P.S. yes you can get seatposts with significant setback, they do them for getting a more "aero" position for TT and Triathlon racing using a regular road bike frame with clip-on bars.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help
Brooks B17 saddle
(56 posts)- Started 10 years ago by Baldcyclist
- Latest reply from Greenroofer
- This topic is
resolved
-
Posted 10 years ago #
-
I got a bike fit a few years ago and have to admit that I felt more comfortable on the bike instantly. I set up my commuter with the measurements from that bike fit with the exception that the commuter has a slightly shorter stem so it is a slightly less stretched position.
Saddle height, and distance back from the BB is identical on both bikes, and it is the position relative to the BB that I can't mimic. I guess a longer stem would fix the reach issue, but not the position relative to BB issue.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Probably worth a caveat, longer stems may impact handling...
I've discovered a flaw in my "many bikes, so if one breaks, grab another" philosophy. One has to repair the unused bikes! As a result I'm on a BSO borrowed from a friend - probably worth a post in its own right.
It has a much longer stem than other bikes I've ridden and the handling feels quite dead - a quick Google suggests that this is a topic of quite some debate, but probably something of which you should be aware (and perhaps already are!).
Robert
Posted 10 years ago # -
Although it handled fine my main bike couldn't be pushed from the saddle: as the steerer was left unchopped and the stem was a standard short one the handlebars tended to waggle at the slightest provocation. I never got round to fitting a longer stem to see if it made a difference as I'd have had to have lengthened the gear cables too.
On the sparebike I had a lot of low-speed wobble after fitting the front porteur rack which completely disappeared when I changed the riser bars to flats two weeks ago.Posted 10 years ago # -
Have contacted Brooks to see if the have an alternate product with longer rails. B17 with 4 days use may be available imminently.
Old saddle back on bike for now, my legs, neck, and shoulders are all broken. :(
Posted 10 years ago # -
Hmm might be interested in the S/H saddle. ;O)
Sorry you can't get on with it. I'd be looking at even more laid back seatposts on t'interweb.
Posted 10 years ago # -
@roibeard you've broken your brompton???
Posted 10 years ago # -
My current saddle is about 25mm (maybe more) further back than the B17. I did manage to get the B17 into a position which was comfortable for height and reach. But the main issue is having to push straight down on the pedal, rather than forward and down, unfortunately my legs don't have muscles to deal with that rotation and all the force was going into my inside thigh muscle which is under developed compared to my outer thigh muscle which is where my power comes from. It is my inside thigh muscle that is shot now, it just couldn't cope with the strain.
The seat post I currently have has 21mm of setback on it, they do seem to be available with 30mm of setback which still leaves about 15mm still to find. The Cambium may be an option...
It has about 10mm more rail available at the front, but that would mean saddle and seat post just to get the position.
The B17 would likely fit my Cervelo as the seat tube is a far more aggressive angle than my commuter so the saddle naturally sits further back on that anyway, but, a Brooks B17 on a carbon Cervelo road bike? Well, that would look silly I imagine. :(
May have to cut my losses and sell the B17, I'll wait to see what Brooks say, the may swap (with some money) for another saddle as a 'gesture'.
Posted 10 years ago # -
@SRD - wore out a tyre and brake pads is all, but then it needed ordered, and fitted and...
Robert
Posted 10 years ago # -
Ok, if a Brooks B17 in honey which has been used for 4 days is of any use to anyone, make me an offer....
Have tried the Cambium on my bike, and it goes into the required position and is comfy. Wish I had known that Bike Trax was a brooks dealer 2 weeks ago!
Posted 10 years ago # -
Rather than start a new thread I'll do that thread necromancy thing here as it's relevant.
Recently my bike has developed a squeaky creak (different from the squeaky creak that indicated a cracked frame). Everything was taken apart and put back together again when I moved to a newold frame, but the creak persisted and got worse. Fair doing my napper in it was.
After the usual experimentation of pedalling / sitting / standing / taking feet off pedals / hands off bars, bouncing deliberately etc. I traced the creaks back to the Brooks saddle.
I have remedied the creaking by one of the following measures (I tried them all at once, so can't say which it was that worked).
- tiny spots of 3-in-1 oil put where the rivets meet the saddle frame so as to suck into the joint by capillary action.
