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I'm looking for a saddle and am thinking I might take plunge with a Brooks. Initially for my rigid singlespeed commuter but if its as comfy as claimed maybe for proper mtb too. I know they are heavy but are they really that good? Looking at either a B17, B17 narrow or a Colt?.
In my backside's opinion, no they're not "the best saddle out there". That accolade rests with the humble Selle Italia Flite Ti.
oooh subjective question requires a subjective answer!
I hate them. Hard . uncomfortable and completely the wrong shape. Your arse may vary
used to love em, suited me. now I cant tolerate them at all. my shape down there has changed over the years.
Ive one for my road bike and wouldn't swap it for the world, (well I would actually but you know what I mean). For an MTB no chance, and probably for a commuter too as they deserve and need looking after. Never tried their new composite saddles though.
For touring, B17 definitely suits me well.
MTB, nah.
I think the answer you want is "Yes, buy one now".
But the answer clearly is actually "It depends".
Please list your priorities for this purchase, with a weighting score from one to ten for each (use a linear rather than a log scale please), and I'm sure we can all agree on the answer.
tried a b17
didnt like it at all
also doesnt like to get wet
tested a cambium a while ago. good saddle, comfy
not that special, didnt buy one (might do if my saddle needs replacing)
1. Comfort 10/10
2. No numb nuts 9/10
3. Suitability for mtb 8/10
4. Weight 5/10.
5. Cost 2/10 I wont be buying it!!.
I think its going to be a no from the comments above. Back to the drawing board. Thanks
I have to say those saying they've tried one and not liked it, my understanding is that they adapt to you.
The main downside is that to last well, they need some maintenance, however that said my dad has one which I think has outlasted the frame (20+ years with moderate mileage), and he's *a bit shit* at maintenance - I would be surprised if he's done anything to it.
No numb nuts will come down to you and the saddle setup.
1. Comfort 10/10
2. No numb nuts 9/10
3. Suitability for mtb 8/10
4. Weight 5/10.
5. Cost 2/10 I wont be buying it!!.
Given the weighting in the first 3 I'd be heading to a Specialized dealer and getting measured.
I loved my old b17 narrow but I bought a new cambium one and it wrecked me. Had to sell after a month of trying to get on with it
15 years off road on my b17
7 years on the road bike for the b17 with springs on it.
Expensive and heavy but I've had 4 rocket v on another bike so the overall cost is less.
I can ride all day on either and my bum is fine
I always used flite shaped saddles - transalp, kit carbonio, C64 and still do as I really get on with the shape. Fancied something different for my new commuter so got a brooks Cambium C13 and I'm really happy with it. Commute is 20 miles each way so spend a fair bit of time on the saddle and I've also done longer rides and never had an issue.
But everyone is different when it comes to saddles.
used to have one and liked it, changed all my bikes to ISM ones 2 years ago and have never looked back
I'm not sure that daily use on a commuter would be a good idea, they are made with leather which is vulnerable to getting wet and stretching. Ti Swift here, which I'm happy with. It takes a while, you know, your bum and the seat need to get used to each other.
i love mine , my swift on the MTB creaks like a bastard though now.
What i love about them is they are not instantly comfy - as in day one of tour even on a bedded in saddle. they niggle at you for the first day.... but then you find your spot.
On day 14 you are as comfy as you were on day 2.
Where as i find that padded saddles just dont offer that i find that the padding shifts you get sweaty arse things rub and you end up sore again - with the exception of a san marco rolls - how ever i suspect that thing is responsible for impotence in many its "lightly padded"
i also find the give in the "hammock" of a saddle to be important , who remembers the fully rigid I beam saddles from SDG they were killer.
Ive got a couple of padded light weight saddles ive taken the cover off and trimmed down the centre bit and taken the wings off to give them flex similar to that of the brooks , also i have an SLR 135 that offers similar flex and is comfy.
I've got C17 Cambiums on my Krampus, and my Vaya.
I like 'em.
YMMV.
I love them but the swift is my preference for road bikes, b17 more for an upright tourer. If money is the issue look at spa cycles, I have their copy of the swallow on my rigid as commuter, by far the most comfortable saddles I've found. Gobi for mtb if that helps.
http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/brooks-saddles-are-they-all-that
not got mine yet it is in customs, still
On the thread that quirrel has linked above the san marco rolls seems popular. That looks like its leather too. Will it have the same issues as a brooks if its wet?.
I've got a cambium on my road bike, it's the best saddle I've ever had.
Cant bring myself to put one on the MTB though... Maybe the new carbon one eventually...
From what I've read, I think a traditional brooks is better for people with one bike who do a lot of miles. The bedding in period is quite long and takes time, but once it's bedded in, they are supposed to be super comfy.
f money is the issue look at spa cycles
Is good advice, their Brooks 'copies' are just as good in construction IMO, but the leather they use seems a bit thicker (and also has a caoting on the bottom) so they take a good while to bed in*, but may last longer because of it?
I've got one of their Aire models, and as mentioned above, it gets comfier the longer you ride it, msot saddles I find tolerable for an hour or so, the ones that fit me are ok for4-5hrs+ then even they start to niggle, but my Spa one starts feeling right after ~10mins, and then it's good for 8hrs+, and then same again the next day if needs be.
All of that is for road though, I've never tried one on MTB, and I'm not sure they would be ideal given all the constant weight shifting and whatnot
* mine took ~300 miles or so before it felt good, but now it's just lovely 🙂
Another vote for the Spa Aire (albeit I've got the Ti model on a road bike).
Lovely. Can really go for hours on it before noticing it.
The underside coating means it's [b]slightly[/b] easier to look after, but you still have to treat the top. And I'm more fanatical about mudguards, and [free] shower caps.
In my backside's opinion, no they're not "the best saddle out there". That accolade rests with the humble Selle Italia Flite Ti.
+1. I have them on all my bikes!