Which Books Saddle?
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No it's not quite that simple, but almost. Which Brooks is best depends on the geometry of the bike, once you have the best saddle for your particular type of bike then if Brooks offers 2 or so models for your type of bike then it could be all about which butt, that stuff is true with all saddles, Brooks or not.
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I'm surprised no one mentioned getting the Selle Anatomica leather saddles, I haven't tried one yet, but I've read that a lot of people liked them better than Brooks, with most saying it felt good right out of the box.
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The problem with leather dabbled is SA only has on style, and Berthoud are more expensive, so most circle back to Brooks.
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Style? they look similar to the Brooks cutouts, and a lot of people buy Brooks for the same style points. I have read nothing but good reviews on the SA, especially the newest models, the older ones some stretched too much but that was remedied if the person moved up to the next level saddle up for a persons weight, but like I said SA supposedly corrected that issue.
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Current manufacturers of tensioned-leather bicycle saddles:
Berthoud - France
Brooks - UK
Gyes (Cardiff, Dia Compe, Fenix, Fyxation, Lekker, Origin8, Papillionaire, Shinola, Sobdeall, Spa, Torelli, Velo Orange, Zimbale, etc.) - Taiwan
Ideale - France
Lepper - Netherlands
Nasiruddin (Persons) - India
Rivet - AFAIK manufactured in Taiwan by Gyes but to their own proprietary designs
Sella Italia - Italy
Selle Anatomica - USA
Selle Monte Grappa - Italy
Tabor - Portugal
Rumor had it Lepper quit manufacturing leather saddles ("Again" - Forest Gump), but, and it's a big but, I still see plenty of 'em offered retail. Shrug.
Berthoud - France
Brooks - UK
Gyes (Cardiff, Dia Compe, Fenix, Fyxation, Lekker, Origin8, Papillionaire, Shinola, Sobdeall, Spa, Torelli, Velo Orange, Zimbale, etc.) - Taiwan
Ideale - France
Lepper - Netherlands
Nasiruddin (Persons) - India
Rivet - AFAIK manufactured in Taiwan by Gyes but to their own proprietary designs
Sella Italia - Italy
Selle Anatomica - USA
Selle Monte Grappa - Italy
Tabor - Portugal
Rumor had it Lepper quit manufacturing leather saddles ("Again" - Forest Gump), but, and it's a big but, I still see plenty of 'em offered retail. Shrug.
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Style? they look similar to the Brooks cutouts, and a lot of people buy Brooks for the same style points. I have read nothing but good reviews on the SA, especially the newest models, the older ones some stretched too much but that was remedied if the person moved up to the next level saddle up for a persons weight, but like I said SA supposedly corrected that issue.
#34
Newbie
I've been using a Books B17 since around 2016-ish. I've heard of people saying they're comfortable out of the box alas mine was not. It's comfortable now yet during the break in period I'm not really sure if the saddle broke into my butt or my butt broke into the saddle!
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2 bicycles used for commuting and around town with 47 - 622mm tires and Brooks B-66 saddles
Schwinn for around town fun with 26 x 2.125 tires and Brooks B-73 saddles.
BTW - What exactly is a "supple" bicycle tire and how does one measure suppleness in a mounted or an unmounted bicycle tire?
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Brooks saddles also have far more than their fair share of woo
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#43
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A supple tire is squishy to soak up road chatter so you don't feel every single bump, but it doesn't feel like you're pedaling through peanut butter. The Maxxis DTH tire is exactly that; it rolls fast and smooths out my ride, made up largely of potholes, rocks, and tree bits. HTH.
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It's too bad there isn't a Zappos equivalent for saddles. Wallingford Bike had a pretty generous return policy, but they're gone now...
#46
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Ya know...
That's what I said in 2009 when I saw people on the 'net talking about their love for Brooks saddles. I had had a B17 and maybe a Pro in the past, but I wasn't using either anymore. Then a few years later, I tried one, and I went so wild, I got one for almost every of my bikes, and I even stocked up on spares. This time, I'm not going back. I can be adequately satisfied with a few non-Brooks models, but nothing makes me as happy. And if you take care of it, the durability easily justifies the price.
That's what I said in 2009 when I saw people on the 'net talking about their love for Brooks saddles. I had had a B17 and maybe a Pro in the past, but I wasn't using either anymore. Then a few years later, I tried one, and I went so wild, I got one for almost every of my bikes, and I even stocked up on spares. This time, I'm not going back. I can be adequately satisfied with a few non-Brooks models, but nothing makes me as happy. And if you take care of it, the durability easily justifies the price.
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#47
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Ya know...
That's what I said in 2009 when I saw people on the 'net talking about their love for Brooks saddles. I had had a B17 and maybe a Pro in the past, but I wasn't using either anymore. Then a few years later, I tried one, and I went so wild, I got one for almost every of my bikes, and I even stocked up on spares. This time, I'm not going back. I can be adequately satisfied with a few non-Brooks models, but nothing makes me as happy. And if you take care of it, the durability easily justifies the price.
That's what I said in 2009 when I saw people on the 'net talking about their love for Brooks saddles. I had had a B17 and maybe a Pro in the past, but I wasn't using either anymore. Then a few years later, I tried one, and I went so wild, I got one for almost every of my bikes, and I even stocked up on spares. This time, I'm not going back. I can be adequately satisfied with a few non-Brooks models, but nothing makes me as happy. And if you take care of it, the durability easily justifies the price.
I had a Brooks b17, it wasn't bad, but I'm now thinking of trying a Selle Anatomica saddle with the relief cutout, I've heard those feel like they're broken in right out of the box. I wonder if anyone else has any experiences between the two?
#48
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But some people have hated Brooks, claiming they ride like you're sitting on a board.
I had a Brooks b17, it wasn't bad, but I'm now thinking of trying a Selle Anatomica saddle with the relief cutout, I've heard those feel like they're broken in right out of the box. I wonder if anyone else has any experiences between the two?
I had a Brooks b17, it wasn't bad, but I'm now thinking of trying a Selle Anatomica saddle with the relief cutout, I've heard those feel like they're broken in right out of the box. I wonder if anyone else has any experiences between the two?
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#49
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Easy there, Tom!
I too have been there and back. Not brand loyalty, it’s about comfort. Many saddles started to make me numb, going back some 20 years ago. I switched from my never-broke-in Brooks Team Pro to a Specialized Body Geometry model that treated me pretty well for a long time, until it didn’t. Tried others, and I’ve had best results with C17 carved on my go-fast road bikes, Imperial Flyers (B17 with springs and cutout) on bikes I ride in urban areas and/or take off road (including supple tires), and B66 on my upright commuter. Final truth: YBMV (Your Butt May Vary).
I too have been there and back. Not brand loyalty, it’s about comfort. Many saddles started to make me numb, going back some 20 years ago. I switched from my never-broke-in Brooks Team Pro to a Specialized Body Geometry model that treated me pretty well for a long time, until it didn’t. Tried others, and I’ve had best results with C17 carved on my go-fast road bikes, Imperial Flyers (B17 with springs and cutout) on bikes I ride in urban areas and/or take off road (including supple tires), and B66 on my upright commuter. Final truth: YBMV (Your Butt May Vary).
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1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport