SaiKaiTai

OK, let's assume it's time for me to get a Brooks for my LeMond.

Keeping in mind the color scheme of the bike:


Would you go with the black or the honey B-17?

I figure the B-17 is the way to go because it is their most popular saddle and it's relatively cheap as these things go. I you have other suggestions -Brooks suggestions- I'm open.

What say you?

BSLeVan

Honey.

Beverly

Black to keep with the color scheme of your bike....

Big Paulie

I've had both, and honey broke in faster. Don't know why. Maybe it was just the individual saddles and not the color...although I heard someone else draw the same conclusion a few years ago.

stapfam

To be Honest- I am not a Brooks fan but a lot here are. I would Just get away from the "B" saddle and get anything. + When you are sitting on it- Can you tell what colour it is?

And you have stopped walking up the hills- so how is anyone going to tell.

And ---Glad to see you are over the glitch of a bad ride.

And every time I see a picture of your bike- I would like to have one- so get a black one to keep the colour co-ordination right- Unless it can be confirmed that the Honey ones bed in quicker.

Digital Gee

Honey...and change the bar tape to match...

BSLeVan

+1 Take a look at this guy's rig. https://velospace.org/node/673


And, I think I've got the Brooks mystique figured out.... about half way down the page on this site. https://www.wallbike.com/Brookssaddles.html

card

Might want to check these guys out--and you can talk to the owner:

https://www.mcmwin.com/

SaiKaiTai

I have to admit, it is a BEAUTIFUL bike, isn't it? And such a joy to ride. I started off yesterday, swearing I would ease into it and off I went hitting 21mph before I knew what was happening. Had to dial that back if I wanted to even come close to 40 miles on the day. The bike just makes me do that.

Dropping those two riders was FUN! I saw them well up ahead of me by 50 yards or so. I was gaining so I thought I was going to burn out. I kept slowing down my pace and I was still gaining. I finally got to where I was just peddling to slow for comfort so I said to heck with it, go for it. I eased right past them, hit the top of the hill, shifted up and I was gone. Spent a LOT of time in the 3rd ring yesterday

And for the record, I NEVER walked up a hill. I might stop and rest before continuing on but I never walked.

As for the Brooks, I love the classic styling and I do like leather. I have leather seats in my car, why not on my bike?

SaiKaiTai

Honestly, I'm leaning to the black. There's no real red to speak of on my bike and the current saddle is black.

I know that site -and that picture- very, very well
That's who I will buy the Brooks from. The site, I mean.

Terrierman

Black will look best on blue, I think.

The Weak Link

Black. Brown just doesn't look right on a Lemond. I can't put my finger on why, but that's the way it is.

SaiKaiTai

Yep, absolutely. Black is really the only choice.

I've of some issues with setback. Does anyone have a nice, unobscured shot of the rails?
They look to be pretty straight and long. I don't really want to replace my post. I like my post.

SSP

How many miles do you have on your current saddle? It may just be a matter of getting your fit dialed in to the new bike. Have you experimented with saddle fore and aft and tilt?

IMO, it would be a shame to burden a nice-looking modern bike like the Lemond with a heavy "last century - 1" saddle like the Brooks (sort of like hanging fuzzy dice from the mirror of a BMW M3).

Also, there's no guarantee that the Brooks will feel better (even after the 1000K "break-in" period). Saddle comfort is much more about the size of the saddle vs. the size of your sit bones, and there have been plenty of reports from folks who never found comfort on a Brooks.

My advice...give it a month or so, unless you're just itching to switch ("gear lust" is a perfectly valid reason too!).

Beverly

Maybe these willl help. If you want another angle just let me know as mine isn't on a bike at the moment.

SaiKaiTai

Well, no, I haven't done much -OK, anything- in the way of saddle tweaks yet. And I *have* thought about that.

I have nearly 500 miles on the current saddle and this only became a problem over the last 100 or so. It felt fine before then.

I know the Reno is a -quote unquote- racing bike but I don't race. I'm more of a touring rider looking to get out and do 50 mile rides. Not too interested in (but not ruling out) doing centuries but I'll be quite content with a 1/2. So, being as I'm treating the LeMond as more of a touring -or true road- bike, I'm not too worried about the appearance of the Brooks. I actually quite like it. The rear panel -or whatever the broad part of the saddle is called- of the Bontrager measures out to be about the same width as the B-17. I just think the Race Lux is a little too soft and squishy and has gotten more so after 500 miles. OTOH, my Kaitai has close to 2000 on it now and it feels fine but they're shorter rides.

Don't have an M3 but rest assured my 325I has nothing hanging from the mirror, either

Itch to switch? Yes, I can see that being a motivating factor. But I wouldn't want that to be the sole reason.

HopedaleHills

SKT,

I have the Buttrangler saddle on my 1200c and after 1000 miles have never gotten used to it. On my 56 miler last year it was shear torture after about 40 miles. When I bought the BMC I had the saddle upgraded to a Specialized Alias 143 on the advice of the LBS. So far no problems, but have still not gone more than 35 miles on it. Interestingly enough, this week I did back-to-back 30s one day on the BMC and the next on the Trek and the difference really stood out. I couldn't wait to get off that Trek saddle.

SSP

500 miles and you haven't put a wrench to the saddle adjustments!!??

Get a little folding Allen wrench set, and go out for a ride with it. Make some small changes every 5-10 miles and see how they feel.

Note: never move anything more than about 5 mm or so (about 1/5"). Very small changes in seat height and saddle fore/aft can have a dramatic impact on comfort (or, the lack thereof).

SaiKaiTai

Beverly, those are perfect. Hm, looks like there's more "squiggle" in those rails than I thought. I know one common complaint (c.f. George's Brooks posts) is that the Brooks doesn't go far enough back with some seat posts. I guess there's one way to find out.

Yeah, I know... pretty lame, huh? And I'm a tweaker by nature. I guess, with the Reno being new and all, I wanted to give it a little time before I started messing around with it. I'm guessing that time is now. I will say that the Bontrager seatposts are not the easiest to adjust.

Got the tools... wouldn't think of riding without 'em.

CrossChain

SKT.....just don't expect the Honey Brown to stay that lovely, luminous amber. Chances are that, with sweat and all, it will turn a nice rich dog turd dark brown with use. Mine did. My friend's did. Maybe that says more about our butts than yours-- but FWIW.

SaiKaiTai

Now, there's an image for you

boston blackie

Mine is black - one day I hopped on the bike and went for a quik 8 miler wearing khaki shorts - when I got off I had a nice black stain on the but of my shorts, yehhk! If I could do it over I'd get the honey. Oh, and comfort is a relative term when it comes to bikes.

The Weak Link

Get a Terry Fly Ti. It's pretty comfortable, and it be pimpin'.

Terrierman

I've taken the liberty to make a few corrections in red to indicate what I'm sure on reflection, SSP meant to say about Brooks saddles.

Old School

Personally I like a Brooks saddle on a classic/vintage ride, but not on a modern road bike like the Reno. A little bit like putting "Flower Power" decals on your new Jetta. Please try some minor adjustments with your current saddle as suggested before you take the plunge. Brooks certainly have their fans, I am just not one of them.