Cycling UK Forum

I have got a Nidd for my new bike, B17S on my old bike.

Now that I can't ride for a few weeks Mr B is going to put my Nidd on his Thorn which should mean 300 miles + on it by the time I get on it, if he likes it he will replace the ancient overstretched B17 on his tandem seat with one.

The Nidd is longer than my B17S. Can someone tell me if if the Nidd is in fact the closest thing to the B17S for women?

Bensons wrote:The Nidd is longer than my B17S. Can someone tell me if if the Nidd is in fact the closest thing to the B17S for women?

The Nidd is very similar to the B17 and all the Spa saddles are a similar length: 275-277mm. Both the B17 and the B17S are marginally wider than the Nidd but the B17S is only 242mm long.

Bensons wrote:I have got a Nidd for my new bike, B17S on my old bike.

Now that I can't ride for a few weeks Mr B is going to put my Nidd on his Thorn which should mean 300 miles + on it by the time I get on it, if he likes it he will replace the ancient overstretched B17 on his tandem seat with one.

The Nidd is longer than my B17S. Can someone tell me if if the Nidd is in fact the closest thing to the B17S for women?

I wonder if it matters. Some years ago I e-mailed Brooks and asked about a titanium railed saddle for my wife. I pointed out that men could get their B17 with titanium rails but the shorter women's version, the B17S, was steel rail only. The reply was that the men's B17 is, in fact, unisex, and the shorter B17S is only an advantage for those who cycle in skirts. That is the only reason the short version is made.

I think you are right PWA. We did lots of googling last night, had no idea that the 'S' stood for short, obviously I will never be riding in a skirt on my frames.

We are now thinking of inflicting my 'S' on our daughter on the back of the tandem to see if she likes it as that needs a new saddle too and we weren't sure what to go for.

I prefer the leather on the Nidd, hopefully I will like the saddle. Noted that they take a lot of time to break in, MrB gets to ride more than I do and always gets the privilege of cycling on my new leather bike saddle, the lucky man.

I can really recommend 'Flexalan' for softening leather. I have used it on my horse tack since I was a teenager, it really helps on new leather. I have been using it on the Nidd but it has been used on everything (Brooks included) for years here.

http://www.rideaway.co.uk/flexalin-lano ... ing-500ml-

gaz wrote:

robgul wrote:.... keep the packaging in case you need to send it back . . . . they seem like Brooks/Marmite ... love or hate 'em (My chums that bought them are in the hate group)

I doubt that Spa's returns policy extends to "I've had it on the bike for a while now but I just don't like it".

If it doesn't work out for me I'll sell it on the forum .

Yes please. Thanks Gaz. I'll take it at your special forum discount. [emoji6]