need advice with Brooks saddle

[etu]

i bought a B17 standard last month and have @300mi on it. dimples are starting to show indicating it is getting broken in, but i am having problems finding a consistently comfortable position. i have adjusted the angle multiple times as recommended on this forum.
it feels too hard if i sit too far back but my perineum starts to feel too much pressure if sit more forward. handlebar is about the same height as the seat.
Perhaps i need to move on... :confused:
Would like consider another Brooks as I am hooked on their classic looks. Could I have better luck with the Pro or Swift?

[Louis]

I don't know much about Brooks saddles, but have you considered reducing the tension?

[michael white]

the B17 is a little too wide for me, too. Try the Pro.

[jaykosta]

Maybe the saddle is too tight or too loose....
There probably is an adjusting nut or screw on the underside at the nose of the saddle to adjust how tightly the leather is stretched.

I prefer to have my brooks saddles stretched fairly tight, so I don't 'sag' into it.

And don't over-oil them - just a small amount of leather conditioner for weatherproofing is all that is necessary.
Too much will cause the leather to stretch out of shape.

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA

[AngryScientist]

slight thread drift - if you like the classic look, for a little less green, the velo orange line of saddles look to be a good alternative, and with a few different variations, allowing you to experiment for a little less capital output...

that said, these saddles are not for everyone, and you shouldnt "make" one fit you simply for the look. good luck!

http://store.velo-orange.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/530x530/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/v/o/vo_saddle_model_6-3.jpg

[jr59]

try the b-17 imerial. Basicly a b17 with a cutout

[rugbysecondrow]

I would (and did) two things:

1) Tension the saddle slightly if there is some sag or if it has been broken in too much.

2) Cinch the sides of the saddle. That will firm it up a bit, eliminate the side flare of the saddle and will provide a better platform. As a bigger rider (225 pounds), this worked well for me. I used a zip tie on this one, but on other saddles I have used shoe laces. Don't cinch them too tight at all, just enough to elliminate the flaring of the sides when pressure is applied.

You will have to break in the saddle a little bit after this, bit it has been worth it for me. This will also breath new life into a sagging Brooks saddle

See photos below.

[maxdog]

Never tried the B-17, but have two Swallows and one Swift, and they have been comfortable from the get go. Good luck.

[Aaron O]

Saddles are just so subjective...

There is also a B-17 narrow, but I'd try the Pro first.

[eddief]

it took me many moons to get it right. sweet spot found by many micro adustments of angle, fore and aft, and up and down with the seatpost. Not saying it is gonna work for you, but I almost gave up too soon. It sounds as if you are sensing where the spot of your discomfort is. In the right position that spot will disappear and you will say, Ahhh, this feels like a hammock...or not.

[alohavolley1]

Agree with above poster, micro adjustments and ride around 10 miles to see if it was cured. I'm a Brooks only rider, all have been comfortable out of the box but took a little time to dial in.

Another suggestion is making your own cut out on the Brooks. Lots of info and advice on it online.

Cheers!

[Greg Wright]

I received my B-17 last summer as a gift (wife is very intuitive!), set it up, rode it twice, minor adjust, then rest of the summer was wonderful. Very easy to break in and adjust to.

So advice as to frequency of applying the conditioner? I gave it a healthy dose when I set it up in early summer. With crappy weather, the bike's in the basement for the winter. Should I re-apply just in the spring? Unfortunately I'm riding much less miles than a few years ago, so not a mega-miler like many posters here.

Again, a VERY comfortable ride for this clydesdale. :beer:

Thanks for advice on frequency.

[Dekonick]

I would (and did) two things:

1) Tension the saddle slightly if there is some sag or if it has been broken in too much.

2) Cinch the sides of the saddle. That will firm it up a bit, eliminate the side flare of the saddle and will provide a better platform. As a bigger rider (225 pounds), this worked well for me. I used a zip tie on this one, but on other saddles I have used shoe laces. Don't cinch them too tight at all, just enough to elliminate the flaring of the sides when pressure is applied.

You will have to break in the saddle a little bit after this, bit it has been worth it for me. This will also breath new life into a sagging Brooks saddle

See photos below.

