[Closed] Brooks saddles - are they all that?

You could try buying some secondhand saddles from the forum here to find out what works for you.

(In answer to your question, I bought a Fizik years ago that way, and found it much nicer than my Charge Spoon, and been buying them ever since).

It's all about what suits your bum innit! I get on really well with an On-One Big Nose, never been quite sure why lol

I've got a spare B17 Narrow you're welcome to borrow if you're anywhere near Burnley.

many other opinions here: http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/brooks-saddles-comfy

I find specialized saddles comfy for longest, so far.

As above, love my specialised saddle on the fat bike, and got a whyte saddle on my remedy. Would love to try a brooks though!

I've done a 100 MTB ride with a Charge and 5 X 6+'hour day MTB rides on a Brooks saddle. V pleasant. The Specialized Toupe was fine up to 50 miles, then really grim, long gone. You need to try a few different makes as Shermer said. That's what bike jumbles are for.....

How old is your Spoon? I like them but the padding doesn't seem to last long so I need to replace them annually.

I used to have a Brooks B17 on my tourer/gravel bike but took it off when it was going to get too wet and muddy. I refitted it again this summer for some longer road trips (16hrs and 23hrs) and fell in love with it again.

Or a Cambium?

I like my C17, been switching it between bikes as I'm too tight to buy a 2nd...

Cheers, Steve

Had a Brooks B17 for a while. Really struggled at first with how slippy it was. In brief the idea is that you ride on it regularly, constantly re-tension it ( they supply the spanner) and wait for it to mould to your shape. At which point they're meant to be the mutts knees, though they are heavy. I couldn't handle waiting that long and bought an SDG Bel Air which I rate highly.
Not sure trying someone else's makes sense. Point is that the leather moulds to the shape of your derriere. So unless you find someone else with the same weight, bone structure and arse cheeks as you it won't really tell you that much.
The Charge Spoons are admittedly comfortable but they are cheap, plasticky (is that a word?) tat. Look at the underside to see how the material is casually stapled to the plastic body. After snapping two in soft crashes I decided never to use them again..

My B17 is my comfiest saddle, from mile 1.

Don't ride it due to paranoia of getting it wet.

.

always used brooks b17 saddles. had 2 faulty ones so decided to try something else.
someone reccommended a smp saddle, which i tried, and loved from the start.
But i have just had 4 months off the bike, started riding this week, and the saddle is killing me. my hip may have been damaged, so it might be this.
i will persevere, but if it dont get better, i shall be buying another couple of brooks b17 saddles.

Found Specialized saddles good, then had Charge Spoon and it was better.
Had a B17 for the last four years and it really is the best seat I have had.
I now also own a Brooks saddle cover and an Aardvark saddle cover (much better) and heli tape acros the saddle rails to stop the saddle getting wet.

I like my Brookes B17 but it does have issues.

I layout and dimensions of the rails means it needs a post with a lot of layback if you are going to emulation the location of the saddle relative to bars in comparison to a modern saddle

It is not the best at getting wet. On a bike without mudguards you need to ensure you proof it regularly on the top and bottom. If not it will sag and go out of shape loads. Ideally you don't get it wet.

It is heavy

Even if not getting wet it still needs some re-tensioning if its not to become a hammock.

I find the shape fine on a more sit up and beg ride position but would need something else for a more racy position with the the pelvis rolled forwards. I have mine on a mudguarded flat bar bike for trundling around the village in normal clothes. It's great for that.

If buying for a MTB and wanting a brookes I'd be tempted to look at a C17

My first Brooks was a Swift. Took ages to work out the rails were too narrow -- "oh, some seat posts are not standard" - well, actually, the saddle rails were faulty. Got it replaced, but... Have taken a while and I have come to conclusion i don't get on with it, which is a shame. Not sure why, and have put in many miles (so its not that) - OTOH have a Cambium on my road bike, and have just splashed out for a Cambium for the general purpose bike as well...

Just get a san marco rolls.

Just get a san marco rolls

This ^^^^

I have a Brooks and it is a lovely hand made thing to behold. It is also now in a cupboard as I've never quite got on with. Plus I live in Devon, where it rains a lot.

A San Marco Rolls however is the saddle I have on two long distance bikes. Sheer heaven to ride on.

All depends on the shape of your ass I suppose.

If anyone's interested...

http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/brooks-swift-titanium-1

Not sold yet - offers entertained.

