Re: Brooks vs rider weight

[Malcolm Stewart]

Interesting point. I had a B17 when I was in my late teens and early 20s, and
when I was a lightweight. Over several years use I never caused it to mould to
my rear, and I had to keep reminding myself that "it was the best" !
Now 40+ years on, I'm trying to lose weight by getting into cycling again, and
I've no idea where my B17 is. (Bike got stolen.) Am now riding Selle Royal
Lookin gel with some pleasure.

--
M Stewart
Milton Keynes, UK
www.megalith.freeserve.co.uk/oddimage.htm

"Joe" > wrote in message
...
> I've often wondered if heavier riders are often happier
> with Brooks saddles, and lighter riders happier on
> non-Brooks.
> Any lightweight riders out there who love Brooks?
> Joe

[Chalo]

"Joe" > wrote:

> I've often wondered if heavier riders are often happier
> with Brooks saddles, and lighter riders happier on
> non-Brooks.
>
> Any lightweight riders out there who love Brooks?

Lightweights don't load their "contact patch" to the same psi as
bigger, heavier riders. They should be able to get by with a meager
saddle from both a size and design standpoint. Witness what passes
for a seat-- without complaints!-- on many a kid's bike.

As rider weight goes up (and seat contact area doesn't by much), then
the quality of the square inches available becomes much more
important. This is Brooks's forte. For instance, many lighter riders
are quite happy with the austere Brooks "Swallow" model, but who could
make peace with a plastic saddle in such a shape?

As a leather saddle molds to shape, the critical loaded area increases
in size as well as specific compliance. Plastic saddle makers seek to
mimic this effect with gels, cutouts, etc., but a plastic saddle can
never be truly "custom-fitted" by its user, as a leather saddle
becomes just by being ridden.

The subtleties of a Brooks or similar saddle are likely to be lost on
the bantamweight rider who perches without discomfort on an unpadded
saddle shell or a handrail.

Chalo Colina

[Just zis Guy, you know?]

On Mon, 11 Aug 2003 13:55:45 GMT, "Joe" > wrote:

>Any lightweight riders out there who love Brooks?

What do you call light? I weigh about 180lb and am just over 6' tall
- I find the Brooks B17 comfortable. But not as comfortable as my
recumbent ;-)

Soft saddles are superficially comfortable for a few miles, but over
the long haul I would want a firm saddle for sure, preferably a
leather one. The soft squidgy stuff puts pressure on the soft tissues
and causes more problems than it solves; a good leather saddle
supports the sit bones and is a Fine Thing. But you have to set it up
right - most people find that the nose needs to be tilted down just a
fraction for drop-bars.

Guy
===
** WARNING ** This posting may contain traces of irony.
http://www.chapmancentral.com
New! Improved!! Now with added extra Demon!

[Bob M]

On Tue, 12 Aug 2003 11:16:31 -0500, Kevan Smith /\/\>
wrote:

> On Tue, 12 Aug 2003 11:25:28 GMT, "Joe" > from Road
> Runner
> wrote:
>
>> What do I call light? My weight is 155 at 5'9".
>
> You really need to drop about ten more pounds to be competitive. No one
> as fat
> as you can stick with the leaders when the hammer falls on the big
> climbs. Your
> season doesn't have to be a total waste, though. Have you heard of
> emetics?
>

What if you don't care about being competitive? What if you like to ride
your bike solely because you enjoy doing so? Personally, I think 155 at
5'9" is pretty thin -- isn't that Armstrong's weight and height?

--
Bob M in CT
Remove 'x.' to reply

[Joe]

Not sure what you mean by that.
I'm 52 years old, and I eat more than anyone else in the
house. But I exercise a lot, and do not gain weight.

My question was about Brooks saddles and rider weight.

Joe

>
> You really need to drop about ten more pounds to be competitive. No one as
fat
> as you can stick with the leaders when the hammer falls on the big climbs.
Your
> season doesn't have to be a total waste, though. Have you heard of
emetics?
>

[Sorni]

"Kevan Smith" /\/\> wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 12 Aug 2003 11:25:28 GMT, "Joe" > from Road
Runner
> wrote:
>
> >What do I call light? My weight is 155 at 5'9".
>
> You really need to drop about ten more pounds to be competitive. No one as
fat
> as you can stick with the leaders when the hammer falls on the big climbs.
Your
> season doesn't have to be a total waste, though. Have you heard of
emetics?

Well, so far ya got Bob & Joe with that!

Bill "withholding my stats TYVM" S.

[Pat]

x-no-archive:yes

>
> What if you don't care about being competitive? What if you like to ride
> your bike solely because you enjoy doing so? Personally, I think 155 at
> 5'9" is pretty thin -- isn't that Armstrong's weight and height?
>
> --
> Bob M in CT
> Remove 'x.' to reply

It was a joke, Bob. He was channelling Fabrizio....


