Buying my first Brooks

[brooksby]

OK, so I'm thinking I might treat one of my bikes to a Brooks saddle.

Its an old Dawes with North Road handlebars, quite sitty uppy. I have a Carradice bagman quick release on the rails, which holds a saddlebag resting on the rack. The saddle on the bike at present (which I suspect came with it) is very squidgy and I really don't get on with it.

I can't use my quick release if I get a saddle with springs (and they wouldn't suit the bike anyway.

I've never actually bought a saddle before - so should I just check the width of a saddle I like (on my other bike) and get a Brooks that measures the same?

[NUKe]

Just go for the B17, if you are riding upright, slightly more prone go for the B17 marrow.

[freeflow]

Don't.. go for a spa cycles Nidd instead.

[simonineaston]

I've had lots of Brooks saddles, made across decades. Have had two in particular that were very comfortable indeed, but am now using a C17 on my Moulton and a French Gilles Berthoud on my Brompton. Gotta say that nowadays, the quality control re the hides is not what it was. Since the comfort and fit of a leather saddle depends on the hide from which it was made, it follows that the purchase of a modern Brooks saddle, particularly if bought unseen, ie online, is a bit of a gamble.

[brooksby]

Don't.. go for a spa cycles Nidd instead.

Any particular reason, or just on price?

[brooksby]

I've had lots of Brooks saddles, made across decades. Have had two in particular that were very comfortable indeed, but am now using a C17 on my Moulton and a French Gilles Berthoud on my Brompton. Gotta say that nowadays, the quality control re the hides is not what it was. Since the comfort and fit of a leather saddle depends on the hide from which it was made, it follows that the purchase of a modern Brooks saddle, particularly if bought unseen, ie online, is a bit of a gamble.

C17 is a Cambium, isn't it? So, rubber instead of leather?

[simonineaston]

C17 is a Cambium, isn't it? So, rubber instead of leather?

Correct. I've found it to be less forgiving than the several B17s I've owned, however it is comfortable and the rubber/fabric combo. has other benefits, the most obvious of which is it survives a soaking far better than leather. If there is any possibility that you will be out cycling in rain and decide not to take a saddle cover with you (one of the positive attributes of the old-fashioned plastic shopping bag...) then be aware that a soaked hide saddle top will deform badly, once the weight of the rider is applied for a few hours... Nice shape, too - bit more 'racy' than the B17.

[Mick F]

I have two Professionals. One on each bike.
Solid and rock hard, and more comfortable above anything I've ever had in all my cycling life.

[simonineaston]

...and I've tried two Pros and sold them both as they were uncomfortable, and did not wear in successfully for me, so there you go! Only goes to show how personal a thing saddles - and leather saddles in particular - are. As a rule the lighter you are, the thinner the hide might suit you best (No offence, Mick - I've no idea what you weigh! )

[pwa]

B17 or Nidd. Or a Gilles Berthoud if you have won the lottery. The Cambiums are not worth considering if you are after a saddle that will adapt to your shape over time. I have just taken one off a bike and replaced it with a GB I had lying around, and it is much nicer to sit on. The GB did take about 1000 miles to break in though.

[brooksby]

Correct. I've found it to be less forgiving than the several B17s I've owned, however it is comfortable and the rubber/fabric combo. has other benefits, the most obvious of which is it survives a soaking far better than leather. If there is any possibility that you will be out cycling in rain and decide not to take a saddle cover with you (one of the positive attributes of the old-fashioned plastic shopping bag...) then be aware that a soaked hide saddle top will deform badly, once the weight of the rider is applied for a few hours... Nice shape, too - bit more 'racy' than the B17
.

Really? I didn't appreciate that. I don't ride huge mileages, but I'll ride in all weathers and consider my bikes to be waterproof (so to speak). I didn't realise that posh leather saddles are not waterproof (or rather, can be damaged by rain). Hmm...

[Jamesh]

Get a spa saddle as the wet weather (if we see any this year!) will break in the saddle faster than the 10 years that it might otherwise take!!!

There are cheaper and thicker and not as nickable.

Cheers James

[carpetcleaner]

Good quality modern saddles are better than the old leather ones.

[Mick F]

...and I've tried two Pros and sold them both as they were uncomfortable, and did not wear in successfully for me, so there you go! Only goes to show how personal a thing saddles - and leather saddles in particular - are. As a rule the lighter you are, the thinner the hide might suit you best (No offence, Mick - I've no idea what you weigh! )

Two things I've learned as a cyclist having analysed my style ........ and weight.

I ride a bike supported on three separate points.
Hands, feet, and bum.
I ride a bike, I don't sit on one and steer it whilst waggling my legs up and down.
When I ride, the weight is borne on these three points, and if ever the bumps come, my bum gets lifted.

This is not to suggest that people are doing it wrong.
We are all different and we are differently proportioned.
I'm a bit over 12st, and a rather a rather portly beer loving 67year old. I'm also an "ape" in that my arm span is longer than my height.

[pwa]

Good quality modern saddles are better than the old leather ones.

I haven't yet found a modern saddle for which that is true for me but it is undoubtedly a personal thing. I think some undercarriages suit a leather perch and some suit plastic / foam.