bryroth

Let me start off by saying that no one needs to explain to me why saddles are made differently, nor do they need to explain what happens when a mommy and daddy love each other very much.

But this is a serious question- does it really matter? A lot of times I don't see a difference at all except that ladies saddles are 10 - 20mm wider than the mens, and a little shorter.

The specific saddle I'm referring to is a Brooks B17, which I can't usually afford.

jsmithepa

Even if it fits and nobody notice it, it will bug u to no end.

bryroth

You are correct.

Dammit.

spinerguy

Otoh, it will go nicely with your sheer spandex shorts of yours

dmp

That is one really bad pun!

nubcake

i say go or it as long as its new, either way the brooks will break into the shape that works for you anyways.

actually one of our most popular saddles is this terry saddle with lepard print and a butterfly on it. i think we have more local men using it than women

Todd Richards

there is no diffeence except for the width of the pelvic bone that lands on the saddle. Any 'wide' men's saddle is darn close to those specifically marketed to women, just not PINK. I got a big butt too. go for it.

stringbreaker

Don't ask don't tell. Nobody but you and of course now all of us will ever know. Unless of course you get some concours style car show judge that on the side specializes in the exact dimensions of every bike saddle ever made and comes up and calls you girly man. Other than that scrog it if you like it ride the snot out of it.

Mr. Underbridge

A woman with wide hips definitely couldn't take a mens' saddle. And I could see the racer-type guys who don't so much sit on the saddle as use it as a lever for moving the bike, those guys would hate it. But those guys aren't buying a Brooks B-17 anyway.

If you're getting a really good deal, it could be worth it to give it a try - worst case, you could probably sell it on Craigs for a minimal loss.

Bjalf

To draw attention away from the girly saddle and emphasize your masculinity you will just have to ride naked.

tellyho

I actually don't think the womens' b17 is wider, just shorter. If it's any consolation, my wife rides a mens' B17. Actually the sprung version, but the same size.

Bjalf

Some models are the same width, but not the B17 Standard. The male version is 170mm (W) x 280mm (L), and the female version is 177mm (W) x 245mm (L).

My B67, on the other hand, has the same width male/female (210mm), but the female version is 25mm shorter. Wait, there's got to be more than an inch difference between a man and a woman! ... OK, the water was really, really cold!

Perhaps they figured that the women would be smaller than the men, so that the saddle would be proportionally wider because the woman would be shorter than the man?

tromper

The big deal would be how ya hang & what you find comfortable I s'pose. My wife has a team pro - same dimensions as the B17S - I've ridden it for short distances while adjusting her bike, & didn't find it particularly awful or anything. If it's a screaming deal I'd pick it up since you can usually ebay a screaming deal or trade for minimal or no loss via craigs list if you don't like it.

On a lighter note, there is room here for a line about "Cross Cycling" & pink flowered spandex, but since most Cyclecross riders (who often shorten it to cross cycling) are really buff I figger I'd better leave it alone for health reasons.

TexasKid

You think us cyclecross guys are "buff"? My wife will get a kick outta that.

Retro Grouch 

I can't give you a serious answer because I think that selecting a saddle is a hunt-and-peck process at best. Think of yourself as attending the University of Bicycle Lore. If it turns out to be wrong, it will have cost you a little tuition money but it won't be wasted because you will have learned something.

mike

Oops, the B17 is a girls saddle? When did this happen?

Wanderer

If I remember correctly, the womens version is actually a B-17 S (for short)."

xrongor

forgive me, but it seems really simple. if its comfortable to you, its the right seat. and the only to tell if its comfortable is to actually put it on your specific bike and ride with it. the rest is just hype. i would never buy a high dollar seat that i couldn't return, or easily resell to get my money back, no matter now well reviewed it was.

randy

cs1

Standard B17's on eaby are usually very cheap. Buy a men's saddle and be done with it. Once you get it and start riding, you'll wonder why you ever hesitated. Good luck

Tim

cs1

Brooks has a couple of models that they have womens sizes in. They even have women specific models.