooks and butcher it to look like the Swallow.

Machka 

I was told that you're not supposed to touch the tensioning at all. In fact, that was STRONGLY emphasized to me. You shouldn't need to adjust anything until you've had the saddle for a few years.