The C17/15 etc are worth a go for all weather riding, takes the sting out of the roads....

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Cheers, Steve

And what with Brexit, Brookes saddles might be the only option to us due to rising xenophobia and the barring of overseas imports.
F'in Brexiteers and their big ideas!

aye, that's the one I'm thinking is not for me, @igm :/

Kcal - buy it for the wall, it's beautiful. Titanium, copper and leather. You know you want to. 😉

And what with Brexit, Brookes saddles might be the only option to us due to rising xenophobia and the barring of overseas imports.

you do know they are italian owned and the cambiums are italian made? Can you be seen to support the enemy 😉

Don't know why people worry about Brooks saddles getting wet. Must be an internet thing.

The 100 years prior to that they were fitted to bikes that spent their whole lives outside and ridden in all weathers. I have some on my 1930s bike still in ok condition - good enough for a century ride.

Just treat them right and they'll last forever. Just never ever let them dry out.

Thanks Convert - am now convinced that I'll never need to own a brooks.

tat Charge Spoons on all my bikes for last 5+ years. Never had a single issue with them other than being comfortable the whole time.

Only exception is selle italia slr on my road bike, surprisingly comfy for a 120g saddle. Your arse dictates what's comfy more than a saddle does though.

Traditional leather saddles dominate in audax / CTC circles for good reason. As with decent leather hiking boots, there's now't as comfy as something that conforms to your own shape.

I use a Gilles Berthoud Aravis on my traditional steel road bike. It cost plenty and took a year to break in but is a pleasure to sit on during a 12 hour audax (I'm unfit and slow). I only realise how good it is if I remember that my arse doesn't hurt. Mudguards and shoe polish keep it from being ruined.

I have a box of modern padded saddles in the loft, where they belong. The only issue to consider is basic shape. A B17, Pro and Swift differ quite a bit. Borrow both and persevere with whatever feels best.

Hard to decide between a B17 and the Carbium one.

Both look decent, Sella Antomica I'm up on their weight limit, but decent price in the sale just now.

I went for the Cambium on my CX bike, mainly waterproofness & weight saving.
It's got a few double century audax rides on it now & is still as comfy as day one.

Never adjust when wet.

Stick a poly bag under the saddle and use that in the rain

Use mudguards at the very least an arse saver. The key is keeping the underside /unfinished side dry as possible.

Never adjust when wet. It'll dry out and shrink back and tear at the rivets

Adjust only a small amount if really needed once it's dried out.

Apply proofide to the underside once a fortnight for the first 2 months then move onto once every 6 months do the top once a year.

My b17 fits like a glove the brown one broke in much easier than the black one. The black ones leather was much harder for much longer.

My swift ti has never fitted like a glove but still comfy but what it does do is not get any less comfy even after 7x 12 hr days off road.

Got them on all my bikes and ride them in all weathers, yes they do need more TLC than plastic saddles but it's worth it. For me the most comfortable saddles that I've found.

B17 has a very similar profile to an original Flite Titanium. Loved mine and never worried about wet. By contrast the Colt I had was an implement of torture on a road bike but ok on my Brompton.

There is a reason why the B17 is still going.

I bought one of the 2005 ltd Ed saddles, fantastic saddle.

They are overweight, overpriced weapons of ass destruction. A relic of a bygone age, best displayed in museums alongside gas lights and traction engines.

Overweight? LOL! You really reckon the weight of a saddle matters???

Overweight? LOL! You really reckon the weight of a saddle matters???

Yes.

Crikey, that's really quite telling ransos!

im guessing you dont like them ransos.

Crikey, that's really quite telling ransos!

Not really. There is always a balance between performance, weight, durability and cost. Brooks saddles are uncomfortable, weigh more than a boat anchor, dissolve in the rain, and are eye-wateringly expensive.

im guessing you dont like them ransos.

🙂

Well, the OP did ask...

Not really. There is always a balance between performance, weight, durability and cost. Brooks saddles are uncomfortable, weigh more than a boat anchor, dissolve in the rain, and are eye-wateringly expensive.

Mine has outlasted every 'modern' saddle Ive ever owned, winter, summer and spring. Maybe the one you owned to compare was a cheap or not so knock off?

ransos - Member
... Brooks saddles are uncomfortable, weigh more than a boat anchor, dissolve in the rain, and are eye-wateringly expensive.

