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BROOKS vs Turbo Italia

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BROOKS vs Turbo Italia

Old 05-15-10, 12:29 AM
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BROOKS vs Turbo Italia

In terms of quality and comfort, is the brooks saddle ( B17) worth the 50$ that it costs more than the Turbo?
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Old 05-15-10, 01:28 AM
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i've never ridden a turbo for any significant amount of time, but there is a reason that Brooks has the prestige it does... i don't regret my purchase after several years on a rolls saddle (similar shape to a turbo)
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Old 05-16-10, 09:08 AM
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I've never ridden a Brooks but I have a Turbo. One of the most comfy saddles I've had.
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Old 05-16-10, 10:24 AM
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I have a B-17 and had a Turbo for a while. They're both pretty comfy.
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Old 05-16-10, 11:50 AM
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I've ridden both. I wouldn't say there was much in it in terms of comfort, I like them both a lot. In terms of quality the Brooks probably wins, they're built to last.

In the end, for me, aesthetics was the deciding factor. They're both handsome saddles, but very different in terms of looks, and I thought the turbo suited my bike better. Shallow, I know.
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Old 05-16-10, 12:21 PM
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i think they are both uncomfortable. but then again I'm partial to Flite saddles. Brooks is the worst, IMO.
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Old 05-16-10, 12:27 PM
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^ That proves that we're all going to have different opinions and you may never get the definitive answer you're looking for here.

My Turbo was comfortable right out of the box - much more so than the Regal I had before it - but would start to bug my sit bones on longer rides. My Brooks was horrible brand new but now that it's had some time to break in, I find it absolutely delightful.
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Old 05-16-10, 03:02 PM
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I was wondering the same thing. Well more so how comfortable the turbo is. I think I need to get a new saddle that's more comfortable. than a charge spoon(not comfortable)
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Old 05-16-10, 03:12 PM
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Another good example of everyone linking too many different things to get an effective opinion. Don't a lot of people rave over how comfortable the Charge Spoon is?
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Old 05-16-10, 03:26 PM
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my old selle itilia flite is beat up, ripping, and i still love every bit of it. Never did hear much about the charge spoon saddles, that is... besides the fact that they are relativity cheap. Brooks are nice once they wear in. They sort of just cup your balls.
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Old 05-16-10, 05:05 PM
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only your ass can tell you that
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Old 05-16-10, 05:15 PM
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everyone's ass is different.
Naturally, not all asses are compatible with all saddles.

It would be best if you just try them out.
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Old 05-16-10, 05:27 PM
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If you want a preview of the Sella Turbos quality just run in to a Performance Bikes if you have one around. Their Forte saddles are very similar. I was kinda surprised when I got my "re-issue" Turbo - it had the exact same rails as my Forte Classic. The plastic shell on the bottom was really similar too - a lot of the same markings.

The Turbo was a completely different shape than the Classic and felt a lot better, but just talking about quality.

One thing that no one mentions when talking about the Turbo is that it doesn't have any feature for relief on your man-parts. (where the classic and most new saddles have a cutout)
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Old 05-17-10, 02:33 PM
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I have a charge spoon on my converted rigid mtb...wonderful saddle, firm, supportive, perfectly sculpted for me and "does what a saddle is 'sposed to do", meaning it's not a plushy lounge chair..great price, looks the business.

MTB Pure V's are also nice saddles and the well regarded B17 has proven itself.
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Old 05-17-10, 02:42 PM
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Originally Posted by AEO
everyone's ass is different.
Naturally, not all asses are compatible with all saddles.

It would be best if you just try them out.
ah but the thing with brooks though is they gradually comform to one's ass!
at first my brooks wasn't exactly the most comfy thing ive sat on. but over many months of riding ive noticed get gradually more and more comfy. that is why people go for leather saddles...

reminds me of soccer cleats....some argue the best soccer cleats are made from kangaroo leather, and that you should get a half size down....after perspiring in the boots and running around the k-leather will gradually conform to the shape of your foot, creating a perfect, almost custom fit.

i cant compare my brooks to a turbo though since i have never sat on one.


also, if people are looking to buy a brooks, the cheapest i have seen for a B-17 narrow was from www.wiggle.co.uk/.... they are based in the UK, but surprisingly shipping to California was FREE! and pretty quick for international shipping....
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Old 05-17-10, 02:55 PM
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Originally Posted by das_pyrate
only your ass can tell you that
+1
I put a cheap blue plastic BMX saddle on my winter beater commuter.
Turned out to be one of the most comfortable rides in the whole stable.
I sold the bike but kept the saddle.
When commuting or riding centuries, I'll take comfort over style everytime.

Enjoy
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Old 05-17-10, 03:16 PM
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scan your butt so that we can evaluate more accurately which saddle is most comfortable for you.
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Old 05-17-10, 03:21 PM
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Originally Posted by bw286
scan your butt so that we can evaluate more accurately which saddle is most comfortable for you.
We could set up a sticky thread where everyone sits on the copy machine, sends in the PDF file of their butt and lists which saddle they like the most.
Saddle companies will pay BF for the info and we can all get BF jerseys for participating.
win-win.

Enjoy
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Old 05-17-10, 04:55 PM
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i have a brooks b17, its great. its a little wide compared to the turbo. if you plan on living on your bike this is the one to choose.
i have a turbo, its on my most frequently used bike. its great as well. its a vintage perf one, so i can't really comment on the reissues because when you put them next to eachother they are different shapes and the weight is considerably less for the new one.
i ride a lot and haven't a bad thing to say about either one.
i have tried the charge spoon as well, and i think its a great deal and is a bit wider than the turbo. if you are looking for something wide but feels like a turbo i would recommend this guy. all are great choices and really think that other than these differences, preference is subjective. one can only choose based on the facts and hope for the best for the rest. good luck!
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Old 05-17-10, 07:15 PM
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Bell's Bike Shop has B-17 Narrows for 100 bucks.

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=360258874688
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Old 05-17-10, 07:18 PM
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Personal observations:

Brooks is comfortable but is sort of bouncy and squeaky.

Turbo is uncomfortable and looks cool.
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Old 05-17-10, 07:22 PM
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Ahhh...my Brooks was squeaky as hell until I oiled my rails. No more squeaks!
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Old 05-17-10, 07:28 PM
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I'd be in for the scanner
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Old 05-17-10, 10:02 PM
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I have both Brooks Pro and Turbo saddles. Both are very nice. The Turbo has an advantage in that it is less likely to be damaged by rain than the Brooks. If that is a concern for you, you may prefer the Turbo over the Brooks.
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Old 05-18-10, 12:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Scrodzilla
Bell's Bike Shop has B-17 Narrows for 100 bucks.

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=360258874688
wiggle bikes has them for 85
and the non narrows for 62!

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/search/cycle/7/?Wd=brooks%20b17

neener neener lol
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