sbslammer

Should I go with a brooks team pro classic off wiggle for 85, or step it up to the classic from permaco at 103? Is the difference just aesthetic?

Does anybody know how these compare to the b17 or b17 narrows? from what I understand the b17 may not be great for my ride cuz of the seat to handlebar drop, about 6 inches or so. Any thoughts? thanks

TheBikeRollsOn 

I don't know a whole lot about brooks saddles, but couldn't you just lower your seat if the seat to bar drop was too much?

HandsomeRyan

I'm not sure if this is supposed to be a joke that I just missed but if it isn't- saddles need to be adjusted to a certain height for maximum efficiency in pedaling. A saddle set too high or low will at best be inefficient and at worst can hurt your knees.

Derreck

The team pro is in between the b17 and the b17narrow in terms of width.

1fluffhead

I have a swift which I love. That is the saddle to use for aggressive saddle/bar drops
https://www.wallbike.com/brooks/standardsaddles.html

ilikebikes

I had a B-17 and a B-15, and currently have a B-17 Champion Narrow, and Pro, I like the Pro and the Narrow, the B-17,15 were uncomfortable at the inside of my thighs, I guess thats why people chop and tie them? I'm going for a Swift next.

TheBikeRollsOn 

Okay I must be missing something, how does the seat to bar drop vary from saddle to saddle. The way I see it is that the top of the saddle should be at the same height regardless of what saddle you are you using. So if the top of the saddle is the same height, how would it affect the saddle to bar drop? I'm sorry I must just be missing something.

But here is my example. You have a brooks b17 and a turbo. The top of the saddle should be about the same height for a certain rider, so if the top of the brooks is lets say 6 inches above the top tube, and the top of the turbo is 6 inches above the top tube, how does it affect the saddle to bar drop?

ichitz

+1
i love my swift

1fluffhead

Brooks has different saddles for different riding styles because each of the saddles are shaped slightly different. For example, look at the lengths and widths of their different model saddles. Certain modifications in length and width are going to make a more comfortable saddle to sit on depending on whether you like to ride in the drops or if you like to sit more upright. It is about where to provide support depending on the amount of weight on your butt. Consider the different positions of a rider on a townie vs. a road bike and how their body is positioned on the bike when pedaling.

mander

The copper rivets are bigger and spread the load over a wider area. For this reason they're less likely to fail or stretch out the leather. But really, it could also just come down to whether you prefer chrome or copper rails. Either saddle will last a super long time.

Derreck

You misunderstood. The saddles are designed for different saddle to bar drops besause of their shape. The saddles themselves don't create the saddle to bar drop. If two saddles varied in height from the seatpost mounting rails to the top of the saddle, then you would compensate by raising or lowering the seatpost. Supposedly, a narrower saddle is better for a bigger saddle to bar drop, and a wider saddle is more comfortable for a more upright riding position.

TheBikeRollsOn 

Okay, that makes a lot more sense. I completely misunderstood the problem. On another note, is it just me or do Brooks just look extremely uncomfortable, I've never ridden one but they look terribly uncomfortable.

ichitz

Brooks are the best

EDIT: the new ones are uncomfortable. You just need to break the leather in

LoRoK

Brooks is the most comfortable saddle I've ever sat on. My swift is more comfortable over long rides than my team pro, but the team pro is more comfortable in general.

acorn_user

Brooks do take a lot of fussing though. I have to tip mine up slightly. I also find that I have one really nice position on the team pro, and a couple of others that work ok. I tend to slip backwards, which sometimes means I sit on the rivets.... so if you do buy a brooks, don't give up on it if you don't get it right straight away!

jeremyb

Not sure what your bike looks like, but I have a white Brooks like this one.

ichitz

Was thinking of getting a white brooks. How is it working out for u in terms on applying oil to soften it up and discoloration resulting from rubbing pants?

JohnDThompson 

It's an interactive process: you break the leather in and the leather breaks you in. In the end you're both happy.

LoRoK

I see what you did there.

illnacord

sbslammer: As the OP did you ever pull the trigger on one of them? I'm thinking about the team pro classic as well. It's 273x160 vs 275x175 of the B17. The B17 Narrow which was very unagreeable with my buttocks was 279x151 - for crying out loud, it's narrower than most track saddles that Japanese riders ride on. You can see the TPC is in the middle between the B17 and B17 Narrow. Weights are 400-500g, not much difference - just know it as "anchor heavy". hah.

thewilson 

Everyone talking about the swift is getting me really pumped for mine! I got mine here: https://www.xs4all.nl/~swhs/fiets/ver...brooks_en.html , my buddy and i both ordered saddles from here and split the shipping. I'm still tempted to get the swallow from there because it's an insane deal and i really want to try it out...

sbslammer

ya i ended up getting the team pro copper... copper over the chrome simply cuz copper matched the leather grips i have on my track drops. ive been pretty happy with it. not so great at the beginning, it breaks in after about 60-90 mi and then you forget about it which is a good thing.

best part is even after not riding for a while ( i was in london for 3 mo) its still comfy. 50 mi the other day and not even saddle sore.