Which brooks saddle should i buy

The honey coloured leather bike touring saddle is probably my favourite. I know. In an age where modern materials are being developed on a regular basis to increase efficiency, cut down weight, and improve comfort, a leather saddle for bicycle touring seems a bit of an anachronism.

Take my word for it though, the B is super-comfortable once you have gone past the break-in-period! Quite simply, they are the best touring bike saddle around. Note: If you are looking for a non-leather seat, check out the Brooks C17 from their Cambium range. During that time, the saddle isn't painful to sit on or anything.

It's just not as comfortable as it will be later on. What happens during this period, is the seat starts to mould itself to the shape of your butt. As it does so, it becomes more and more comfortable. Funny story here — My two Brooks B17 saddles look totally different where they have shaped themselves to my backside, but they are equally comfortable! The break-in time seems to vary from person to person.

Other people have mentioned it might take several hundred miles for the B17 saddle to get truly comfortable.

Observation: You'll find instructions on how to break in the Brooks leather saddle when you buy one. Don't listen to the weird and wonderful methods some people describe online — follow the Brooks England advice!

Leather does need taking care of, and the Brooks saddle is no different. Applying some Brooks Proofide from time to time is hardly a problem. Neither is tightening the saddle if needed. One thing that I would suggest, is that when bicycle touring, cover the saddle with a bag at night. There is no need to expose it to the rain more than necessary. The same can also be said of keeping it out of direct sunlight for long periods of time.

As you might expect, you'll find solutions to the most common scenarios within the Brooks products range. Another key feature of the B17 saddle is the steel rails which provide a sturdy frame. KFG: I fought long and hard for my right to ride a pink saddle with butterfly logos on it. And now I ride Brooks. I think I made the point you also made: that the "men's" and "women's" labels in saddles are meaningless. At least they are for me! That said, Filigree's article is very good and, as she points out, her advice will work for many more cyclists than what we find in most other cycling sites, books and magazines.

Although I've raced and been a bike messenger, have done several long bike tours and still like to ride a fine road bike, I am also thinking more about "practical" cycling. I'd like to ride to work without having to change clothes; also, sometimes I just want to look and feel dignified on a bike.

So I'm finding this site interesting and useful. Justine: "I think I made the point you also made" Yes, I simply generalized it a bit to include frame geometry. Takes all kinds to make a cycling world. I am also thinking more about "practical" cycling. I certainly do. Bummer about the "availability" although I believe a few of the smaller sizes might still be lying around Walnut Creek and Grant promises a similar bike in future.

That's quite useful, thanks a lot. Since I haven't got around to buy a new bike yet, I thought we could maybe go on a trip through some Viennese bike shops once you're here. You just seem to be an expert on everything concerning bikes! Sure will return for an update.. Anna - You know, I have not found a Viennese bike shop that actually carries a bike I would recommend. Maybe there are additional, secret ones, that I missed : I wonder whether Retro-Velo has a distributor in Austria and can arrange for us to test-ride their bicycles For some reason, I can really see you on one of those!

Very useful - but having done a bit of research since I got my saddle, I'd be a bit careful about applying neatsfoot oil or anything but proofide to your saddle. From what I understand, the breaking in process is not meant to soften the saddle - the softer the saddle, the less time it will last - but to gradually stretch it to shape.

The faster it's worn in, the faster it will wear out. The end result of a broken-in saddle will be comfortable not because it's spongy soft, but because it's moulded to your sit bones and if it isn't too soft, it will stay that way for longer. Although why different saddles take different lengths of time to break in, I don't know.

Lots of good Brooks Saddle info when and if I am ever in the market for a new saddles. Isn't that what freedom and tolerance are all about? Townmouse: You're right about "breaking in" Brooks saddles. It is indeed about attaining the right shape, not making the saddle softer. That is also the reason why buying "pre-treated" translation: "pre-softened saddles makes no sense.

No matter which saddle I use, and I have several Brooks, I still get saddle sores on my Batavus over 20 miles. So if I am out for a long day, I have padded under shorts that a nice full skirt hides very well : I don't think it is the saddles, I think it is just me. The "S" feature for me helps in one area- when I am mounting the saddle while starting, standard length saddles always grab my waist band or back pockets and that drives me nuts!!!

Also, instead of neetsfoot I sold leather products for years and that stuff is not good try the Obenauf's that Riv. It will not damage your saddle at all, it is even great for Coach bags and my leather skirt and blazer. It softens the leather very slowly and really protects the colour and surface well.

Adriene,I was wondering if my Brooks B 67 "aged" would have a shorter life seeing as it has been pretreated with leather conditioners prior to sale?

