Another big thumbs up to the Brooks saddle
05-17-08, 11:51 PM
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Another big thumbs up to the Brooks saddle
I bought a Brooks earlier this week after going through a bunch of plastic and carbon saddles. I got the Team Pro model in honey leather. Simply put, I wish I had bought one years ago.
I rode it a few times on shorter ~50mi rides during the week but today had the real test of a 300km brevet.
I'm happy to report this is the first time EVER i've not had a sore butt on a greater than ~70mi ride.
I rode it a few times on shorter ~50mi rides during the week but today had the real test of a 300km brevet.
I'm happy to report this is the first time EVER i've not had a sore butt on a greater than ~70mi ride.
05-18-08, 01:55 AM
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I bought a Team Pro honey as well to replace a plastic saddle that was giving me a lot of pain and numbness.
I've only put about 400 km on it so far but I'm quite happy with it. The good thing is: I've had no issues with numbness at all, and this is what I was looking for. But, this thing was very hard when I installed it and it's been killing my sitbones. It's slightly less hard now, and I hope it will get even softer by the time it's completely broken in.
I've only put about 400 km on it so far but I'm quite happy with it. The good thing is: I've had no issues with numbness at all, and this is what I was looking for. But, this thing was very hard when I installed it and it's been killing my sitbones. It's slightly less hard now, and I hope it will get even softer by the time it's completely broken in.
05-18-08, 07:31 AM
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I bought a Team Pro honey as well to replace a plastic saddle that was giving me a lot of pain and numbness.
I've only put about 400 km on it so far but I'm quite happy with it. The good thing is: I've had no issues with numbness at all, and this is what I was looking for. But, this thing was very hard when I installed it and it's been killing my sitbones. It's slightly less hard now, and I hope it will get even softer by the time it's completely broken in.
I've only put about 400 km on it so far but I'm quite happy with it. The good thing is: I've had no issues with numbness at all, and this is what I was looking for. But, this thing was very hard when I installed it and it's been killing my sitbones. It's slightly less hard now, and I hope it will get even softer by the time it's completely broken in.
Love my Brooks and Selle-AnAtomica.
05-18-08, 11:58 AM
#5
hello
For me, it's the antique brown that's most comfortable. In fact, I've dyed a couple of honey colored saddles and turned them into antique browns. Now they're just as comfortable as my other stock brown saddles. 
05-22-08, 05:38 AM
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I miss my B-17. I still have it, but it got wet. That may have been just the thing for Machka to break hers in, but mine was perfect right out of the box. Now mine sags way too much and I've yet to figure out how to fix it. Prior to it's soaking it truly was perfect.
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05-22-08, 05:54 AM
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It didn't get wet but my shorts were soaked so I left the bag on for a few hours after the sun came up. I got sick of hearing it swish back and forth with every pedal stroke. I eventually took it off even though my butt was still damp. It discolored some but did not sag any. It dried eventually and returned to it's original color.
I have to say this is the one very irritating thing about the Brooks. I really don't like having to be concerned about water. I ride very far, and often, and I can't be a fair weather fan, and having this as a potential liability is no good.
I've no idea what I would do if one of the 24 hour races or raam qualifier later this year is in the rain for most the time. Riding on a plastic bag for that long is not ideal...
05-22-08, 01:14 PM
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Honestly, a little bit of water isn't going to hurt a Brooks saddle. I'm sure mine gets worse soakings from sweat during a ride like last weekend than any exposure to a mild rain. It's really about protecting the underside from getting soaked: Fenders and Proofide, or take that plastic bag and stuff it up into the rails to keep from splashing the underside of the seat.
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05-22-08, 01:20 PM
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I have Brooks saddles on both my bikes and I ride them year 'round in the rainy, sleeting, slushy conditions. Fenders to keep water from splashing up on the bottom (especially on my new Imperial), Proofide to keep the leather treated against the occassional rain sprinkle, and a Velox saddle cover for when it's really pouring out. The Velox cover is lightweight and form fitting, so it's comfortable for long distances (unlike a plastic bag or a shower cap.)
Honestly, a little bit of water isn't going to hurt a Brooks saddle. I'm sure mine gets worse soakings from sweat during a ride like last weekend than any exposure to a mild rain. It's really about protecting the underside from getting soaked: Fenders and Proofide, or take that plastic bag and stuff it up into the rails to keep from splashing the underside of the seat.
Honestly, a little bit of water isn't going to hurt a Brooks saddle. I'm sure mine gets worse soakings from sweat during a ride like last weekend than any exposure to a mild rain. It's really about protecting the underside from getting soaked: Fenders and Proofide, or take that plastic bag and stuff it up into the rails to keep from splashing the underside of the seat.
https://www.wallbike.com/brooks/saddlecare.html
05-22-08, 01:28 PM
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Where to get Velox seat covers
https://www.wallbike.com/brooks/veloxseatcover.html
https://www.wallbike.com/brooks/veloxseatcover.html
05-22-08, 01:38 PM
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How do you think the B17 would look on a Specialized Roubaix all CF bike. I'm think it may look out of place.
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05-22-08, 01:42 PM
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05-22-08, 01:56 PM
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That would be great. I've tried adjusting this Alias, about every way you can think of and I still get sore after 35 miles. I went to the fitter again and all he's doing is scratching his head. He said maybe we can put some spacers in your shoe clip and see if that works. I know on my touring bike I have a B17 and after a very long break in, it feels good. It took about 1500 miles and I was ready to throw it away a few times.
