Brooks Saddles

[blueb0ttle2]

I know, I know, it's not strictly ebike related, but a comfortable seat is something we all need
I was musing earlier about replacing the cheap seat on my Walmart ebike with something more comfortable, and I thought I would use the Brooks B66.
Now, why on earth would I even think about replacing a modern foamy seat for an old-fashioned leather one?
-Longer lasting (And therefore, an investment)
-Reputation for quality
-Rumors that it was more comfortable

I ordered it online, and got a small tin of "Proofide" (Brooks' official saddle treatment) from a local shop (Cheaper than amazon.com!). I followed the instructions, and applied it underneath the saddle, and a little on top. Then, I waited a day to let the Proofide do its magic.
It took only a moderately short amount of time to install and adjust. One must arrange the seat so that the weight is on the back of the seat, and your rump. I know that's a no-brainer, but it is hard to get that "sweet spot" first time. I then rode it to university and here are my impressions of a saddle that hasn't been "broken in"
-Not as uncomfortable as expected (It feels like wood when you first get it out of the box).The science of ergonomics seems to have been quite advanced by 1927
-That being said, I am a pretty skinny guy, and more ample members of this forum will find this seat even more comfortable from the gitgo.
-The springs in the rear of the saddle absorbed the bumps in my ride very well. I definitely noticed the difference.
-I chose the B66 since it was recommended for those who ride in an upright position, which is my preferred mode of cycling. You can look down your nose at fit young people cycling up a hill as you whizz by

I didn't buy a Brooks because it was chic, but rather because I wanted something that would outlast my bicycle and was a tried and true design. I'll report more as the seat gets more broken in.

[scouser-nick:)]

dude good buy the thing with leather saddles is you have to wear them in thats when there comfortable they mold to your shape over time thats why there awsome on roadies

[deardancer3]

I bought a Brooks saddle for a 1000 mile tour that started in 4 days.

On the tour, after tiring of my complaints, this Dutch guy suggested we put some saddle soap on it and beat it with a baseball bat.

After a few adult beverages we did that for about 30 minutes one evening. No more problems.

Brooks B17. Still have it.

The Dutch guy's name was "Dirk" . (The Beer was also European)

d

[blueb0ttle2]

Breaking it in....
Whenever I had a spare moment I decided to cycle with the saddle to wear it in without the motor running. The constant kneading if the saddle as I am cycling will hopefully make the breaking-in process shorter, and give me much needed exercise
The instructions say to apply Proofide often in the early phases of breaking it in. I feel that weekly should suffice, and once broken-in, every 4 months. However, more experienced leather-saddle cyclists can probably chime in here and (hopefully) give us newbies some tips.

Edit: Monthly application seems to be enough.
Edit: I almost never had spare moments to break in the saddle in this manner. Blast.

[northernmike]

I had a B15 on my road racer for years, loved it, replaced it this year with a Swift. Like that even better.

Had a B17 Flyer (sprung) for a while on a Dahon, that was good too.

Had a B33 on my Pashley, replaced it with a B72 - which is by far my favourite.

Each serves it's purpose - different butts, different postures, different bikes.

Try them all, one will be right for you.

B17s and B66/67 are popular for a reason, I'd start with one of them.

[blueb0ttle2]

A month of riding and still going strong. Hasn't really broken in yet
Maybe I should whack it with a baseball bat

[oldpiper]

A month of riding and still going strong. Hasn't really broken in yet
Maybe I should whack it with a baseball bat

In an earlier life, when I had a Brooks saddle on a road bike, that's exactly what I did, lots of saddle soap, lots of whacks all over, worked wonders. (They must not have had Proofide then, never heard of it, but if you use that, I bet a bit of the baseball bat treatment would still help)

Cameron

[kriskros]

crowe cycle has the taiwam copies $61.00 for the b67... ive had one for over a year now... comfortable... the only difference i can see[ comparing it with a friends original english model] is four rivets on the bacck of the taiwanm to five on the brit... i broke mine in with neats foot oil...see sheldon brown

[stingray17]

I put a Brooks Flyer on my folding road ebike. It makes the ride 10x more comfortable whenever there are any bumps in the road. Totally worth the extra weight, in my opinion. It took me a lot of fiddling to figure out exactly where I wanted it. But after about 200 miles it's starting to form to my anatomy a little bit and it's plenty comfortable.

On a full-suspension bike or suspension seat post or anything like that, I probably would prefer a soft but non-springy seat instead. But I needed this saddle because it was a pretty rough ride without it.

[blueb0ttle2]

Three months of riding. The B-66 is starting to break in! I've been applying Proofide monthly.

