Originally Posted by
chico1st
i was talking to someone who seemed knowledgable who stated that the flyer (or any sprung brooks) can be an issue because as you put different amount of weight on your saddle (hard pedaling vs coasting) the springs will cause the angle to change thus putting pressure on your soft tissue at times. thus if you are going to be change handlebar positions or not pushing the same amount your whole ride, the b17 is a better option.
The spring saddle are more for upright riding positions. If you look at Brooks catalog the narrow saddles are not sprung.
I'm 220lb. The only time I feel those springs give is a good wave or bump in the road when I am on the hoods or top of the bar. Those springs are VERY stiff. The bike it is on has the top of bars just a little higher then the seat.
The bike I have with the B17 the bars are lower. I do tend to notice a little more numbness on the B17 more because of the handle bar height having my hips rotated further forward. As the bars go down the spot on the sit bone that comes into play narrows down necessitating a narrow saddle.
While that person did have the right idea as your bars go down in relation to the seat you CG moves away from the spring meaning the springs come less into play making the Flyer and even the standard B17 less desirable for that geometry. You would want to go to the B17N (narrow not available sprung) or one of the other saddles more designed for the lower bar height.