Touring saddle
#1
spinergy rocks
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Touring saddle
Whats a good touring saddle? Brooks or fizik? I have a selle italia gel and its 143mm too small for my sit bones . I need a 153mm wide saddle any suggestions?
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I will be the first, but not the last to recommend Brooks. I got the Brooks B-17 PRE-AGED model, and it was heaven from the first day. It has some give, gives that nice 'leather hammock' effect, and my first ride with it was 45 miles, and once I got the angle adjusted right, I didn't notice it the rest of the ride.
Do a search on Brooks and you'll find a ton of threads, including various break-in techniques. I love mine now, much nicer than that CODA that was on my C-dale T800. Quite frankly, I think that saddle is outlawed under the Geneva Conventions. (at least in my case)
Steve W.
Who LOVES his brooks.
Do a search on Brooks and you'll find a ton of threads, including various break-in techniques. I love mine now, much nicer than that CODA that was on my C-dale T800. Quite frankly, I think that saddle is outlawed under the Geneva Conventions. (at least in my case)
Steve W.
Who LOVES his brooks.
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Originally Posted by clayface
My standard B17 is over 160mm wide. Needless to say I second Mentor58's comments on this saddle.
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Originally Posted by bernmart
I'm sure Brooks saddles are terrific. But in threads that touch on them it's rarely recognized that many people find them so difficult to break in as to be unacceptable. I've read advice to people who've been suffering on a Brooks for months to persevere until it feels better.
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somewhat firm is MUCH better than somewhat mushy/soft (i.e. GEL)
Brooks fills the bill, and the B17 is a nice happy medium between firm and break-able (break-in-able)
Brooks fills the bill, and the B17 is a nice happy medium between firm and break-able (break-in-able)
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Saddles are a personal thing. Take any recommendations made here with a grain of salt. You may bolt on the saddle preferred by most of those appending to this (or any other) thread and hate it. That said, I think Brooks saddles are the bee's knees. You can always buy one at https://www.wallbike.com where the liberal return policy allows you to return the saddle if you don't like it. Have fun!!
#8
Macro Geek
I have never used a Brooks saddle, so cannot compare to the four or five saddles I have had over the years made of some kind of synthetic skin wrapped around a foam- and/or gel-padded frame.
I have found all of these saddles to be reasonably comfortable, and have never had to stop riding because of discomfort in the nether-regions.
I echo drcrash's reminder that "Saddles are a personal thing" and bernmart's observation that "Brooks is more like a religion than a recommendation" on this forum!
I have found all of these saddles to be reasonably comfortable, and have never had to stop riding because of discomfort in the nether-regions.
I echo drcrash's reminder that "Saddles are a personal thing" and bernmart's observation that "Brooks is more like a religion than a recommendation" on this forum!
#9
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I like WTB for their comfort and duarbility.
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Originally Posted by drcrash
Saddles are a personal thing. Take any recommendations made here with a grain of salt.
My personal favorite for right now is either a broken-in Brooks Pro (these DO take some time to break in), or the B-17 Standard. The narrower B-17N just feels too narrow for me. The Pro uses thicker leather and takes longer to break in than the B-17, but they're intended to last through years of daily use. Nothing looks as nice as a Brooks while it's breaking in! This one's got about 1K miles on it so far...
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#11
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I've got four Brooks saddles - 2 B.17 Champion Specials, a B.17 Standard and a Swift. The only place I wouldn't use a Brooks is my mtb ' cause I couldn't bear to crash one.
I recently tried a Fizik Pave on my Surly LHT. It was ok, but I really missed the Brooks, so out came the credit card!
I recently tried a Fizik Pave on my Surly LHT. It was ok, but I really missed the Brooks, so out came the credit card!
#12
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On this forum, Brooks is more like a religion than a recommendation!
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#13
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google rido and check it out. dirt cheap. extremely comfortable to me and many others and no break-in period. got an award from cycling plus (excellent UK cycle mag that puts all U.S. mags to shame).
