Saddle preference
04-27-15 | 09:14 AM
#51
Aspiring curmudgeon
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 26
From: Saint Louis
Bikes: Guerciotti, Serotta, Gaulzetti
04-27-15 | 09:15 AM
#52
Aspiring curmudgeon
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 26
From: Saint Louis
Bikes: Guerciotti, Serotta, Gaulzetti
Nice crankset. What is that?
The best leather saddles I've used are the Ideale 80 and the Wrights W3ST, which is a B17 with thinner, textured-top leather.
I find the WTB Lazer to be the most versatile saddle, excellent in all ways.
My favorite might be the Serfas TEGU mtb saddle, shown below with a fairly broad, flat top and the best quality padding. It has a dip to it like most mtb saddles, so I found it best to set it up with the front half level and with the rear half giving some lift when I slide back for seated climbing.
I found these hollow-ti railed saddles being sold for just $20 each at Jenson online, so bought another six of them after the first one seemed to meet all requirements.
I find the WTB Lazer to be the most versatile saddle, excellent in all ways.
My favorite might be the Serfas TEGU mtb saddle, shown below with a fairly broad, flat top and the best quality padding. It has a dip to it like most mtb saddles, so I found it best to set it up with the front half level and with the rear half giving some lift when I slide back for seated climbing.
I found these hollow-ti railed saddles being sold for just $20 each at Jenson online, so bought another six of them after the first one seemed to meet all requirements.
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04-27-15 | 09:42 AM
#53
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22,676
Likes: 2,642
From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Brooks has treated me the best so far, but I keep an open mind about it. Would like to try a Specialized Toupe next.
Have:
B17 on fixed-gear. The flattish top agrees with me for most riding, but is a little too wide in the rear -- it's not a huge problem because I am out of the saddle often enough. The top is the flexiest of all my Brooks saddles, but I don't mind the extra give on this bike as I don't always have the opportunity to lift myself out of the saddle for bumpy roads.
B17N on go-fast road bike. Width, top shape, and hardness are all about perfect.
B5N on rando bike. Much like the B17N except a little flexier. Nice for brevets.
Gone or no longer used:
B17S: My first Brooks saddle, ridden for a couple thousand miles. Nice flat hard top shape, but too wide. Hanging on to it in case I want to use it on more of an upright bike (or someone offers me money for it.
)
Pro: Just couldn't make the rounded top shape work with my anatomy. No amount of adjustment or riding light could make it disappear under me, so I sold it after about 1000 miles.
Have:
B17 on fixed-gear. The flattish top agrees with me for most riding, but is a little too wide in the rear -- it's not a huge problem because I am out of the saddle often enough. The top is the flexiest of all my Brooks saddles, but I don't mind the extra give on this bike as I don't always have the opportunity to lift myself out of the saddle for bumpy roads.
B17N on go-fast road bike. Width, top shape, and hardness are all about perfect.
B5N on rando bike. Much like the B17N except a little flexier. Nice for brevets.
Gone or no longer used:
B17S: My first Brooks saddle, ridden for a couple thousand miles. Nice flat hard top shape, but too wide. Hanging on to it in case I want to use it on more of an upright bike (or someone offers me money for it.
)Pro: Just couldn't make the rounded top shape work with my anatomy. No amount of adjustment or riding light could make it disappear under me, so I sold it after about 1000 miles.
04-27-15 | 09:46 AM
#54
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 272
Likes: 2
From: North Georgia
quote from ddd: "The best leather saddles I've used are the Ideale 80 and the Wrights W3ST, which is a B17 with thinner, textured-top leather."
I agree with ddd that the saddles he mentions are good ones. I had a Wrights mounted on my PX-10 - great saddle. The Ideale 80 saddle I used on a PK-10 was so thick, I never really broke it in well.
I am riding two bikes right now, both 1980's. My go fast Panasonic has a Fizik gel/leather saddle. Very comfortable. The Stumpjumper Sport has a brown Brooks Team Pro mounted. Comfortable but still not molded to fit my butt. Very attractive, though.
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I agree with ddd that the saddles he mentions are good ones. I had a Wrights mounted on my PX-10 - great saddle. The Ideale 80 saddle I used on a PK-10 was so thick, I never really broke it in well.
I am riding two bikes right now, both 1980's. My go fast Panasonic has a Fizik gel/leather saddle. Very comfortable. The Stumpjumper Sport has a brown Brooks Team Pro mounted. Comfortable but still not molded to fit my butt. Very attractive, though.
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Last edited by kehomer; 04-27-15 at 09:58 AM.
04-27-15 | 10:02 AM
#55
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,982
Likes: 8
From: Alpharetta, GA
Bikes: LESS than I did a year ago!
I am fortunate...my rear end is pretty agnostic to the type of saddle...although, visually, I am very fond of Brooks...
So...I try to stay with original saddles if at all possible. If not, I try to stay period correct...
So...I try to stay with original saddles if at all possible. If not, I try to stay period correct...
