Based on the recommendation, I went ahead and got myself a Brook B17 Saddle. I don’t have too much to say about the saddle right now other than is is really starting to settle down and is extremely comfortable for long days on the bicycle. However, after the first two days of use, I was starting to wonder, is my ass breaking in the saddle, or is the saddle breaking in my ass….
I’ll give it a proper review after the first 1000km or so.
3 Comments
The Pedaller’s A to Z (written by Sam Walker) on the Brooks;
BROOKS SADDLE. Constructed of hard leather, sometimes mistaken for titanium. Must be broken in — the rider, that is. Favoured by traditional cyclists who traditionally forgo comfort for pain, which may account for the awful grimaces you sometimes see on their faces. Not so bad once you go numb. Recommended for male cyclists who wish to remain without issue. [Brooks veterans may regard this entry as outrageous hyperbole, to which we respond: yeah, all right, probably.]
http://www.bikereader.com/solo/glossary.html#02
(That said, I own two…)
I have had my B17 Special for about 5 months now and I love it! (big shocker) I recently did a tour where in one of the days I spend 135 miles on the saddle on a gravel trail with a loaded down LHT (same color and model as yours) and had no problems. The rest of my body was aching but the seat came through for me. Just make sure you use the proof ride and get a good weather proof seat cover.
Cheers!
Bear with it and make sure you proof ride the top *and* bottom (you only need to do the bottom once and don’t polish the proof ride off), however don’t overdo the proof ride either, too many applications and the saddle gets too soft, which can actually make it less comfortable!
BTW I have a Brooks Imperial (basically a B17 with a cutout, and laces to stop the sides splaying), which I find very comfortable, even over long distances.
Paul