Holy Grail - a comfortable saddle

[Brandane]

I've tried to break a Brooks in over a number of longish rides and it was a pretty painful experience and it was still uncomfortable at the end.

That could be what you are doing wrong. I think a better breaking in strategy would be shorter rides, but more of them. On the other hand, it could be that you just aren't the correct shape for a Brooks.
FWIW I have 3 bikes. In order of comfort: A Specialized Secteur with a Brooks B17 narrow; a Tricross with a standard B17; and a MTB with a Charge Spoon.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Fizik Arione is also very comfortable.

My third choice ...,

 

[raleighnut]

That could be what you are doing wrong. I think a better breaking in strategy would be shorter rides, but more of them. On the other hand, it could be that you just aren't the correct shape for a Brooks.
FWIW I have 3 bikes. In order of comfort: A Specialized Secteur with a Brooks B17 narrow; a Tricross with a standard B17; and a MTB with a Charge Spoon.

I find my most comfortable is the B17narrow but I was given a 70s B5n and that is good too.

 

[outlash]

New Brooks Pre-Cambium period saddle ....

View attachment 131136

That's got some lovely 'patina' .

 

[Fab Foodie]

That's got some lovely 'patina' .

It's why we have the word Dino-sores ...

 

[Spiderweb]

Charge Spoon are well regarded by many, £17.98 delivered from Tredz. Not a lot of cash to try out, if it's not suitable you'll be able to sell it on here or on eBay for not a lot less.
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Charge-Spoo...gle_shopping&gclid=COvuvfrwlc0CFYTGGwodrF4H9A

 

[blimpnoddle]

As I said on page one, Charge Spoon is my current saddle. Great price, great looks, just doesn't feel so great when I'm riding.

 

[outlash]

It's why we have the word Dino-sores ...

I refer to exhibit a m'lud: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-B...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

[Bollo]

As per previous threads, I repeat, Brooks saddles are wrought by demons from the knotted spiky bum leather of Satan himself. I'd rather sit on the seat tube. Sharpened.

 

[Fab Foodie]

View attachment 131160 Charge Spoon are well regarded by many, £17.98 delivered from Tredz. Not a lot of cash to try out, if it's not suitable you'll be able to sell it on here or on eBay for not a lot less.
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Charge-Spoo...gle_shopping&gclid=COvuvfrwlc0CFYTGGwodrF4H9A

Damn .... after a Blue one ....

 

[vickster]

Assos shorts?

 

[Crandoggler]

Assos shorts?

My experience from riding LEJOG is that no matter how much money you pay for shorts, they are no better than £50 pairs.

 

[vickster]

I do find better quality shorts better myself, they don't have to cost that much more with savvy shopping

 

[raleighnut]

My experience from riding LEJOG is that no matter how much money you pay for shorts, they are no better than £50 pairs.

£50 on shorts, jeez I baulk at paying half that.

 

[tobykenobi]

I think I posted this before, but it's worth doing the sit-bones measuring thing. Possibly by a bike shop. Here goes:

My bike came with a standard Cannondale road saddle which got painful after about 45 mins. Went into Evans recently and sat on a bit of foam on a wooden bar to allow the assistant to measure my "sit bones". It may have been undignified but worked. Have done 2 hour plus rides since and the difference is very noticeable. I am "aware" of the saddle but no real discomfort.

Definitely worth doing the sit-on-the-pad bit. Otherwise I think you're just guessing. I went for a Specialized Toupe sport (figured for £25 it wasn't the end of the world if it didn't work out) as I'd had a Specialized BG saddle before on my touring bike and got on well with it. The saddle comes in two widths and the pad measurement suggested I go for the wider of the two options.