bike set up.

[NZPeterG]

Hi All,
On my Tom (Nomad MK2) the saddle keep going lower when I have been riding hard Mountain Biking. So I have changed from the STD size seatpost (27.2mm plus shim) to a 30.0mm Thomsom ELITE: SETBACK.
This has stopped my seatpost from dropping! and I tested it fully on Sunday with some very hard Mountain Bike with some hard hitting grade 3 and 4 MTB Singletracks 

Also you can try using a 30.0mm to 27.2mm shim (Cane Creek make one) it's a far better fit then the STD Thorn one...

Pete 

[peter jenkins]

I had taken up some tension with the nose bolt, but was wary as I had previously 'ridged' a saddle doing this and had ended up tossing that one

Hi Julian,

You have me intrigued. Why can't you just release the tension if you've overcooked it and "ridged" the saddle?
I have 3 Brooks B17 Narrow saddles and 2 are old enough that I have tensioned them just a tiny bit over the years. (And I do mean just a tiny bit)

I have to say lacing makes sense.

Cheers,

pj

[jags]

well got a 45 mile spin this morning pain free well near enough.
i raised the saddle by quarter inch and it felt a lot better to be honest i could go a few more mm but for now i'll leave it at that.

[julk]

You have me intrigued. Why can't you just release the tension if you've overcooked it and "ridged" the saddle?

Peter,
This was an old well worn in saddle which very quickly went very saggy on a wet days ride from Longtown to Silloth.

It was far too hammocky for my comfort so I tried tensioning it and it ended up quite uncomfortable with a ridge.
I could not find a point where it was comfortable again.
At that point I had not considered lacing it so it went in the bin as unusable.
Julian.

[NZPeterG]

O' OK,
Sorry I missed that point, I have been using a brooks saddle for years! (from 1987) to 2013!

No more as the new brooks are just too soft (after a few rides) and I have a few brooks saddle's
not updating designs with the new pressure mapping research, scientifically testing and ergonomically design!
in 1987 a Brooks was a great saddle But are how out of date. I would use a Brooks again if they start making a flatter topped Saddle with harder leather.

So I have switch too a new saddle and bike fit and how climb hills in one to two gears higher with eases and no more pain (so far......)




Pete

[peter jenkins]

Interesting point about later Brooks saddles being softer.

I bought one in 2005 for my Club Tour that took months including LEJOG to reach that level of comfort for which Brooks is famous.

I bought another one earlier this year (for another bike) which only took about 500 km's to break in and it's already showing more sag than the other one.

Are they breeding wimpier cattle with thinner hides now?

This could be of interest:

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/components/saddles/product/review-spa--nidd-saddle-13-47238

Cheers,

pj

[triaesthete]

"Are they breeding wimpier cattle with thinner hides now?"

That is indeed the justification for the organic leather on the select saddles!

And it's true that when you look at the skyved lower edge the texture of select leather is VERY different (coarser) compared to special and standard tops.

Personally I think of mine having two nice bum dents rather than a ridge in the middle    Time will tell if they get too deep....

Has anybody tried a Brooks Cambium yet? And am I wrong in thinking I read somewhere that the Spa saddles have some sort of fabric backing to the leather?

Ian

[NZPeterG]

"Are they breeding wimpier cattle with thinner hides now?"

Hi well I think so! So Yes 
 

That is indeed the justification for the organic leather on the select saddles!

And it's true that when you look at the skyved lower edge the texture of select leather is VERY different (coarser) compared to special and standard tops.

My Organic Leather Select Saddle start breaking in after only about 100km's and still to Soft for me  

Personally I think of mine having two nice bum dents rather than a ridge in the middle    Time will tell if they get too deep....

A ridge in the middle of any saddle is very bad for blood flow too the _ _ _ _ _ _ parts and for good leg power over days of long mile's riding  
A Saddle for a Man needs to be flat across the top (rear) and Cut away for Lady's

How if Brooks made a B15 SWALLOW with two rear springs like a FLYER SPECIAL and a Stronger Select Organic Leather topping well this just maybe the Best New Saddle made   Huh?

Pete

[mickeg]

I wrap a short piece of electrical tape around my seatpost about 5mm above the frame.  That way I can see if the seatpost is sliding down or not.

[jags]

Snap i do that as well