Though I’m certain I rode with a Brooks saddle earlier in life (junior high) I’ve only had one in the modern era for a month. Happy Butt. Especially when you’re trail fixin’ you sit a LOT. You need comfy. The Brooks Professional that I got IS comfy. ‘nuf said.
Mine is about 35 years old. Came off a “bowl-a-chili”. If your not familiar with that phrase it was coined by Maynard Hershon in a Velonews column “Off the Back” from the mid-90’s. It was a very affectionate term he made up to describe your high quality Italian road bike a la Guerciotti, Pinarello, Atala, Masi…if you let your tongue roll….you get the idea.
Anyway, that’s what this was on. It was an Atala with full Nuovo Record. In fact it came still attached to the funky Nuovo Record seatpost with the nuts on the top of the clamp. Campy actually made a rare (and now stupidly expensive) tool just to adjust it. I’m sure the previous owner couldn’t be bothered to McGuyver the thing apart. It took me 30 minutes of 16th turns with a micro crescent wrench to get it off. I’m selling the funky post as soon as I have time. Sheesh.
Leather Love
G
I’ve been thinking about going Brooks. It’s hard to squirm around on a fixie and if things aren’t just right it gets darn painful.
I find that when riding fixed on the road that sitting and squirming are the only realistic “choices” and both are enhanced by Brooks. Flite and similar style saddles have their place, but when you’re more or less forced to sit except on climbs, I’ll take the Brooks. They are obviously far more durable with a small percentage weight penalty.