And don't forget the brooks should be pointed up - just a tad... as this is actually level... for a brooks.

AND - you DON'T SIT on a saddle, your weight should be on your legs... the seat is just a little support...

I am sure you already know this. There is a good thread across the hall that addresses much of what you are describing (more like a fit issue than seat issue IMHO - could be wrong but I doubt it)

[Germany_chris]

is with the nose of the saddle slightly up..for the better part of a summer..then during the winter slowly bring the nose down to parallel or just slightly under..I also virtually never wear padded shorts..that may change somthing

[bicycletricycle]

And don't forget the brooks should be pointed up - just a tad... as this is actually level... for a brooks.

AND - you DON'T SIT on a saddle, your weight should be on your legs... the seat is just a little support...

I am sure you already know this. There is a good thread across the hall that addresses much of what you are describing (more like a fit issue than seat issue IMHO - could be wrong but I doubt it)

yes, always point up a little

[Fixed]

give your crotch a little time to break in
cheers
imho

[etu]

Thanks for all the advice.
I will plan on working with it some more. More time, more adjustments, etc. Not sure about the tension so much since it is relatively new and I am not a big guy (155lb). A little dissapointed since I thought the appearance of the "dimples" somehow meant the ride was going to be even better. I think the ride has actually gotten a little worse so there may be something to the sagging theory...
Aside from the good looks and the $200 i just spent on a saddle bag that requires seat loops, the Brooks has definitely helped with the sadldle sore problem I had earlier. So I am definitely motivated to keep trying!

[Frankwurst]

Well you could always try the Frankwurst method. Ride'em in the rain and get'em good and wet ,let them dry, slather them with Obbenaufs leather dressing, ride'em in the rain, sun, heat, cold ect.,ect. and don't ever put a spanner wrench to them. Just keep greasing them up. They'll get saggy, ugly and oh so good! :beer:

[Louis]

Just keep greasing them up. They'll get saggy, ugly and oh so good! :beer:

Is this what is considered "bike porn"? ;)

[Ralph]

I would E bay it. My first Schwinn Paramount came with a Brooks Pro in 73 (with the seat wrench). Everyone said to give it time. Never could get that thing comfortable. And I'm not usually weight conscious about parts, but some of those Brooks weigh like 2 (or more) modern saddles.

[kentileguy]

Every Brooks saddle is different. I Have a standard B17 that broke in almost immediately with no goo or magic potion applied. Its ultra comfortable. My B17 special on the other hand is still rock hard after 5000 miles. Its currently on my trainer, getting a nightly sweat bath. Perhaps you got one of the stiff ones.

[dave thompson]

The OP didn't specify his saddle/bar drop but if it's more than about 1CM he's perhaps on the wrong saddle. A Professional or Swift might be a better choice.

[daker13]

The OP didn't specify his saddle/bar drop but if it's more than about 1CM he's perhaps on the wrong saddle. A Professional or Swift might be a better choice.

Can you explain this? I have a Brooks on my fixed gear bike and I can see why it's not a great saddle if you have some bar drop (or ride in the drops, for that matter), but I'm wondering why the Pro or the Swift would be better. Thanks.

[etu]

saddle and bar height are about even but i do have long torso, short arms.
might need to push seat back further, out of room on the short rails...
may have to get a seat post with more setback (currently on standard Ritchey setback post).
it's just odd (maybe not so odd) that it has gotten more and more uncomfortable over the past week. there are definitely dimples on the saddle that indicates it's breaking in. worst pain in the rock hard feeling when i sit back on the saddle (i must be sitting on the rails). it's worse on the left than the right.
tentative plan is to get a different seat post first and make adjustments. if no better, then go with the Pro. but i am definitely tempted to put the turbo matic back on this weekend!

[Ken Robb]

I think a rider sitting upright has more weight on his sit bones than a rider in a more agressive position. The extra width of a B-17 under an upright rider's butt is good. If he leans forward and down there is less weight for the wide saddle to support and the extra width may cause chafing and/or pressure up front so a narrower saddle may be better.