hanqa95

Hi.

I purchased Surly LHT few days ago.

I want to change my saddle due to inconvenience seat position. (I'm 5,5ft tall, 130lb)

So I'm looking for Brooks saddles, but I have no idea which model is best.

B17 standard? Flyer? CAMBIUM C17? B67?

I know it depends on personal tendency, but I want to know what you guys use.

Thanks.

Dirt Road

Hi. Congratulations on getting the LHT. That's a cool bike.

I had a B17 on a Cannondale T1000 that I put about 500 miles on around the creaking of the century change. I Proofide treated it, jumped up and down on it, tried running it naked on a trainer (for a few weeks), and did everything but oil immersion trying to get it to take my shape, even if just a little. I don't know if mine was accidentally concrete-treated or what, but I NEVER got it dimpled. This time I said something that ended with "it" and am trying a Selle Anatomica. In a week, it's already taking shape. However, I suspect that my experience was not typical since so many ARE pleased with their Brookses.

Too, you are rather light, which may make it harder to break in. (I didn't have THAT problem.) Maybe you'd need to look at the pre-softened models.

Machka 

I've got various versions of the men's standard B17 on all my bicycles. It's a good width for me.

The B17 is probably one of the easiest to break in, and they are a good choice if you ride with your handlebars even with or slightly higher than your saddle.


Wallingford Bicycles is a good place to get one. You can see the dimensions of each saddle, and you can send them a message asking some questions. That's what I did when I got my first Brooks about 10 years ago.

wallbike.com | Wallingford Bike Parts

They also offer a six month guarantee on the saddles. If you really don't like the saddle after six months, you can return it.

wahoonc

Depends on how your LHT is set up, if the bars are below the saddle, the B-17 or a variation of it is probably the best choice. I typically use the Flyer on bikes that I intend to ride loaded. My handle bars are typically at saddle height or slightly above. On bikes with a more upright position you may want to go to a B67 style saddle.

I second purchasing from Wallingford Bikes, they are great people to deal with.

Aaron

acantor

I have the B17 on both of my bikes. Zero issues. The break-in period was unmemorable, as both were comfy from the get-go.

Lou Skannon

I was given a Brooks saddle as a birthday present. It was called "Conquest" and was said to be for mountain bikes. I tried to get used to it and did several short tours to break it in. Eventually I gave up and binned-it.

stringsonbikes

Another vote for Wallingford Bikes. I wanted to exchange my saddle and it was just as easy as they said it would be. I am about your size and really like the B17. It didnt go through a break in period but it did take me a few rides to get the tilt worked out. Once that was set it has been comfortable since.

Cyclebum

The Brooks is not likely to fix an "inconvenience seat position." You do that by adjusting the saddle back and forth, and the tilt.

If you do go with a B17 or similar, follow the manufacturer's break in instructions to the letter. I tried to rush it. Big mistake in the long run.

Good luck.

mulveyr 

I have a a B17 on one bike, a C17 on another, and a Selle Anatomica on my tandem.

The B17 ( broken in ) and the C17 are equally comfortable. These days I'm preferring the C17 on my do-everything bike because I have no qualms about getting it soaked when riding in the rain. I used to like the S-A, but these days not so much--if I ride the bikes with the B17 or C17 and then get on th S-A, there's a definite decrease in comfort.

sstorkel

I once tried a Brooks B17 on my touring bike. The saddle had extremely short rails, which made getting it into the proper position almost impossible. It was also one of the most uncomfortable saddles I've ever used. I returned it to Wallingford Bike for a refund.

westrid_dad

I'm going on 4 weeks with my Cambium C17 on my Surly Ogre. It was very comfortable from the start, and after fine tuning the fit I am extremely happy. I wish I could afford to replace the saddles on my other bikes, that will have to wait.

fietsbob

[irony] You are the first person to write about Brooks saddles Here .. [/irony]

johnread

I have Brooks saddles on just about all of my bikes and find the B17 excellent and comfortable. My Surly LHT is currently wearing a Brooks Flyer and the springs really add to the comfort on long rides.

fks

The Conquest is my favourite Brooks saddle, send it my way if you don't want it

Lou Skannon

It's in the bin outside the kitchen at the campsite nearest to Auckland airport, North Island, New Zealand.

fks

noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

KC8QVO

I have a Flyer Special. 600 miles and still, I would say, a ways off from being "broken in". I was at a bike shop today going over my bike with a mechanic for some ideas on mods and got to talking about leather saddles. He has a Brooks of some sort (same as the Flyer models but with the top of the nose cut out, not sure what model - swallow maybe?). He's put 1000 miles on it and he says it was "comfortable from day one" and it is showing some signs of wearing in.

I've heard there are people that have 30 year old Brooks saddles that are still riding them. Not real sure what to think I guess. It may take quite a while to "break in" - mine is apparently.

Sullalto

I have a b-17 imperial. With the cutout.

It fits my butt, comfortable from mile one. If it 'breaks in' and gets better, great. If not, oh well.

I might consider getting something narrower for a bike fit and ridden more aggressively.

Rifleman

I have the Brooks B-17 special. It took me 400 unbearable miles to break it in but I held on and I won't go back to anything else. I bought the Brooks handlebar bag,i'm glad I didn't have to break that in.

Northwestrider

I'll cast my vote for the B17, another saddle worth a look is the Selle SMP

Machka 

Some saddles take longer than others to break in. My first Brooks took 800 km. The rest have been quicker.

But make sure the nose of the saddle is pointed up a bit. That helps with the comfort. And I could offer another suggestion that might help if you're interested.

Sixty Fiver

Damn.

yote223

A Brooks is expensive and High Maintenance.(like some of the women I've known). But if you're into that, have at it. For me, the Serfas Rx Performance model suits me fine.

Machka 

No it's not!!

Sixty Fiver

I have lots of bikes and most are fitted with traditional leather saddles; Brooks, Wright's (a sub brand of Brooks), and Ideale (French)

I also have leather topped saddles like my Terry touring saddle which is most excellent.

The B17 is better for bikes with a level saddle to bar drop and does not lend itself to more aggressive riding positions, would suggest that if you found a Wright's W3N that this is is a very comfortable and well made saddle and have worn out a few of these... I just found 2 NOS models (I gave one away to a friend).

It is hard to beat an Ideale Model 92 touring saddle... but they are long out of production and usually cost much more than a new Brooks.

Consider how long a quality leather saddle will last the the cost per mile becomes pretty negligible.