04-27-15 | 05:42 PM
#57
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 7,711
Likes: 4,086
From: Berkeley, CA
Bikes: 72 Cilo Pacer, 72 Gitane GT, 72 Peugeot PX10, 73 Speedwell Ti,l, 75 Peugeot PR-10L, 80 Colnago Super, 81 Zinn, 85 ALAN Cross, 85 De Rosa Pro, 86 Look 753, 86 Look KG86, 89 Parkpre Team, 90 Parkpre Team MTB, 90 Merlin
San Marcos Rolls are my favorite for 80s race bikes, and Ideale 90 for tensioned leather. I tried Concor, Regal, Cinelli Volare, Turbo, Flite, Avocet Racing, and maybe a couple others before settling on the Rolls. +1 to @Chrome Molly. His comments in post #38 re Rolls are spot on, and/or our butts are similar.
Currently, I own:
Avocet Touring-I
Avocet Touring-II
Avocet Touring-WI
Avocet Racing
Ideale 80
Ideale 90
Ideale 90 with alloy rails
San Marco Rolls
Selle Italia Turbo
Selle Italia Flite
Wrights W3N
I always rode plastic-shell leather saddles until I found this forum and began collecting vintage bikes. Now I have a new appreciation for tensioned leather saddles. I've been really happy with the few Ideale 80s and 90s I've owned. Confession: I've never ridden a Brooks. I'd be curious to hear comparisons between the Ideale 90 and a Brooks Pro from people who have tried both. I'd love to try a RHM special one day, too!
Currently, I own:
Avocet Touring-I
Avocet Touring-II
Avocet Touring-WI
Avocet Racing
Ideale 80
Ideale 90
Ideale 90 with alloy rails
San Marco Rolls
Selle Italia Turbo
Selle Italia Flite
Wrights W3N
I always rode plastic-shell leather saddles until I found this forum and began collecting vintage bikes. Now I have a new appreciation for tensioned leather saddles. I've been really happy with the few Ideale 80s and 90s I've owned. Confession: I've never ridden a Brooks. I'd be curious to hear comparisons between the Ideale 90 and a Brooks Pro from people who have tried both. I'd love to try a RHM special one day, too!
Last edited by gaucho777; 04-27-15 at 10:09 PM. Reason: fixed typo
04-27-15 | 05:43 PM
#58
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 7,711
Likes: 4,086
From: Berkeley, CA
Bikes: 72 Cilo Pacer, 72 Gitane GT, 72 Peugeot PX10, 73 Speedwell Ti,l, 75 Peugeot PR-10L, 80 Colnago Super, 81 Zinn, 85 ALAN Cross, 85 De Rosa Pro, 86 Look 753, 86 Look KG86, 89 Parkpre Team, 90 Parkpre Team MTB, 90 Merlin
04-27-15 | 06:27 PM
#59
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,168
Likes: 25
From: The First State.
Bikes: Schwinn Continental, Schwinn Paramount, Schwinn High Plains, Schwinn World Sport, Trek 420, Trek 930,Trek 660, Novara X-R, Giant Iguana. Fuji Sagres mixte.
Serfas Mens Rx. A Brooks B17 nearly destroyed my prostate back in the day.
04-27-15 | 11:17 PM
#62
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 655
From: Joisey
Brooks Team Professionals were always my favorite Brooks. The B17 was OK, but the Standards usually were a little too flexy---the Champions were better. Over the past few years I've switched over almost entirely to Specialized Toupe and Romin saddles, mostly in the 155mm width. They're very flat across the back, like a Brooks, and just as supportive as a Team Pro, without the metal frame on the rear to bother me when I slide back on the saddle. Definitely more comfortable for me on longer rides, and riding trails and fixed gear.
I keep a couple Brooks around for my mostly period-correct bikes. I'm mostly a C&V back-slider (or front-slider?) these days, more in love with C&V frames than C&V components.
I keep a couple Brooks around for my mostly period-correct bikes. I'm mostly a C&V back-slider (or front-slider?) these days, more in love with C&V frames than C&V components.
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Fuggedaboutit!
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04-29-15 | 10:08 AM
#64
Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 42
Likes: 1
From: Apex, NC
Bikes: 2007 Iron Horse Victory 3.0, 2001 Raleigh SC40, 2011Fuji Newest 2.0, 1984 Lotus Challenger,1989 Schwinn World Sport,1973 Motobecane Grand Touring,1970 Schwinn Varsity,1991Paramount series 3
I really like the Selle Royal Contour with leather covering. Pretty comfortable right out of the box and looks period correct for a 70's road bike. I also have a Brooks Swift that is finally broken in or maybe I am finally broken in.
Last edited by gstep51; 04-29-15 at 10:13 AM.
04-29-15 | 11:11 AM
#65
Abuse Magnet
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 188
From: Colorado
Bikes: '91 Mtn Tek Vertical, '74 Raleigh Sports, '72 Raleigh Twenty, '84 Univega Gran Turismo, '09 Surly Karate Monkey, '92 Burley Rock-n-Roll, '86 Miyata 310, '76 Raleigh Shopper
04-29-15 | 11:31 PM
#68
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,168
Likes: 25
From: The First State.
Bikes: Schwinn Continental, Schwinn Paramount, Schwinn High Plains, Schwinn World Sport, Trek 420, Trek 930,Trek 660, Novara X-R, Giant Iguana. Fuji Sagres mixte.
