Brooks : team pro or b17 narrow?
04-28-09, 08:26 AM
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Brooks : team pro or b17 narrow?
I'm going for a brooks but have no idea which to choose. I don't race and cycle for fun and exercise about 150kms over the weekend. I tried my friends team pro and found it comfortable but the seat leather seems to give me some kind of massaging effect as I pedal. I think maybe it's too wide?
I'm now leaning towards a b17 narrow but hear that this may not be good for drop bar road bikes. What about the swift or swallow? Arrgh.....
I'm now leaning towards a b17 narrow but hear that this may not be good for drop bar road bikes. What about the swift or swallow? Arrgh.....
04-28-09, 09:13 AM
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ah.... sure.
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I don't have a brooks but If I remember correct you can purchase them from Walbike if I remember correct. They have some crazy return policy on Brooks. Something like 6 months or so.
If your going with a B17 regular. You can also purchase it from REI. They have a no questions asked return policy also.
Keep in mind that none of them may work for you. So being able to return it might save you plenty.
If your going with a B17 regular. You can also purchase it from REI. They have a no questions asked return policy also.
Keep in mind that none of them may work for you. So being able to return it might save you plenty.
04-28-09, 09:32 AM
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I've ridden a Team Pro and Swift on my track bike. If you're smooshing around on the team pro, I'd say look into the Swift. All Brooks saddles, even the Swift and Swallow are pretty wide by modern saddle standards. Also, as mattm mentions above, 'tis all about the drop. The Team Pro stinks with saddle to bar drop. I've actually put my Team Pro on my grocery getter/cruiser for this reason. Good luck.
04-28-09, 09:46 AM
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damn craigslist. i contacted a seller about a $100 ti rail swift yesterday. no response.
same thing with a $75 fizik arione last week. responded within minutes. no response.
you think my itchy trigger finger is giving it away that they're selling too cheap? they could at least contact me and raise the price. maybe i'd still go for it.
same thing with a $75 fizik arione last week. responded within minutes. no response.
you think my itchy trigger finger is giving it away that they're selling too cheap? they could at least contact me and raise the price. maybe i'd still go for it.
04-28-09, 09:47 AM
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I have a B17 Narrow that I cut and tied (am thinking about blocking too to give a little more contour to the back end) It's currently on an Addict R3 with the bars about 4" below saddle-no comfort or ride problems for me, I really like the saddle-comfortable, durable and unique. As far as I know the B17N is very close to if not the same dimension as the Swallow. I got mine on ebay for about $70. I will try to post a pic of it tonight. The cut and tied B17N looks very close to a Swallow, performs well and is at least $200 less expensive.
04-28-09, 10:17 AM
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B17 is 170mm wide.
Team Pro is 160,
Swift/Swallow is 152
B17 Narrow is also 152
I have a Swift on my road bike, bars 1.5-2" below the saddle
Team Pro on my xcross, bars 1.5-2" below the saddle
B17 Imperial on my SS/FG, bars 1.5-2" below the saddle
B17 on my touring bike, bars 1" below the saddle.
The b17 narrow is the same width as the Swift, but a bit flatter, more flexy and without the larger rivets. The swift and swallow have less of a skirt. If you are willing to spend the bucks, the swift and swallow can be had with ti rails. B17 narrow is probably the best bang for the buck for your intended purpose...and you can always chop it as dirtfish and others have done.
Team Pro is 160,
Swift/Swallow is 152
B17 Narrow is also 152
I have a Swift on my road bike, bars 1.5-2" below the saddle
Team Pro on my xcross, bars 1.5-2" below the saddle
B17 Imperial on my SS/FG, bars 1.5-2" below the saddle
B17 on my touring bike, bars 1" below the saddle.
The b17 narrow is the same width as the Swift, but a bit flatter, more flexy and without the larger rivets. The swift and swallow have less of a skirt. If you are willing to spend the bucks, the swift and swallow can be had with ti rails. B17 narrow is probably the best bang for the buck for your intended purpose...and you can always chop it as dirtfish and others have done.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
Last edited by chipcom; 04-28-09 at 10:29 AM.
04-28-09, 04:22 PM
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So in terms of leather thickness there is a diff??
Swallow > team pro > b17 > swift?
Swallow > team pro > b17 > swift?
04-28-09, 05:43 PM
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That said, in my experience the Team Pro is the hardest to break in...all of my Brooks but the Team Pros were great out-of-the-box, but the Team Pros took some actual breaking in.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
04-28-09, 06:25 PM
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They call me
__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
04-28-09, 06:45 PM
#13
Jet Jockey
I'm a die-hard B17 fan.
I rode a Swift for 9 months...it just never seemed quite right. I'm only 150 lbs and I could feel it "giving" under me to a degree that was uncomfortable. I even used the tension bolt to try to fix this, but to no avail. The result was WAY too much pressure on my taint as the saddle felt like it sagged like a hammock with no sit bone support. I don't know that at was sagging at all, but that was the sensation it gave. Maybe I just have a funny shaped backside...I dunno. Again, I'm not a very big guy though.
Never rode it wet.
I put a B17 on the bike in question (Cannondale Six13 with approx 2" saddle to bar drop) and it's been fine. I probably should have given up on the Swift at 6 months so's I could have exchanged it.
Of course, after that review of it I've pretty much ruined any chance of selling it. (See my sig.)
