Help picking a Books saddle
 

My girlfriend is wanting to get me a brooks for Christmas. I am on board with that idea but I have no idea what model to get. I have no real way to test one out before getting it so here is a little info.

I ride at most 30-40 miles at a time

Fairly relaxed to the coffee shop or breakfast but I enjoy a "racier" feel

Right now I seem to be looking at the B17 and B17 narrow. I ran a narrow road seat shown in the first picture and found it to be nice. The seat I have on there now seems a little wide. I am 6'2 and 180.

I am also lost on color so here is the picture of the bike. I am sorry for the newbie questions but this is big purchase and would like advice.

The picture with the black tape and tan seat is the current look.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c9.../schwinn_1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c9.../schwinn_2.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c9.../satsun002.jpg

Do you sit up, or are you in the drops more often? With my commuter, the saddle is about 1" higher than the tops of the bars and the B17 is fantastic.

I spend most of my time upright. Very little time in the drops.

It is hard to go wrong with a B 17. The fact that B 17s have been made for 70+ years should indicate that. If you buy from Wallingford they will allow you to return them if you don't like the saddle. Roger

B-17, or, B-17 Narrow, in Honey Brown (more of a tan). Then find some matching bar tape, with your hoods already tan, and it will look awesome.

Actually, the Brooks seats are so nice looking, the lighter colors do a much better job of showing them off.

+another brooks lover here.

B.17 is hard to go wrong with, but if you spend most of your time upright you might benefit from the springs on a Flyer. Its essentially a B17 with springs, very stiff springs.

Don't be terribly concerned about fit. They mold to fit you over time, so it will ina few months time become your most comfortable saddle. I thought mine was nice the day I got it...9 months later Its broken in and more comfortable than I could have imagined possible. I had the chance to ride a properly cared for 30 year old Brooks Professional over the weekend...it was like sitting on a pile of charmin :lol:

Unless you have a really narrow butt you probably don't want the B17 narrow.

I bought a B17 this last summer and my fiance bought me a Flyer sprung saddle almost immediately after. I love both, but I assume that you will prefer the B17. Personally, I think I like the Flyer just a bit more. As expensive as they may seem when you buy your first, they are well worth it.

Unfortunately, I can't help with the B17 narrow. I've never tried one.

I agree with CravenMoarhead, the B17 was comfortable from the moment I got it.

As for color, buy one to match the hoods and get some new bar tape.

I like the Professional more than the B17. It's not as wide, I guess. I ride a ten speed 15-35 miles at a time, never down in the drops... I've tried the B17s that come on bikes I buy, but the Professional I find is better suited.

On the upright bikes, I've found the girls saddles are really comfy. I steal them off 3 speeds I sell off. My wife swears by a boy's B66 Champion she stole off me.

Oh man, your bar angle is totally bugging the crap out of me

sorry

Yeah, It has since been adjusted.

You can't go wrong to start with the B17.
If you hate it after a few months, you can CL or Ebay it for most of what you pay for a replacement.

Thanks Tom. I might get her to order through you guys since you always do me right on parts like the hoods and water bottle holder.

B17 all the way. I got mine at Nashbar back when they were only $69.99. Good luck getting it cheap, but its worth it.

Black B17 or Black Imperial.

http://www.dutchbikeseattle.com/imag...s_b17_500x.jpg
http://i473.photobucket.com/albums/r...ksImperial.jpg

Be sure to fight the temptation to save 10 bux or so by going with a V-O saddle. IME they sag quickly and are only comparable to a Brooks up until you sit on it.

Brooks B17 in honey, then save up for Brooks honey leather bar tape - classic look!

I hear the cardiffs are much much better...
;-)

A little adjustment of the allen bolt in the front is all that is needed. VO Saddles need to be adjusted a little sooner than a Brooks.
And there's a lot more than a $10 price difference between a B17 special and our VO Mod 3 or 5 saddles.

Give yourself a little more credit than that.... The cardiffs are WAY worse. ;) I bought, rode for a few days and returned a Cardiff Cornwall earlier this summer...leather was MUCH too soft, and far flimsier than any V-O saddle..but it sure did look Nice (I've got the V-O Model 6 and Model 8 as a comparison...I love the Model 8)

You should consider providing that tip on your site. I might have been less surprised at the amount my Model 6 sagged after the first few weeks had I known that.

There certainly is a bigger price differential than 10 bux between your Model 3 and a B.17 special but its not really an apples to apples comparison. Comparing the Model 3 to a standard B17 is much more fair, and that is a 10 dollar difference if you go by Velo-Orange prices...

The only reason I can see comparing a Model 3 to a B17 Special rather than a Standard is the "copper" rivets. The important distinction is that the copper rivets on a B17 Special are really copper (and yes, they can corrode) the Rivets on a Model 3 are copper anodized, and you can take a look at my Model 3 and plainly see that the anodizing wears off on the rivets that are in contact with your butt the most.

I'd be afraid I'd drop something on the road with that...

Then I would check to make sure that your "something" is properly attached. ;)

they make a fabric sling that fits under there for just such a concern....

I think its called the Brooks Banana Hammock

Be careful with Nashbar. About a week after I bought my Brooks there, the credit card number was used over in Europe. While the bank did handle the situation and I didn't have to pay any of it, I am suspicious after reading about this happening to other BFers. I'm not implying that Nashbar is responsible, but I assume they have a major hole in their security.

As I understand it - the problem was with the credit clearing house, not Nashbar.

Now being able to see the bike, did you like the black saddle? If so, a professional or VO model 6 might be best - and it looks NICE on that bike!

Ok, I just googled it and saw that it sounds like they have it worked out. Thanks for pointing that out.

Regardless, it was related to Nashbar and my personal information, so I was not entirely incorrect with my statement. Knowing that it happened once before, I will be hesitant to buy from them again. It is a shame if it was by no fault of their own.