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05-22-08, 02:34 PM
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I did a 70 mile ride this last weekend and the stock saddle was not good.
I also hesitated beacuse of the look, but I think comfort is the most important concern.
Yes please post pic.
Thanks
05-22-08, 02:48 PM
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That would be great for me to I also have a Specialized Roubaix CF bike and have been thinking about putting my Brooks pro team on it.
I did a 70 mile ride this last weekend and the stock saddle was not good.
I also hesitated beacuse of the look, but I think comfort is the most important concern.
Yes please post pic.
Thanks
I did a 70 mile ride this last weekend and the stock saddle was not good.
I also hesitated beacuse of the look, but I think comfort is the most important concern.
Yes please post pic.
Thanks
I can tell you right now the honey color looks totally out of place, but I liked the copper rails and rivets more than the black with silver color. When sitting on it noone will know besides you and you will definitely know because it's SO MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE. I think they make a black one as well which would barely stick out besides the side skirts.
I'll post a pic in 3 or 4 hours when I get home from work + ride.
05-22-08, 03:04 PM
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- My saddle looks funny.
- My saddle makes my butt feel like someone kicked me there with soccer cleats.
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05-22-08, 03:14 PM
#18
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I have a honey colored one on my Jamis, but the Roubaix being blue and white I was think about the black or a green one. You're right about the looks though, my butt is still killing me and whatever it takes, I'm going to have to do.
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05-22-08, 03:15 PM
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05-22-08, 05:04 PM
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I had one person at the brevet comment on my saddle saying the Honey color looked good with the silver on my bike. I'm not sure if they were being sarcastic or not but they seemed genuine when they said it.
I can tell you right now the honey color looks totally out of place, but I liked the copper rails and rivets more than the black with silver color. When sitting on it noone will know besides you and you will definitely know because it's SO MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE. I think they make a black one as well which would barely stick out besides the side skirts.
I'll post a pic in 3 or 4 hours when I get home from work + ride.
I can tell you right now the honey color looks totally out of place, but I liked the copper rails and rivets more than the black with silver color. When sitting on it noone will know besides you and you will definitely know because it's SO MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE. I think they make a black one as well which would barely stick out besides the side skirts.
I'll post a pic in 3 or 4 hours when I get home from work + ride.
05-22-08, 06:20 PM
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That's a pretty sharp set up you have their and I noticed the wheels to, with the 32 spokes, nice.
When I got my Roubaix it had 24 spokes in the front and 28 in the back, Open Sports. I soon put the Open Pro on, with 32 front and back and I much happier. Thanks for the picture, that's the way I'll probably go.
When I got my Roubaix it had 24 spokes in the front and 28 in the back, Open Sports. I soon put the Open Pro on, with 32 front and back and I much happier. Thanks for the picture, that's the way I'll probably go.
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05-22-08, 06:57 PM
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That's a pretty sharp set up you have their and I noticed the wheels to, with the 32 spokes, nice.
When I got my Roubaix it had 24 spokes in the front and 28 in the back, Open Sports. I soon put the Open Pro on, with 32 front and back and I much happier. Thanks for the picture, that's the way I'll probably go.
When I got my Roubaix it had 24 spokes in the front and 28 in the back, Open Sports. I soon put the Open Pro on, with 32 front and back and I much happier. Thanks for the picture, that's the way I'll probably go.
if you want to see the entire build kit for the bike I have it listed along the left side on my blog.
05-23-08, 07:12 AM
#25
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I have a bike with fenders, and I'd like to get a B-17 for it as well. I'll have to get a set-back seatpost though since the B-17 rails don't allow it to be adjusted back far enough for this bike. That's not the bike that this was on though.
You're right that a little water won't hurt one. Unfortunately this was a torrential downpour. In the 5 miles it took for me to get to a place where both I and the bike were out of the rain, the saddle was soaked through. It took 8 days at room temperature for the saddle to completely dry. It was ruined, for me at least. The thing I prized about the B-17 is that it is very flat and only contacts your body at the sit bones. Every inch of the saddle is now in contact with me and that's not how a B-17 should be. Even when the dimples form on a properly broken in saddle, the majority of your butt does not actually touch the saddle.
I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with Brooks saddles, far from it. It was the most comfortable saddle I'd ever ridden, but if you are a heavier rider (say 200 lbs like me) and the saddle gets soaked, it will be ruined. So protect it from water at all costs.
You're right that a little water won't hurt one. Unfortunately this was a torrential downpour. In the 5 miles it took for me to get to a place where both I and the bike were out of the rain, the saddle was soaked through. It took 8 days at room temperature for the saddle to completely dry. It was ruined, for me at least. The thing I prized about the B-17 is that it is very flat and only contacts your body at the sit bones. Every inch of the saddle is now in contact with me and that's not how a B-17 should be. Even when the dimples form on a properly broken in saddle, the majority of your butt does not actually touch the saddle.
I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with Brooks saddles, far from it. It was the most comfortable saddle I'd ever ridden, but if you are a heavier rider (say 200 lbs like me) and the saddle gets soaked, it will be ruined. So protect it from water at all costs.
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