Is a woman riding 4,000km on a man's Brooks B17 saddle risky?

[fidunfi]

I've just bought myself a Kona Sutra 2015 with a Brooks B17 saddle, but it came with a man's saddle (longer) rather than a ladies B17S version - thoughts?

The shop I bought it from insisted that I wouldn't have any trouble... But having read around, I don't know - should I insist on swapping it?

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

If you find it is comfortable you will be fine. There is no risk from using a men's saddle, just from an uncomfortable one.

2 of my bikes are fitted with mens saddles, the other with a ladies one.

 

[Ganymede]

I've just bought myself a Kona Sutra 2015 with a Brooks B17 saddle, but it came with a man's saddle (longer) rather than a ladies B17S version - thoughts?

The shop I bought it from insisted that I wouldn't have any trouble... But having read around, I don't know - should I insist on swapping it?

I've never ridden on a Brooks but they are top-end saddles and I would assume that you should have the correct one. Sounds to me like they were palming you off with what they happened to have. It's a pricey bit of kit too.

I would make sure that if it doesn't suit you, they must undertake to swap it. If (like @SatNavSaysStraightOn) you're fine with it, then ok. But if not, they will have sold you something that's not fit for purpose and should swap it back. I'd worry that they might say "oh well you've used it now and you bought it without a quibble so tough luck"!

 

[fidunfi]

Thanks @SatNavSaysStraightOn and @Ganymede. Yeah that's why I wanted to ask for advice before using it – I asked about a Selle saddle with a cut out, and he said that I could try it out and swap it back for the Brooks if I didn't get on with it... And he also explained that if I took the Brooks saddle (which he favoured over the Selle), that I couldn't return it because my riding on it would alter it. Fair enough.

So it seems from reading around that whether you get on with any kind of saddle is totally subjective. Guess I'll give the Brooks I've got a go and see how I get on!.I'm excited to go for a long ride on my new wheels..!

 

[the snail]

The only difference is that the women's version is shorter to avoid your skirt getting caught on the nose, so it's probably only worth changing if that's likely to be a problem.

 

[Crackle]

You either have a Brooks shaped arse or you don't: I don't.

 

[ufkacbln]

You either have a Brooks shaped arse or you don't: I don't.

Kelly or Garth?

 

[Cycleops]

No problem, just sell the men's one on eBay or wherever (there's always a market) and put the ladies one on. Be aware they take a long time to break in.
I don't think it's reasonable on insisting on a swap unless the bike was sold as a ladies model but he might be generous. If I were you I'd swap it for an anatomical saddle.

 

[raleighnut]

The only difference is that the women's version is shorter to avoid your skirt getting caught on the nose, so it's probably only worth changing if that's likely to be a problem.

Its also shorter to ease getting on and off a Mixte/stepthru frame. You either get on with Brooks or you don't, a lot of its down to breaking it in correctly. My advice is to follow Brooks breaking in guide to the letter with proofide and also to ride in the rain (quite easy this time of year) then let it dry out naturally.
I use a luggage strap fixed around the middle of the saddle to keep the sides from flaring when any of mine get wet (apart from the Swallow which has a metal plate joining the sides together) but a laggy band will do.

 

[Spoked Wheels]

There is a small risk of pregnancy

 

[steveindenmark]

You need to get on and ride it and see if it is comfy for you or not.

My most comfortable saddle is a Womans Brooks Imperial which I bought by mistake for £ 8 off e Bay Germany. I thought it was a Mans saddle. I have ridden about 1000km on it now, the first day I had it I rode 110 miles without any problems.

Men or women specific does not mean a lot in cycling. My road bike is a Trek Lexa SL, designed for women but the geometry suits me.

Just to put you straight. It will not get you pregnant. Regardless of some of the dodgy stories in the newspapers. Some Brooks take ages to break in and then are great, but some, like my Womans Imperial are great out of the box.

Until you sit on it you will not know if you have a"Brooks arse" or not. If you would like to post photos, we will hazard a guess. You just need to try it. If it doesnt work they are easy to sell on.

You have got a lovely bike by all accounts.

I hope you have got a great saddle by mistake, like I did.

 

[cisamcgu]

There is a small risk of pregnancy

Actually, I think you will find that there is a risk of becoming "a little bit pregnant"

 

[andym]

What cycleops said. Try it and if you don't like it eBay it and get another one. Don't arse around (excuse the pun) putting up with discomfort while it's 'breaking in'.

Brooks saddles come in different sizes and shapes, and also different degrees of elasticity. Spa Cycles also do some very decent alternatives. If you have a saddle that you're reasonably happy with you could look for a leather one with similar length and width.

A saddle with more give isn't going to last you as long as one with a less elastic leather (the leather stretches and eventually you reach the point where you can't take up the slack with the adjuster screw).

SFAIK, the shortest saddle in the Brooks range is the Men's Team Pro - so I'm a bit sceptical about the 'it's shorter to stop it catching on your skirt' theory.

I thought saddles with slots in them were primarily designed to combat prostate problems:

http://www.prostatescotland.org.uk/...uestions/can-cycling-affect-the-prostate.html

But if they work for you then why not. I should say though (as someone who used to own a Selle) that it didn't last very long. It might get you through 4,000kms, but might not. Brooks do something similar (the Imperial) that you might want to have a look at but I don't know how long it lasts (same basic issues - the more give the faster it stretches).

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Actually, I think you will find that there is a risk of becoming "a little bit pregnant"

I believe that once you've rubbed proofide into it, there's 0% risk of spontaneous conception.

 

[ayceejay]

Is a woman riding 4,000km on a man's Brooks B17 saddle risky?

Is the man still on it?