The Perfect Saddle

As I was eating the roasted beet salad at McGinty's tonight, it struck me that some things in life are perfect just as they are. There aren't too many other products I could think of that were perfect or near-perfect, but one of them is the Brooks B-17 saddle. (I know - quite a leap there from beets to bike saddles, but bear with me).

I have used this saddle on a variety of bikes for everything from trail riding to long-distance touring, and even for a century ride. Regardless of the distance, the saddle has always been completely comfortable. Everyone I have run into who's riding a Brooks saddle says the same thing. Given how common the sore butt complaint is among cyclists, it's amazing that you don't see more of these.

There are three main complaints I've heard about Brooks saddles: cost, break-in and maintenance. Let me briefly touch on all three.

Cost

Some of the sprung saddles can get quite expensive (over $150), and of course the titanium models are stratospheric. But the B-17 standard is available from many internet retailers for under $90. It's hard to find a quality saddle much cheaper than that. A quick check at Performance Bike just now brought up over 40 saddles that cost more than the B-17. There are also numerous testimonials from folks who say their Brooks saddle has outlasted the first bike they put it on. So all things considered it seems like an excellent value.

Break-In

Before I got my first B-17, I had read all the horror stories about the long, painful break-in period that's supposedly required in order to reach riding nirvana. My experience with two different B-17s is that one of them (the first one I ever rode) was extremely comfortable right off the bat. The other one wasn't quite as comfortable at first -- though still better than any other saddle I've ever used. That one took about 500 miles of riding to become as comfortable as the first. But it was still pleasant to ride on during that break-in period. I wouldn't consider the break-in period to be a deal killer by any means.

Maintenance

Because the saddle is made from natural leather (no rubber, nylon or other synthetic materials) it does require a bit of care. You shouldn't make a habit of leaving it out in the rain. Also, the manufacturer recommends you treat it with Proofide every so often. That is a kind of soft wax that you rub into the leather. It's easily done, and doesn't create a mess. Some people take this to mean you can never get the saddle wet, and that's certainly not the case. Mine has sat through several all-night downpours during RAGBRAI, and often collects road spray from commuting in the rain. It's none the worse for the experience (though I do try to dry it off once I get home from a wet ride). Maintenance needs, though not zero, are still fairly minimal.

If you've never tried a Brooks saddle, what are you waiting for? There are several retailers that will even offer a 6-month money back guarantee if you try it and decide it's not for you.