fadi

Hello
I have a SCOTT Sportster P3 bike that I am using for everything from commuting, to fitness, fun, long week end trips, touring and so on...
It is a hybrid, my only bike though and basically my multitask transportation "vehicle".

I rode the original saddle for 200 miles so far and unfortunately it is still very painful.
I ride mostly on roads, but it happens to go on dirt, gravel, grass, and some pedestrian walkways for a couple of hundred meters or so from time to time.

Will ride this saddle for some more time, but as per the majority's recommendations, I started to look at the Brooks saddles for replacement; and if I do, I hope it will be the first and last required swap of saddles.
The models that I found could be adequate and of course in an acceptable price range are the followings:

1. B17 Standard
2. Team Professional Chrome
3. Swallow Classic Chrome
4. Swift Chrome

Any experience you could share, opinion, and recommendation is highly welcomed.
It seems that the B17 is the oldest of all these saddles, that alone tells me a lot, but I would like some pro advice as well. I am looking mostly for long rides comfort, I am not into racing an scoring high top speeds


Thanks for looking at this thread.

Cheers
Fadi

Sixty Fiver

I am really liking my new B17 Imperial and am hoping that they will go into full production very shortly... it is so versatile in that it is comfortable for upright riding but the cut-out allows for a comfortable forward riding position as well.

The B17 on it's own is a great saddle and delivers all the benefits of a quality leather saddle at a fairly low price.

fadi

What's the difference between the imperial and the standard one if I may ask?

East Hill

The Imperial has a cutout .

Check out the reviews of the Imperial in the Classic & Vintage forum--it's a sticky there.

I was lucky enough to chose as a tester (as was Sixty Fiver), and all I can say is that is a WONDERFUL addition to Brooks' line of saddles. There were 100 riders chosen to test the Imperial, and almost everyone has felt it to be very comfortable.

East Hill

fadi

Thanks
I searched for the Imperial in the forum as well, quite a bunch of threads mentioning it... Too bad I can't order it here in Europe.
A bit out of topic, but can I still be part of the test group? or it is just restricted to the US?

Hesitating between the B17 and the Team Pro... Still have time to decide though, I am not buying immediately.

mp123

The biggest difference in the Brooks saddles you listed is the width. It's hard to know whether you'd like a wider or more narrow saddle over the internet but maybe you have some idea based on your other saddles. It's pretty hard to go wrong with a B17 although I also like the Swift on my more racing bike. The Team Pro is somewhat in the middle and might be a good compromise.

Noah Scape

I think we might be remiss if we didn't also note the significant difference in cost.

fadi

Yup true, I listed the four saddles in the decreasing order of width
But I am not pretty sure how one should measure the required width and if it is necessary for the saddle to cover the entire area or just support at the sitting bones...

I am fairly large though, well built 245lb, 6'1 guy.
I believe the difference of 10mm in width between the B17 and the Team Pro is not something I will ever notice but seems that the Teal Pro is shorter as well by 20mm

Sixty Fiver

The Brooks B17 Imperial has a cutout in the middle and is laced so that it can be snugged up... unlike a B17 I find I can get into a pretty aggressive position and remain comfortable.

East Hill

Unfortunately, the tester group is closed. I don't know exactly what the plans are for the new saddle, but I imagine that Brooks will introduce it fairly quickly, considering how much most of us like it.

It was not restricted to the US, by the way. There are a few people in Europe who got a prototype.

East Hill

TomM

Have you looked at the Champion Flyer?

becnal

+1. I have several, and I love them. I do the same riding as you.

fadi

nope the protruding springs didn't really appeal to my at first sight
Will try to consider this model as well then.

Nermal

Fadi, you might keep in mind that it is really hard to find an underseat bag for a Champion Flyer. The springs even interfere with the Brooks Glenbrook. I.e., follow your instincts.

Dewbert

I have a B17 on my carbon road bike as well as my touring rig. I love them. It's all about the fit.

Torrilin

Some production bikes have a Brooks fitted (Raleigh's One Way is probably the most common). Usually, it's a B-17. I was lucky enough to find one of those in my search for a new bike, and the test ride was *very* helpful and informative. A B-17 is similar in shape to the used saddle I've been using. The two main differences are the Brooks is harder (huge plus) and has a narrower nose (also huge plus). Harder means there's nothing to press on delicate areas because the saddle doesn't move. And the narrower nose means the saddle doesn't rub on my inner thighs to cause saddle sores. (figuring out what was going on took a mirror and lots of amusing contortions, but when the sores are *never* near a seam and you get them even in bike shorts you eventually get a clue)

I now have a B-17 on my bike (as of yesterday), and I've put 12 miles on it. My sit bones are *mildly* sore, but there's no sign of the pain I'd expect from my old saddle. No soft tissue pain.

avmanansala

What about the B17 Champion Narrow? Mine has been pretty comfortable since day 1.

fadi

Thank you all for your replies, I think I am still biased toward the B17 Standard as I think it is quite large and that should suite me well.
I am fairly big

However, I don't know if it is better to get a long seat or a short one.
My first hesitation was between the Team Pro and the B17; and the difference between these two is 20mm in length and 10mm in width in favor of the latter.

homebody146

i'm bigger than you and i have a standard b17 on the hybrid and a narrow b17 on the road bike. both are fine.....but, i'm waiting for the imperial to be available--sounds like it's a step up

fadi

thanks for your input, I appreciate that.

fadi

Ok guys, I just received it in the mail this afternoon!
Finally I had to buy it, couldn't resist

Here are some pics before I go down and install it on my bike...
This thing looks expensive!! Wow I can smell quality.
Can't wait to ride.

Brooks Champion Standard B.17

homebody146

once you set it up, you'll want to "fine tune" it.....I find that I need the nose a bit "up" but you might start with it level and go from there. I like your taste in computers too. ;-)

goldfishin

just get a b17 from wallbike.com and return if you don't like it within 6 months

Siu Blue Wind

I think he already got the saddle.

I really like my Imperial. It's got a natural "spring" to it because it doesn't have the plastic shell underneath to keep it from doing so.

fadi

Ok did a quick 14 miles tonight
Seems quite good, I raised the nose a bit from the very beginning as I read this advice everywhere here; but I found it to be a bit annoying sometimes at the front area... I think I will make it more level tomorrow.

Weird how I was skidding and sliding and skipping on the saddle for the first half an hour or so hehehe... That's gotta be a really smooth leather
But then everything went fine, I was really concentrated on the saddle, that's perhaps the first time that I give so much attention to that area while on a bike; at some points I could even feel that springy effect shall I say

I didn't have any pain whatsoever, and I could have definitely gone longer if I wished to. Something that wasn't always the case with my previous stock saddle.

Anyhow, nothing is said yet, 14 miles are virtually nothing. I will be spending more time on that saddle and see how it gets.

I have high hopes though...


Viva the iMac and yes I already got the B17. Wallbikes.com is probably not a viable option for me as I live in Luxembourg... donno