Touring Saddles

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Touring Saddles

Postby 4 1 3 0 » Sat Jan 14, 2017 11:38 am

Hi All
Late last year i successfully converted an old school 4130 rigid MTB into a good little tour bike with tracking bars and pannier rack.
Have done a fare few ks now but am not happy with the saddle. Just wonder what people are using as tour saddles and how comfortable they are?
Thanks

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RonK
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Re: Touring Saddles

Postby RonK » Sat Jan 14, 2017 11:52 am

Most cycle tourists prefer Brooks saddles for their comfort and durability.

Classic leather models such as the B17 are probably the most popular choice. However like most leathergoods they do take time to break in.

The new generation Cambium models like the C17 are immediately comfortable but not as durable.
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Leaf T
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Re: Touring Saddles

Postby Leaf T » Sat Jan 14, 2017 12:11 pm

+1 the Brooks B17. It might seem expensive to some but it's money well spent if you're riding regularly.

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Re: Touring Saddles

Postby 4 1 3 0 » Sat Jan 14, 2017 2:20 pm

Sounds super, must look into it then.

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Tim
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Re: Touring Saddles

Postby Tim » Sat Jan 14, 2017 2:44 pm

For some odd reason my touring bike came fitted with a women's specific WTB Speed She ProGel saddle.
I didn't like it at first but after a few rides I became accustomed to and enamoured of it.
So much so I bought another one when the vinyl cover started to split.
They're quite reasonably priced and there's a male specific version of the above.
http://www.this link is broken/au/e ... 4294967094
I've spent many 8 hour plus days in it and not suffered any problems other than could be expected from extended big days of riding.

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Re: Touring Saddles

Postby Rodgerbiltit » Sun Jan 15, 2017 6:04 am

What used to be called "Selle Anatomica Titanico", now "X-Series" (they redesigned it a few years ago - shortened the rail length).
https://selleanatomica.com/products/x-series
Expensive, leather and comfortable straight out of the box. I've slowly upgraded all my bikes to them...

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Re: Touring Saddles

Postby 4 1 3 0 » Sun Jan 15, 2017 3:11 pm

Rodgerbiltit wrote:What used to be called "Selle Anatomica Titanico", now "X-Series" (they redesigned it a few years ago - shortened the rail length).
https://selleanatomica.com/products/x-series
Expensive, leather and comfortable straight out of the box. I've slowly upgraded all my bikes to them...
Yep i had herd a bit about this saddle and was going to look into it and maybe purchase one but couldn't find an outlet in Melbourne at the time. :( Must mention i also have a 4130 road bike that flies but have no issue with that saddle.

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Re: Touring Saddles

Postby Rodgerbiltit » Mon Jan 16, 2017 7:54 am

I'm not aware of any Australian importer/agent?
Selle Anatomica often have "Sales" - there is one on at the moment US$70 off. Well truly pays for the postage...
https://selleanatomica.com/collections/holiday-offers

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Re: Touring Saddles

Postby Trevtassie » Mon Jan 16, 2017 8:48 am

Have a look on Ebay for a Gyes leather saddle. A made in Taiwan version of the Brooks by some dude who likes leather and bike seats. I got one for $30. Done two tours on it so far and it's awesome, like riding on a lounge chair once it was broken in. I use Nikwax Aqueous Wax on it. Doesn't soften leather whilst making it water proof...

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Re: Touring Saddles

Postby tmac100 » Sat Jan 21, 2017 10:48 pm

I have three different Brooks on 3 different bicycles.: B17, and B17, and B17. Bought all on eBay and they were a challenge to fit my pelvis, BUT patience is a virtue and they are all good. :D

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Re: Touring Saddles

Postby Galeforcephil » Tue Feb 14, 2017 8:12 pm

I have a brooks on my old Raleigh. Its 20 years old and is still going strong. It nearly broke me before it gave in but i found the secret was to put proofing UNDER the saddle. Within a week the saddle had given in and was a perfect fit for my bum :D

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StevOz
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Re: Touring Saddles

Postby StevOz » Tue Feb 14, 2017 10:03 pm

Not really in the know about all this as I'm just a commuter whose only transport is the one bike(s) I could afford to do everything and go anywhere as needs be, my bike has been my only transport for the past 10 years or so, public transport when distances and times exceed 40KM or 2 hours..

Though to me it seems your hard earned are better spent on some *gasp*...Lycra padded fitted shorts then any saddle, just calling it as I have researched it for my next purchase, that said those less the Lycra looking MTB padded shorts could very well be the go for me.

