NeezyDeezy

I'm really happy with my new Sequoia Elite ("comfort" road bike), but like so many others who have reviewed the bike, the seat is pretty bad.

It's been okay for my commute (5 miles) but I rode my first longer ride yesterday (40 miles) and, even though we're having record high temps in NY, I had to stop ONLY because of the discomfort in my rear and umm, "testisatchel" as Borat would say. The problem is that I simply cannot ride in the drops for 30+ minutes because the seat, even when adjusted to the lowest angle, drives up into my body. Also, the gel of the seat makes all of my parts down there fall asleep. In short, it's a horrible seat.

I don't know anything about saddles, what would work for a bike that I spend a lot of time alternating between the drops (more upright than racing but still a slanted "road" position) and the top of the handlebar (upright almost as if on a flatbar bike)? It seems like it's difficult to reach a good middle ground that works when in both of these positions.

I've heard that the Brooks B-17 is good, but will this be ideal for a road bike? I guess I should mention that I would like to spend 80%+ of my time in the drops.

Thanks so much for any recommendations!

PS - I don't really care about weight, I ride around with a fully loaded pannier anyway.

RonH

Why ride in the drops so long? Are you racing? I ride in the drops less than 5% of the time.

I'm on my third Terry Fly on my commuter.

tsl

+1 on the Terry Fly. Just the right firmness under the sit bones and the huge cutout keeps the boys happy.

O-Town

80% in the drops? With panners?

You may get a bunch of suggestions on which is the best. The problem is, everyones back sides are built differently. A Terry Fly or B-17 may not work for you like it does for others. The moral of the story is try a few out and stick with what works.

It took me a year of trying different saddles to find the one that works for me (3 different saddles). Now they one I use is no longer made. So may want to buy a couple if you think the saddle you like will be off the market in a year or two.

ohjim

My bike came with the same saddle, the Specialized BG Milano saddle. It was torture on long rides. I replaced it with the Specialized Avatar saddle. I've had no issues with comfort or numbness since switching, I highly recommend it.

jcm

As a Brooks Cult Worshiper, I replaced the Milano with a B17. Instantly comfortable for unlimited rides. The Sequoia series are built for long distance relaxed comfort. Gee, sounds alot like my Trek 520. I suspect that Specialized put a $30 saddle on there because they know you're going to replace it.

O-Town

This is what I'm talking about.

markm109

NeezyDeezy

If you are in the drops 80% of the time, the B17 would NOT be good for you. I use the B17 on my touring bike where I ride more upright.

However, on my Lemond Alpe D'Huez where I ride in a more agressive position like you are, I use the B17N or B17 narrow. Brooks makes several others like the Pro or Swift, but the B17N is the cheapest and it works just fine for me.

The B17N takes a little longer to get use to, unlike the regular B17 that was comfortable right off. By the third long ride I didn't notice the B17N anymore, it was comfortable. However, I'm heavier at 240 and put 5 coats of leather conditioner on it to soften it up so it would flex. If you are lighter, it may take longer and if you are really light, it may never be comfortable. I've heard that from lighter riders.

Go to www.wallbike.com, which is where I got my first B17 from. They have a 6 month unconditional satisfaction guarantee on Brooks saddles - return it no questions asked if it doesn't work out for you. That provided me the opportunity to try the B17 without risk if it didn't work out.

Mark
'03 Litespeed Blue Ridge w/B17 - go long days
'98 Lemond Alpe D'Huez w/B17N - go fast days
'01 GF Tassajara - up and down days

ohjim

Hey, I never said it was the best. I'm just saying from my experience it's worth a try. It's also available in different widths to fit different sit bones, not something offered by most saddle manufacturers.

Specialized Avatar

NeezyDeezy

Thank-you so much for the responses!

I am going to go with the Terry Fly Ti saddle, and see how I like it. I certainly will let you all know.

Banzai

I used to be a huge Brooks doubter. After all, could it really be that good?

The answer: oh my goodness yes indeedy.

Even with that much time in the drops, due to the geometry of a Sequoia a B17 Standard may still work perfectly fine. The drops aren't as low geometrically as with other bikes.

I personally believe that the B17 is the finest saddle ever created, since I got mine. I also have a more "relaxed" geometry road bike, and some rides spend a great deal of time in the drops with no problems. Sometimes I spend the entire ride on the ramps and hoods. Again, perfect.

ollo_ollo

Hard to beat the B17 for all around comfort. Back in the 80s I commuted & rode all over Portland, OR on a 1969 Raleigh Sports 3 speed that came with a beautiful, well broken in B72(why did I ever sell it?). Still the most comfortable saddle I ever rode but it is designed for an upright posture. Don

NeezyDeezy

I just wanted to follow up on this thread. I bought a terry fly ti in lightly used condition, and I've been very happy with it for a while now. It's comfortable in both the upright position and, more importantly, when I crouch down and grab the drops. Highly recommended.

jcm

Good for you! Lots of riders go with that one.

NeezyDeezy

Thanks JCM. I have them stem/handlebars set a lot more aggressively on my sequoia than yours shows in the pic. The reputation of the brooks saddle pretty much establishes it as a standard, and it looks great on your bike, but I wanted to be able to get a pretty hunched angle and I think the fly might be a little more of a racing type saddle that is suited to that kind of riding. If I was going to go on tour, which I'm considering, I might try a brooks.

BigBlueToe

What does Wallbike do with the Brooks saddles that people return? Sell them cheap?

slvoid

Maybe it's your fit...
I can ride for hours in the drops on my road bike without having the saddle all up in my ass...

manual_overide

I was gonna recommend a Specialized BG because they are wonderful IMHO, but I guess you don't like them obviously

donnamb 

On eBay.

NeezyDeezy

Now I can too. I believe the seat was causing this because it was too soft.