Brooks Saddle.....would you?

TheBoyBilly

I have been riding my 2007 Langster for a few months now and to be honest am having trouble getting along with the stock BodyGeometry saddle. I feel I have given it enough time for me to get comfortable but I don't think this saddle is for me. Would you recommend a Brooks saddle. I know I can put up with the "break-in" period, but how long does it realisically take? I actually quite like the idea of the care part of these saddles, you know treating them to a bit of TLC and that, sort of therapeutic. And what model for a singlespeeder? A B17 is what I am drawn to.

johnnyc71

I use a B17 Special - and like it. It was quite comfortable straight away - but is taking a while to break in. I have put 800 miles on it and it's still fairly solid - but comfortable, so no problems.

I'm sure a great many people will say it's very subjective, all I can sayt is I like them.

TheBoyBilly

Thank you Johnny. A lot a folk get on with the B17 albeit after a while. I like the look of the distressed version of the B17 but will wait for a few other opinions, or suggestions of other saddles, before taking the plunge. The funny thing is that when I was a kid back in the late 50's early 60's every bike around our streets seemed to have Brooks saddles so I must've ridden loads. My brother had a lovely bottle-green Carlton....what a smashing bike.

johnnyc71

I went for the black saddle with over sized rivets:

http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDeta ... uctID=8961

I will get a brown one next time - if this one ever wears out.

I cycled lots of different bikes during the 70's - usually made up from an assortment of parts - some strange lookiing designs for sure.

jumbolugs

Have had a B17 for 14 years. It's been on 4 or 5 different bikes and taken a lot of abuse including being left out in the rain a lot.
I've now got a Spec BG saddle on my road bike but still using the B17 on my hybrid which is my commuting ride. In terms of comfort they are about the same but the B17 looks far better for its age (distressed cowhide looks a hundred times better than scuffed vinyl/plastic or whatever it is that the BG is covered with)

I would say get a B17 I don't think u will regret it[/url]

woodford2barbican

I did and I would again. Also got a B17 - never had any comfort issues with it. But then I have never had any comfort issues with any saddle.

I must have an average arse.

Belv

Reports i have read suggest it is entirely down to the individual, some saying it's perfect from first ride, others saying 1000 miles. Perhaps it's down to what you have before, or personal pain threshold?!

The only thing that puts my off is my bike lives outside and is used year round and i don't believe the leaather likes that.

TheBoyBilly

From what I can gather, Belv, Proof-ide is the key. Liberal amounts to the underside of the saddle and a little on the top now and then should keep the saddle ship-shape. Apparently ,from other posts, this has the added side effect of keeping the saddle from needing tensioning so often. Brooks also make a cheap cover for bikes kept outside.

BentMikey

A brooks would go very well with my carradice saddlebag!

alfablue

I am hankering after a Selle An-Atomica. It is similar to brooks, but has a cutout, is designed to flex under each sit bone as you pedal, and the top version uses waterproof hide, and no leather treatments are necessary on the waterproof version. About £90 from US.

I really want one, but have yet to take the plunge, it makes sense to me to go for this rather than spend half that and try a Brooks. (They do offer a service to convert Brooks too).

Hmmm, soon...

ChrisLS

...you know what, I really am getting a hankering for a Brooks saddle...and a Carradice saddle bag... 8) both will soon be back in fashion...let's start a trend...

Belv

TheBoyBilly wrote:

From what I can gather, Belv, Proof-ide is the key. Liberal amounts to the underside of the saddle and a little on the top now and then should keep the saddle ship-shape. Apparently ,from other posts, this has the added side effect of keeping the saddle from needing tensioning so often. Brooks also make a cheap cover for bikes kept outside.

Thanks! Cover would get lost, but if it would survive with no more than monthly proof-ide-ing (!) then it might be ok.

BentMikey

ChrisLS wrote:

...you know what, I really am getting a hankering for a Brooks saddle...and a Carradice saddle bag... 8) both will soon be back in fashion...let's start a trend...

LOL, there was a time when I was at school when I wouldn't have touched either with a bargepole, but I now think they are extremely cool. They are the best in slightly eccentric English bike gear.

El Gordo

I've got a B17 standard on my tourer and it's like sitting on a sofa - it's just lovely. I reckon it took about 1000 miles to get like that but was pretty good from day one.

I'd love one of the racier titanium ones for my road bike but will have to win the lottery first.

I remember my Dad used to use a Brooks which he got second hand. He spent years in discomfort trying to get his arse to fit some other guy's indents (which sounds much ruder than intended).

saveswalking

El Gordo wrote:

I've got a B17 standard on my tourer and it's like sitting on a sofa - it's just lovely. I reckon it took about 1000 miles to get like that but was pretty good from day one.

I'd love one of the racier titanium ones for my road bike but will have to win the lottery first.

I remember my Dad used to use a Brooks which he got second hand. He spent years in discomfort trying to get his ars* to fit some other guy's indents (which sounds much ruder than intended).

:P suppose its the same as leather shoes - not advised to wear second hand.

I've got a green B17 special - wonderful !

sw

tardington

Let me know how it goes - I've been offered at Brooks (sister bought a cannondale man-bike which came with one).

Alternatively, do they go for much on eBay? 8)

Random Vince

I've recently started road riding, my road bike got a weathered brooks so that it fitted with the bike (60's roadie)

loved it since the off.

Kafka\'s Doll

I'd like to know when Brooks are going to turn their attention to helmets. Perhaps something trilby-shaped. It's all very well leathering up with nice saddles and bags, but it looks weird when you've a fruit-shaped chunk of plastic on your hea

Anyone know if there's any such thing as a fashionable helmet?

upsidedown

Done a few hundred miles on a 1976 Super Galaxy with original B17, love it.

TheBoyBilly

Mikey will think I'm some sort of Philistine but I quite like the B17 in green too. It will set of the rust (poo) colour of my Langster just right. But then I like 2CV's too.

BentMikey

LOL! I think that might go very well with a green Carradice too.

star_rover

For a drop bar bike I reckon the B17 is a bit too wide - you might be better with the B17 narrow or a team pro. Alas, the team pro doesn't come with saddle bag loops for the carradice you are sure to want to buy next!

Wooliferkins

I've had a Professional on various touring bikes and now the club hack/commuter. It wasn't the wisest choice as a saddle to wear in as a novice. Saddle adapting the bum and wearing in the saddle together was an interesting couple of hundred miles but in the following fifteen years I have never regretted it.

sps137

I bought a swallow last week and took it for it's first ride (50miles) at the w/e. despite the fact that it is rock solid to the touch I found it pretty comfy from the off, certainly no sore spots. Hopefully it well get better and better from here.

TheBoyBilly

Well pay day is in acouple of weeks so I shall have a mooch around various bike shops then. Not quite made my mind up about a Brooks, as C+ has thrown another couple of alternatives in the mix. I will, in due course let you all know how I get on. Thanks for the excellent feedback folks.

Bill