GF29er Posted January 19, 2011 Posted January 19, 2011 realy wish now that I had kept the one I had when I was a teenager (it came free with one of the bikes I took apart for bits...) I rode it for a number of years on my road bike which was more like a cx with all the farm tracks and muddy fields I used to ride.. Must ask my Mum and Dad to have a look in the cellar... ;-) otherwise I will also be making an order... perfect for my peace 29er which arrives on Friday ;-)
Johan Bornman Posted January 19, 2011 Posted January 19, 2011 Nice review RodTi. Thanks. I'm surprised at how little sculpting the saddle has undergone in the time you've had it. Years ago I overheard someone referring to what you call "side skirts" as "cheeks." They were bemoaning the fact that today's new-fangled saddles have no cheeks at all.
RodTi Posted January 20, 2011 Author Posted January 20, 2011 "Cheeks" Johan? That kind of makes sense - sounds better than side-flaps/skirts (on a Datsun... ) I've popped up some gallery images of the new saddle and complete package here As for my thoughts about the new one... Initially, I was worried. The 15mm difference felt noticeably narrower. I was placing too much pressure on my hands, and not enough on my behind! Began fearing I had made a mistake. Hopped off and made some adjustments - took the allen key with me so that I could do just that. I'd moved the seat forward by a few centimeters, compared to the first Brooks, when I put the new one on.Raised the nose slightly - shifted it back to be in similar position to my previous one - and voila Comfy straight away! Toyed with breaking this one in - in the same manner as the previous... by using a bit of dubbin.But have now decided I would go the opposite route this time, and try and stick only to the Proofide. I did apply dubbin to the bottom-side, simply to bulk up waterproofing... But won't use it again now... This should mean that the break-in time might take a bit longer - but as indicated, with the saddle already being comfortable, can't see this becoming an issue... Needless to say - think the slimline saddle, in black, looks much better on the bike. Which means I'm smiling! It will certainly look the business on the new Unicoi. When the latter is up and running, and I convert the current frame to a SS - the B17 Special will go back on - I'll probably benefit greatly from the increased width and stability when I start grinding my way, SS style, up the slightest of inclines...
tmstiles Posted January 23, 2011 Posted January 23, 2011 Had my first ride with the B17 Standard. Don't care what it looks like because for the first time i had a comfortable ride and that's with the saddle straight out of the box. Don't see how it can get more comfortable but i look forward to many more km's on it
GTRacing Posted January 23, 2011 Posted January 23, 2011 Going to be doing the same, soon! Please pop up some pics/thoughts here when you're up and running...Which B17 did you get - colour?I found the honey one too cool. bikes olive green red and yellow.
RodTi Posted January 24, 2011 Author Posted January 24, 2011 I found the honey one too cool. bikes olive green red and yellow. Are you going to lace it? I'm toying with butchering my B17 - but know it will take plenty of time still before I can bring myself to doing it!
RodTi Posted January 26, 2011 Author Posted January 26, 2011 Had my first ride with the B17 Standard. Don't care what it looks like because for the first time i had a comfortable ride and that's with the saddle straight out of the box. Don't see how it can get more comfortable but i look forward to many more km's on it Those were my exact thoughts going out on my first ride... and what remains unbelievable, is that it does get more comfortable - to the point that the last thing you end up thinking about on those long rides, is your saddle... Took me a long time to get to that point - very glad that I got there!
AndreZA Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 On Monday I stayed home with bankelitis and saw how they make Brooks saddles on "How it's made". They say it takes 3 days to make one saddle.
Grebel Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 I have had a few looks at the saddles on CRC. I have been toying with the idea for a few months now. Might have to take the blunge... Might use it for the SS project I have in mind.
deanbean Posted April 1, 2011 Posted April 1, 2011 My rivets are starting to rust, the standard chrome ones, as my bike lives outside. Does anyone know where I can get some brass rivets.
RodTi Posted April 1, 2011 Author Posted April 1, 2011 My rivets are starting to rust, the standard chrome ones, as my bike lives outside. Does anyone know where I can get some brass rivets. IIRC CRC stocks certain parts for the Brooks range... Have you checked? Otherwise - mail Brooks themselves?
deanbean Posted April 1, 2011 Posted April 1, 2011 (edited) Thanks RodTi, but I don't want to tempt my spending on CRC, I know what will happen if I shop for rivets there, suddenly they'll cost a grand or more. Edited April 1, 2011 by deanbean
RodTi Posted April 1, 2011 Author Posted April 1, 2011 Thanks RodTi, but I don't want to tempt my spending on CRC, I know what will happen if I shop for rivets there, suddenly they'll cost a grand or more. Ha - I know that feeling... PM JB? Or at least some pics - what size do you estimate?Wait - guess they're the same as GTRacing's saddle rivets, up above, huh?
The Drongo Posted April 1, 2011 Posted April 1, 2011 oh, and I want to put the honey leather handlebar tape on soon to match the saddle..going retro! <DIV><img src="https://cdn.bikehub.co.za/uploads2/20090815_115937_brooks.jpg" height="280" width="344" border="0" /></DIV> Yea! Dooode. HandleBAG tape. Very smooth. Now you just need to find a MALL where they allow bikes in the corridors.
The Drongo Posted April 1, 2011 Posted April 1, 2011 Stumbled across these pics, thought I'd pop them up... Sort of gives an idea of what's possible - and I reckon even those who were arguing that a Brooks could never look cool on a thoroughbred racer (albeit a Rigid SS), would agree that this looks pretty sweet... The pics above, are of a Brooks that has been "butchered"... Google "Brooks + butchered", to see some interesting looking projects, in this regard... Applying my (admittedly) limited knowledge of them to the subject at hand, I'm guessing the gentleman in question started off with a B17 Special, and now has a Swallow... Am supremely jealous of the handlebars as well - courtesy of Mr. Jeff Jones... Reckon I'm going to be quite prepared to dig deep for them, to round off my eventual SS project... Having forgotten about my earlier promises to take new pics of my Brooks, and share some thoughts and ride quality - I'll get them up shortly... Been a bit more than a year now, since I put mine on - so reckon I've got a fair idea of what's what! Till later.... Now THAT sir, is the LOOK. The other one you got needs to go on your SS. Your XC with all those front chainrings needs something like this. THAT be the dogs bollocks sir :thumbup:
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