Which saddle for a Raleigh 3 Speed bike?
02-15-12, 07:46 AM
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Which saddle for a Raleigh 3 Speed bike?
For those that have gone all out and completely rebuilt a Raleigh 3 speed bike with upgrades that were not necessarily vintage correct, which saddle did you select? I’m leaning more towards a Brooks B72/B73 style saddle for my Raleigh Sports. I would not only like for this bike to look good, I want it to be comfortable.
Pictures of bikes with upgraded saddles would be helpful and appreciated to help me decide.
Pictures of bikes with upgraded saddles would be helpful and appreciated to help me decide.
02-15-12, 08:00 AM
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Having a picture of your bike would help. (I think the B73 looks best on some Raleighs, B72 on others.)
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02-15-12, 08:48 AM
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I like the B68 and the price is right. Springs add too much weight and they don't do much for comfort, IMHO. I got mine really cheap from the UK due to a favorable exchange rate.
https://www.wallbike.com/b-68
https://www.wallbike.com/b-68
02-15-12, 09:01 AM
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Springs can do a lot for comfort, but it depends on the rider's weight and their position. For an upright ride, I really like them a LOT. They definitely help on my Schwinn Triplet, especially over rougher terrain. On the Koga I find it overkill on pavement, but VERY helpful on uneven ground. Lighter guys don't need them IMO.
02-15-12, 09:10 AM
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02-15-12, 09:45 AM
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02-15-12, 09:59 AM
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Hard to beat a Brooks B66...
Of course, knowing that there are several different Raleigh three speeds, knowing which one would help with saddle selection...
Of course, knowing that there are several different Raleigh three speeds, knowing which one would help with saddle selection...
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02-15-12, 10:14 AM
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02-15-12, 10:17 AM
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No, that won't do. Upright bikes generally need wider saddles than bikes with drop handlebars.
Here is my 1962 Rudge, with its original B-72.
Speaking of springs, I never feel the springs in this saddle compress. It's probably because I don't put much weight on my saddle.
Here is my 1962 Rudge, with its original B-72.
Speaking of springs, I never feel the springs in this saddle compress. It's probably because I don't put much weight on my saddle.
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02-15-12, 10:20 AM
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No, that won't do. Upright bikes generally need wider saddles than bikes with drop handlebars.
Here is my 1962 Rudge, with its original B-72.
Speaking of springs, I never feel the springs in this saddle compress. It's probably because I don't put much weight on my saddle.
Here is my 1962 Rudge, with its original B-72.
Speaking of springs, I never feel the springs in this saddle compress. It's probably because I don't put much weight on my saddle.
02-15-12, 10:39 AM
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No, that won't do. Upright bikes generally need wider saddles than bikes with drop handlebars.
Here is my 1962 Rudge, with its original B-72. Great looking
Speaking of springs, I never feel the springs in this saddle compress. It's probably because I don't put much weight on my saddle.
Here is my 1962 Rudge, with its original B-72. Great looking
Speaking of springs, I never feel the springs in this saddle compress. It's probably because I don't put much weight on my saddle.
Last edited by silvercreek; 02-15-12 at 10:43 AM.
02-15-12, 11:02 AM
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incazzare.
I remember hearing somewhere that the B-72 was original equipment on these, but it might depend on the year.
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02-15-12, 11:55 AM
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02-15-12, 11:57 AM
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incazzare.
You're in luck, then, it's also a very comfortable saddle.
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02-15-12, 12:39 PM
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Older Raleigh Sports, like my 1969 model came with B72 saddles. However, I imagine the original saddle on yours was a quilt top plastic covered Brooks. If you are not worried about period correct, I would recommend the B67 or B67. Both are better saddles than the B72 and cheaper. I seem to recall Sheldon making that recommendation.
02-15-12, 01:04 PM
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Older Raleigh Sports, like my 1969 model came with B72 saddles. However, I imagine the original saddle on yours was a quilt top plastic covered Brooks. If you are not worried about period correct, I would recommend the B67 or B67. Both are better saddles than the B72 and cheaper. I seem to recall Sheldon making that recommendation.
Last edited by silvercreek; 02-15-12 at 02:29 PM.
02-15-12, 01:27 PM
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I think he meant B66 and B67. B66 is double rail but B67 is single rail. I'm not sure they ride any differently but the B67 will work with a post that has rails whereas the B66 requires a seat post clamp or a special doohickey to make it work with that style seatpost.
02-15-12, 01:42 PM
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+1 for the Brooks Flyer.
I put one on my ST recently and love it! They come in less expensive than other Brooks saddles too. I think I paid $85 bucks for it from Nashbar during the X-mas sales. I'm digging the springs too.
https://www.brooksengland.com/catalog...rekking/Flyer/
I put one on my ST recently and love it! They come in less expensive than other Brooks saddles too. I think I paid $85 bucks for it from Nashbar during the X-mas sales. I'm digging the springs too.
https://www.brooksengland.com/catalog...rekking/Flyer/
02-15-12, 02:27 PM
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02-15-12, 02:32 PM
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Just keep in mind that the Flyer's shape is similar to the B17 except with springs. The B66, B67 and B72 are flatter and wider.
02-15-12, 02:50 PM
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The B66 comes with the double-rail clamp to fit on the regular seatpost it looks like he has. The double-rail saddle's frame is stiffer and the saddle frame flexes on the springs where it is supposed to rather than on the rails.
Riding an upright bike with that narrow saddle would be tortuous. I would imagine ANY wider saddle would be an improvement. The B66/67 is a very comfortable saddle once it is broken in. But even before that happened the increase in comfort from what is on there now would be HUGE.
Riding an upright bike with that narrow saddle would be tortuous. I would imagine ANY wider saddle would be an improvement. The B66/67 is a very comfortable saddle once it is broken in. But even before that happened the increase in comfort from what is on there now would be HUGE.
02-15-12, 02:51 PM
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Some feel that the B17 and Flyer are too narrow for upright riding but I have them on two of mine and they're very comfortable for me. We're all different. You have to try them and decide for yourself. Wallingford Bicycle Parts will let you try one for as long as six months.
02-15-12, 03:11 PM
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Some feel that the B17 and Flyer are too narrow for upright riding but I have them on two of mine and they're very comfortable for me. *We're all different. *You have to try them and decide for yourself. *Wallingford Bicycle Parts will let you try one for as long as six months.
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