sayn3ver

Since I now have a bike that i can put a brooks/leather saddle on without looking totally out of place, I want to try one out.
A brief history...

1) My first road bike was a 2008 Cannondale CAAD9 (later upgraded to a CAAD10 frame under warranty). The stock seat was a Selle San Marco Ponza which destroyed my bottom end. Swapped with a LBS for a slightly different Selle San Marco (forget the model) and it also was pretty bad.

2)Switched to a used Selle Italia Prolink gel I got off craigslist. Made my stuff go numb after 10 miles

3)Bought a Selle italia SLR XP off ebay. The saddle has two highspots or "bumps" on near the back of it which dig into me. I new within minutes this is not for me.

4)Picked up a Fizik Arione. Probably was the most pleasant by comparison but still has numbness issues from time to time and occasionally made the inbetween area bruised suggesting it was too narrow?

Since then the bike was sold about a year ago.

I picked up a steel bianchi and am confused on which brooks I should try. Was thinking the Pro or B17 narrow. My bars are slightly below my seat height. Its hard to choose one to order sight unseen. Any help?

rhenning

You need to buy the Brooks that fits your rear end and you will not know that until you try one. Me I like B-17s, B-15s, B-17Ns, Pros and a couple of others. I wouldn't like any of the saddles you listed. If you are experimenting and you can't borrow different models buy one from Wallingford as they have a return policy. Most people can ride a B-17. Brooks has been making that model since the mid 1930s. Roger

sayn3ver

Thats what I want to do, pick one and try it. But, it seems like some models are a better first choice then others depending on riding position. I also gave a track record of saddles that are not good for me as to get an idea of maybe what I should try instead.

I am afraid of getting a B17 and it being too wide and rubbing my thighs and being more suited for a higher handlebar height.

JAG410

Order from wallbike.com you have 6 months to return a Brooks if you don't like it. I'd try the Team Pro.

Kuotient

It's definitely all dependent on your sit bone width. My friend recommended the Swift, and I went out and bought one, but it was way too narrow for me, and I had a lot of perineal pressure. My sit bones were right next to the frame of the saddle, so I was basically almost sitting on metal.

I just ordered a B17 Imperial, crossing my fingers that that'll do the trick!

anixi

I've had both the Professional (used) and Swift (new). Both were very comfortable from the start. Much better than the plastic celeste one that came with my Bianchi Veloce. Once you get used to perching on the hard leather saddles, you'll never go back to the squishy, pleather coated plastic ones. They cause all sorts of unnatural pressure on the tissues and nerves when all that surface area is subjected to a full load. I also think they give you a false sense of comfort, can't keep all your weight on those saddles for long.

BTW, if you do get a Brooks, you'll have to learn to pedal while perched with minimal pressure on the saddle. You really can't expect to keep your full weight on the saddle over the length of a ride, much less the rougher parts of road. If you do keep your full weight on the saddle for your rides, you'll gain nothing from switching to hard leather. HTH...

sayn3ver

Thanks for the input. I understand the idea of perching because one the group rides I used to do, when hammering along I rarely had an issue since more of your weight is on the pedals. Here I am looking for a saddle to use solo at a more leisurely pace of 16mph-18mph.

I can't imagine everyone is perching the entire time even at the slower speeds.
I also realize that regardless of saddle, getting up out of the saddle or moving around is necessary to keep blood flowing properly.

So a brooks pro might be a good starting point? How different is it from the b17 narrow?

due ruote 

Have you tried measuring your sit bones? You can get a reasonable measurement by putting a piece of aluminum foil on something semi-soft, like a carpeted stair, and sitting on it. Do it a couple times and average. I was surprised when I did it because I have sort of wide hips but it turns out my sit bones are pretty narrow. I like the Swift a lot. The Pro was too wide for me. I haven't ridden a B-17 for several decades but I'm quite sure I wouldn't like it, at least on most of my road bikes.

rootboy 

Very personal choice and the Wallbike route is good advice. I find both the B-17 and Pro comfortable. I've done most of my riding on the Pro and like them. Depends on your butt.

rhm

If you feel like driving up to central NJ I have several you can try... Pro, B17 narrow, B17 standard, whatever.

sayn3ver

I certainly would drive up for a demo if I had the time.
Maybe when I get laid off of this current job I'll have a short break to do so.

rhm

Yeah, fair enough.

Well, for what it's worth, I'd go for a narrow one, like the Professional. Anything wider than that is too wide. For me, anyway.

Tigerprawn

Been on my Team Pro for a few years now and it's just the perfect saddle for my bones. Comfortable out of the box and has just gotten more comfortable over the years. Really hard for me to see myself riding anything else and that has become a problem... for my wallet.

silvercreek

I don't think anything could look any more out of place than the Brooks saddle I put on my Raleigh SC30.

sayn3ver

thanks guys. I might just buy pro from wallbike and see how it goes. They suggested a B17 for me. Worst comes to worse I ship it back and exchange it I guess. I'm in no hurry tho at the moment.

Yo Spiff

I currently have a Team Pro on my road bike. I have also had a Colt on road bike I no longer have. Both were wonderful once broken in. I'm picking up a B17 tomorrow to go on the tandem. B17 for that one because it is a slightly more upright riding postion. One can easily sell a slightly used Brooks if you decide you don't like that model.

The B17 is probably the most popular model and likely a good choice. If you know you prefer narrower, then I'd suggest trying the Team pro.