Which Books Saddle?
#1
Thread Starter
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Which Books Saddle?
I'm getting a new bike and I'm confused on which Brook's saddle to put on. I was going to put on something with Springs but now I'm not sure. Everyone has their seat they like the best. What do you like?
#4
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From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Which Books saddle? The one with the "r" in it!
With that off my chest, I've tried the Brooks Team Pro and B-17. I can ride either, although the B-17 disappears under my butt, while the Team Pro reminds me it's there.
Saddles are a YMMV kind of thing. What kind of bike are you getting? B-67 would be great on a sit-up-and-beg cruiser bike, Pro on a racing bike (that you're not racing because the saddle weighs something), etc.
With that off my chest, I've tried the Brooks Team Pro and B-17. I can ride either, although the B-17 disappears under my butt, while the Team Pro reminds me it's there.
Saddles are a YMMV kind of thing. What kind of bike are you getting? B-67 would be great on a sit-up-and-beg cruiser bike, Pro on a racing bike (that you're not racing because the saddle weighs something), etc.
#5
Miles to Go
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: San Diego
Bikes: 2022 Juiced Crosscurrent X, 2022 Fuji Touring, 1998 Schwinn Moab (drop bar conversion), 2010 LHT (Stolen)
Are you at or approaching 200#'s? I am 205, and tried a sprung Brooks B67. No workie for me, too much bounce.
I have had a B17, a C17 and a C19.
I have found that the Cambium saddles are as comfortable as the leather ones, and have a good amount of give. I like the C19 imperial the best, but YMMV of course.
So leather or rubber, sprung or unsprung, regular or imperial.... lots of choices.
Pro Tip: Buy at REI and you can return it within one year if the saddle doesn't work for you. Alas, you just missed the 20% off sale!
I have had a B17, a C17 and a C19.
I have found that the Cambium saddles are as comfortable as the leather ones, and have a good amount of give. I like the C19 imperial the best, but YMMV of course.
So leather or rubber, sprung or unsprung, regular or imperial.... lots of choices.
Pro Tip: Buy at REI and you can return it within one year if the saddle doesn't work for you. Alas, you just missed the 20% off sale!
#6
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The C-17 with a cutout is my favorite these days. Never needs adjustment, and feels the most like a B-17, my former favorite. Professionals, with their thicker leather, take a longer time to break in; B-17s feel great right out of the box and just get softer with use. My only complaint is that once you start fiddling with the tension, you'll fiddle with it forever.
#7
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From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
#9
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Joined: Jul 2020
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From: Pasadena CA
Bikes: BMC Alpenchallenge
I have a Brooks C19 for sale on this site in the for sale area. I just swapped it out, used for about three months. I like it but I prefer a slimmer saddle.
#11
Hack
Joined: Sep 2015
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From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Bikes: TrueNorth CX bike, 88 Bianchi Strada (currently Sturmey'd), Yess World Cup race BMX, Pure Cruiser race BMX, RSD Mayor v3 Fatbike
I have / had a couple B-17s. I like them new, but they get too soft fairly quickly.
#12
Mostly harmless ™
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Novi Sad
Bikes: Heavy, with friction shifters
For bikes that aren't road bikes (so not sitting bent much forward), I love the Brooks Flyer.
The springs are stiff enough to not keep bouncing when I'm pedalling, while still doing their job when I hit bumps.
The shape is also good for the upright and slightly bent forward riding position.
The springs are stiff enough to not keep bouncing when I'm pedalling, while still doing their job when I hit bumps.
The shape is also good for the upright and slightly bent forward riding position.
#14
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From: Valley Forge: Birthplace of Freedom
Bikes: Novara Safari, CAAD9, WABI Classic, WABI Thunder
Have B17s and Flyers. Both are good.
My most comfortable saddle is a Brooks Conquest. It is a Brooks Pro on a sprung frame. I keep my eye out for a Brooks Pro.
Many others like the Cambium.
Last edited by stevel610; 04-02-22 at 06:17 PM.
#15
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From: NE Indiana
Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS
I think it depends on the bike, but the Swift has been my favorite. I also had a B17 but I gouged the crap out of it when I was sideswiped by a car and crash and burned my near mint 85 Schwinn Le Tour Luxe back in 2019, that saddle was ok, it was comfortable but the Swift was better, probably because the leather is a tad thinner on the Swift, I think.
#16
Mad bike riding scientist




Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Denver, CO
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
I’ve have (or had) a Swift, a couple of Pros, a B17, a couple of B17 Narrow, and a Flyer. The only one of the bunch I didn’t like was the Flyer. Too bouncy. I won’t use a Brooks off-road, however. Too slick and too wide.
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Stuart Black
Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part)
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#18
QR-disc must die!!!
Joined: Sep 2018
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From: Shenandoah Valley, Northern Virginia.
Bikes: '99 Trek 520, '20 Kona Sutra (FOR SALE 48cm), '21 Simon-Bikes mini-velo and a chromoly-framed folding bicycle with drop-bars and V-brakes, that rolls even while folded.
I'm 5'7" and ride drop-bar bicycles exclusively, with the bars a couple inches below the saddle. Neither the B17 nor C17 w/cutout worked for me. I'm happy with the C15 w/cutout and have one waiting for a bicycle that I'm still piecing together. I have no need for springs. This saddle has all the give that I need.
#19
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From: NE Indiana
Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS
I'm 5'7" and ride drop-bar bicycles exclusively, with the bars a couple inches below the saddle. Neither the B17 nor C17 w/cutout worked for me. I'm happy with the C15 w/cutout and have one waiting for a bicycle that I'm still piecing together. I have no need for springs. This saddle has all the give that I need.
#20
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From: Eastern Iowa
Bikes: 2014 Trek Allant drop bar conversion, modified Schwinn MTN commuter, 2015 Trek 520, Soma ES, Salsa Journeyman, 1980 Trek 414
Team Pro Classic is my favorite, but alas, it has been discontinued. You can still get the Team Pro Special with the big rivets, though!
#21
I bought a C17, (one of the nice looking limited edition ones), thinking I might like it since I like my B17, and I tried it for the first (and likely the last) time today. It was made in Italy, not in the 'ham. It actually made my hip hurt. I don't understand how.
#22
QR-disc must die!!!
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From: Shenandoah Valley, Northern Virginia.
Bikes: '99 Trek 520, '20 Kona Sutra (FOR SALE 48cm), '21 Simon-Bikes mini-velo and a chromoly-framed folding bicycle with drop-bars and V-brakes, that rolls even while folded.
Based on what you said you would not be comfortable on a B17 with that bike set up that way, the B17 is for a more upright riding position, your bike is not set up that way. The B15, or the Swallow, was made for your bike set up, as was the Swift; the real difference between the Swallow and the Swift is that the Swallow is made of thinner leather and will need to be tensioned more often and thus will wear out faster; the Swallow is a true old school racing saddle; the Swift will be stiffer due to the thicker leather, take longer to break in, but will last longer.
#23
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From: NE Indiana
Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS
It's not just the shape of the C15 that I like better than the B17, I'm also happier with the cambium than with the leather. It doesn't require any breaking-in, conditioning or safeguarding, and the saddle as a whole is lighter in weight. Thus I will not be considering the Swallow or Swift, when I can choose the C15 and C13 as their respective alternatives.