Pat in TX

[Tom Keats]

In article >,
Kevan Smith /\/\> writes:
> On Tue, 12 Aug 2003 12:57:05 -0500, "Pat" > from wrote:
>
>>It was a joke, Bob. He was channelling Fabrizio....
>
> A little too well ... Sometimes I frighten me.
>
> Anyway, today I'm a little sad. I've done a century, so now what?

If you're looking for suggestions,

how about taking a little break? Maybe get some women friends
together, grab a couple of sacks of well-chilled brewskies, and
throw a li'l croquet party/picnic with all of the above.
Regale the ladies with stories of your epic adventure.

Impossibly steep slopes make for really fun croquet courses.


cheers,
Tom

--
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[David Kerber]

In article >, Kevan Smith
/\/\> says...
> On Tue, 12 Aug 2003 11:59:33 -0700, (Tom Keats) from
> wrote:
>
> >how about taking a little break? Maybe get some women friends
> >together, grab a couple of sacks of well-chilled brewskies, and
> >throw a li'l croquet party/picnic with all of the above.
> >Regale the ladies with stories of your epic adventure.
>
> Well, consider:
>
> 1) I'm training for the state road championship race next month.

One day off won't hurt your training much.


> 2) My wife would just love to have a bunch of my "women friends" over.

Ok, then have _her_ women friends over


> 3) I don't drink.

Then make up a few gallons of lemonade or iced tea instead.


> On the other hand, a barbecue sounds like just the ticket.

Mmmmmmm...

--
David Kerber
An optimist says "Good morning, Lord." While a pessimist says "Good
Lord, it's morning".

Remove the ns_ from the address before e-mailing.

[Tim McTeague]

"Kevan Smith" /\/\> wrote in message
> >My question was about Brooks saddles and rider weight.
>
> Look. Ditch the old leather stuff and get something modern like a Selle
San
> Marco ERA composite saddle with braided carbon fiber with Kevlar
incorporated in
> a force direction orientation and titanium rails.

To each their own. I used to love Turbos in the old days. Got a Flite when
they were new and, while it was not as comfy, it looked cool. Then a
MaxFlite , ouch. San Marco Era, hard and painful. Terry Fly, not bad but I
could feel the edge of the hole. Flite TT, good in just one spot but I kept
moving out of it. Avocet 02, felt the edge of the foam depression.
Turbomatic, best so far but I still kept squirming. Decided to try a Brooks
Swift and it felt pretty good right off the bat. Its still breaking in but
is the best I have tried. I actually don't seem to have as much sweat build
up in my crotch which makes things more comfortable. Saddles are so
personal and, if you fit a Brooks, it will soon become a custom seat.

Tim McTeague

[Rick Onanian]

On Tue, 12 Aug 2003 14:23:03 -0500, wrote:
> On the other hand, a barbecue sounds like just the ticket.

Smoke a brisket. Send me half as payment for the idea.

> --
> http://home.sport.rr.com/cuthulu/ human rights = peace
> When I met th'POPE back in '58, I scrubbed him with a MILD SOAP or
> DETERGENT for 15 minutes. He seemed to enjoy it ...
> 2:22:15 PM 12 August 2003
--
Rick Onanian

[Zoot Katz]

Tue, 12 Aug 2003 18:39:20 -0400, >,
"Tim McTeague" > wrote:

> I actually don't seem to have as much sweat build
>up in my crotch which makes things more comfortable.

ohh piffle

People riding plastic saddles like having their taints poached.
--
zk

[Rick Onanian]

On Tue, 12 Aug 2003 23:33:26 -0500, wrote:
> On Tue, 12 Aug 2003 22:02:01 -0400, Rick Onanian > from
> The Esoteric c0wz' Society wrote:
>>> On the other hand, a barbecue sounds like just the ticket.
>> Smoke a brisket. Send me half as payment for the idea.
>
> Brisket is an inferior cut of meat.

Only when not prepared right. Well prepared brisket is
the best meat I've ever eaten.

> You'll get ribs and like it.

The trouble with that is...I rarely like meats removed
from animals other than cows. Ever had beef ribs? Boneless
beef short ribs can be good, but a rack of beef ribs tends
to be terrible, no meat on it at all, just thin layers of
fat strongly adhered to the bone.

> --
> http://home.sport.rr.com/cuthulu/ human rights = peace
> a buzzsaw always reads upon devils
> 11:32:29 PM 12 August 2003
--
Rick Onanian

[Derek Torrington]

I got my first real racer at 15, a friend got me a BELT full leather
seat, a copy of a Brooks. I weighed about 180 then. 30 years later
I'm around 240, haven't seen the south side of 200 since 1982.
My seat?
Brooks B17.
Nuff said.
Derek

On Mon, 11 Aug 2003 13:55:45 GMT, "Joe" > wrote:

>I've often wondered if heavier riders are often happier
>with Brooks saddles, and lighter riders happier on
>non-Brooks.
>
>Any lightweight riders out there who love Brooks?
>
>Joe
>