A choice of saddle!

[Banjo]

I do rides up to 50 miles without padded shorts on my B17. Furthest ride I have done in one day on it was about 140 miles (with padded shorts) never had any problems.

 

[MissTillyFlop]

Hi all,

I've got a few bucks to drop on a new saddle for my tourer.

I've heard infamous things about the Brooks B17, and other Brooks touring saddles. And so, naturally, I'm leaning towards purchasing one of those. But there's also Salle Anatomica, and my LBS recommends the following: https://www.serfas.com/products/view/177/

My current saddle is attached.

It's uncomfortable and after a day or two's riding without cycling shorts (I've elected not to wear them at the moment), that may change.

So, yes. In my opinion, I'm in need of a new one.

What are your experiences with the Brooks? What about alternatives to that?

Cheers,

Jack.

I have a Brooks B17s (the lady version) which has now been on three diferent bikes and it is comfy (after the intial weirdness) as anything.

 

[jay clock]

My recomendation would be to change your LBS.
That looks like it would be awful for any kind of distance.

I've not tried a B17 - although well "clad" my sit bones suit a narrower saddle. A Brooks Comp is good. A Swift is even better. Not tried a Pro for few years - but when I had one I hated it.

So - it's a question of trying a load of different saddles until you find what suits your shape.

agreed, looks terrible that Serfas

I have a B17 on my tourer, about 8 years old but only gets used on tours. It is generally comfortable but i am not one of the nutty fanboys. But it works ok

 

[jay clock]

Is it possible to be agnostic on Brooks saddles? I had a B17 for about 5years, before it turned banana shaped and I had to drill holes in the bottom and tighten it up with shoelaces.

I found it was very comfortable as long as was doing alot of miles on it. If I switched to another saddle, then went back to the B17 after a few weeks, it gave me arse ache and also some knee issues. Regarding the knee issues, I think it's an ergonomic thing, as it's quite wide - feels like sitting on a dinner plate at first - and maybe it splays your legs out slightly. Just a guess. One tour I started without spending any time on the B17 beforehand, it took 2 weeks for the arse ache to stop - but it did and then it was a non factor.

I think your arse reshapes to the Brooks as much it does to yours. I liked mine, but couldn't be bothered with the faff of adjusting to different saddles, so just put Charge Spoons on everything.

just read this one too, and I am EXACTLY the same. I am tempted to put a Spoon on the tourer next time and compare, as my other bikes all have them