khuon

Well... I must be the odd one then as I like the embroidary. I first started riding with them on my MTB because I found it hard to control from the saddle with smooth slippery saddles. I then got used to the connected feeling so prefer them for my road bike too.

socalrider

aside from the Brook B17 which I like a lot I would look at some older saddle like the San Marco Rolls saddle or Selle Italia Super Turbo if you can find one...

https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename=

RossB

I have recently moved from a Fizik Aliante (comfortable but causes numbness in places you definitely don't want to be numb) and a Selle Italia SLR XP (XP stands for "extra pain") to a Selle Italia SLC (see below). It is surprisingly comfortable on longer rides and the large cutout area seems to prevent numbness.

warrenroadie

I have a Terry Dragonfly Ti I'll sell you cheap. Send a PM.

Cycliste

I have a fizik arione for a almost a year / 3.5k miles and have been very happy with it from day one I tried it. Years ago I had an Ideale leather which are similar to Brooks and these are great too but need time to break-in and require maintenance too, I used it for more than decade though.

IMO, any saddle will cause you some level of discomfort at some stage towards the second half of a century. On rides over 50 miles, I usually apply butt butt'r which reduces shaffing and for me eliminates any discomfort. The quality of the short pads you use will also have to do with the problem. And get off your seat often, not just on hills

cs1

Steve my experience was completely oppisite. The B-17 doesn't seem to do well when it's adjusted too far above the handlebars. If your bars are level with the seat or above Brooks are the most comfortable. The Professional model seems to tolerate being higher than the bars better than the B-17. Good luck on your saddle search.

Tim

Olebiker

I have about 200 miles on my Brooks B-17 and tend to agree that, at least in my case, the saddle is only comfortable in a more upright riding position. Trying to ride it in an aggresive racing posture just didn't work at all. I finally had to admit that I am not a racer and raised my bars to where they are about an inch below the saddle. This puts a lot more of my weight on the widest part of the saddle. So far, so good.

I am planning to do a century on it in April at a fairly relaxed pace. That will be the litmus test of whether I keep the Brooks or try something else.

WD_40

I think pretty much any saddle will be fine as long as you condition yourself by spending time on it. I use my Selle Italia SLR for all rides, from short ones to centuries, typical weekend ride being 40-60 miles.

It's definitely not very padded, but that's what my butt is used to, so that's what works for me.

CardiacKid

Everyone is different. I love my Fizik Aliante. I have never had any numbness problem. I got it 1 week before my first century and body that touches the seat was the only place that didn't hurt at the end of the day. Generally the less padding the better, for long distance. Gel saddles are great for 20 mile rides but tend to put pressure in the wrong places on longer rides. Look at a NASCAR seat. There is little or no padding on them This is because after 3 hours in the same spot, the padding is going to be worthless.

geraldatwork

I don't have experience with this particular saddle. But seat angle is critical. Even the slightest adjustment can make all of the difference. I was on my 3rd saddle with my stuff going numb and was about to try another saddle. I figured this was ridiculous. So I got out a level and started fooling around with the seat. Making an adjustment and riding for a while. I tried totally level. Slightly up in the front and slightly down in the front. I found basically horizontal with the front very slightly down works for me. It was amazing just the slightest change in angle made all of the difference. I actually needed a level on the seat to determine my minor changes. I would bet if I went back to the 2wo reject seats they would of worked also.

mr. peugeot

I've found that some of the cheapest gel saddles are the most comfortable. Nashbar, Trek and Serfas are what I use.

Thrifty1

Brooks!!!

cheeseflavor

Looks interesting, but I don't know if I could handle a saddle that narrow. I was measured using the Specialized assometer, not once, but twice and was told I could comfortably use anywhere from a 143-155mm. Of course, that assumes that device works

Steve

cheeseflavor

Thanks for the reply Tim. I tried adjusting it multiple ways, and I think what you say is true... I never was able to comfortably use the drops with that saddle. I'd try it nose up, nose down, raised handlebars, lowered handlebars, etc. Just never worked out.

What I meant about moving around on the Brooks was the smoothness of the leather. It didn't restrict movement.

Later,

Steve

cheeseflavor

I almost grabbed a nice used Arione off of eBay for $80 earlier today, but was scared off by the lack of a cutout and the fact that it's as narrow as it is. I may be wrong for thinking a cutout is a panacea, but they seem to work for me. Not sure about the width though, as I've never tried a saddle narrower than 143mm.

Thanks for the reply!

Steve

cheeseflavor

Thanks. I am leaning towards a PRS at the moment. It's narrower than the AU Enduro, so maybe that's the ticket.

Steve

bernmart

I have the Max version of this saddle, and I did 68 miles on it in December w/o a bit of discomfort. The combination of genuine leather cover, a bit of flex built into the shell, and a cutout with no sharp edges makes for an excellent saddle. There's gel padding, but it hasn't gotten a bit squishy in the months I've had it.

cheeseflavor

Grabbed a Max Flite Gel Flow (like new) on eBay last night for $40. Figured it's a good way to test a seat for less than list. Thanks for everyone for the thoughtful and informative feedback, I appreciate all of it.

I'll report back on my experiences once it arrives.

Later!

Steve

Flaneur

Pro-select

cheeseflavor

Is that the Brook's Pro Select you're referring to?



This thing looks like a taint killer to me!

Steve

mloywhite

I was an Alias 143 user for a long time, and while I loved the saddle fit, I found the embroidery on the rear-end caused me soreness and also ate up my shorts. If you like the saddle, fit, etc. but want something that will not rub you, try a Specialized Toupe. The 143 is almost identical to the Alias 143, but hard, very slick, and will not at all rub or scratch like the Alias. I know that was not one of the saddles you mentioned, but if the Alias fits well, you might consider it. I did, and have found that it is really comfortable for 100+ mile rides. Also, it is only about 150 grams (for what that's worth to you). Good luck!

tanguy frame

Here's my Brooks Pro. 20+ years and untold miles. love it!