Brooks B17 - yay or nay?
#26
Drops small screws
I know you've done some modification to yours, but I'm not competent in that regard. It's pretty much stock or... stock.
#27
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Since installing a Brooks on my Brompton I find it hard to use other saddles as it feels so comfortable. It never disagreed with me from the start and has simply got better with over the weeks I used it. It's an added bonus that it also looks fab on my Brompton too.
Last edited by mulleady; 09-01-08 at 09:06 AM.
#28
Drops small screws
Mulleady and I agree about something. Check your storm windows and lay in 40 days and nights worth of dry goods.
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I think they're both oddballs. The B17 has the idiosyncratic rail setup, but the Swift seatpost can't be swapped out with other seatposts that have different characteristics, the way you can do with a normal one.
I know you've done some modification to yours, but I'm not competent in that regard. It's pretty much stock or... stock.
I know you've done some modification to yours, but I'm not competent in that regard. It's pretty much stock or... stock.
Buy a telescopic seatpost eg from Thor. The upper part is 27.2mm, a common standard. This will allow you to choose seatposts with huge setback. Eg you could use a 27.2mm Thudbuster, these end up having huge setback when seated. Mine with B17 has to be fairly forward on the rails to be just right.
#30
Drops small screws
That's going at the top of the list of things to think about. Thank you.
#31
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tcs
#32
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I had a Titanium B17 which I rode for about 9 months on my Brompton.
I liked it, but
a) no way worth the price
b) the black dye would leach on my pants if I sweat while riding.
b) was the killer. This is my work commute bike, can't be getting black dye on my Brooks trousers.
It definitely was the saddle - I did not over-proofide it, if anything I probably under did it.
What I like about the VO saddle (caveat: don't own one) is that they offer a natural (i.e., no dye) option.
But to be honest with you, I went back to the Fi:zik saddle supplied with my Brompton and it's just fine.
I have a feeling saddles are one of those things it's tempting to fiddle with, but your butt can get used to most anything, and many people having saddle discomfort are really having I-haven't-ridden-a-bike-this-much-before discomfort that will go away.
I liked it, but
a) no way worth the price
b) the black dye would leach on my pants if I sweat while riding.
b) was the killer. This is my work commute bike, can't be getting black dye on my Brooks trousers.
It definitely was the saddle - I did not over-proofide it, if anything I probably under did it.
What I like about the VO saddle (caveat: don't own one) is that they offer a natural (i.e., no dye) option.
But to be honest with you, I went back to the Fi:zik saddle supplied with my Brompton and it's just fine.
I have a feeling saddles are one of those things it's tempting to fiddle with, but your butt can get used to most anything, and many people having saddle discomfort are really having I-haven't-ridden-a-bike-this-much-before discomfort that will go away.
#33
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#34
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https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/161924-persons-saddles-campy-gs-hubs.html
I went ahead and ordered the Velo Orange Model 6 saddle (2 actually) in natural and will report back after I try it for a bit. I didn't even know Velo Orange was based in Annapolis, MD, which is about 15 miles from me!
https://www.velo-orange.com/vosaddlemodel6.html
#35
Drops small screws
I love you too, Mulleady.
#36
Drops small screws
Thanks.
#38
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Ok report...
It's been a couple of weeks since I received the Brooks Flyer...on my Mini it went, applied gently with some baseball glove oil.
First impression, hard as a rock, no way I will ever get used to it - this lasted 10 minutes. For the first time I understood all this talk about sit bones.
Went on a 44 miles ride on the cape cod rail trail the day after, minor discomfort for the 1st qtr of the trip, then all of the sudden it became a saddle that wasn't there.
It's comfortable in a way where it does not cause any discomfort. I don't think about the saddle at all anymore, just focus on the ride.
I highly recommend it...I know that some riders will prefer something else...but you owe yourself to try it out at least once.
It's been a couple of weeks since I received the Brooks Flyer...on my Mini it went, applied gently with some baseball glove oil.
First impression, hard as a rock, no way I will ever get used to it - this lasted 10 minutes. For the first time I understood all this talk about sit bones.
Went on a 44 miles ride on the cape cod rail trail the day after, minor discomfort for the 1st qtr of the trip, then all of the sudden it became a saddle that wasn't there.
It's comfortable in a way where it does not cause any discomfort. I don't think about the saddle at all anymore, just focus on the ride.
I highly recommend it...I know that some riders will prefer something else...but you owe yourself to try it out at least once.
#39
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My B17 is pretty comfy. It has yet to be broken in, though. (I have a 150 mile ride coming up at the end of September, that should help.)
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I have the B17. My nose is up pretty high for some reason. It's the only way I can get comfortable. But it's pretty damn comfortable! I'm beginning to see some dimple marks. I have about 700 or so miles on it.