rayr0683

Hello All,
I have been injured at work, and now am left with a bad back, also had knee surgery. I own a 1985 Schwinn Le Tour Luxe...its almost still like new. I never put much mileage on it, and its been stored in my garage since. This past weekend, I decided to get the tires back inflated, and try out the bike. It really felt great, its a comfortable riding bike. It needs a good cleaning, there are some oxidation/rust spots on the Weinman Rims, and the Chain and Sprockets could use cleaning and lube.

But my questions are: The tires are Schwinn Passge Gumwall tires/Dual Hard....and they felt a bit brittle, but the tread still looks good on them. So, should I stick with them, or replace the tires with new ones? If so, what kind? They are 27"x 1 1/4"

And secondly: My Saddle is an Avocet Touring Saddle. Im not sure which number, I, II or III? But its black, has 2 small bumps on top, says Anatomically Designed...I am not sure if its the USA or Italy Version of the Touring Saddles from Avocet. But, is this a Good Saddle?? I was looking at some of the Newer Gel Saddles, by Serfas, looked at the Italia Turbo, which is a new Re-Issue of the Turbo, and then the Brooks Saddles, such as the B17, or the version with rear springs on it, looks like a B17 with springs...called a Flyer? Is my Avocet in the same league as some of these $60.00 to $100.00 Saddles Ive looked at?? And should I stick with the Avocet Touring, or get something more modern and comfortable? If in fact they are? Thanks for ant help, advice...Im new here..Thanks, Ray

knobster

Your biggest hurdle is going to be the rim size. 27" is old and not standard anymore. However, there are still quite a lot of tires still manufactured for that size and probably will be for the foreseeable future. I would suggest going with something with flat protection like the Continental Ultra Gatorskins. Here's an example of some tires available. https://www.biketiresdirect.com/search/27in-road-tires

That saddle isn't the same as a Brooks, but I wouldn't bother changing it either unless it didn't work for you. If it's comfortable, leave it alone. Once you start putting more and more miles on the bike, it may become uncomfortable with more time on it. Then maybe look at a Brooks.

slowandsteady

Saddle: If it ain't broke don't fix it. Good is a relative term. The only good saddles are those that work for you. There are plenty of so called good saddles that another person could ride a century on, but were torture devices for me personally.

However, I would replace those tires.

fietsbob

There is a trend to convert 700/27" frames to use 650B rims and tires..
a smaller rim so longer reach brakes needed
but the tires are a little larger, more air cushion, and the BB height doesn't drop much.

rayr0683

Hi knobster,
thanks for replying. I just talked to Avocet on the phone. The Sales Dept. Cust Service told me that they are coming out with a whole new line of saddles and Cyclometers this coming season, not now, next season. He told me that the Avocet Touring Models that I had, were also on trek and Cannondales....he said that they are very good saddles, and that if it were up to him, he would have never changed to the newer styles that they came out with. But he said there was a demand for the gel, and racing style Saddles. But he said he felt that the original Avocet Touring I, II, and III were the best Saddles that they had put out. Im not saying they compare to Brooks, just what he told me.

However, I looked at Brooks, and they feels so hard to the hand....how do they eventually become comfortable??? There is no padding at all under that hard leather cover on them. I realise they are very popular, but are the Brooks hard leather saddles, like the B17 and better, are they better Saddles than some of the same priced Padded Saddles, by other manufacturers??? Like some of the Italian models that are very expensive? Or the Velo Orange, Australian Leather saddles?? What about the Copy company from taiwan, called Geyer or something, are they as good, or just a rip off copy? Thanks for any info you may know....Ray

knobster

It's really about comfort. I'd ride and see. If I liked it, I'd leave it. Doesn't matter either way really.

The Brooks saddle is also like this. It may work for you, it may not. It's a full leather saddle so it will "break-in" to your rear end. Just like shoes to your feet or a glove to your hand. They are hard but usually are very comfortable from the start. A seat doesn't need to be soft to be comfortable. Sometimes the opposite is true. Soft gell seats can be very uncomfortable over longer distances.

Personally, if I was going to buy a leather saddle, I wouldn't even look at other companies. Brooks has been making saddles for a very long time and have a reputation for quality. You get what you pay for and that's especially true for this product.

slowandsteady

Padding in saddles is a bad thing. And you don't ride by sitting on your hands. so don't test out a saddle by poking it with your fingers.

rayr0683

Thank you for a very good explanation of the saddles. I had a hard time understanding the leather, but I see all positive reviews for it. Id love to try one. My Local Bike shop will let me try any gel seat I like, for weeks or so, and bring it back for full credit. But he said if I buy a Brooks, Im stuck with it, even if I dont like it. And he has lots of them in stock. Thanks, Ray

knobster

You could buy one from wallbike.com. They have a 6 month return, no questions asked, policy. Great company to deal with.

rayr0683

Hi, and thanks for response. I wasn't judging the whole saddle by hand feel. The owner of the Shop, has Brooks, of all models...has Real Expensive Italian Racing style seats, for around $200 or so dollars......and a range of $40.00 to $70.00 Gel Type Seats, in Lycra or a Leather type of material. He asked me to feel the seat...and told me that my new enjoyment would come to a quick halt, if I didn't get a saddle that was comfortable. He said, Id love to take your $100.00 for a Brooks, but being honest, I think you will have much more comfort on any of these Gel type of Anatomically designed seats. And you can try it for weeks, and if you dont like it, bring it back, and you can try another one...till you find the one you like.....he said how can you beat that.....and told me that the new gel doesn't collapse or harden, like the old Gells did. But he doesnt offer the same exchange policy for the Brooks. He said the Brooks would take a real long time for me to break in, plus its getting colder here in NJ area now....and seat will be harder. He thought it would end all enthusiasm for my new riding plans.

Anyway....I went out last night, just to try to judge my Avocet saddle......Its a Touring Saddle from 1985....and I have to say, to me, it feels kinda hard. I think on a loong bike ride, it would hurt my butt bones, and possibly my inner groin area. So, maybe I do need to address the Saddle Issue. Thanks all. Ray