Bike Forums - Brooks Saddle for women?

Bike Forums (https://www.bikeforums.net/forum.php)

- Touring (https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/)

- - Brooks Saddle for women? (https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/230677-brooks-saddle-women.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polaris43

2. Is it true that if you get your Brooks wet, it's dead? I don't plan on getting it wet but what do you do about the unanticipated rain shower or accidental spillage from the water bottle?

"Made in England".

'nough said!

Brooks Finesse. It's shorter and a bit wider than the men's saddles and the leather is thicker than the B-17 - essentially a ti-railed version of the Professional S.

I've gotten it wet a few times and just used Proof Hide on it the following day. Lately I've taken to carrying a plastic bag in my seat bag for unexpected changes in weather.

So far this thread has made me more confused than not. Now I'm torn between the b17, b17s, team pro s, and regular pro. Too many choices!

Quote:

Originally Posted by garagegirl

So far this thread has made me more confused than not. Now I'm torn between the b17, b17s, team pro s, and regular pro. Too many choices!

I'd say go to Wallingford bicycles and start with the ladies model of one of the saddles. The Pros tend to be a bit harder than the B17. People say there isn't a difference but I've found the B17 to be instantly comfortable while the Pro takes a while. If you don't like it, Wallingford has a good return policy.

Now's the time to jump in rather than stand on the side of the pool judging the temperature with your toe.;)

Perfect reason to get one from Wall Bike since they have the great return policy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by garagegirl

So far this thread has made me more confused than not. Now I'm torn between the b17, b17s, team pro s, and regular pro. Too many choices!

I put a B-17 standard on my Marin Sausalito hybrid at the beginning of the season (1500 miles ago) and I absolutely love it. It has broken in beautifully and couldn't imagine a better saddle.

I recently converted a mid-90's Gary Fisher Marlin mountain bike to a tourer, and chose a B-17S (women's model). It feels great, and I think the extra width is a good thing for my sitbones. I don't think the shorter length will make a difference for me. I'm looking forward to many happy miles on it! :D

Yay! I just got a new Brooks Team Pro S on Ebay for $53!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Brooks-Team-Pro-...QQcmdZViewItem
I can't wait to try it out! At this price if it doesn't work out I can just sell it again. Thanks for your help everyone!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peterpan1

"Really? Do tell."

I used to do a fair bit of leather work. There could be a couple of things that make the saddle uncomfortable, but if it related to "breaking in", then the problem is that your bony bits are resting on the hard leather dome of the saddle, and it has not as yet confromed to them. When it comes to softening up molded leather it just takes a certain amount of force, it's going to take a long time if your weight or the pressure your rump applies, is simply insuficient. If you could locate the area where you bones contact the seat, try carbon paper, then all you have to do is give those locations, spots about the size of a golf ball, a little tap with a rounded mallet or hammer, and they will easily punch down. What you want in the end is soft little craters in a surounding field of hard upward curved leather. The seat does not care how the upset occurs as long as it is accurately performed.

Right now I imagine you could sit on your hands without undue pain. How gently would you like me to hit your hands with a hammer? When it comes to softening up the leather there are much more efficeint ways that using you sit bones, on the other hand you do have to tap the seat in the right place. Softening the whole seat top is not what you want.

Any preparation that sotens the seat will destroy the reast of the saddle that is holding up around the craters, and ruin your comfort. So don't use oils etc... Wax is a good preservative and water proofing (though I still use a cover whenver it is wet).

I've used this method for quite a while now and recommend it. It is important if you are going to try it, to use it with a new, hard saddle as what you are doing is breaking the leather fibres in order to make the depressions for your sit-bones. If the saddle has already been softened in some way then it won't work.Following this method you can give it a coat of "Hydrophane" or some similar product but this should not be enough to soften the saddle, only enough to waterproof it.
I've never understood why people should choose to try to create indentations in hard leather using their rear-end. Makes no sense to me.

My wife uses a Finesse, tough to break in but superb.