- spots of 3-in-1 also places on the nose nut, the pivot where the nose nut attaches to the saddle rail and the two sockets where the saddle rails meet the rear support of the frame.
- drops of leather oil added so as to get between the frame and the leather and the rivets and the leather. I used some raw linseed oil in small quantities as I had no proofride left. Some forums suggested sticking dods of proofride in this area then blowing with a hot hair drier to melt it into the gaps.
- saddle rail taped with some black insulation tape where the clamp attaches.
- saddle clamp disassembled and reassembled, with some tape added where the clamp sits on the top of the seatpost.
- the metal ratcheted washer of the saddle clamp was lightly oiled.
- a small turn of the nose nut (<0.5 turn)The saddle is now creak free. I've probably gone too long without giving it a good dose of Proofride so will have to do that soon.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Ta for this checklist. My Brooks has a similar creak which I've been hoping would just go away.
Posted 8 years ago # -
@Stickman yeah I tried just ignoring it at first. And then I tried to ignore it harder. Didn't fix the creaking no matter how hard I tried!
Posted 8 years ago # -
Usually some grease on the clamp will sort that.
Posted 8 years ago # -
This reminds me that I need to Proofride my saddle. Maybe I'll add it to my shoe polishing schedule to ensure it gets done once every year.
Posted 8 years ago # -
What's the breaking-in-time/distance for a Brooks?
If someone were looking to upgrade their saddle, would they be better off waiting until after the
utterly madperfectly sensible trip they're planning in five weeks time?Posted 6 years ago # -
A lot depends on whether you have a Brooks-shaped undercarriage or not. My B67S (wide, with springs) was comfy from the get go and the B17 on my Brompton hasn't caused me any problems despite being a lot narrower and less obviously sofa-like. It they're not comfortable from the off, then I have heard it can take months.
Posted 6 years ago # -
I've had my B17 for 6 years, I reckon another 6 and it'll be halfway there.
It's a comfy now as it was on the day I got it.
Posted 6 years ago # -
What's the breaking-in-time/distance for a Brooks?
Longer/further than my seating area was prepared to tolerate...
Posted 6 years ago # -
I reckon my B17 has around 10,000 miles on the clock - and I'm not entirely sure it is fully broken in yet.
Unless your current saddle is cream-crackered, I'd stick with that for just now.
Posted 6 years ago # -
I have done about 100 miles on a new Swallow. It still hurts so wasn't allowed out on the audax. It probably depends on the distance they're planning to ride. 200km? Try it on a 100km at least 2 weeks before so that your bot can recover.
I have a sprung version of the B17 on the tourer I bought. Yet to be evaluated but it weighs a fair bit
Posted 6 years ago # -
Went and bought one, have 30 days to try it out.
Posted 6 years ago # -
I’ve always got on pretty well with Brooks saddles, my B66/7 on my Pashley is so comfy, but NOT for long distances, my a**e was in tatters after a 30 mile ride once.
I’ve got a B17 on my commuter, and that has been comfy since day 1, though firm still comfortable.
I have a Cambium on my indoor bike that I don’t get on with as more than half an hour is an ordeal, though when that was on the commuter it was really comfy. I suspect I just have to adjust the spin bike to be more road, than upright positioned.
Posted 6 years ago # -
I have a B17 narrow on my Singlespeed (which is my everyday do everything bike).
I bought it used off fleabay for £20 (was missing a badge, which I picked up a replica off web for a couple of quid) - think it had 10/15 years on it, and I have had it about 5 years?
Looks good as new, feels fantastic and apart from trying to keep the worst of the weather off if outside shop/pub, all I do is occasionally wipe in the brooks dubbin stuff.
Its the comfiest saddle I have ever owned, and if I could get away with it, would have one on my roadbike and MTB too.......but perhaps a step too far.
Posted 6 years ago # -
I've got B17N, B17S, Colt and a B72.
They've all been comfy from the get go and just get better over time. The one I like least is the B72.
The B17S is now on its second Brompton.
Posted 6 years ago # -
I have a B17. Comfy since I got it. Love it. Edinburgh Bike Fitting say it's too wide for me, but I still love it.
Posted 6 years ago #
Reply
You must log in to post.
posts
