Cheese Head

I am looking to update my saddle by next spring. I have been considering leather (Brooks,Gyes,Selle ect.) saddles since so many people who have them love them. So I would like to hear from fellow clydes that ride or have ridden leather what your experience have been.

If you could include what make/model you used, your weight and type of riding it would a great help for me.

I am currently around 255# and ride typically 25-75 miles a ride. So I am looking for something that is comfortable for many hours in the saddle and something that can hold my weight without sagging (if this is a concern).

Thanks

1Mule

I have Brooks Imperial saddles on 2 bikes and Brooks Flyer saddles on my tourer and my Surly CC, love them. I weigh 250 and ride similar mileages as you and up to century rides.

exile

I have the Velo Orange Model 3 and Model 5 on my two bikes. I really can't speak on long ride comfort since I use my bikes for commuting (5 miles each way). Before the VO Model 5 I had a Brooks Flyer pre-aged on my bike (before the saddle and seatpost were stolen). I'm 270 and wear regular dress pants when I'm riding to work and don't experience any discomfort.

FBOATSB

I have the B-66 and love it. Stays comfortable for any distance I am capable of so far due to time constraints. Weight is down to 300 from 375. This saddle and bike started out full upright and now has been changed back to drop bar fit. From what I read, I think any sagging of a good leather can be attributed to lack of care about rain and overuse of Proofide like products.

lost_in_endicot

B-67 on my Electra, and it's nice and comfy!

Cheese Head

Thank you all for the replies. Looks like weight isn"t much of a concern with leather saddles! Now to figure out which one.

iTrek

Selle anatomica @ 276 and love it. Most rides were around 25-40 miles.

ahanulec

I'm the same size on a Selle also. No issues and It's been comfortable so far.

johnu

Ditto, 210 lbs, I sit upright on the seat which is tilted high in the front.

jay002

5'7" and down to 231lbs from a peak 257lbs.


Sella Anatomica on my AWOL. I use this bike to commute 20 miles daily and on long rides up to a 100 mile century. I've got over 2,000 miles on the saddle and it looks and feel great. After the first 100 miles this thing has been great. After 50-60 miles I do start to feel the seat but I imagine that has more to with my conditioning than the saddle.


Brooks Cambium C17 Carved on my carbon bike. 25-50 mile rides with zero pain on this saddle but I've only got around 300 miles on it so far.


One caveat to mention. Although I've heard other people state that they routinely ride either of these saddles with no chamois, I rarely ride without one. And only short trips at that. Best of luck!

FBOATSB

In addition to my previous post, I have converted from drop bars to full upright tourist bars and back to drop bars with only small changes in saddle tilt.

MRT2

Brooks B17 on my Salsa Casseroll. Ridden it for 5 seasons, except for a month or so when I tried a Brooks Cambium, but quickly went back to my B17. Weight has fluctuated between 250 and 280. No sag, as the B17 is made from a very hard leather. Very comfortable, though.

bgraham111

B-17, 210lbs, and I like to ride far.... longest was a 400k (approx 250 miles) in one day. I felt fine. (You do have to watch that it doesn't get too wet.... which is a problem for me... I'm trying out the C17 for an all weather option.)

oddjob2

Hard to beat these VO saddles for the price, model 8 also for $50. These saddles have stiffer leather than a Brooks.

VO Saddle, Model 5, Sprung Touring

I have 8-10 road bikes with new B-17s, 3 with Cambium, a few upright bikes with VO, Brooks, Wrights and a few with Selle Touring. My big butt seems to be model indifferent, except for the Concor America.

Primitive Don

I have a Brooks Pro that's nicely broken in on my gravel bike that I love. I have been sitting on it up to 50 miles at a time, primarily on gravel. I also have an older Brooks Pro with copper rivets on my steel Trek road bike, a little stiffer but still very comfortable. I am down to 240 from about 280, and both saddles have served my behind well in that weight range.

Kobe 

I have 4 Brooks B-17's on drop bar bikes that I use for weekend riding anywhere from 20 to 60 miles. Obviously I like them a lot and I usually ride without padded bike shorts. I am 220 now but was using them when I was 275.

Cheese Head

Thank you all for the responses. It's good to know so many clydes are comfortable on leather saddles.



Thank you for the link. Unfortunately the 5 is out of stock. If they get more in at that price I will have to pick one up and give it a try!

oddjob2

The wider model 8 is in stock in brown.

TGT1

Almost 9000 miles on a Brooks Imperial.

I'm happy with it.

NOLABIKER

I'm thinking of getting either a Brooks B67 or B190 to use on my Electra Townie. I had ape hanger handlebars installed to sit even more upright. Longest rides are on a flat trail anywhere from 15 to 20 miles at a time. Hoping to increase that soon. Weight is approx. 280 lbs.
I've been reading a lot of comments saying that either are good for upright riding but the B190 may be better for my weight.
I'm saving Amazon gift cards right now and hope to have a new Brooks saddle under the Christmas tree this year.

Thoughts on either of these two models?

double_stuf

currently agonizing b17 imperial vs. c17 carved

anybody ridden/owned both?

thoughts etc?

bike will be plush steel roadie

Fangowolf

330 lbs here on a B-67 for 4 years and 4500 miles. I had a velo Orange at first but snapped the seat stays.

johnu

Here's mine with the B67. I did "tie" the middle of the saddle by drilling two holes on each side.

DrIsotope

Just did my first ~30 miles on a brand new Selle Anatomica Titanico X, and this should be a fun/interesting testing/tuning/break-in process, as I run quite a bit of saddle to bar drop. But I must say, out of the box-- more comfy than I expected by a good bit.

double_stuf

ttt