Uncomfortable conflicts with their popularity amongst the Audax set, the guys who put the big mileages and hours in on the saddle.
Weight - no argument there. They are heavier than short lived plastic, and for an actual race lighter may be better.
Dissolve in rain - only if you're an incompetent owner, in which case plastic is better while it lasts. I wonder how all those saddles used to last for decades before all the internet experts started talking about them.
Expensive - not particularly. Apart from the Charge Spoon, I generally pay around the price of a Brooks for a decent saddle.

There is one advantage of Brooks not mentioned - there's no need to wear that special nappy that so many need with a plastic saddle, what's it called, a chamois? 🙂

Uncomfortable conflicts with their popularity amongst the Audax set, the guys who put the big mileages and hours in on the saddle.

In my experience, the most popular saddle amongst the audax set is the Charge Spoon. I expect it's because it's much lighter, much more comfortable and much cheaper than a Brooks.

Mine has outlasted every 'modern' saddle Ive ever owned, winter, summer and spring. Maybe the one you owned to compare was a cheap or not so knock off?

In fairness, I expect quite a lot of them last well: that tends to happen with components people have the good sense to not use.

Ransos, its clear you dont like them. Mine has done thousands of miles racing on the road and track as well as leisure and training, its been great. Far greater than any Sella/lightweight Ti etc. Ive owned. Never owned a Charge Spoon as Ive not bought a saddle since 2005.

best displayed in museums ......and traction engines.

Wo wo wo leave the traction engines out of it! Traction engines and the like are best seen in steam not sat cold in a building.

If weight is a issue they is the no maintenance carbon C13.

Cheers, Steve

Brooks are very popular with the LEJOG crew too. Easily the most popular brand of saddle.

In fairness, out on rides I have asked a few owners why they bought them, but they were all too out of breath to reply, presumably from hauling the boat anchor attached to the top of their bikes.

Have had Brooks saddles most of my riding life, but have just managed to kick the habit.

Finally found a saddle that really fits as well as a Brooks after 30 odd years of trying.

Now I can move my saddle a bit further back.
I don't have to clean it and proof it every few months and it doesn't have a huge metal cantle plate that is uncomfortable to sit on if you fancy a stretch.
It's comfier too.
And cheaper.

You really need to try one.
They are great saddles, but if you try enough you might find something equally as good but with fewer disadvantages.

n fairness, out on rides I have asked a few owners why they bought them, but they were all too out of breath to reply, presumably from hauling the boat anchor attached to the top of their bikes.

Riding never gets easier you just get faster.

Reminds me of the Irish lad who was my minute man at the glamis 10 . You'd think I was making him ride it. He was very sheepish about it at the end. Turns out my boat anchor can shift.

Riding never gets easier you just get faster.

Reminds me of the Irish lad who was my minute man at the glamis 10 . You'd think I was making him ride it. He was very sheepish about it at the end. Turns out my boat anchor can shift.

Well, it was really sporting of you to give everyone else a chance by taking a handicap.

epicyclo - Member
Don't know why people worry about Brooks saddles getting wet. Must be an internet thing

Have seen some get destroyed being ridden wet.

It was on the internet to be fair.

To be fair, most people used mudguards when Brooks were the popular saddle of choice, so less of an issue.

I've always just proofed/Nikwaxed the underside from new and not had issues, even without guards.
Top just gets the odd clean and a little proofer now and then.
Have used a lot of placcy bags though.
🙂

I have had most models and was lucky enough to be one of the original testers for the cambium....I use a cambium on my mountain bikes and the real deal on the road bikes. A B17 special is my favourite, and has had thousands of miles put on it in the last 10 years or so, but every other one is supremely comfortable, apart form a swallow, which I sold as it hurt my hoop.....but then I'm a big bloke, with a fair bit of gravity behind me.

Imagine how fast I would be if I could put up with one of those light things....?

Bollox to that though.....it interferes with my bimbling

How to destroy a Brooks:

Let it dry out, then go for a ride in the rain. Retension. Let it dry out again. There you are, it's buggered.

How to maintain a Brooks:

Proof it so it doesn't dry out and reapply every now and them.

They can take considerable abuse. The most common proofing agent when I was young wasn't their fancy beeswax. Most of us used the same 3-in-1 oil that we used for all jobs on the bike - the famous wipe with an oily rag technique.

I've put at least 15,000 off-road kilometres on my C15 carved regularly ride it without a pad it's comfy for several hours with out and 34:30 in bibs so far.