3bikes

Specialized Globe 6, rigid aluminum frame, 4600 miles. 17mile round trip commute, 4 days per week. Los Angeles.

My factory original "Sonoma 155" saddle gave way on the right rail at the point where it's held by the seat post - metal fatigue.

I've put my old mountain bike Koobi saddle on for now, which gives me time to look around. (it's a little hard on my butt for street commuting)

Brooks? I've been looking at the models. Never ridden one.
Specialized? Upgraded versions of a saddle I found comfortable all this time with reasonable prices.

If you've had a good experience with a saddle for my sort of commuting, just reply with the brand-model or a web site address.

Thanks everyone. -3bikes

fmileto55

I switched to Brooks saddles a few years ago. AFTER the break-in period, they are definitely the most comfortable saddles I have used. But you have to go through a posterior purgatory to get to plushbottom heaven.

Twebs46

Funny thing about Brooks saddles. Some don't experience the break in trouble at all. I've had two of them and they've always felt great from day one.

Tom

stringbreaker

How do you like the Globe? Looks pretty decent.

cbchess

+1 for Brooks saddles!
Read up over at Sheldon browns site on leather saddle for a few good tips on breaking them in.
The three black B-17 saddles I have had, broke in with no trouble. The one brown Brooks B-17 I had did not ever break in and I sold it.
I have a Brown Champion Flyer on my commuter and it is doing well. The spring shelp tremendously.

I use a bit of SAE 10w 40 on the under side of the saddle to help weather proof the bottom and speed the break in. I have also used neats foot oil as well.

ddez

I use Brooks Flyer.Basically a B17 with springs.Never needed any breaking in,i just smeared some proofhide on underside to protect from wet and carry a shower cap under seat for when i park it in case of rain.Have B17 on my folder,same as above for treatment.
I did have a B17 narrow.Never did break in and caused huge agony while i tried.Its gone,to narrow for me i guess.

wneumann

Outside of the Brooks realm, I've got a Specialized Body Geometry saddle and a Rido R2, each of which I love dearly for different reasons. For commuting purposes, and not longer rides, I'd give the BG the edge.

aadhils

Brooks saddles aren't called butt hammocks for nothing

jviking

I call them a$$ hammocks... and mine was comfortable from the first second, only $70 through wiggle.co.uk and you can pay in USD!!!

FreddyV

I'm thinking about Brooks as I've read so much good about them around BF. At least you have a bike that matches a Brooks a bit, people would laugh when I had one on my road bike. Though, I'm thinking Brooks Swallow. You might have a look at a Brooks saddle just a bit less sporty.

3bikes

That's a picture taken a few days ago. I've replaced the Nexus hub/wheel to an Alfine with Sun rim, the saddle shown is a Koobi mountain bike saddle until I decide on a replacement for the factory Sonoma 155 saddle that broke. The pedals are Shimano 324, Ergon handgrips added recently, the generator/front light/rear light are original and still work great. I've made little changes here and there, but it looks very much like it did when I first bought it.

Overall, I love the bike even though it has had a few issues, it's at 4600+ miles, just under two years of use. It's a good commuter bike that works for my short 17 mile round trip commute.
I get compliments on it all the time... well... because it's a damn good looking bike.

-3bikes

Sirrus Rider

+1 I have one on my '07 Sirrus. My most comfy saddle is my Conquest that I have on my Hybridized Alpine Monitor Pass. It has perfect indentions of my sit bones.

jviking

If you want something a bit sportier look into the specialized phenom, had one on my old bike before it got stolen in the 143 width and it was super comfy. Not alot of padding but it flexed in all the right places

2wheelbreed

If you want something really comfy - and by that I mean no perineal pressure at all - then give this one a try. I did and it works wonders. I can now ride for hours without any after effects in the delicates! https://www.rido-cyclesaddles.com

mhifoe

Nice bike.

IMO that bike is crying out for a Brooks B17 in black.
I have one for my commuter (36 miles RT) and it is wonderful.

FreddyV

Awesome. Replies that come about 4 months too late.

gerv 

Tha'st a nice looking bike. The saddle looks pretty good too.

Sometimes I wonder if what going on with all this saddle adjustment is that the saddle doesn't break in. It's your ass that breaks in. Give your current saddle a chance. You'll get used to it.

That's the secret.

aadhils

3Bikes; what saddle did you end up getting?

p.s. here's what my Brooks looks like with 9k miles on it:

JPprivate

somebody got to explain to me the Brooks saddle thing for commuters. My understanding was a Brooks doesn't like to get wet. But if you use it for commuting the thing is bound to get wet quite a bit....

So how do Brooks-owners do it?

rumrunn6

Specialized Avatar Gel size 143

aadhils

HardyWeinberg

Butt on top, plastic grocery bag jammed into rails below. When you park in the rain, take out the plastic bag and put it on top.

JPprivate

do you use the plastic bag when actually riding in the rain, as well?

HardyWeinberg

No, just sitting on the saddle is good enough. Seems to be, anyway.

CliftonGK1

Depends on how bad it's raining and how far you're going. Even my fat arse isn't going to keep my saddle dry in a downpour for my 15 mile commute.
Aadhils posted a pic of what looks like a Velox brand saddle cover, which is what I use. I've ridden up to 10.5 hours in a constant rain (200k Permanent in December) and my saddle survived just fine with my Velox cover.