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I too pondered on this subject at great legnths, then I consulted the oracle, this forum and sure enough ended up with the Brooks B67. Yes the saddle is exclent, as for the break in period, well for me it was comfortable right from the start, and I would not think of buying anything else. One bit of advise. Check the website out, google this, they really have it simple as to which kind of brooks will suite you. They describe the kind of riding you do then list the options of saddles to suite the type of riding. This is the way you should choose your saddle rather than listining which everybody else preferes. Helped me choose the right saddle. good luck
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Originally Posted by bernmart
I'm sure Brooks saddles are terrific. But in threads that touch on them it's rarely recognized that many people find them so difficult to break in as to be unacceptable. I've read advice to people who've been suffering on a Brooks for months to persevere until it feels better. To my mind, if a saddle doesn't feel good after a reasonable amount of time, either the rider needs better conditioning, the saddle position needs adjusting, or, most likely, the saddle isn't for him. On this forum, Brooks is more like a religion than a recommendation!
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Its all a personal thing, but if you're talking about long distance cycling and you don't have extreme special needs and are not gram-shaving, the brooks saddles are excellent.
Fizik is also very good. I use one of their MTB saddles. Very nice and light.
However, I can literally pedal all day on my brooks professional and not have any saddle-related soreness whatsoever, YMMV.
Fizik is also very good. I use one of their MTB saddles. Very nice and light.
However, I can literally pedal all day on my brooks professional and not have any saddle-related soreness whatsoever, YMMV.
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as others have said saddles are a very personal thing, i went with a brooks and couldn't be happier. as far as break in went there was none for me, it was great right out of the box.
if you go to www.wallbike.com for a brooks they have a 6 month return policy so it gives you a chance to try it out and see if you like it. for breaking it in i'd follow their instructions. don't go sticking it in 30 wieght oil or folloing some of the other silly suggestions ive seen. also the people there are very friendly and helpful if you call them up.
if you go to www.wallbike.com for a brooks they have a 6 month return policy so it gives you a chance to try it out and see if you like it. for breaking it in i'd follow their instructions. don't go sticking it in 30 wieght oil or folloing some of the other silly suggestions ive seen. also the people there are very friendly and helpful if you call them up.
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No matter how fast I'm going, I'm in no hurry.
there are no bicycles in the valley, the only bicycle you find in the valley is the bicycle you ride down there.
Ride in the front, this space is available to anyone that wishes to take it-jjmolyet
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Originally Posted by pooksypickles
Whats a good touring saddle? Brooks or fizik? I have a selle italia gel and its 143mm too small for my sit bones . I need a 153mm wide saddle any suggestions?
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#19
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Thanks to all who replied!!! The brooks seem like a great choice. I was looking at the Terry fly gel for 50.00..Anybody ever own a terry?
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I know it's not as sexy as leather, but the most comfortable 'hours in the saddle' seat I've ever used, is the Specialized BG Sport.
This thing just puts your weight where it SHOULD BE - on those bony bits, not the sweet meats.
This thing just puts your weight where it SHOULD BE - on those bony bits, not the sweet meats.
#21
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Originally Posted by Bikepacker67
I know it's not as sexy as leather, but the most comfortable 'hours in the saddle' seat I've ever used, is the Specialized BG Sport.
This thing just puts your weight where it SHOULD BE - on those bony bits, not the sweet meats.
This thing just puts your weight where it SHOULD BE - on those bony bits, not the sweet meats.
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Originally Posted by cyccommute
They just directed the saddle material up into the veins that they are supposed to protect and worked as effectively as a tourniquet.
There is no 'saddle material' 'up into the veins' to act as a 'tourniquet'.
That's why this saddle is so comfy. Ya can't be squeezed by something that isn't there!
#23
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Originally Posted by Bikepacker67
Not this one. Did you look at the link?
There is no 'saddle material' 'up into the veins' to act as a 'tourniquet'.
That's why this saddle is so comfy. Ya can't be squeezed by something that isn't there!
There is no 'saddle material' 'up into the veins' to act as a 'tourniquet'.
That's why this saddle is so comfy. Ya can't be squeezed by something that isn't there!
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Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
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Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#24
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My experience is the same as Cyccommute. Saddle with holes or channels simply pinch in all the wrong places.
Look at pro cyclists - their livelyhood depends on spending hours in the saddles & you don't see them with weirdly-shaped anatomical seats.
Look at pro cyclists - their livelyhood depends on spending hours in the saddles & you don't see them with weirdly-shaped anatomical seats.
#25
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Originally Posted by Spudmeister
My experience is the same as Cyccommute. Saddle with holes or channels simply pinch in all the wrong places.
Look at pro cyclists - their livelyhood depends on spending hours in the saddles & you don't see them with weirdly-shaped anatomical seats.
Look at pro cyclists - their livelyhood depends on spending hours in the saddles & you don't see them with weirdly-shaped anatomical seats.
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