pastorbobnlnh 

I'm looking for guidance on saddle selection for my 1975 Schwinn Voyageur II. I recently built it with a Sturmey Archer AM (medium ration) three-speed hub. Over the weekend I unearthed from storage, a better seat post, my navy Brooks Professional, and my Blue Levi Brooks Cambium. I'm faced with four choices:

1. Black Brooks B-17 with small chrome rivets
2. Navy Brooks Professional with large copper rivets
3. Faded Blue Denim Levi Brooks Cambium
4. Other saddle suggestions

I have ridden it twice with the B-17 for 20+ miles. All things being equal, I find all three saddles comfortable.

If you haven't seen my other posts about this bike, the saddle bag, bar covers, and hoods, they are made of cowhide embossed and dyed to look like alligator skin.

Black Brooks B-17 with small chrome rivets


Navy Brooks Professional with large copper rivets


Levi Denim Blue Brooks Cambium with stainless rivets

What say you?

merziac

Blue Pro to accentuate the Disco-skin coverings.

mrv 

Copper rivet compliment the sidewalls... but perhaps clash with the chrome a bit. Quite the conundrum.....

loosing the alliteration, B17 w/ silver rivets.

squirtdad

B17 just clicked for me in the pics

but can't go wrong with any choice

jdawginsc 

Sort of like the denim blue saddle with it. Navy blue brooks will weather nicely though and look great as well.

You can’t lose on the choice...

masi61

B17 with chrome rivets looks best for that particular bike. The blue denim Cambium is certainly cool looking but it is way more modern and would need a much sexier seatpost and to not be tilted down to look more normal.

P!N20

Concor Supercorsa in Rhino

jdawginsc 

A Rhinogator bike! Rhinodile?

BTinNYC

Picked the standard b17 for that bike, but wow, the Levi's version could be the design core for its own build.

Road Fan

To the Thread Starter: Nice Schwinn! What are your tooth counts for the front and rear sprockets?

P!N20

The rhino is a better runner
The alligator is a better swimmer
So in a triathlon it would come down to who is the better cyclist

pastorbobnlnh 

IIRC, 47T chain ring and 19T sprocket.

victorm

My first thought was the B17 but magnifying the picture I see the blue of the custom bag, hoods and bar wrap that work with the denim saddle better. Ultimately a custom Brooks like saddle done in the same style and color as the other leather components would by the best option. Perhaps B17 frame with new leather for the win🤌🏻

Fredo76

4. Black Brooks Professional with large copper rivets.

pastorbobnlnh 

I actually have a black Professional with large copper rivets, but it is still in storage.

Road Fan

Pastor Bob, do you know if he's using a ⅛" chain?

Road Fan

So sorry, I didn't read carefully! You ARE the OP!

Bad Lag

Don't worry about the saddle.

GET RID OF THAT BAR TAPE AND BAG! That stuff is heinous!

52telecaster

B17. Beautiful bike!

jadmt

I think it looks cool and not something you buy off the shelf. dude has some mad skills.

SJX426 

I think I like the Denim! Goes well with the housing. Now if there was something around the crank you could paint the same shade of blue.....

pastorbobnlnh 

Yes, he's using a 1/8" chain.

pastorbobnlnh 

Well, there's no need to SHOUT! Nor be insulting. I only asked about the saddle choice (specifically the color), and not your opinion about my bar wrap, saddle bag, and don't forget the hoods. Can I provide closeup pictures to further tweak your emotional response?



Please visit this thread, Cool and Interesting Bar Tape to read the back story on how the bar wrap, brake lever hoods, and saddle bag, were inspired to be created.

pastorbobnlnh 

Thank you. I decided to try the denim Cambium because of the brake housing color.

I need to cut up an old pair of jeans and make bar wrap, hoods, and a bag to match the Levi Denim Brooks Cambium.
@cudak888 has a nifty chrome or polished aluminum chainguard he's offered that might work, especially with the shade of blue painted on it to highlight portions of the guard.

However, I'm really enjoying riding this bike as it is pictured. With the AM hub, which has the aluminum shell, it is a lightweight, fast, and energetic ride--- here on my flat coastal island. I also don't want to cover up the cool 1950s Schwinn crankset.


Should I make a chain stay slap guard to match? Of course, it would not serve any purpose other than aesthetics.

jdawginsc 

Absolutely yes. And I love the wrap and bags. They are tooooo cooolll!