LHT w/moustache bars -- B17 or ???
 

I was almost ready to pull the trigger on a B17 for my new LHT. I swapped the drop bars for moustache bars last week (love them) and I'm wondering if the B17 is suitable for the slightly more upright position. I kept the stock stem, contrary to the advice to do otherwise with these bars, because I don't mind the reach to the curves.

I've already replaced the stock saddle with a Specialized BG we had from another bike, but I don't think it's going to work out on this bike and I'm ready to get a new saddle.

Does anyone ride the LHT with this set-up on a B17?

BTW, I rode the LHT 110 miles this weekend and I absolutely LOVE it.

[QUOTE=Yen;7702776]I was almost ready to pull the trigger on a B17 for my new LHT. I swapped the drop bars for moustache bars last week (love them) and I'm wondering if the B17 is suitable for the slightly more upright position. I kept the stock stem, contrary to the advice to do otherwise with these bars, because I don't mind the reach to the curves.

I've already replaced the stock saddle with a Specialized BG we had from another bike, but I don't think it's going to work out on this bike and I'm ready to get a new saddle.

Does anyone ride the LHT with this set-up on a B17?

BTW, I rode the LHT 110 miles this weekend and I absolutely LOVE it.[/QUOTE/]

I don't have the LHT but I have that set up on my Cannondale T800 and on my Cannondale ST400 its a great set up.

I'm using the B17 Narrow on the LHT, have been doing so since day 1 on that bike, and has worked out well for me.

I just replaced my B67 with a B17. On my century, I noticed it a couple times, but I think it was due to a new B17 vs a 4 year old B67.

I don't know anything about your stock saddle, or the Specialized BG; but I can tell you this. I used to use a Brooks Professional, and a Fujita Professional saddle that is virtually identical to that Brooks, on my drop-bar bikes, including my tourer. I liked them, really thought they were great, as you can tell from the shapes they've taken after 25 years. But when I got my folding bike, which has its bars at about the same height as the saddle, those saddles suddenly seemed very uncomfortable. I switched to the B-17 which was both wider (and brand new!). It was wonderful! The slightly wider saddle fits the slightly more upright posture perfectly. But note, moustache bars on a LHT will give you a considerably longer cockpit than I have on my folding bike, and that may change things.

I use a B-17 Imperial on my Raleigh mountain bike, with trekking bars set very much level with the bars, and the saddle is just dandy. I have a lot of my weight back on the saddle and it is fine.

i have a B17 and mustache bars on my Steamroller
bars about one inch ABOVE the saddle
works well very comfy
just get the saddle level or very slightly nose up

Steve

I have a B17 on my Nashbar road frame', with Nitto mustache bar and Nitto
dirt drop stem. the bar is above the saddle height ~1-2 inches. Real comfy setup in terms of neck/shoulder pain. The B17 is great, no problems width wise. In fact, the most common complaint from other riders during the century I did this summer was a sore butt. Their saddles were not B17's... I may get sore in other parts of my body after a century, but I have never had a sore butt with the B17. The most common comments I got from my bike were the B17 and Mustache bars. Many cyclist have never seen them, and have a hard time figuring them out... (Isn't leather too hard? Isn't that saddle too heavy? Where did you get those bars? Did they come with the bike?) I have seen some other B17's over the years during large century rides, but never Mustache bars (at least in VT/NH...). In fact, the last time I saw a mustache bar on a bike was a few years ago a cyclist went whizzing by while I was picking up my kid at school. I wish I had been on my bike so I could have compared notes about the M'bars. By the way, the Mbars a comfy for the long ride. In reading reviews, people either hate them or love them. Never seems to be an inbetween feeling...

I think the b-18 and he b-17s are both directed towards women, so you might want to test those out. The B-18 looks beautiful, for the record.

Saddle choice is such a personal thing. Bicycle fit and body type are important. I think the best thing to do would be to experiment with a b-17. I believe Wallingford Bike in New Orleans allows you to return a Brooks saddle within 6 months of purchase if buyer isn't satisfied.http://www.wallbike.com/Brooks.html

It's what I've been using on my LHT for the last couple years, honey B17 and Nitto Moustaches. It's just the most excellent setup, especially with the Silver bar-end shifters. No complaints. I had absolutely no break-in period for my Brooks, it was comfier than any other saddle I'd tried from day one.

Thanks everyone. I've read great things about this saddle and I plan to buy it from wallbike.com.

I'm torn between black (to match the bar tape, and basic black is always nice with silver components), or honey. I love the honey color and I know it darkens with age.... like a nice pair of boots.

Bartape costs 10 dollars and will ultimately be replaced. Honey and silver go better together than black and silver.