That would be frustrating! Has anyone else had feedback on Brooks Aged line? They seem to be in short supply on several web sites I have checked. Adrienne - Thanks for sharing the info about leather treatment! Threespeeder - I don't think that the Aged B67 should not have a shorter life span; pretreating with conditioners is fine.

Some are emphatically for it, others vehemently against. For what it's worth, Sheldon Brown swore by it scroll down to "Breaking in a leather saddle". The break-in process is not meant to make a saddle entirely soft, but it is meant to make it somewhat softer - softer than "hard as a rock" at least, which is the state of my Flyer. At the same time I resent it when "women's bikes" are automatically fitted with such saddles. I find bubblegum-pink nauseating, and question the wisdom of believing that such an aesthetic is desirable for grown women who need a bicycle.

Do you hear that, marketing people? Filigree, Thanks for the info on the Schwalbes. Maybe I will treat myself for Christmas! Thanks too for the comforting comment on my B67! Justine: "Isn't that what freedom and tolerance are all about? Filigree: "Do you hear that, marketing people?

They are otherwise deaf and blind. Would that they were also dumb as opposed to stupid, which they are more often than not. See and hear Bill Hicks.

Could someone tell me the proper name for the chrome plugs in the Raleigh forks and where I could get replacments? I checked the Harris Cyclery site once but didn't know what the do-dads were called.

Sorry I'm not being particularly helpful, but reality is like that sometimes. Lots of knowledgeable collectors there; someone will know. Filigree, I agree with you. I'm probably old enough to be your mother, so I resent having the "Barbie" aesthetic Is that an oxymoron? I prefer classy and functional to all else. Listen to us, marketing people. If you don't, well, you don't want to deal with the wrath of both genders!

Filigree: "That's some tough love" What, who, ME? In a "mood"? Thanks for the "tough love"! Thanks again. By the way there just has to be a mecca around the NW somewhere. Maybe Vancouver B. C or Victoria on the Island.

Threespeeder: If you had asked as recently as five years ago I might well have been able to give you rather more helpful answers, but there's this little thing called "Supply and Demand. New ones, such as are still available, will be found on an old shelf, in an old store room, in an old bike store, covered with old dust, somewhere in the midwest. The NW is where demand for such bikes is highest, so where availability is lowest and prices highest.

In Iowa they're still just "that old bike in the barn. You can probably find one in Idaho, which is at least closer than Iowa. Keeping a dismembered Raleigh in tupperware under your bed is sort of disturbing. Instead, I'd keep it in the freezer in the garage. Think inside the box. Freezers are for vintage road bikes. How about a kimchi pot buried in the yard? Pickling is good for steel. I am always on the lookout for one. In the meantime I will use wine corks for my "thimbles" and cycle on my merry way!

Walla Walla our nearest "big" town is a wine mecca after all! You might be interested to know that the Brooks B67 is beginning to feel really good now. I guess it was simply a matter of toughing it out! Thanks again! Whether you use your legs or spring in the saddle, or optimum tire pressure, the goal is to keep the tires glued to the road. You may also have lighter tires with less rolling resistance and greater inertia to account for the greater speed on the Raleigh.

While we talk about the horse then saddle also comes in an important role. There are many products of different brands in the market. I agree with your comments, saddle choice is very dependent on riding style and position. Padded shorts are unhygienic and impractical for long-distance bicycle tours. Brooks leather saddles are available in a wide variety of models. The Brooks B17 is the original and best when it comes to comfort on the bike. It is considered by many to be the gold standard in long-distance bicycle touring saddles.

Brooks also produces a smaller range of new designs that take their inspiration from the original B17 saddle design. These high spec leather bicycle saddles by Brooks are variations on the B17 theme which feature springs, anatomical cutouts, and graded leather finish options.

Top made out of vegetable-tanned leather Tubular rivets — ladies version Frame made out of black enameled steel Dimensions LxWxH : x x 58 mm Weight: g. Since my Dawes Ultra Galaxy came with a brand spanking new Brooks B17 saddle in black leather I was pretty set that this was the right choice for my long-distance bike tour around Europe.

In all honesty, I was quite precious about my new Brooks saddle when I first got it. I was super OCD about taking good care of it. Brooks leather saddles are built to last. I knew there were a few miles to do before my Brooks saddle performed its legendary magic and shaped to my buttocks. Since we were leaving town quite soon I just had time to make a handful of long rides to break in the saddle.

I found that came sometime around a few hundred hours in the saddle. In bicycle touring terms it took about ten days to break in my Brooks B17 leather saddle from box-fresh to sublime comfort.

