Hammer

Are Brooks Saddles as Good as Everyone Says?

Bill M asked:

I've been researching Brooks Saddles and fans seem to absolutely LOVE them....if you have one....is it that good? Which model is best for all purpose road riding?

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6 Comments »

extitude rated this:

Like a good pair of leather cowboy boots.
They take a while to wear in but it’s worth it.Keep in mind that a leather saddle conforms to your rear end[bum],not other peoples.Just like the boots.
As for what saddle by Brooks is best for you? Only you and your butt know this.
Keep in mind that a spring loaded Brooks saddle is heavier than the non spring ones but you’ll enjoy the spring saddle better.This I can assure you.

I hope this can be of some help to you

p.s. use saddle soap from a tack shop[horse supply store]to keep the leather supple yet strong.A saddle is not a pair of shoes.

# 19 December 2008 at 8:08 am

McG rated this:

Not to my sitter.

I have never liked a Brooks saddle. Lots of people do, though.

Standard saddle for all purpose road riding is their B17. Well made and can last your lifetime with proper care.

# 21 December 2008 at 10:25 am

Boneman rated this:

Many people are surprised how comfortable they are. I love my B17. I won’t give it up. I ride a touring bike at about a 45 degree angle. For race bikes you want a narrower saddle, and for upright riding use a wider model.
Best source is Wallingford bike. They have a 6 month guarantee on them. Try them and see if you like it.
To break one in, use Brooks Proofide or Obenauf’s saddle goop (see 2nd link).
My dad still has his original B66 universal on his Raleigh. It’s only 75+ years old!

# 24 December 2008 at 3:13 am

silverbullet rated this:

Some of the adulation is a cult thing. A little over the top.

But yes, they’re good. I have one, although its not mounted on any of my current rides.

Is it a problem when you have more saddles than bikes, and half a dozen pair of cycling shoes?

# 26 December 2008 at 12:12 am

mtlbiker rated this:

I have a Brooks Professional on my touring bike, it is very comfortable, but quite a bit heavier than the saddles I have on my road bikes. I did manage to wear out my first Brooks saddle, after about 30 years of heavy use it had stretched out of shape. It was still pretty comfortable though

# 28 December 2008 at 6:30 pm

e.b. rated this:

How comfortable you will be on Brooks depends on how you define comfort. I like them, but you may or may not like them. For me, a Brooks is *that* good.

If you like lots of foam or *gel* padding on your saddle, you may not like a Brooks. They’re hard. “Breaking in a Brooks” does not mean the saddle will be soft and supple. It will “give” some as it breaks in, but expect it to remain hard. But the combination of firm support and slight flexing as you ride is what makes a Brooks comfortable.

There are cyclists that buy their first Brooks and wonder just how long it will take to break in. It doesn’t take the thousands of miles some people state. Once you have 500 or so miles on it, it’s about as broken in as can be expected. Even then, they’re reasonably comfortable right out of the box for enough riders.

But those expecting something more supple from their Brooks will go to unnecessary and unwise measures to soften them, including heavy applications of neatsfoot oil and other leather conditioners. Brooks recommends using Proofide for saddle prep and can refuse a warranty claim on a saddle conditioned with any other product. Proofide mostly protects the saddle from excess moisture and also from drying out. Softening a Brooks with other products can trash a saddle that should last for decades.

The B17 (either standard or champion) is the choice for most cyclists riding bikes with the bars positioned near level with the saddle. The narrow version (B17N) is good for bikes with bars below the saddle. If you’re on a road bike, I assume your bar height is one or the other. They also offer racier saddles, such as the Team Pro, the Swift, and the Swallow. These models can be quite expensive.

Wallbike.com (Wallingford) suggested previously would be a good route to go if you’re unsure of which Brooks might work the best for you. They also sell returned saddles for a discount, though I don’t know if they allow them to be exchanged again.

It’s not about a cult following, it’s about being comfortable.

# 29 December 2008 at 3:02 am