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Saddles... trying to make a decision for fitness/recreational, with a vintage streak

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Old 10-06-12, 12:20 PM
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Saddles... trying to make a decision for fitness/recreational, with a vintage streak

I have an old steel bike that desperately needs a new saddle. The vintage guys say go with a Brooks. My LBS guy says Brooks suck and leave brown stains on your pants. If I go for a non- "vintage" saddle, it would have to be very minimal with very few graphics. Anything but black preferred.

Something like this for an anatomically correct saddle?
https://www.eriksbikeshop.com/2012-Ph...3C8623/Product

The LBS guy recommended a Selle San Marco for a pretty good, useful saddle with a vintage look:
https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...s.php?id=16455

I have 125mm sit bones, and the current saddle I have has about an 85mm flat spot. It's not comfortable.

Suggestions?
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Old 10-06-12, 02:32 PM
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Brooks would win hands down for vintage look (& comfort?). I've never heard of them leaving brown stains. But it's my understanding (I'm probably wrong as I've never owed one) that you oil them a bit when you first get them to soften the leather & help it mold into shape. Perhaps this is what he was referring to?

However, a Selle San Marco is also a classic "racing" saddle and no one could fault you for that choice. I believe it also comes in multiple colors.
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Old 10-06-12, 02:39 PM
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Haven't noticed any stains from my Brooks saddles. Maybe because the only times I ride them long enough to sweat a lot are when I'm wearing cycling shorts.
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Old 10-06-12, 02:40 PM
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You can't see it when you're sitting on it. Get whatever works best for riding. If that's not a Brooks, you can always put one for display purposes.
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Old 10-06-12, 02:48 PM
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Selle San Marco
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Old 10-06-12, 03:07 PM
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Your LBS guys are wrong.
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Old 10-06-12, 03:44 PM
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Will the Regal be comfortable? I could do the Concor Supercorsa also.

Another issue I have with Brooks is that I don't want to spend more than $100 (would stretch a little). Something like a Swift costs like $200 and it would be pretty heavy as I understand.

Last edited by Netdewt; 10-06-12 at 03:53 PM.
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Old 10-06-12, 03:52 PM
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B17s aren't much more than $100 ... could be less depending where you get one.
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Old 10-06-12, 06:13 PM
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I would respectfully submit that the brown stains refered to by your LBS guy are not related to the Brooks saddle, rather to what he is so full of that its oozing out of his ..... well you get the idea.

BTW, here in Eugene OR Brooks B-17 run $170 - I was aghast when I saw that at my non over fecaled LBS
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Old 10-06-12, 06:23 PM
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Is your bike something that you want to make a period piece, or just "an old steel bike?" In the first case, Brooks would be appropriate, although they are heavy and expensive ( and the less heavy ones are even MORE expensive). In the second case, I would look at the saddles at Nashbar or Performance, you can pick up a nondescript looking, non-black, comfortable saddle for under $40. In fact I did just that, but ended up with a Forte saddle on my LeMond Zurich and put the Selle Italia TransAm on my steel "10 speed" from 1976!
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Old 10-06-12, 06:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Netdewt
I have an old steel bike that desperately needs a new saddle. The vintage guys say go with a Brooks. My LBS guy says Brooks suck and leave brown stains on your pants. If I go for a non- "vintage" saddle, it would have to be very minimal with very few graphics. Anything but black preferred.

Something like this for an anatomically correct saddle?
https://www.eriksbikeshop.com/2012-Ph...3C8623/Product

The LBS guy recommended a Selle San Marco for a pretty good, useful saddle with a vintage look:
https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...s.php?id=16455

I have 125mm sit bones, and the current saddle I have has about an 85mm flat spot. It's not comfortable.

Suggestions?
Books leave brown stains? On black shorts? Guy's an idiot. Brooks Professional without question. Finest saddle made period.
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Old 10-06-12, 07:45 PM
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If you're going to ride it rather than"display" it, get what best fits your sittin parts...some classic saddles work great. Don't trust opinions from somebody who doesn't sit in your pelvic bones.
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Old 10-06-12, 07:47 PM
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Cut to the chase and get a Flite.
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Old 10-06-12, 08:23 PM
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https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...89_-1___202449
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Old 10-06-12, 08:38 PM
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I ride only Brooks saddles and I have never noticed staining. Of course, I don't ride in fancy white slacks either. Brooks saddles do not suck, whoever said that is trying to sell you something you don't want.
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Old 10-06-12, 10:58 PM
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Originally Posted by MikeWMass
Is your bike something that you want to make a period piece, or just "an old steel bike?"
No, and no. It's nearly 33 years old though, and still in perfect working shape. It has non-stock components on it already including clipless pedals, Shimano 600 downtube shifters, Mavic wheels. I just don't want to purposely put anything on it that would look silly. Maybe the stuff I have is already super "out of place".

