I think a lot of it is in getting the right width, which is why Brooks has made saddles in so many different widths. As a relative small (5'8") rider, I've always been comfortable with the Pro, though the B17 feels OK also. Some larger riders find the Pro uncomfortable. I suggested to one such list member a while back that he try the wider B17, and he reported very good results with it. Of course rider size alone does not always determine what width is comfortable. Brooks also makes a wider and shorter version of the Pro primarily for women, though I don't know many women who actually ride one of these, so I don't know how well they work.
Regards,
Jerry Moos
Houston, TX
> I love the look and *philosophy* of Brooks saddles, and so tried a Brooks
Ti
> rail Swift some time ago. After about 700 miles I was not satisfied with
the
> way it was breaking-in, and it just wasn't very comfortable on long rides.
> Seems like part of the reason was that it had a bit of an unusual shape,
> sorta a big 'whaleback' hump down the center of the saddle, lengthwise.
>
> I sadly had to give up and sell the saddle. Lately I have been thinking
> about Brooks again, and seem to notice comments from people that the
Brooks
> Swift, in particular, does not work for a lot of people. Does anyone else
> find this to be the case and, if so, do other models--such as the B17,
> Professional, or Colt--have a significantly different profile that they
may
> work? I know that's a nebulous, highly situational question, so we'll
agree
> ahead of time that we're talking in very general terms here.
>
> In looking 'up close' at the various models, my eye is somewhat drawn to
the
> Colt, particularly. Does anyone have experience with this saddle, or the
> others, and have opinions they'd like to share? Thanks.
>
> Michael Doleman,
> Sacramento, CA
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Raoul Delmare writes:
>
> > As long as we are talking about Brooks Saddles , the following is a
shameless commercial . I have no connection with the businesses , or the
individuals named below , except that I am a VERY satisfied customer (
of each of them ) .
> >
> > You can certainly buy Genuine Brooks Leather Saddles , from many
different sources .
> > One of the first I think of is :
> >
> > http://www.rivendellbicycles.com
> >
> >
> > But for detailed explanations of the entire range of Brooks saddles ,
there are two wonderful places to look ( in alphabetical order ) , Harris
Cyclery & Wallingford Bicycle Parts .
> >
> >
> > http://www.sheldonbrown.com/
> >
> > http://www.wallbike.com
> >
> >
> > ( these folks are not only easy to work with , and incredibly
knowledgeable , but also downright fun ! )
> >
> > ( many , many photographs & much , much history & even photos from
the present day factory ! )
> >
> > ( thanks friends ! )
> >
> > ( and now I need to go buy some reprints of vintage Brooks Saddle
catalogs from Mr. Chuck Schmidt , of http://www.velo-retro.com with
full color covers !! !! )
> >
> >
> > Cheers ,
> > Raoul Delmare
> > Marysville Kansas