How tight a Brooks Swift?

[geomannie]

I have a problem with a titanium Brooks Swift saddle. It starts out feeling very comfortable but as a ride progresses, the front part of the saddle increasingly presses into my tender areas leading to a nerve compression and loss of all sensation where you want it most.

Looking at the saddle, it seems that there is a slight sag in the middle leading to the nose of the saddle forming a very slightly raised "knob". I can take out the sag by tightening the screw adjuster, but I the problem remains when even when I do this. My question is how tight can I make the saddle without risking the leather splitting? The Swift is lightweight and the leather is not as robust as the other Brooks models.

Any advise much appreciated.

Thanks

[julk]

My previous Brooks saddle was giving me a similar uncomfortable problem, but the tension was ok.
I adjusted the angle of the saddle, putting the front down a couple of degrees - that made it comfortable again.

I was surprised how little an adjustment made the necessary difference.
Might be worth a try.

[CREPELLO]

As Julk says.

Don't overtighten - it'll ruin it. I consider the tension should be enough so that when turning the screw, you just begin to feel the threads biting. The Swift may well be fickle, especially if it has gone out of shape. I have one though and so far that minimal tension is enough to maintain shape.

Angle adjustment is just as important, if not more. Brooks saddles need a micro-adjust seatpost IMO.

[geomannie]

Hi Julk

I've tried changing seat angle as well as changing seat height, nothing seems to help. When I compare my Swift to my Brooks B17 and Brooks Professional I note that the sag on the Swift is much more than on these. I attach a photo showing the amount of sag. Looks way to much to me and I cannot seem to adjust it out.

[531colin]

Show us a photo of the saddle?
My guess is the knob at the front is just where the metal bit is under the leather, and is much too far forward to produce numb willie syndrome (NWS), as you dont actually sit on that bit of the saddle. NWS is produced by pressure in the perineal region, just in front of the Ischial tuberosities (sit bones).
Was this saddle ever comfortable for you?
You may find that dropping the saddle nose is all you have to do, to take pressure off the perineum. Or slide it forwards a bit to make sure you are sitting on the back of the saddle.
I am quite reluctant to tighten Brooks nose bolts, unless the saddle has gone like a hammock so I cant move backwards and forwards on it.

OK we have a photo! Try re positioning as we have all said. Yes it sags a bit, but they all do when you sit on them!

[geomannie]

Hi 531colin

Thanks fo rthe suggestions. The saddle used to be comfortable but then I transferred to to a new bike and am doing a lot more miles on it. I'll try moving it forward. That's about the only thing I havn't tied yet. Here's hoping!

Cheers

Bob

[tatanab]

I've checked against a new Swift. Ok, it has done about 400 miles. The dip underneath a ruler as you have shown is about 1/4 inch, maybe a little more. So perhaps yours is not as bad as you think. There is a definite "slight raised knob" where the metalwork in the nose ends (mine is steel). I find it very comfortable although I don't think I've ridden more than 60 miles at a time on this one - yet.

[CREPELLO]

The other adjustment is to lower the saddle. If you are trying to achieve the best highest position, sometimes it can be over done, with resultant discomfort. Lowering it allows your butt to find it's natural postion more redily than if the saddle is at a maximum height.

[Jonty]

I've got one and there is a sag but I don't think it's as much as that although difficult to judge from a photograph.
jonty

[willem jongman]

The Swift is rather narrow and cut away at the sides. With this little leather it will sag more easily.
Willem

[CREPELLO]

Of course, if you're certain the dip is part of the problem then the solution is to tie the two sides together with shoe laces, to bring the centre up level. Two to three holes punched in each side flap should be adequate.

[julk]

geomannie,
Lots of tips and things to try in the posts, I hope one or more work for you.

I once had a conquest which seemed to die. I tried everything to make it comfy again but nothing worked so I ended up binning it

Your saddle is a lot pricier and if after trying everything it is still uncomfortable it is worth considering asking Brooks to recover it with a new leather upper.
julk.

[geomannie]

Thanks to all for your suggestions. My saddle is now 15mm forward, about 4mm lower and tilted a degree or so more to the front. I've just done 10 miler and it seems a little better but I'll need to wait until the weekend to get in a longer run.

Cheers

[ANTONISH]

You've made quite a substantial change to your position in order to make an uncomfortable saddle bearable.
Why not sell the Brooks and buy a comfortable saddle?

[CREPELLO]

Just seen a useful idea for sagging saddles on YACF here (posted by Giropaul at 9.16AM)It may help.