Okay, Okay, Okay....
 

....I don't think I should let this continue any further than it has already gone.

Here's the story:

In my quest for a comfortable saddle I've tried just about everything. I've ridden Rolls, Turbos, Flites, Max Flites, WTBs, SLR, SLR Gel Flow, Specialized, etc. This list really goes on, and on, and on. I've never found something comfortable for both short and long rides. I've known about Brook's saddles for many years but always found them hideous in appearance and couldn't, for the life of me, understand how that leather could be comfortable. Well, after getting tired of buying and trying new saddles I thought I'd give Brooks a shot. I spent quite some time researching which saddle was right for me. B17? Nope, only really comfortable for upright riding. Swallow? Ha, I'm not about to start selling off parts to afford it. I settled on the Team Pro. A week later I had it sitting in my room.

I researched and read everything there is to know about Brooks saddles. I used all the appropriate break in procedures, saddle height/tilt/foreaft adjustments that are critical to make the saddle feel right. Now, this f****ing thing was a b****h to break in, but once it was, it felt great. Except there was one problem.

Before I continue I was to say this: I am a firm believer in the idea of having the padding in your shorts, not your seat. If you've ridden for any considerable amount of time on a soft, fluffy, gelly seat, you'll understand. If you want to be comfortable on any firm seat you really should ride with a nice pair of shorts. Thing is, I ride 5 days a week without shorts, and I'm not looking to start, or change my saddle. So i wanted a firm, yet slightly flexible saddle.

Anyway, back to the problem. The thing with Brooks users is that they end up running the saddle level or slightly tilted up. You have to do this to keep from sliding off and end up putting a lot of pressure on your hands. So I had my slightly tilted, but I was expierencing way too much pressure on my perineum, not good. So I would go back and forth between level and tilted up, too much pressure on my hands, too much pressure on my perineum. I know other Brooks users have expierenced this as well.

Jesus, I just realized how long this is getting. I'll just cut to the chase.

Bottom line--Most comfortatable saddle I've ever ridden, period. The zipties keep it stiff while the long cutout allows each side to independently flex with each peddle stroke. No, it doesn't pinch. I sanded the whole seat because I'm going to dye the seat with leather dye, seal the pores and then polish it to a nice shine. No I don't recommend doing this. Yes the seat looks ugly. There is a company that does this, I recommend checking them out.

F the haters.

If it floats your boat, keep sailing.

I don't any of us were under the impression that you had already ridden on this.
Since you have and it's comfortable and secure, then that's all that matters.

should you feel guilty? No way it's your saddle do what you want with it!

Will you regret it? Time will tell. that's what experiments are all about.

I forsee a new thread in 2 weeks... "My sack got caught in my saddle.. what to do?"

"hi and goodbye pt II"...

nah, i can see the logic now. i do want an update thread. cuz...time is the only real way to tell how well these things work.

yeah man, as long as it's not biting your taint, aint no thing. **** the brooks hype, it's about a comfortable ride, and i like the way it looks.

Just tell people you carved it from a piece of wood that broke from a tree that was struck by lightning.

put it on this:

http://www.zpinaddict.com/rhpctbikec...ooden_bike.jpg

I thought I was the only person who did stuff like this.

Congrats on getting a saddle just right...

You should definitely name your seat Wonder Boy.

that hurts just thinking about that

What in the hell kind of clothes do you guys ride in that your ballsack could hang down and get caught in something? Riding behind you must be like following a loose lorry load of grapes...

Maybe you should try the real man saddle

http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/1...esaddle2bu.jpg

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/real-man.html

Im just wondering why you just didnt keep two saddles since you have tried soo many. 1 for long rides and 1 for short. anyway, if it worked out and feels good then go with it.

have you seen this?

http://www.selleanatomica.com/

oops- just realized naz already posted it...

These seem like they'd be pretty comfortable

http://www.saddleco.com/flowmain.html

LOLocaust.... You wouldn't say that to my Gazelle Trim Trophy's face - I'm just a really good shopper!

Actually though, my bad. I saw that thing, thought "Swallow", and don't know anything about Brooks in between the basic B17 and the top end. I assumed it was a $300 model. At $100, you can only get 2 of my bikes. I actually have nice bikes, but also an eye for a bargain on ebay. And I don't own a classic track bike (or at least, only the one I bought to flip).

Looks pretty sweet actually. Got an inch pitch drive train to go with it? Definitely update.

and momentum, you should be used to that by now.

it's the brooks labia pro.

Oh well...I thought it looked good the way it was. Nice chop job. Reminds me of mine:

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/3530/lsbrooks8le.jpg

Did you oil it or tan the sanded-down leather in any way? It just looks rough, but I suppose with sweat, sun, and age, it'll darken like the Honeys are supposed to. If that's the case, then it might not looks so bad. Post a 'finished product' pic with the zip ties. (sacriledge! You could have got a baseball mitt re-lacing kit from any sporting goods store and tied it up classy-like)

Some reviewers didn't like the way the plastic around the saddle felt. They said it dug into their thighs. I was either gonna buy a brooks or the saddleco saddle, but after reading those reviews, went with the brooks. Woulda been nice to have that mesh air-conditioning, though.

I think it looks cool. Nice work.

My taint aint comfortable on my saddle even for short peiods of time. Also, the clasp is stripped that loosens the saddle for adjustment. I need to take my bike to the lbs for some assitance and a new saddle!

Reminds me of Picasso.

Dude, you ride naked 5 days a week? That rules.