New Brooks Convert

[txbevo]

 You can now count me among the many devotees to Brooks saddles. I finally pulled the trigger a few weeks ago and ordered a standard B17 black from Wallingford (www.wallbike.com). Wallingford was extremely prompt in processing the order and I had the saddle at my front door within a couple of days. Like many, I was skeptical that any leather saddle could be that comfortable. Mostly I was apprehensive about the possibility of a 1000 mile break-in period that I have heard about. I have been through my share of saddles and at one point was even convinced by my LBS to shell out over $230 for the latest & greatest saddle. It was promptly returned within the 30 day return period for a full refund as it was the most uncomfortable saddle yet.

I had resigned myself that comfort as relates to saddles was a relative term. I have recently become more and more interested in touring and long distance cycling. Everything I read kept coming back to Brooks so I ordered one. All I can say is wow! It has been the most comfortable saddle I have used right out of the box. The best compliment I can say about it is that it disappears underneath me and I am no longer continuously thinking about the saddle and shifting positions. All I have read is that it just keeps getting more comfortable as it molds to you and breaks in. If that is the case I can't wait to get back on my bike to get more miles on this saddle. I know that saddle fit is different for everyone, but this saddle definitely fits me. The one I have is on my Volpe light touring bike. I will be purchasing another one to place on my carbon road bike soon. Thanks to all who have recommended Brooks. I can't believe I waited so long.

[whittierider]

I have found no correlation between saddle price and comfort.  A lot of people swear by Brooks, but it remains that saddles are a very individual thing.  I tried a Brooks B-15 years ago and after thousands of miles it never got comfortable.  I kept at it though, thinking that in another 500 miles it should be great.  Finally the leather cracked near the nose, and I got it re-leathered (or whatever the word is).  Then it was even worse.  The saddle I'm on now was $16 and is probably the narrowest and hardest of all the saddles I've ever used, and yet is one of the best for comfort-- for me.  I can ride it all day comfortably.

[HONDO]

Im not a cowboy and I dont want to start a long debated argument but there must be a reason most horse saddles are leather and have been for a very long time. Horse saddles,bicycle saddles,Hmmm.  Brooks for me hands down.

[jimbeard]

Ditto
"The best compliment I can say about it is that it disappears underneath me and I am no longer continuously thinking about the saddle "

Jim

[biker_james]

I have a Brooks Pro and love it,even before it "softened up". My wife got one a while later after trying mine, and hers has never softened up that much, but she finds it very comfortable too.
Brooks may not be for everyone, but there is a much better chance that they will work for you than another type of saddle due to the fact that they do shape themselves to the rider, which a plastic saddle will never do. Brooks has models of different widths as well, so because one model doesn't work, doesn't mean that all of them won't.