A confession, of sorts
11-28-23 | 05:11 AM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,794
Likes: 83
From: Sendai, Japan: Tohoku region (Northern Honshu))
Bikes: Vitus 979, Simplon 4-Star, Woodrup, Gazelle AB, Dawes Atlantis
The only saddle that has been as equally satisfactory as a Brooks is a Bontrager "Planform". There were male and female fittings. To buy one of these, you went to a bicycle shop. The proprietor got you to sit on a sort of electronic 'slate'. This rendered an impression of your 'sit-bones'. Then an appropriate saddle from the available stock, or an order was placed to give you the size/shape of saddle that was best suited to your skeleton. Luckily, I bought several of them in expectation of some future builds I had in mind.
A few months ago, I looked over the Bontrager catalogues in search of a saddle for a female friend who was having saddle woes — the sort that might afflict women. This fitting scheme and the commensurate saddle were unlisted. What a shame.
These saddles were much less expensive than a Brooks. And it can rain for a week on them with no ill affects. Moreover, I've not managed to come close to wearing one out. One of them currently adorns my Vitus 979.
These saddles are not only sized to yer bum; they also have a shock absorber system built into the chassis that is not too distractive and awful. In fact, they're very passable to look at.
In my opinion, a saddle should disappear and be unnoticeable. I cannot vouch for long rides. I don't do centuries in either Kms or miles. But for my sort of sprints of 90 to 180 minutes, I don't notice either the Brooks Pros or the Bontrager saddles. I have other saddles in the bins — includes types that kill for looks and were used in professional racing. ASS HATCHETS!
))) But, as my late dad said years ago, if you're racing, you are not really sitting anyway. ))))
__________________
Vitus 979, Simplon 4 Star, Gazelle Champion Mondial, Woodrup Giro, Dawes Atlantis
Vitus 979, Simplon 4 Star, Gazelle Champion Mondial, Woodrup Giro, Dawes Atlantis
11-28-23 | 05:40 AM
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,794
Likes: 83
From: Sendai, Japan: Tohoku region (Northern Honshu))
Bikes: Vitus 979, Simplon 4-Star, Woodrup, Gazelle AB, Dawes Atlantis
I have the luckiest Brooks butt on the forum, as stated many times, never met one I didn't like or couldn't ride. Old, new, saggy, hard, broken in, not, B17, all Pro's, Specials, Imperials, etc, etc, on and on, ad nauseum. 
I have at least 25-30 of all types, age and condition, the only choice for any and all C+V IMO. 
I have at least 25-30 of all types, age and condition, the only choice for any and all C+V IMO.
__________________
Vitus 979, Simplon 4 Star, Gazelle Champion Mondial, Woodrup Giro, Dawes Atlantis
Vitus 979, Simplon 4 Star, Gazelle Champion Mondial, Woodrup Giro, Dawes Atlantis
11-28-23 | 12:47 PM
#28
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 16,173
Likes: 9,548
From: PDX
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
11-28-23 | 02:40 PM
#29
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,638
Likes: 1,251
That's the whole thing for me. In spring, I might feel a little tension in my butt. Once I get my miles in, everything's fine. That said, I do use a padded MTB liner under my wool breeches or cargo shorts for rides over ten miles.
11-28-23 | 02:44 PM
#30
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,638
Likes: 1,251
https://www.thera-roll.com
12-22-23 | 06:24 PM
#31
Thread Starter
Regular
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 9,155
Likes: 2,971
From: Yucatán. México
Bikes: 2022 Gt Amalanche Comp, 1989 Centurion Ironman frankenbike, 1987 Schwann Prelude town bike.
40 miles on the Pro today. My new favorite saddle. And to think it almost got away.