[TylerDurden]

Three months of riding. The B-66 is starting to break in! I've been applying Proofide monthly.

To the saddle?

[blueb0ttle2]

That was hilarious!

[blueb0ttle2]

I bought a B-67 for my non-electric bike. The B-67 is designed for more modern seat posts, but is identical in shape to the B66. My non-electric commute is now as smooth as can be.

[northernmike]

Saddle choice requires serious thought and experimentation. Not just any saddle, for any rider, will work well in any position. I have spent dozens of hours optimizing the fit of my daily pedal-bike, (a Pashley Roadster Sovereign) changing the stem, handlebars, pedals, saddle, and position of all of the above numerous times. I've finally settled it, I think, and it's been a year now.

Just when you think you have it "right", some aspect of the fit can jump out at you that you didn't expect, and you'll have to re-adjust again.

This is normal!!

Once you have a frame set up that fits you PERFECTLY, it is an absolute pleasure to ride. It's worth the time and effort, and really, there's no other way to get there.

Patience, persistence, and awareness - are your only hopes.

[spinningmagnets]

Here is a video tour of the Brooks saddle factory, which is still in England. This is a one-hour BBC TV special on bicycles, broken into several 10 minute videos for you-tube. The Brooks tour is in the second video (theres a red forklift on the opening screen image), and the section on Brooks starts at the 2:00 minute mark...
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=24893&hilit=bbc#p359614

[D-Man]

My butt likes my cruiser seat on my ebike when I'm not pedalling or just easy pedalling. Bigger saddle= less pressure on the butt. But don't forget that proofide mixed with leather does find its way on your butt after awhile. Hard pedalling generates torque and lift-off on the butt, smaller seat works fine.

[Ykick]

Any updates about the Brooks saddle? I'm thinking of going with a B68 (B66 but no springs) reason being my cheapo Cloud 9 bit the dust last week. One of the rails broke at the clamp from my fat ass...

[amberwolf]

Which Cloud9? I have an old bike with a Cloud9 wide saddle that I don't imagine I'll ever use. I can take pics if you want, so you can see if it's rails are usable to fix yours.

[Ykick]

Which Cloud9? I have an old bike with a Cloud9 wide saddle that I don't imagine I'll ever use. I can take pics if you want, so you can see if it's rails are usable to fix yours.

Thank you AW, here's a pic from the bottom:

C9.jpg (101.84 KiB) Viewed 1068 times

The sticker shows 2509. Dunno if that's a model number or ???

I'm still interested in a Brooks B68, they look cool and many folks seem to love 'em but if your rails would work it might be best to try to save the C9?

[amberwolf]

This Cloud9 is definitely different. Yours appears to measure about 4.25-4.5" between front mounting point and rear, while this one is closer to 5".

The only marking on it other than the C9 logo is molded into the plastic:
Viscount
Datestamp circle with a Chinese ideograph above it
(Sticker with "24" on it)
7141
Oval sticker that probably said where it was made but is faded completely.

It's fairly heavy for a saddle, maybe 2-3lbs or more, mostly because of the springs and spring-frame, I think.

[Ykick]

Thanks AW, they made a lot of different saddles and those aren't the same. No big deal, I'll probably try a B68 and if it sucks I can always throw it up in for sale section.

Thanks again!

[staft]

My 2 cents.. I have had and loved Brooks saddles for too many decades, currently ride a B66. Very heavy, but to me worth it. It may be my overstuffed physiognomy, but for me they are comfortable out of the box. I had one once stretched out too far for adjustment, and that's when they get unsupportive.

Proofide used on un-Brooksie parts? Hmmmmmm.....

[grindz145]

Yeah, I have about 400 miles on mine, and it's just starting to break in a little bit.

[mabman]

Here is a video tour of the Brooks saddle factory, which is still in England. This is a one-hour BBC TV special on bicycles, broken into several 10 minute videos for you-tube. The Brooks tour is in the second video (theres a red forklift on the opening screen image), and the section on Brooks starts at the 2:00 minute mark...
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=24893&hilit=bbc#p359614

If you watch the videos the first thing the factory does in order to make the leather malleable enough to form they soak it in warm water. I have had several Brooks saddles and have broken them in the first ride by doing the very same thing and then applying proofhide thereafter. Just find a container large enough to put the whole saddle in, warm up some water to below boiling, dunk it in there for awhile (this can be done while it is on the seatpost), stick it on the bike and go for a decent ride. Don't wear white paints though as they may get a little blacking on them.

[blueb0ttle2]

The aged saddles are good too. I have one on my main ride now. Aaaaaaaah.