Charge Spoon versus Brooks B17: Fight Time

[Rickshaw Phil]

Out of interest, is there anyone who's had a Charge Spoon and didn't like it?

Hateful thing! Beyond 20 miles it was uncomfortable, beyond 40 miles it was unbearable. I did once do a 50 miler on it which involved a lot of standing on the pedals towards the end. Despite trying all sorts of different setups I eventually had to give it up as a bad job.

The B17 it was replaced with isn't perfect by any means (I've finally come to the conclusion it's too wide for me) but has been good enough to do a few century rides on, including my personal best of 131 miles.

Currently giving a Brooks Team Pro a try. It feels better for me shape-wise but will need some breaking in.

 

[craigwend]

yebbutt - that's only 3 acceptable colours

 

[beastie]

I used a Spoon for 2 years and it wasn't bad ......for 50 miles. After that it was painful and if I was riding any distance the next day it was even worse. I use a Selle SMP hybrid on both road and mountain bikes now and it is so much more comfortable

 

[raleighnut]

Hateful thing! Beyond 20 miles it was uncomfortable, beyond 40 miles it was unbearable. I did once do a 50 miler on it which involved a lot of standing on the pedals towards the end. Despite trying all sorts of different setups I eventually had to give it up as a bad job.

The B17 it was replaced with isn't perfect by any means (I've finally come to the conclusion it's too wide for me) but has been good enough to do a few century rides on, including my personal best of 131 miles.

Currently giving a Brooks Team Pro a try. It feels better for me shape-wise but will need some breaking in.

B17n does it for me then in descending order Swift Titanium/Swallow 2005 Titanium Ltd Edition (both about the same comfort wise), B5n and then the B17s (Copper Rivets)
The B17n (Narrow) is on my Ridgeback and was my choice/will be my choice of bike for anything over 50 miles.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

B17n does it for me then in descending order Swift Titanium/Swallow 2005 Titanium Ltd Edition (both about the same comfort wise), B5n and then the B17s (Copper Rivets)
The B17n (Narrow) is on my Ridgeback and was my choice/will be my choice of bike for anything over 50 miles.

I suspect the B17N would work for me too and I'll probably get one at some point in the future.

I took a punt on the Team Pro after noticing how popular they are with the Audax crowd (and after admiring a well broken in one on a parked bike a little while back) and reasoned that they probably have an idea about long distance comfort.

Doing a century on it having only done 100 running in miles probably wasn't the best idea but it only felt bad after 60 miles and will hopefully improve with use.

 

[raleighnut]

I suspect the B17N would work for me too and I'll probably get one at some point in the future.

I took a punt on the Team Pro after noticing how popular they are with the Audax crowd (and after admiring a well broken in one on a parked bike a little while back) and reasoned that they probably have an idea about long distance comfort.

Doing a century on it having only done 100 running in miles probably wasn't the best idea but it only felt bad after 60 miles and will hopefully improve with use.

The B17n is 9mm narrower than the Team Pro.

 

[martint235]

I've had 2 B17N but my issue with them was I could never get rid of the creaking noise. Loads of proofide around the rivets and where it joined the frame etc but no joy. Over 100 miles I need peace and quiet

 

[jay clock]

I have to laugh. I was thinking of posting on CC to see if anyone had views on B17 versus Spoon. So I googled "Brooks b17 versus Charge Spoon" and lo and behold the top result was my very own posting on this thread as the OP!!

The situation is still that I rate my Charge Spoons (on road bikes) 10 out of 10 but the Brooks B17 on my tourer only gets rated. 6.5 out of 10. As I am about to do this ride www.usacycle2018.com I am reluctant to simply stick the Spoon on, as I don't want to get a few days in and be really uncomfortable

I will at least try a few rides with a Spoon on the tourer and see. It does have the plus of reducing the bike weight by a few kg!

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

I have to laugh. I was thinking of posting on CC to see if anyone had views on B17 versus Spoon. So I googled "Brooks b17 versus Charge Spoon" and lo and behold the top result was my very own posting on this thread as the OP!!

The situation is still that I rate my Charge Spoons (on road bikes) 10 out of 10 but the Brooks B17 on my tourer only gets rated. 6.5 out of 10. As I am about to do this ride www.usacycle2018.com I am reluctant to simply stick the Spoon on, as I don't want to get a few days in and be really uncomfortable

I will at least try a few rides with a Spoon on the tourer and see. It does have the plus of reducing the bike weight by a few kg!