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Re: Touring Saddles

Postby rifraf » Sun Jun 11, 2017 5:40 pm

SJS has a decent price on the Brooks C17 saddle albeit on the "Rust" coloured one as well as a womens C17s 69.99 British Pound plus shipping (less VAT)

I've left a link:
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=25724
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RonK
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Re: Touring Saddles

Postby RonK » Sun Jun 11, 2017 6:17 pm

rifraf wrote:SJS has a decent price on the Brooks C17 saddle albeit on the "Rust" coloured one as well as a womens C17s 69.99 British Pound plus shipping (less VAT)

I've left a link:
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=25724
My advice - if you don't like the colour don't worry it will fade away after only a short time.
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VeloGiro
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Re: Touring Saddles

Postby VeloGiro » Thu Jun 15, 2017 8:17 am

I recently purchased a nifty little folding bike (Birdy) and the fella selling it said he would throw in an unused Brooks Flyer Saddle (B17 with springs) - Popped it on the touring bike this weekend and did a 80K ride with a long (slow) 11K climb in the mix, so plenty of time in the saddle - I was assuming all manner of uncomfort by the time i got home - Not so which was amazing - Indeed the saddle is really comfy and a good fit straight up...

Its damn heavy and it did develop a little creak half way through the ride...which i fixed with a dab of oil on the nose bolt when i got home. Think I'll leave it on for a bit and see if its a keeper.
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Re: Touring Saddles

Postby Trevtassie » Thu Jun 15, 2017 11:08 pm

Still loving my $30 Gyes.

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Re: Touring Saddles

Postby Kalgrm » Thu Jun 15, 2017 11:29 pm

StevOz wrote:Not really in the know about all this as I'm just a commuter whose only transport is the one bike(s) I could afford to do everything and go anywhere as needs be, my bike has been my only transport for the past 10 years or so, public transport when distances and times exceed 40KM or 2 hours..

Though to me it seems your hard earned are better spent on some *gasp*...Lycra padded fitted shorts then any saddle, just calling it as I have researched it for my next purchase, that said those less the Lycra looking MTB padded shorts could very well be the go for me.
A Brooks B17 will last 20+ years and cost about $120. A pair of padded shorts will cost about half that and last about a year. You'll need a second pair for when the first ones are in the wash.

And you can ride on a Brooks without padding in your shorts if you like .... They did that when the B17 was first released to the market in the 1890s.

It's easy to look at the upfront cost of a great saddle and say it's too expensive. When you consider that the saddle can be moved from your current bike to your next and the next after that, it's actually a pretty good investment.

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Re: Touring Saddles

Postby V2rocketeer » Fri Jun 16, 2017 12:04 am

I like my brooks B17 and I use a B67 as well the B67 works beautiful in a more upright position when riding but the B17 is my choice for when I am using my drop bars.

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DavidS
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Re: Touring Saddles

Postby DavidS » Fri Jun 16, 2017 9:21 pm

Yep, just normal shorts for me and a B17 on each of my bikes. The older one came from the previous bike and must have done well over 30,000KMs.

Works for me.

DS
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Re: Touring Saddles

Postby cancan64 » Tue Jun 20, 2017 10:44 am

I switched to a Charge seat on my bike packing bike... comfy so far but only had the one 7hr plus ride
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Re: Touring Saddles

Postby Mugglechops » Tue Jun 20, 2017 12:49 pm

cancan64 wrote:I switched to a Charge seat on my bike packing bike... comfy so far but only had the one 7hr plus ride
I did the same. I don't find it too bad but also have only done the one long ride of about 6hrs on it. But numerous shorter rides.

It's not like my B17 that I can ride without soreness though.

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Re: Touring Saddles

Postby VeloGiro » Fri Jun 23, 2017 4:29 pm

VeloGiro wrote: Think I'll leave it on (Brooks Flyer )for a bit and see if its a keeper.
Its a keeper! ~ 250K's later its by far the most comfortable saddle I think I have ever used - Kicking myself that its taken soooo long to try one out!
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Warin
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Re: Touring Saddles

Postby Warin » Fri Jun 23, 2017 6:53 pm

Glad your happy with it. The B17 is a little lighter .. but lacks the springs. If you have the chance try a B17 for comfort, I'm happy with mine.

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Re: Touring Saddles

Postby Mediocratus » Fri Jul 07, 2017 8:15 pm

Trevtassie wrote:Still loving my $30 Gyes.
Me too. I don't do any great mileage - just pottering around about 20km on cyclepaths but the Gyes is very comfortable. No need for padded pants.

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Re: Touring Saddles

Postby hartleymartin » Wed Oct 25, 2017 11:49 pm

Brooks B17 is highly recommended. Though, I personally went for the sprung version called "The Flyer" which is just a B17 top with a pair of springs in the back. Been riding it on and off for several years now and I am very happy with it.
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