Convince me...what's so great about a Brooks?
05-31-06, 05:55 AM
#51
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Originally Posted by Machka
But I have broken down the leather and sunk into the saddle. My saddle has very distinct (and somewhat lopsided - apparently I'm not symmetrical) butt grooves. That's what makes it so comfortable!!
At what weight/mileage this happens depends on the weight of the rider. Brooks, unfortunately, does not formally recognize this phenomenon, and (negligently, in my opinion) does not specify a "maximum recommended rider weight" for their saddles. While Brooks saddles may work fine for riders of less than a certain weight, the saddles are manifestly unsuitable for riders beyond that weight. What that magic number might be, I don't know - Brooks doesn't say. I can say from experience that Brooks saddles were NOT suitable for me at 275#.
To summarize - Brooks saddles may be fine for lighter riders, but there is a maximum weight (unknown) above which the Brooks should not be used. The blanket statement by the poster who said that Brooks saddles are the panacea for all perineal pain isn't always true. Even for riders who are within the design weight for Brooks saddles, the fact that the saddles are designed to allow sit bone indentation means that (at least some) of those riders will find perineal pressure with Brooks saddles.
If the Brooks works for Machka & Jur (and hunderds of others), fine. Just don't tell me that Brooks works for everybody - it just isn't so.
05-31-06, 06:24 AM
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Originally Posted by FarHorizon
This just isn't so unless you're able to sit on the rear support bar. Most folks don't do that because it isn't comfortable (even with a Brooks). That means that most folks sit on the "hammock" of the saddle WITH their perineum in contact with the centerline "ridge" of leather.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
05-31-06, 06:28 AM
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Originally Posted by FarHorizon
...and WELL within the design parameters for the Brooks. You can use that Brooks without breaking down the leather (and sinking in so that the perineum contacts the saddle horn).
For the "UberClyde" set, though, Brooks products are probably a mistake - they certainly were for me. Within a month of mounting my Brooks B17, the leather had pancaked and the flaps were sprung out. I'm currently 275# (down from 300), and have tried three Brooks saddles - the B17, B69, & B72. None were appropriate, and all showed irreversable deformation in less than a month.
For the "UberClyde" set, though, Brooks products are probably a mistake - they certainly were for me. Within a month of mounting my Brooks B17, the leather had pancaked and the flaps were sprung out. I'm currently 275# (down from 300), and have tried three Brooks saddles - the B17, B69, & B72. None were appropriate, and all showed irreversable deformation in less than a month.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
05-31-06, 06:31 AM
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Originally Posted by Machka
But I have broken down the leather and sunk into the saddle. My saddle has very distinct (and somewhat lopsided - apparently I'm not symmetrical) butt grooves. That's what makes it so comfortable!!
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
05-31-06, 05:49 PM
#55
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Lucky me I'm only 150.
Mr. Laine has answered just about all of my questions regarding technical data, and you guys have been great as far as first hand experience.
Mr. Laine has answered just about all of my questions regarding technical data, and you guys have been great as far as first hand experience.
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Good night...and good luck
Good night...and good luck
05-31-06, 06:21 PM
#56
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any skinny assed riders using a B17?
I just tried to order a honey Team Pro from Quality, but they only have honey in a copper railed version. The ti was almost half a pound lighter (not usually a gram counter, but that's considerable) and it was black.
I ended up getting the honey B17 special with ti rails, but now I'm second guessing that the width may be too much.
I wanted the team pro because it was listed a wider than the swift, but still narrower than the B17. I'm used to riding sell italia flites, is the B17 going to be too much?
I just tried to order a honey Team Pro from Quality, but they only have honey in a copper railed version. The ti was almost half a pound lighter (not usually a gram counter, but that's considerable) and it was black.
I ended up getting the honey B17 special with ti rails, but now I'm second guessing that the width may be too much.
I wanted the team pro because it was listed a wider than the swift, but still narrower than the B17. I'm used to riding sell italia flites, is the B17 going to be too much?
05-31-06, 06:52 PM
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Originally Posted by FarHorizon
To summarize - Brooks saddles may be fine for lighter riders, but there is a maximum weight (unknown) above which the Brooks should not be used.
05-31-06, 08:11 PM
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Originally Posted by chipcom
Now this is interesting. You and my 110lb GF both make bigger dents in your Brooks than I do at 235!
We have less padded, pointier sitbones!!
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05-31-06, 08:31 PM
#60
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Originally Posted by Machka
We have less padded, pointier sitbones!!
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06-02-06, 02:38 PM
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Originally Posted by chipcom
So 275 is your UberClyde criteria? I just ask because at 235 I don't get noticable deformation in any of my Brooks, just very shallow dimples.
I don't know what the "breaking point" is for Brooks saddles - I only know that I exceed it at 275-pounds! I've broken down a B-17 and a B-69. I was in the process of destroying a B-72 when I realized that the saddles just weren't OK for me.
Since your Brooks works well for you at 235, it's reasonable to assume that the elastic limit of the saddle lies between 235 and 275 pounds. Where, I don't know, and Brooks doesn't say. There's absolutely no question, though, that there IS a limit.
06-02-06, 03:08 PM
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What is this?
Came from (late?) very nice 1970s Swiss or French road bike I rode all the time in jr.high-high school.
Al
Came from (late?) very nice 1970s Swiss or French road bike I rode all the time in jr.high-high school.
Al
06-02-06, 04:14 PM
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Originally Posted by banzai_f16
Lucky me I'm only 150.
Mr. Laine has answered just about all of my questions regarding technical data, and you guys have been great as far as first hand experience.
Mr. Laine has answered just about all of my questions regarding technical data, and you guys have been great as far as first hand experience.
__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
06-02-06, 05:19 PM
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Not that I know from anything but my B-17 (with its 150 miles), but shouldn't Far Horizon be considering the Team Professional saddle? It's my understanding that it's a thicker, tougher leather. Then again, it sounds like he's found a saddle he's happy with, which is, after all, the point.
06-02-06, 05:29 PM
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Originally Posted by atman
Not that I know from anything but my B-17 (with its 150 miles), but shouldn't Far Horizon be considering the Team Professional saddle? It's my understanding that it's a thicker, tougher leather. Then again, it sounds like he's found a saddle he's happy with, which is, after all, the point.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
06-02-06, 06:51 PM
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Originally Posted by chipcom
The thicker-tougher leather on a Team Pro is a myth. Same leather, same thickness. I believe it's the smaller frame and lack of holes that make it 'seem' tougher.
06-17-06, 10:42 AM
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Well I'm a believer now. I just got my B-17 on Thursday and I took it out this morning for nice little 33 mile ride. I didn't find it to be as stiff as almost everyone mentioned. If it breaks in and gets softer that'll be a bonus. I wasn't aware that there was a weight limit for a Brooks saddle. I sure hope my 295# won't make it give out on me. Cuz I sure had a wonderful ride with it this morning.