Just really liking this guy. They have the one without rivets for a little cheaper too:
https://www.treefortbikes.com/product...gal-White.html

On a related note... is there a reason to go with a one piece seatpost over two piece? I have to get either Kalloy Laprade or Uno, and they are pretty much the only 26.2mm posts available. I currently have a "Dirt Research" two piece that I don't like. I suppose I could just grind off the paint and ugly graphic from that one.

Last edited by Netdewt; 10-06-12 at 11:02 PM.
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Old 10-06-12, 11:40 PM
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Selle Italia Turbo or Flite

Selle San Marco Regal or Rolls

How many other options would you like?
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Old 10-08-12, 12:15 PM
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Originally Posted by bigfred
Selle Italia Turbo or Flite

Selle San Marco Regal or Rolls

How many other options would you like?
Yeah... maybe the issue is too many options.

Narrowed down to these three for sure: Brooks Team Pro, Selle San Marco Concor Supercorsa, or Selle San Marco Regal. All are similarly priced ($80-$110).
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Old 10-08-12, 01:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Netdewt
Narrowed down to these three for sure: Brooks Team Pro, Selle San Marco Concor Supercorsa, or Selle San Marco Regal. All are similarly priced ($80-$110).
Wallingford Bike has a 6 month unconditional guarantee on their Brooks saddles:

https://www.wallbike.com/brand/brooks

That ought to give enough time to properly evaluate.
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Old 10-08-12, 03:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Netdewt
Narrowed down to these three for sure: Brooks Team Pro, Selle San Marco Concor Supercorsa, or Selle San Marco Regal. All are similarly priced ($80-$110).
The team pro may be out for you. Mine measures ~115mm across to the edges of the steel support frame under the leather. Your 125mm sit bones will be resting on steel instead of suspended by leather.
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Old 10-09-12, 04:51 AM
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I've got both the Team Pro and the Regal...actually, two of the Regals. Both are good saddles, and both would look right on your bike. The Regals are on my two steel bikes right now, and the Team Pro is waiting for my next frameset. Note that it takes a while for the Team Pro to break in - 700 miles, in my case. Also, I got these because I have relatively wide sitbones, and need at least 150mm of width. As noted above, the Team Pro may be too wide for you.
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Old 10-09-12, 08:13 AM
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Originally Posted by rogerstg
The team pro may be out for you. Mine measures ~115mm across to the edges of the steel support frame under the leather. Your 125mm sit bones will be resting on steel instead of suspended by leather.
Originally Posted by revchuck
I've got both the Team Pro and the Regal...actually, two of the Regals. Both are good saddles, and both would look right on your bike. The Regals are on my two steel bikes right now, and the Team Pro is waiting for my next frameset. Note that it takes a while for the Team Pro to break in - 700 miles, in my case. Also, I got these because I have relatively wide sitbones, and need at least 150mm of width. As noted above, the Team Pro may be too wide for you.
I thought the first comment here was saying that my bones would be too wide! The Concors has a very slim profile... but it sounds like that might actually be OK.

I'm not sure I really understand where you're measuring on the saddle support though:


Thanks again. This helps a lot.
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Last edited by Netdewt; 10-09-12 at 08:24 AM.
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Old 10-09-12, 09:16 AM
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Concor supercorsa on my steel ride. One of the most comfortable of the "vintage" san marco saddles I've been on. In terms of comfort for me, Concor > Regal > Rolls.

Wife has the Brooks Professional Deluxe on her steel bike and it looks great. Gets better with age. No transferring of colours. Not sure what your LBS is smokin.

You can't really go wrong with any of these suggestions, just what fits your butt best.
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Old 10-13-12, 07:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Netdewt
On a related note... is there a reason to go with a one piece seatpost over two piece? I have to get either Kalloy Laprade or Uno, and they are pretty much the only 26.2mm posts available. I currently have a "Dirt Research" two piece that I don't like. I suppose I could just grind off the paint and ugly graphic from that one.
Crap. 26.2mm is too big. And not that I look closer, there is engraving on my current post that says 26.0mm. Crap again.

Now leaning towards a Team Pro... will I ever decide?
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Old 10-14-12, 04:38 AM
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Originally Posted by Netdewt
I thought the first comment here was saying that my bones would be too wide! . . .

I'm not sure I really understand where you're measuring on the saddle support though:


Thanks again. This helps a lot.
I was suggesting that your sit bones might be too wide. You don't want them resting on the metal horseshoe shaped support.
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