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come on, brooks cant be THAT good

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Old 09-16-08, 07:28 PM
  #101  
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Originally Posted by sfcrossrider
The only reason I ride with one is so everyone in SF can see that I too have a Brooks. I have to take loooooong baths after even the shortest ride to reduce the swelling in my lower regions. It pains me to think of the irreversible damage I have done, but I am a slave to trends.
I also lolled.
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Old 09-16-08, 08:22 PM
  #102  
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Even an unbrokenin Brooks B17 is one of the most comfortable saddles I have ever ridden.
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Old 09-16-08, 08:33 PM
  #103  
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Old 09-16-08, 08:44 PM
  #104  
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Originally Posted by anomaly
Even an unbrokenin Brooks B17 is one of the most comfortable saddles I have ever ridden.
when i first got mine it reminded me of sitting on a wooden bench at a football game, but to me that was much more favorable even with knowing it would be getting better, than the ***** hatchet of a seat i had before. Honestly my old one made my taint and my crack hurt like a son of a
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Old 09-16-08, 09:09 PM
  #105  
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i'll admit, a trimmed brooks IMO looks nice.
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Old 09-16-08, 09:29 PM
  #106  
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I a little trim can be a good thing...

But seriously...

I have scored quite a few nice saddles in my time and just got a Lycett l'Avenir (these were made by Brooks after the late 20's) which I am sure has been cut across the back and the work was very nicely done.

I think it will be going on my 1973 Raleigh Gran Sport.

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Old 09-17-08, 07:30 AM
  #107  
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Originally Posted by TNCLR
Newsflash: No serious professional cyclist competes on a lugged steel frame outside of Japan.


Dede Barry disagrees

(I know this is a total one off though! Her Mariposa is lovely mind.)
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Old 09-17-08, 09:37 AM
  #108  
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well, i can only sort of comment on the brooks not brooks debate as i don't own a brooks (have a ideale mod 45) but there is no single saddle that will work for everyone. Some people find that brooks or other leather saddles are amazing right out of the box, and the great thing about leather is that it lasts a really long time, and only gets better with age if treated right.

I do think that there are some people that are only riding brooks because it is in fashion, but there is a very real reason that brooks have been in business for as long as they have.

The added weight is not huge, and unless you are a hardcore road racer or pro, it probably won't make a difference. (especially if you have a few extra pounds stashed away somewhere or ride carrying anything.
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Old 09-17-08, 10:16 AM
  #109  
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wow..... brooks makes my butt hurt..... did I mention that before?
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Old 09-17-08, 10:20 AM
  #110  
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they are not for everyone but maybe you had the angle wrong
 
Old 09-17-08, 10:27 AM
  #111  
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Originally Posted by skeem
it seems everyone (who wants to be viewed as super hip), even my best pal, is buying into the brooks craze. i feel people used to get em for 10 bucks at yard sales for thier conversions but now young hipsters are buying them for top dollar. from my experience on road bikes and in a high end road bike shop, people (including myself) seem to think a nice sam marco, italia, fizik... saddle does the trick. im wondering why every hipster is spending $120 and up for an old style leather saddle. they seem outdated to me. people rave about thier comfort, ive never ridden one, but are they really as good as a modern racing saddle that people who ride all day in the saddle up the alps use? can someone back me up and just help me feel im not wrong in thinking that a new italia flite is as coumfy as a b17 and that a flite is lighter and uses more modern technology. any help?


Try one yourself and see. I see plenty of roadies on Brooks. I've got one on one of my fixies, another on my wife's bike. Very nice. My other bikes still have their stock saddles; when one dies I'll be shopping for comfort, not weight.

Advantages of a ligher saddle?
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Old 09-17-08, 10:31 AM
  #112  
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Originally Posted by Understanding
i'll admit, a trimmed brooks IMO looks nice.
Article on trimming and blocking a Brooks.
https://davesbikeblog.squarespace.com...?currentPage=2
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Old 09-17-08, 10:31 AM
  #113  
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around here it's more fashionable to be sporting a rolls, or turbo on the college freshman fixed crowd.

I only seen one other person ever riding a brooks, and it's my mechanic.


Doesn't seem like to much of a trend here, and those damn kids at the U sure do like their trends.... and spending daddy's money... *snickers*
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Old 09-17-08, 10:50 AM
  #114  
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It' pretty much the only saddle I've used in the past 5ys. (B17 and Team Pro) and while I like them they are not 'THAT good'. They could be better.
-They can't be set back as far as most any other saddle
-They change support tension with varied humidity
-They can be easily damaged when they get wet
Al
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Old 09-17-08, 11:05 AM
  #115  
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I agree with noisebeam --- selle italia cutouts $ but they last light and comfy--- italian like my piny and thats how I roll ya all.......
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Old 09-17-08, 11:16 AM
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I ride Brooks because there is no saddle with nine GIANT copper rivets besides the Brooks professional.



Who would want anything else under their crotch?
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Old 09-17-08, 11:18 AM
  #117  
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Levis used to have a copper rivet right in the crotch. Cowboys sitting around the fire did not appreciate them.
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Old 09-17-08, 11:33 AM
  #118  
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the advantage of having a lighter saddle is fairly neglibible unless you are competing...a saddle is unsprung weigt and if that saddle enables you to be more comfortable for longer periods of time then that little extra weight is worth it.

I rode in on my B17 Champion Imperial today and for the most part this saddle has been incredible... I did an 82 mile ride a few weeks ago and did have some soreness but rthat stemmed from having the saddle back just a little too far... I had just moved it from another bike where ther setup had been perfect.

This saddle works well for both upright and aggressive riding positions due it's cutout.
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Old 09-17-08, 11:41 AM
  #119  
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the imperial does look like an amazing saddle. Is it in production yet? or still in beta testing phase?
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Old 09-17-08, 02:53 PM
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the Imperial is still in beta, but i will get one in honey when they come out
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Old 09-17-08, 05:30 PM
  #121  
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Originally Posted by daybreak
you guys can keep giving your opinion about them, but the OP will never form his own opinion about them until he actually rides one.
Until he actually rides one till he breaks it in I have four, a B-17, B-15, Green Brooks Pro, and a Brooks B-17 Narrow. Only one is broken in (B-15) and is VERY comfy
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Old 09-17-08, 05:59 PM
  #122  
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Originally Posted by ilikebikes
Until he actually rides one till he breaks it in I have four, a B-17, B-15, Green Brooks Pro, and a Brooks B-17 Narrow. Only one is broken in (B-15) and is VERY comfy
Not for everyone. My B17 was prefect until 'broken in.' My Team Pro was perfecter than that until it 'broke in' and became less supportive than when new.

I prefer to have compliant support under my sitbones, not a leather hammock wrapping under my entire crotch.

Al
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Old 09-17-08, 06:51 PM
  #123  
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A question for the "Brooks are fugly" crowd. If you are riding your bike why do you care what the saddle looks like? Saddles are not that visable when used for their intended purpose.
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Old 09-17-08, 07:01 PM
  #124  
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well, i guess i need to ride one, but lemme ask this. has anyone who raves about the brooks saddles ridden a new leather italia flite or something like that? without riding a brooks its just hard for me to believe that theyre amazing- the pro level road saddles must be doing something right because riders can sit on them for 150 miles a day at super high speeds up and down mountains for a month (TDF)- thats prolly more than anyone who has a brooks rides a day- except maybe tourers. im just sayin though.
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Old 09-17-08, 07:34 PM
  #125  
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also - I've heard brooks is easy on pants. as in, i've ripped through the crotches of 10 pairs of jeans on my selle saddle. is this inevitable or will i have better luck w/ leather?
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