I rode a Swift for 9 months...it just never seemed quite right. I'm only 150 lbs and I could feel it "giving" under me to a degree that was uncomfortable. I even used the tension bolt to try to fix this, but to no avail. The result was WAY too much pressure on my taint as the saddle felt like it sagged like a hammock with no sit bone support. I don't know that at was sagging at all, but that was the sensation it gave. Maybe I just have a funny shaped backside...I dunno. Again, I'm not a very big guy though.
Never rode it wet.
I put a B17 on the bike in question (Cannondale Six13 with approx 2" saddle to bar drop) and it's been fine. I probably should have given up on the Swift at 6 months so's I could have exchanged it.
Of course, after that review of it I've pretty much ruined any chance of selling it. (See my sig.)
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Good night...and good luck
Good night...and good luck
04-28-09, 06:48 PM
#14
Jet Jockey
Another note...the skirts on the B17 have less "flare" than the skirts on the Swift. Even though the B17 is a wider saddle, it doesn't flare as much behind your legs.
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Good night...and good luck
04-28-09, 06:52 PM
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I'm a die-hard B17 fan.
I rode a Swift for 9 months...it just never seemed quite right. I'm only 150 lbs and I could feel it "giving" under me to a degree that was uncomfortable. I even used the tension bolt to try to fix this, but to no avail. The result was WAY too much pressure on my taint as the saddle felt like it sagged like a hammock with no sit bone support. I don't know that at was sagging at all, but that was the sensation it gave.
Never rode it wet.
I put a B17 on the bike in question (Cannondale Six13 with approx 2" saddle to bar drop) and it's been fine. I probably should have given up on the Swift at 6 months.
Of course, after that review of it I've pretty much ruined any chance of selling it. (See my sig.)
I rode a Swift for 9 months...it just never seemed quite right. I'm only 150 lbs and I could feel it "giving" under me to a degree that was uncomfortable. I even used the tension bolt to try to fix this, but to no avail. The result was WAY too much pressure on my taint as the saddle felt like it sagged like a hammock with no sit bone support. I don't know that at was sagging at all, but that was the sensation it gave.
Never rode it wet.
I put a B17 on the bike in question (Cannondale Six13 with approx 2" saddle to bar drop) and it's been fine. I probably should have given up on the Swift at 6 months.
Of course, after that review of it I've pretty much ruined any chance of selling it. (See my sig.)
__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
04-28-09, 06:57 PM
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The B17 is not only flatter, but I think the holes also help to give it just a bit more give in the 'taint area...plus a little ventilation. I find the B17s are the most comfy for me, even on my road bike...but I'm not about to let my perfectly good Swift and Team pro go to waste.
I don't run a real extreme drop from saddle to bars.
04-28-09, 08:18 PM
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what about the B17 'narrow'? I see some comments on the standard b17 as 'too wide'.
And a question regarding the 'flare'.....I think that was what caused the 'massaging effect' when I tried the team pro; as i pedal my thighs rubs against the flared areas thus causing the saddle to give that effect (which, though nice, doesn't seem right on a road bike!).
Do those saddle with the shoe-laces prevent this 'flare-ing' I see some imperial models with this. Even so, I guess its easy to DIY by punching some holes and tying both side together.
thoughts?
And a question regarding the 'flare'.....I think that was what caused the 'massaging effect' when I tried the team pro; as i pedal my thighs rubs against the flared areas thus causing the saddle to give that effect (which, though nice, doesn't seem right on a road bike!).
Do those saddle with the shoe-laces prevent this 'flare-ing' I see some imperial models with this. Even so, I guess its easy to DIY by punching some holes and tying both side together.
thoughts?
04-28-09, 08:33 PM
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04-28-09, 11:02 PM
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I've been very happen with the Swallow; I'm an age group racer. The service and advice from
Walbike was very good.
Walbike was very good.
04-29-09, 05:27 AM
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what about the B17 'narrow'? I see some comments on the standard b17 as 'too wide'.
And a question regarding the 'flare'.....I think that was what caused the 'massaging effect' when I tried the team pro; as i pedal my thighs rubs against the flared areas thus causing the saddle to give that effect (which, though nice, doesn't seem right on a road bike!).
Do those saddle with the shoe-laces prevent this 'flare-ing' I see some imperial models with this. Even so, I guess its easy to DIY by punching some holes and tying both side together.
thoughts?
And a question regarding the 'flare'.....I think that was what caused the 'massaging effect' when I tried the team pro; as i pedal my thighs rubs against the flared areas thus causing the saddle to give that effect (which, though nice, doesn't seem right on a road bike!).
Do those saddle with the shoe-laces prevent this 'flare-ing' I see some imperial models with this. Even so, I guess its easy to DIY by punching some holes and tying both side together.
thoughts?
__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
04-29-09, 10:34 AM
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04-29-09, 10:38 AM
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what about the B17 'narrow'? I see some comments on the standard b17 as 'too wide'.
And a question regarding the 'flare'.....I think that was what caused the 'massaging effect' when I tried the team pro; as i pedal my thighs rubs against the flared areas thus causing the saddle to give that effect (which, though nice, doesn't seem right on a road bike!).
Do those saddle with the shoe-laces prevent this 'flare-ing' I see some imperial models with this. Even so, I guess its easy to DIY by punching some holes and tying both side together.
thoughts?
And a question regarding the 'flare'.....I think that was what caused the 'massaging effect' when I tried the team pro; as i pedal my thighs rubs against the flared areas thus causing the saddle to give that effect (which, though nice, doesn't seem right on a road bike!).
Do those saddle with the shoe-laces prevent this 'flare-ing' I see some imperial models with this. Even so, I guess its easy to DIY by punching some holes and tying both side together.
thoughts?
Laces will resist the flare, but they will make it stiffer.