I'll be interested to know how you get on.

Since the thread has been resurrected I'll update my post above and say that when a Dawes Galaxy was added to my stable in mid 2016 I couldn't get on with the B17 on it and did get a B17N to try out. It has been great so far. Comfy straight out of the box (I never used to believe it when people said that before) and big distances no problem. Getting the right width makes all the difference.

The Team Pro on the Raleigh has taken ages to really break in but now that it has I'm quite happy with it. It gave me no issues on a 125 mile ride during the summer.

 

[raleighnut]

I'll be interested to know how you get on.

Since the thread has been resurrected I'll update my post above and say that when a Dawes Galaxy was added to my stable in mid 2016 I couldn't get on with the B17 on it and did get a B17N to try out. It has been great so far. Comfy straight out of the box (I never used to believe it when people said that before) and big distances no problem. Getting the right width makes all the difference.

The Team Pro on the Raleigh has taken ages to really break in but now that it has I'm quite happy with it. It gave me no issues on a 125 mile ride during the summer.

Another big fan of the B17n here and also it's predecessor the B5n (same shape but 'dimpled' top)

 

[Bodhbh]

I have to laugh. I was thinking of posting on CC to see if anyone had views on B17 versus Spoon. So I googled "Brooks b17 versus Charge Spoon" and lo and behold the top result was my very own posting on this thread as the OP!!

The situation is still that I rate my Charge Spoons (on road bikes) 10 out of 10 but the Brooks B17 on my tourer only gets rated. 6.5 out of 10. As I am about to do this ride www.usacycle2018.com I am reluctant to simply stick the Spoon on, as I don't want to get a few days in and be really uncomfortable

I will at least try a few rides with a Spoon on the tourer and see. It does have the plus of reducing the bike weight by a few kg!

I think I'm in the same boat as you. I used to have a B17, and got on okay with it, but it seems it needed a breaking in period - and I'm talking about my arse not the saddle. I mean if I hadn't being doing much miles on it - even tho the saddle was well worn in - it would play up on me and it wouldn't always take long into a ride either. I've never had a problem with a spoon yet and now have them on all bikes (or the copy that's almost the same, I forget what it's called now).

 

[kingrollo]

I didn't get on with the charge spoon - but the brooks B17 imperial did the trick for me. I should add that I had a hamstring injury where the hamstring inserts into the pelvis, which was giving severe ass pain. The brooks worked (IMO) because it 'gives' as a whole where as a plastic saddle doesn't - the spoon wasn't the only plastic saddle I didn't get along with.
Incidentally I really don't think Brooks saddles are expensive any more - mine was around £70 off amazon - its coming up for 4 years old and still looks to have plenty of life in it - it does look slightly daft on a CF road bike - but who sees once my ass is on it ?

 

[jay clock]

OK, so I have a plan. The Spoon is now on in place of the B17. I will ride it a few times (unlikely to be more than a 2 hr max at any point) and see how it goes. I do accept that a saddle that is ok for a 180k triathlon may not be the same for a 100k on a more upright bike.

If I do go to America with the Spoon, I can always get my wife to Fedex the Brooks out if not happy.

Finally two big pluses:
1 The Spoon weighs 268 which is exactly half of the 536 for the Brooks
2 (IMHO) the Spoon looks 100% cooler

 

[jay clock]

Also, it makes little difference (as I also have plastic Spoons) but the one I have put on is leather

 

[jefmcg]

unlikely to be more than a 2 hr max at any point

If you are planning to do 100km a day, I really would endeavour to do that distance at least once, if possible with a fully kitted up and laden bike, but definitely with the saddle.

2 (IMHO) the Spoon looks 100% cooler

In the UK, sure, but in New Mexico? Maybe not so much.

Also, it makes little difference (as I also have plastic Spoons) but the one I have put on is leather

If the comfort is the same, I'd suggest using the cheapest one. If you end up getting the Brooks shipped to you, a sub £20 saddle can disposed of without much thought (charity shop rather than rubbish bin trash can), but a circa £60 one has to be carried with you or packaged and shipped back.

Either way, good luck with your adventure. One advantage I have notices with a Brooks saddle is that airflow through the holes and the leather itself means that things stay fresher on a hot day.