Mark Stone

I received and installed my new Brooks B17 and spun around a bit - It is as hard as a rock, but already more comfortable than any other saddle I've tried. I'm looking forward to when it breaks in. I already have the materials/plan to break it in, but I'm not going to post it because discussions about breaking in leather saddles always turn into flame wars . . . heeheeheehee

NCbiker

I stick to Brook's recommendations of an application of proofhide and ride.

Rowan

Oh go on, Brooks saddles also come with flame suits now. Didn't you get yours?

Mithrandir

I have a theory. Many clydes seem to report that they didn't need to break their saddles in at all, so I think perhaps our weight tends to stretch the saddle more than otherwise and either instantly "break it in" or vastly accelerate the process.

Anyway; neither of my two Brooks' needed to be broken in. They were comfortable right from the outset.

jolly_ross

I broke mine in with chain lube. What sort of chain lube do others use for this? ; )

Mark Stone

Interestingly, I use Saddle Soap and Proofide to lube my chain

chefisaac

Though I didnt think about this theory, it makes since to me. Same with you... two brooks saddles and no brake in time.

Mark Stone

This is probably right - our weight would break these saddles in faster. But like I said, mine is already the most comfy saddle I remember having.

chefisaac

I should get into the business of breaking peoples saddles in for them. he he he

Mark Stone

Hahahaha! Maybe we could start a corporation . . .

bwilliams

i wish i could report the same but my Brooks has been nothing but uncomfortable,i still bleed after 12-13 miles(i have around 150 miles on it now,no sign of improvement,no matter how i adjust it),i am switching back to the stock sea,it was uncomfortable but never made me bleed...i was really hoping it would work out but its not to be..

AbundantChoice

Wait... bleed as in... bleed? What part of the saddle is breaking your skin? Are you somehow getting saddle sores so bad they break open into open sores? In any case, if a saddle is making you actually bleed, i'd strongly advise *stop* using it immediately! It's either definitely not the saddle for you, or something is horribly horribly wrong with the saddle.

bwilliams

yes bleed,not pouring blood but dab with tissue paper and it is red blood,not trying to be graphic but the taint area is where it is...

i have moved the seat all over up, down, back, forward and it just does not help..and yes i am wearing padded bibs or padded MTB shorts,it dont matter there will be blood in the crotch after a ride..not saying a brooks is bad,its just not working for me right now,i did order a Selle An-Atomica to try...


i also broke a spoke on mondays ride..but being a clyde i expected it)

Rowan

Can you post a picture of the bike with the saddle and you next to the bike? This might be a fit problem as much as a saddle issue.

chefisaac

Are you wearing cycling shorts like lycra?

Wolfwerx

That's what it sounds like to me, too.




Just a thought: the saddle may be too narrow for this particular rider. Or maybe he needs to tilt the nose up a bit to force his sit bones back onto the proper spot. Too far forward, and he could be jamming the nose of the saddle into his taint region.

bigfred 

Or, maybe, it's that a Brooks really doesn't fit this rider:-) I know, I know, the Born Again Brooks Users can't believe that such could be the case. But, alas, Brooks are not for everyone. Granted my Brooks experience was 25 years ago, but, they haven't changed in that time so it's probably as valid today as it was then. But, the Brooks Professional I tried was as uncomfortable a saddle as I had ever ridden on. They need to break in I was told and so, I continued to attempt to ride on it. To no avail.

Sorry guys. I know you love your Brooks and any number of their models seem to be a great saddle for many riders. But, there are other saddles out there and for some of us those other saddles represent much better choices. I would much rather start fine tuning a fit issue from a point where I was mearly "somewhat uncomfortable" rather than "bleeding".

skilsaw

Terry's leather touring seat is called the "liberator"
Brook's most common seat is called the "B17"

What have WWII bombers, both flown by the USAF, got to do with bicycle seats?

Mark Stone

Day 2 on the B17, already clearly an all-day saddle. When it "breaks in" it's going to be even better. So far very happy with it, it's very very comfortable.

Mark Stone

Don't know about the liberator, but the B17 saddle predates the bomber.

cod.peace

I looked closely at the Brooks for my road bike. The expense and long break-in period before comfort could be judged were a turn-off. I sat on a few saddles in stores, figured out that the rounded saddles were horrendous, liked the flatter saddles, looked for one with a bit of a rise in the rear, and got a Prologo Nago Evo on sale. Pure comfort.

Mark Stone

That's fine. Saddles are like every other area of our sport, a particular model or brand works for some and not for others. It took a leap of faith for me, because what if I spent all that money for a stupid seat and it ended up being a butt-hatchet? Fortunately it is verrrrrry comfortable from the get go so it looks like a good investment.

chefisaac

whats your mileage like?

corwin1968

Do you know if you have hemmorhoids? Have you ridden other saddles that did not make you bleed? It might just be unknown hemmorhoids being irritated by being on a bicycle seat.

cod.peace

So far it's been great up to about 20 miles, the most I'm gone on it in one ride. I don't really pay any attention to it with padded bike shorts on since I haven't had any discomfort, with plain nylon shorts on one 12 mile ride I got a bit of sit bone pressure at the end. The Nago Evo gets a lot of good reviews on the 'net, this description sums up the saddle quite well. I have the 134mm version in plain ole black. Another flat saddle I tried on a demo was the Fizik Antares VS, which was pretty good but the nose was too wide and it was totally flat front-to-back which I didn't care for.