Which Brook's ?

[BentMikey]

The saddle is the single most important component on a bike, so it's important to get it right. That doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune, just what is enough to get the right saddle for you.

Looks at mobile deckchair, and laughs.

 

[andrew-the-tortoise]

Once had one of those 3 spring B73's.

Felt like zebedee; a bit too much lateral bob so got rid in the end.

 

[knapdog]

I'm getting there. I'm down to the Swallow or Swift now! They're a bit narrower than the others. Now, any thoughts????

 

[oxford_guy]

B17 Imperial for me, first Brooks I've owned, but is very comfy espc. for long rides

 

[John the Monkey]

as someone earlier on suggested, I'd go with a B17 to start - the cheapest of them, and will give you an idea of whether you're going to get on with a Brooks or not.

 

[4F]

I'm toying with purchasing a Brook's saddle (I'm doing the RAB challenge next year) but have discovered that there are a few different styles. At present I have a Specialised Secteur and don't have too much of a problem with its saddle but would I be stepping up into the Premiership division if I changed?
I have also read good reviews regarding the Selle San Marco Rolls.
Does anyone have any experience of both these types of saddles and could point me in the right direction?

I would agree with porkypete. If you saddle feels confortable now why change ?

I tried moving over to the darkside purchasing a B17N and despite giving it 2000 miles it was painful on anything over 20 miles and I recently sold it on here to joe24. You either have a brooks shaped are or you don't

I am now using a specialized toupe 143 which in comparison to the B17N is a joy to sit on.

 

[Manonabike]

I'm getting there. I'm down to the Swallow or Swift now! They're a bit narrower than the others. Now, any thoughts????

Unless I misunderstood your previous comments the Swallow or Swift would not be the first one I would buy. I would go for the Team Pro instead, middle of the road if you like not so wide and not so sporty either - It's a great looking saddle too.

What I'm trying to say is that if your seat bones are too wide for a Swallow or Swift then you will never be happy with it. There is less chance for your seat bones to be wider than a Team Pro and even less than a B17.

I can also read from your comments that you just want to spend some money and buy a Brooks saddle regardless of how comfortable your current saddle is! If that is the case, go ahead and do it.... my wife does that all the time... it makes her feel good and as long as she is happy I'm happy

 

[thelighterthief]

I had various saddles over the years and the brooks B17 is the first that doesn't make my bum ache straight out of the box so to speak. The brooks asddle gets more comfortable as it ages (to a point) whereas a gel saddle is most comfortable new, before it starts to effectively wear out.

If you like your saddle and you don't get too sweaty or sore... don't change it

 

[knapdog]

The saddle on my Secteur is a good enough saddle. However, it's only 140cm wide and I do get a sore bottom after about 50 miles, whereby I start fidgetting around, moving from front to back, side to side, trying to forget the pain! The Brooks saddles range from 152 for the Swift, 153(Swallow), 155(B17Narrow) and 160 for the B17 and Team Pro. The gel saddle on my hybrid is 160cm wide and I get more pain from that than on my Spesh, so I'm thinking a narrower Brooks is better for me.
Now it could well be that I'm going to get soreness whatever the saddle is until I start getting large mileage in regularly. It's just that I read so many good reports about the Brooks fraternity, who persevere with them, that I'm starting to believe it myself!!!!!!!!!

 

[WindyRob]

in reply to your opening post:

My bike came with a Rolls San Marco, a plastic or nylon saddle with dense foam and a leather cover. It was pretty comfortable; much better than a Fizik Arizone that i had on another bike. I to wanted a Brooks and my wife brought one for me Christmas 2008. I've done nearly 2500 miles on it. It is the Team Pro. it is a firm seat it took a few rides to bed in, literally 150 miles or so. Since then it has continued to get more comfortable.

i normally wear Endura FS260 pro bibs, the padding in them is generous. Last week i put on some older 3/4 length bibs, the padding in which was almost non-existent by comparison. I thought it would be an uncomfortable ride compared to the FS260's. I was wrong, if anything the lack of padding seemed to make the saddle fit better.

I think the saddle is worth the £80 or so she paid for it.

Hope your backside finds a good friend!

Windy

 

[WindyRob]

Oh and forgot to say I have a B17 on a steel tourer I brought 2nd hand earlier this year. The saddle was new. It feels larger than the Team Pro and much softer but the sides seem to flare outwards too much and the edges rub on the inside of my thigh. I'm not a bloater! it might be that the saddle tension needs doing up slightly. I have heard that mucking about with the tension nut is a road to ultimate disaster!

 

[tyred]

Oh and forgot to say I have a B17 on a steel tourer I brought 2nd hand earlier this year. The saddle was new. It feels larger than the Team Pro and much softer but the sides seem to flare outwards too much and the edges rub on the inside of my thigh. I'm not a bloater! it might be that the saddle tension needs doing up slightly. I have heard that mucking about with the tension nut is a road to ultimate disaster!

What you need to do is to make two holes either side of the saddle just in front of the seat post and use an old boot lace to pull the sides together and keep this from happening.

 

[oxford_guy]

What you need to do is to make two holes either side of the saddle just in front of the seat post and use an old boot lace to pull the sides together and keep this from happening.

My Brooks Imperial came like this, works a treat...