Where to buy brooks saddles in London

[jefmcg]

I destroyed my saddle today, and need a new one. I have swallowed the kool-aid, so will probably buy a Brooks.

Thinking about this for a while, I am dazzled by the choices, but I need to get one this weekend. So, where's the best place to go? Timeout recommends Bicycle Workshop in W11, so I'll probably head there tomorrow (Saturday).

But if anyone has any advice or other shops, it would be welcome.

I have no idea of shape/colour/sprung/unsprung etc etc

Data: female, ~70kg, and reasonably comfortable on the not-too-fat, not-too-padded, presumably-designed-for-a-male saddle that came on my bike.

 

[cloggsy]

http://www.brookssaddles.com/en/Stockists_Locate.aspx

 

[TheBoyBilly]

If W11 is good for you then fine but Evans or Cycle Surgery are all over Central London which may be more convenient A B17 (Mens or Ladies) is around £65
I have one on my Brompton and it was comfy from the word go.

Bill

 

[jefmcg]

Thanks. Evans only had a couple of models in each store: fine if they are the right ones, but I'd like more choice. Plus I'd like advice and a friend asked a sales guy about saddles in Evans, and he steered her towards "comfort", padded saddles!

Interesting that Brooks don't even seem to regard them as stockists! http://www.brookssad...ity=London&zip= (thanks Cloggsy)

W11 is as handy as any. Bikefix is a bit cheaper, but seems to have less choice. Unfortunately it looks like the tube network is all under repair today, so I'm going to have to (horror!) catch a bus.

 

[the snail]

not London, but a good price?
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brooks-b17-standard-leather-saddle-honey-with-black-steel-rails-prod2867/

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Spa Cycles often have reasonable prices for Brooks. http://www.spacycles.co.uk/

 

[vickster]

Can you not ride the bike to get the saddle and break it in on the way home? Saves the bus!! Or do you not have a saddle at all?

 

[jefmcg]

Thanks Guys.

I really want the saddle today, and I want some help picking it, so instore it is. Plus I have been thinking about a Brooks for a while, but I don't even know sprung or unsprung.

My existing saddle is unusable - snapped rail - but I'm going to pull one off my other bike. To get the right saddle advice, they really need to see the geometry of my bike - and if I'm able to test ride them, doing that on my own bike makes sense.

I'm hoping breaking in won't be too painful, as I've been ok with the stock (men's) saddles that have come with the 3 bikes I've owned.

Vickster, shouldn't you be on your way to London Bridge by now?

 

[vickster]

I am on the train...smart phone ya see. I am going to have a potter at the big cyclesurgery at spitalfields. I'll post if they have brooks saddles!

 

[jefmcg]

Thanks again.

Got in there today, excited at the prospect of trying many different saddles but they said "you're a woman, you have an upright riding position. B17 S" Huh? I could have got that anywhere! :-)

Upside, one of the staff ran home to get her Brompton, so I could try her saddle. And the store was great, just focuses on servicing, and they had some fabulous (and not so fabulous) bikes waiting for their owners.

The saddle, so far, is not being kind to me. I wasn't wearing cycle shorts (idiot) but it's only 7 miles home, but wincing all the way. And it was only when I got home that I realised that my seat post does tilt adjustment, so hopefully i can manage my 16 mile commute in the morning and still be able to sit down when I get to work.

I'll get some proofhide, and start breaking-in in earnest this week. Wish me luck

Edit: tried it again now the nose is no longer pointing up: not brilliant, but ridable.

 

[TheBoyBilly]

Use Proofide sparingly. I put some on my Brooks after 6 months and none at all in the 12 months or so since and it's fine even after being used daily.
In defence of the shop assistants I think they were about right suggesting the B17S for you. Give the saddle time and it should be really comfy for you.

 

[Furkz]

i saw one in my local halfords last sunday

 

[jefmcg]

Use Proofide sparingly. I put some on my Brooks after 6 months and none at all in the 12 months or so since and it's fine even after being used daily.
In defence of the shop assistants I think they were about right suggesting the B17S for you. Give the saddle time and it should be really comfy for you.

Thanks. I decided not to get the proofide as I already have dubbin and Brooks grudgingly admit it will do the job http://www.brooksengland.com/en/Sho...+-+maintenance+products&prod=Proofide+40g+Tin + proofide has cod oil in it! I imagine the citronella is to cover the smell of that.

I applied it last night and after a shorter ride today, it's looking lovely (after 34 miles on Monday, I could only manage 16 today).

The bike is never left out in the rain, and it's got mudguards so I don't expect the saddle to ever get soaking, but I will keep an eye on it's moisture.

it's a bit depressing because in a month I did 520 miles for tfl challenge, and now I'm looking at my bike like I think it may bite me. And I used to cycle distance less than 10 miles in whatever I wearing - now I put on cycle shorts just to clean the chain.

i saw one in my local halfords last sunday

That's it! Into the bin it goes. Phew!

joan