Brooks Saddle - Some helpful tips before I purchase

[John Grossbohlin]

I've had several Brooks saddles over the years... Currently have a Flyer in Honey on my Trek 520. It was quite comfortable from day one... haven't put anything on it to soften it but did have to tighten the top a few times in the first 1,000 miles or so.  Combined with good shorts (Specialized Pro Road) I had no problems doing 450 miles in a week. This compared to the old Cannondale touring shorts I wore on an Avocet Touring II. That latter combo left me with bad saddle sores that hindered progress on my FL to NY trip.  I look forward to using the Flyer on this summer's CO to OR trip!

[Tourista829]

I might be the a descenting voice. I have ridden a Brooks Professional saddle for many years. There is a break in period and the folks who use the B-17 are big fans too. However, as I have gotten old and developed prostate problems, I am looking for a new saddle. A friend of mine, who rode a Brooks saddle for years, switched to a men's Sella Royal Gel Saddle and loved it out of the box. He frequently rides over a 100 miles a day and says it is the best saddle he has ever ridden. His enthusiasm has me purchasing one. Worse comes to worse, if I can't get a 30-60 day return, since no one stocks it, and it doesn't work out, I will have another saddle to go into my saddle box.

[paddleboy17]

I might be the a descenting voice. I have ridden a Brooks Professional saddle for many years. There is a break in period and the folks who use the B-17 are big fans too. However, as I have gotten old and developed prostate problems, I am looking for a new saddle. A friend of mine, who rode a Brooks saddle for years, switched to a men's Sella Royal Gel Saddle and loved it out of the box. He frequently rides over a 100 miles a day and says it is the best saddle he has ever ridden. His enthusiasm has me purchasing one. Worse comes to worse, if I can't get a 30-60 day return, since no one stocks it, and it doesn't work out, I will have another saddle to go into my saddle box.

For ~$60, Monarch Leather, the manufacturer for Selle An Atomica, will put a cut out in your saddle.  I had this done to one of my B-17s just a couple of weeks ago and was pleased with the results.  Go to www.mcmwin.com and look for Brooks Upgrade Service.

[happyriding]

I might be the a descenting voice. I have ridden a Brooks Professional saddle for many years. There is a break in period and the folks who use the B-17 are big fans too. However, as I have gotten old and developed prostate problems, I am looking for a new saddle. A friend of mine, who rode a Brooks saddle for years, switched to a men's Sella Royal Gel Saddle and loved it out of the box.

The purported problem with gel saddles is that they will deform around your sit bones and bulge up into your prostate area--putting more pressure on your prostate.  I think the whole idea behind a stiff leather saddle is that it won't deform, so your sit bones bear most of your weight, putting minimal pressure on your prostate area.

I tried one of the first generation gel saddles a looong time ago, and I was numb in 30 minutes.   Some of the newer gel saddles have minimal gel, so they don't bulge up as much.  I've tried a couple of the cut out saddles, and I don't find them to be very comfortable, although I have gotten used to one model on my road bike.

[don adams]

I have a champion fflyer on my lht. The handlebars are stock,but i put on a new stem with a lot more rise. It seems the lht's are a bir longish in the top tube so i have 52 cm instead of the 54 i would normally ride