1989Pre

I was on the look-out for a Brooks saddle, but did not know much about them. I saw an almost unused Professional S for a good price and bought it from a seller in France. I did not know, at the time, that it was a "ladies'" model or that it was a "short" model. It is a bit wider than the Men's Professional, too. It has been a wonderful saddle, with great comfort, probably more than my "men's" models, but still gets to go on my race bikes.
As a matter-of-fact, I liked the "short" configuration so much that when it came time to replace the B72 on my Rudge, I bought a Flyer S. I think the short setup makes it easier to dis-mount when I am fatigued, too.

fishboat

Marketeers doing what marketeers do..create a "thing" mystique about..nearly anything..and then lay a little "buzz marketing" on the space and poof..it's a new "thing"..all while most folks look at each other and wonder why it's a "thing". Think Ugg boots.

DMC707 

yes - but UGGs is quality kit that has to be tried on to be believed. (However, due to appearance, I’ll take some slip on Sorel pac boots in public though)

I guess UGGs would be similar to crocs also in that a seriously ugly piece of specialty footwear (literally boat shoes) caught and Before long people are wearing them everywhere

Inusuit

From saddles to shoes in 28 posts. Holy thread drift, Batman!

PeteHski

So you don’t believe in product evolution or a range of choice? At what point in time did we reach saddle perfection and everything since was just a marketing scam?

All I see here is a general evolution toward shorter, wider saddles. It’s not even marketed very strongly by the mainstream brands who offer saddles in a massive range of shapes and sizes.

fishboat

.
I worked with marketeers for many, many years. From an RDE (my) perspective they are akin to used car salesmen.

I believe in many things.

One thing I don't believe in is endless debate here..complete waste of time. I'll let that to the pros on BF, of which there are many.

Ironfish653

Everything is a marketing scam and anyone who buys anything different than me is just a sucker for new trends. Prove me wrong

Also, I can’t really back it up, so I’m going to sit under my blanket statement and “believe” you can’t see me; so I win.
Get off my lawn

Hyperventilate

shorter/ wider saddle: how will this affect the release and distribution of flatulence within the pack?

PeteHski

You have to separate product design/evolution from marketing. They are not remotely the same thing. Occasionally companies may attempt to market a turd, but turds don't tend to catch on. Everything is marketed of course, but for the most part products evolve and get better over time. I work in engineering and pretty much my whole job involves improving an existing product. Marketeers don't get involved in the design process other than providing customer feedback on the exisitng product, which may help to set a direction for improvement/evolution.

fishboat

Really.. I'm reminded of something an older researcher once said to me when I was getting started..."..just because it's new to you, doesn't make it new.."

I'm happily retired from 35+ years of applied product design and engineering, and collected quite a few patents along the way, while you continue to work in some similar field. I appreciate the tips on how the world works.

You'll have to debate someone else..not interested in playing.

PeteHski

Nobody is claiming a new concept here. It has simply become a more popular/mainstream option in recent years. If there was a big marketing push I missed it.

BlazingPedals

Thanks guys! After 20+ years on 'bents, I'm not about to think about giving them up; but I'm still looking for something for my remaining upright that isn't too uncomfortable or cause male issues.

rydabent

I have been warned that I cant mention ***** under this heading. Thanks for pointing out the truth I cant.

Atlas Shrugged

Given the average age of a "bent" rider, I doubt an upright bicycle would be the reason for any male issues!

thumpism

In a departure from the usual Brookses and Fujitas, I thought I'd try this Ideale #6 found on a shop's bargain table decades ago. It was on my wife's Trek 520 for a while but she quit riding and we sold her bikes. Made this switch months ago but have not ridden it.

Fredo76

I went shorter and wider with an Avocet women's saddle in the '80s.

Now I like the ones with a big hole in the middle.



Selle SMP TRK

rydabent

Probably a plus, More pressure will build up, and it will by louder to warn more people.

Shadco 

Everyone knows that hot air rises so emissions from a bent will take much longer to clear the pack.

.

unterhausen

I don't think there is ever a trend in saddles. Just about everything has been done before and rejected. Some people have what they think is a genius idea and many of those somehow make it into production. I recall the two-piece pivoting saddle that came out in the '70s. Someone brought one into the shop and wanted us to install it during a tune up. Test riding that bike was the single most painful bicycle experience I can recall. I guess if you have no glutes and set your saddle far too low you'll be fine. Then a decade later, the inventor had transitioned to being a business consultant and made the movie about "paradigms." Fully a 3rd of that movie was about how everyone in the cycling world is ignorant because they wouldn't use his saddle. Hey, at least I was being paid to watch that movie. It was a bit difficult to take it seriously though.

rydabent

Yup, I remember that saddle. Never had one, but in a way it looked like it might work. But I guess not.

livedarklions

Buzzword overload and the bike seat, the short form page 34: https://www.mmhrdonline.com/download...andouts/66.pdf

unterhausen

I'm impressed you found that pdf. You can still buy knockoffs of the saddle.

bike eagle

Interesting. What recumbent was that?

Paul Barnard

A Sun EZ Tandem

bike eagle

Oh ok. That makes sense. Sun (and some other recumbents) with very upright seats, can cause a phenomenon called "recumbent butt," where the glute muscles become sore due to riding upright and having all of your weight on that area. That is why many recumbent riders eventually gravitate toward more reclined seats, to spread the weight out over your whole back, as well as your glutes.