Taking care of a leather saddle is easier than it may sound. Happily, Brooks makes it easy to care for your B17 leather saddle. They produce a substance called Proofide — the only recommended product for Brooks leather saddles. Simply apply Proofide liberally to the underside of the saddle and work slowly and methodically to the topside working the cream into the leather with a gentle rubbing motion.

The products from Brooks are handmade in England, and they follow strictly traditional techniques that have been around for at least a century, thus proving they work, and this model is not an exception either.

The saddle has rails and frames that were created using hardened black steel so that you will enjoy the mix of strength and style that you deserve, thus surely making this option a stand out in any store.

The saddle was created using classic and traditional techniques that have been used for this for over years now, originated all the way in England. The product is classically sprung, which makes it a very good option for various activities that many enjoy today, such as trekking and touring.

You will also notice the double rear spring as the product has two rear springs so that you can enjoy an extra layer of comfort when you are riding the bike. In order to mix strength and style, the frames and rails of this saddle are created from hardened black steel, which is, obviously, a plus. One of the features that you will notice and surely like is the waterproof and weatherproof nylon cover that was created so that it can work in any condition. This saddle is made from really interesting materials that make it a stand out, such as vulcanized natural rubber and organic cotton canvas.

On top of them, there is also a thin layer of structural textile so that you will have even better resistance, making this choice a rather obvious one for many people that check it out. A really good thing this product comes with is the waterproof and weatherproof nylon cover, which means that you can use the saddle in all weather conditions. The saddle is created from vulcanized natural rubber and organic cotton canvas, covered with a thin layer of structural textile, for a superior level of resistance.

Also, the saddle has a fiberglass reinforced backplate with loops for a saddle bag or various other accessories that you may carry with you. Due to its design, you must be very careful when you climb the saddle, as having shorts over the cycling shorts increases the chances of them being pulled down when you do this activity, which, naturally, would create a rather embarrassing moment if you are not careful. People that have tried this product can confirm this.

One of the things that stands out, in this case, is the fact that the product is made out of fine vegetable-tanned leather. The model has micro-adjust pillars. This means that the single rails can be attached to these modern pillars. The classically sprung saddle represents another cool feature, as it has a wider rear portion as well, thus making it a product that many people can use.

Also very important is the fact that the saddle is made out of all black steel, tubular steel rivets, and features a single rail design, for a better overall experience in riding your bike.

This clearly makes this product a very interesting one for many. You can attach the single rails to the modern micro-adjust seat pillar, so you can be sure that the ride will go much smoother from now on. It is a classically sprung saddle with a wider rear portion as well, so a wider variety of people can rely on using this model.

The pores of the vegetable-tanned leather of this saddle offer you ventilation in a natural way so that you can be cool throughout the ride. It is made using a technology that is dating back to a century ago, clearly showing that the old methods can still be highly relevant even today.

The product can produce a creaking sound as time goes by, which can be unpleasant for many people, so our advice is to keep oiling it up in several points to fix this problem; this may not always fix the problem completely, but it will surely make a difference. If you want a good saddle for your bicycle, then, clearly, you need to pick one that is made out of qualitative materials, and this option is one that manages to stand out as it is made out of vulcanized natural rubber and organic cotton, all so that you can enjoy a superior level of comfort that you rightfully deserve on your trips.

Of course, we also have to mention the presence of a cambium top that has the ability to move and flow naturally with your movement, as you ride the bike, so that you can enjoy better control of the bike and a better way of pedaling. The product has a die-cast aluminum structure and tubular steel rails, which will offer you much more durability and strength in the long run. The saddle is made out of vulcanized natural rubber and organic cotton, which means you will have a superior level of comfort when you are riding the bike.

The cambium top is a really cool feature, as it can move and flow naturally and easily with your general movement when you are riding the bicycle. The fact that the cambium top plays a big role in making sure that you can control the bike better, while also pedaling better, is another big plus. For higher durability for the years to come, the saddle has a die-cast aluminum structure and tubular steel rails, clearly making a world of difference.

The color of the saddle can wear off pretty quickly, especially if you live in a humid climate or if you tend to sweat a lot. This product manages to stand out thanks to a variety of features, such as the fact that it is chrome plated. This means that the rails and frames are completely made out of chrome-plated steel, which has the goal of offering you a good combination of the strength that you need and the style that you want.

Like many other Brooks England Saddles, this one is also created in England and relies on year-old traditional techniques for the quality that you want and need. The product is made out of fine superior vegetable-tanned leather.