For over a decade I rode nothing but B-17s in all its variants. Had them on all my bikes and loved them. Then I got numbness issues. Switched to a Berthoud with a cutout, which solved the problem. Found the leather a bit soft though, and found that I slid forward on the saddle because of its slight sag and thus had to point the nose up a fair bit. Tried a 3D printed Specialized Power Pro with Mirror (weirdest saddle name ever?) and like that one a lot as well. I like the textured surface that allows me to tilt the saddle forward without sliding forward on it.
On Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 6:55:42 PM UTC-4 Jay wrote: > I may give the shellack a go. We have that brand at our local Canadian > Tire. > > Jeffrey - I have tried the solid C17 (all I have) without padded shorts > and didn't like it. I tend to sit bar back on a saddle and I can feel the > rivets. I tried the cut-out version a few years ago and didn't think I > liked it, and I'm not sure it will solve it for me in terms of not needing > padded shorts. I don't want to try this out again, at least right now. > > Saddle love/hate is interesting I think. I listened to a podcaster > (bikepacking related) for a while and he rides really long distances > (300km+ a day, rough surfaces, sometimes multi day). Saddle never > mentioned (as he's talking about his rides, equipment; even mentioning the > saddle was 'fine'). And then it was a long time after, and he's had many > instances of saddle sores, chafing, tried with/without padded shorts, C17, > B17 and other saddles, is maybe still using B17 but not perfect for him. > That's my point though, not hearing about saddle woes doesn't mean they > don't exist, and I think the % of people who have this completely figured > out (e.g., ride 3-4 hours or a lot longer, with zero issues), is very small > % of cyclists. I think people just live with it. Not sure it can be fully > solved for everyone, for a number of reasons. > > For me, I'm still fine with the C17, with the right shorts. And usually > fine on rides of 3hrs or less, if not sweltering heat. I'm not sure I will > find the perfect saddle and 'what I wear below' so I can churn out 4-5hr > rides with 'zero' issues. > > Anyways, no other reports so far of woes, so I will assume everyone here > has this solved ;-) > > On Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at 6:12:27 PM UTC-4 Jeffrey Arita wrote: > >> Ooops. Sorry hit the post button too quick. >> >> We did first try the *solid *Cambium models and found them to be >> 'okay.' Upon trying the *carved *models, that oval hole seemed to make >> the entire surface a little bit softer (makes sense) and relieves pressure >> in the sensitive areas. This pretty much enables us to wear regular (wool) >> underwear and overshorts. Our normal daily duration on a tour is between 6 >> to 8 hours. >> >> Best regards, >> >> Jeff & Lori >> Claremont, CA >> >> On Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at 3:06:53 PM UTC-7 Jeffrey Arita wrote: >> >>> Hi Jay, >>> >>> I am replying as we (SO and I) both ride Brooks Cambium (SO - C19, me - >>> C17). Please note however - we both really like the 'carved' models - the >>> one with the oval hole, vs. the solid model. >>> >>> Looking at it another way, have you tried riding without traditional >>> cycling shorts? For bicycle touring (several month duration) where we >>> normally depart during the summer months, I have chosen *not *to ride >>> in traditional lycra shorts with a chamois (real or synthetic). Instead >>> I've gone with wool underwear and whatever standard shorts over them. The >>> wool underwear is naturally antimicrobial and they dry out pretty quickly. >>> Since we camp, we may not have the ability to wash clothing, so I've gone >>> upwards of 5 days wearing the wool u/w. Not being totally enclosed, the >>> wool u/w and regular shorts breathe better, too. >>> >>> On Sunday, June 8, 2025 at 5:51:15 PM UTC-7 Jay wrote: >>> >>>> A thread dedicated to complaining about saddles! Plus other related >>>> topics such as cycling shorts, chamois cream, improper bike fit, and >>>> weather. Enjoy :-) >>>> >>>> I'll start. And I'm going to go with, weather. Hot. Humid. >>>> Leave-you-dripping-in-sweat. Weather. >>>> >>>> I've had Brooks C17 on my two bikes for the last 15 months. After >>>> initially installing the saddle and sitting upon it as I went 20 feet from >>>> my driveway I was like "this fits me well, it's supportive, yet I can >>>> still >>>> sink into it a bit, feels good when I'm pedalling". And it really has >>>> been >>>> great, with only a few hiccups since then. One thing I don't like about >>>> it, the surface is rough. The brown is rougher than the black, to me at >>>> least. The black is on my Salsa Fargo. I don't think I have one >>>> complaint >>>> about that saddle on that bike, but then I only ride that bike up to >>>> 1.5hrs >>>> at a time, on trails, where I'm off the saddle a lot (similar to mtb). I >>>> have the brown on my Roadini and it looks good. I even have a back-up for >>>> when it wears out. Enough about that, on to my complaint! >>>> >>>> The last time I rode in heat, like where I'm wearing s/s shirt, shorts, >>>> helmet and gloves and no extra layers, was October 2024. I put the year >>>> after October as it was so long ago it's now strange writing or saying >>>> October, without qualifying - 2024. Riding in cool weather so often means >>>> I'm really acclimated to it, plus I'm generally not a fan of doing >>>> anything >>>> outdoors when it's hot. >>>> >>>> Yesterday I had the day to myself as the family was working. I usually >>>> ride within an hour of waking up and I wake up early, but yesterday I >>>> waited for my daughter to leave for work so we can have breakfast >>>> together. >>>> This was going to be a long ride, adventurous with a new route, >>>> connecting >>>> two rail trails, lots of gravel paths and roads, and very little traffic. >>>> Stopping a lot to smell the flowers. And it would have been great, if >>>> not >>>> for some discomfort. Oh, and I had legs, and felt great. >>>> >>>> I headed out around 9:30 and it was actually quite pleasant, and wasn't >>>> really getting very hot, but to me, hot enough. I have three brands of >>>> bib >>>> shorts. I opted for the one yesterday that fits me the best (I mean it >>>> really stays in place, doesn't ride up or anything, including the chamois, >>>> with the outer layer apparently taking any friction as it moves and the >>>> bib >>>> doesn't). Sounds good, good marketing, but I learned that when you're >>>> hot, >>>> have been pedalling for over 3 hours on gravel roads, trails; lots of >>>> pedalling in the saddle, having to remember to stand up every so often; >>>> that a bib glued to your butt so-to-speak, getting all hot and sweaty >>>> (sorry, TMI), isn't all that good. About 2.5hr into the ride I can feel >>>> the friction on the sit bones. Stopped a lot, but could never maneuver >>>> myself or the chamois, like on long descents, I couldn't get any air in >>>> there. Long story short, got home and had a couple of saddle sores. >>>> Nothing awful, but it did have me questioning the saddle, shorts, and >>>> riding in the heat. I mean these shorts are great under winter rights >>>> when >>>> the temp is -10C, but now I've learned, not so good for hot days. This >>>> morning I went for a short trail ride, different shorts, and that riding >>>> style on that bike meant lots of out-of-the-saddle time, plus it was cool. >>>> Was a fantastic ride, albeit short. >>>> >>>> What have *you* got!? >>>> >>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/5ee49dc3-4128-4846-af38-73c29ce4b4d0n%40googlegroups.com.
