Vintage saddles
 

The last step of my Raleigh Grand Prix's resurrection, after rims, tires, brakes, derailers, cranks, cables, grease, and probably more, is getting a saddle that is actually comfortable to sit on. The current one is tolerable, but not for more than a few miles at a time. I don't have or want to spend too much money on a new saddle and I don't want something that looks like it should be sitting on top of a frame filled with carbon fiber. Leather would be perfect, but if it doesn't give me a wedgie and looks appropriate on a frame covered in scratched up paint, I'll be happy. Any suggestions on what to look for and where to find it?

The Brooks B17 standard is as good as it gets. They are the fastest Brooks saddles to break in. You will not get a wedgie. It takes a lot of fiddling to get the nose tilted just right.

Once the angel of the Brooks there is no turning back. Not spending a reasonable amount on a saddle will not give good results. A standard brooks is about 75$.

Consider that trying out 2-3 plastic saddles will cost the same its a sound investment. For derailleurs use Suntour they are the best for the money. Good luck!

So that's it? Just stop worrying about putting a $75 saddle on a $100 craigslist bike and buy a Brooks?

Yep. Get the Brooks, you´ll keep it for life. Loads of the guys on here use them. I´m a recent convert - although I still have the race saddles for hilly triathlons.

I put a new $75 B-17 on a bike that I bought at an auction for $20. I don't see a problem with that. It's worth the money to be comfortable, and the saddle is the most important component on the bike where comfort is concerned.

Check out Ebay. They have lots of used all-leather saddles by many brands other than Brooks. Some brands are very collectible and go for high prices. Some have a lot of "patina" that give them character. The cheaper ones go for around $20+shipping.

Modern - http://cgi.ebay.com/Origin-8-Brown-l...3A1|240%3A1318

Olde: http://cgi.ebay.com/70s-vintage-Favo...3A1|240%3A1318

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fujita-Belt-Leat...3A1|240%3A1318

How difficult is it to get a used leather saddle to re-set to your sit bones?

Yes, the vintage look of the Brooks B17 style is retro for your bike I suspect.

Review the owners comments on his $4.14 Raleigh Grand Prix from this site - http://oldtenspeedgallery.com/owner-...gh-grand-prix/

Raleigh also shipped bikes with Brooks B72 models, and these surface on the auction site frequently, and many fetch a price of $50 or more, depending on the quality observed by the provided pictures.

I know nothing of Raleigh bike models, yet the 70s era for bikes and my experience with Schwinn road type bikes, the Brook styled saddles are normally the first and common upgraded applied.

This of course is considering the postion of your handle bars are even or about so in relationship to the saddle height you choose.

If much lower a narrower saddle is likely a good choice. The B17 N is available.

Many times the saddle sit bone break-in points will be identical to your already required position.

The ability of the leather to learn a new break in point will be determined first by the present condition of the used saddle surface. If surface is smooth and only dimpled to the previous sit bones, you may find it practical to ride the saddle and the you find the points will shift to the new sit bones. A little, very little tension may be required.

If the leather is has surface cracks, (from drying), additional care and treatment may be required.

I have read several suggestions on this forum, but never found the need to try. I have had no issues with two saddles, a Brooks B15 that was already fitted to a 1973 model road bike, and a Brooks B17 purchased used and barely broke in, almost new really. I measured the dimples on these saddles and found them almost identical to those on a B17 Imperial that I broke in from new.

The Brooks on my old Raleigh DL-1 felt perfect from the get-go when I bought the bike last fall.

I have a Brooks Pro that I got quite used, and it felt great almost from the get-go. Of course it just keeps getting better.

If you're looking for something less expensive than a Brooks, English-made Wrights leather saddles appear on eBay pretty regularly. I won one last fall for a little less than $25, and it's in very good shape.

Neal

Me & a buddy bought Gp's way back when. The wright was OEM on it.

Well, then it's a $175 bike, at least. :D

To update and slightly hijack this thread:

So I found a Brooks B15 Champion Narrow at the local used camping gear store for $50, which seems to be on the lower end of the current eBay prices for leather saddles. Hoping to get it on my bike for the ride home tonight. The thing is in wonderful shape with just a few scuffs and scratches but no cracks or tears and no butt marks from a previous owner. I'm having a hard time finding any info online about these saddles - seems like they've stopped making them. There's a "D 64" stamped on the back rail - is this a date code? Did I happen upon what looks to be a NOS saddle that predates my 35-year-old bike by a decade? Not that I care how much this thing is really worth (it's mine now and I'm not selling it), but it's nice to know.

Ok, maybe not sell it - but I will trade it for a NOS '73 Raleigh Professional in mint condition with Jennifer Connelly's home phone number written on a piece of paper stuffed in the steerer tube.

Yes, the B15 is an obsolete model. The "D 64" you mentioned is a date code, indicating that your saddle was made in 1964.

Nice catch!

The B15 is no longer made and stopped at some point in the late 70s, I believe. My 1970 Schwinn Super Sport has its original B15, and they were stock on a few Raleighs of the early 70s. I'm not sure when it first came out, but it shows up in the 1958 Brooks Catalog.

Neal

They seem to show up on early-mid 70's Raleigh Supercourses often.