Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,810
Likes: 597
From: NJ, NYC, LI
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
In my opinion the important criterion is the relative height of handlebar and saddle.
If the handlebar is fairly high --higher than the saddle-- you'll want a relatively wide saddle such as a B.17 standard. On such a saddle, springs may make sense. If your handlebar is lower than the saddle, you'll want a narrower saddle (Brooks Pro or B.17 narrow) and the springs will just annoy you.
I don't know anything about synthetic saddles other than that I dislike them.
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www.rhmsaddles.com.