Old leather saddles

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  • I havn't ridden on a traditonal brooks type saddle since" that was all there was "in the sixties.When I returned to cycling 20 years ago on mountain bikes,they all had quite soft synthetic seats,so I wondered why the brooks type seem to hold such esteem among you road cyclists.
    My return to road cycling has started with the renovation of a Harry Hall ,that I got of ebay,it has lots of nice bits on it,incuding an Ideal leather saddle,which after much soaking in Horse tak products is looking quite good, any good ?
    Next question, the campag hubs were rebuilt on mavic rims some time ago,it has a pair of perished Shwalbe stelvio 23-622 ( 700--23 )fitted,I have seen these tyres for sale at a very reasonable price,are they decent enough tyres ?

  • things:

    1. Practical info on saddles: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html
    2. there is an entire thread on tires. you will find it here under Anti-Puncture TYRES: http://www.lfgss.com/thread11148.html
    3. we generally talk about current projects and question here: http://www.lfgss.com/thread6261.html

    i couldn't care less about how many new threads are made or this or that, but some members do get silly when forum norms are disrupted and threads are made on very personal particular specific mundane things. Personally, i just feel badly seeing your question(s) sink like a brick.

  • Short answers
    Foam and plastic saddles can be incredibly uncomfortable after a while (or even immediately - I cannot put up with any Selle Italia for some reason) whereas Brooks mould themselves to your shape and remain comfortable for decades. Comfort is more about shape than padding. Try the Ideal for a while. If you don't get on with it you can always sell it and buy a different one.
    Stelvios are very good tyres, if a little heavy. I had the wired Stelvio Plus variation on one of my bikes for 2 years and never had a puncture. I don't think they make that model anymore, just the regular ones.

  • Thanks for the links/ replies, all I needed to know.

  • Ashamed to admit I'd never sat on a Brooks until today. Saw a guy unfolding a Brompton with one on it, so I went up and asked if he'd mind if I sat on it. Apparently I'm a trustworthy looking fellow because he let me. Instantly, it felt amazing, better than any saddle I've ever been on and this is just from ten seconds in a stationary position. I'll certainly invest in one once i've got a bit of spare cash. It was the standard B17 as far as I know.

  • Short answers
    Stelvios are very good tyres, if a little heavy. I had the wired Stelvio Plus variation on one of my bikes for 2 years and never had a puncture. I don't think they make that model anymore, just the regular ones.

    I got some of these in the Planet X sale last week, but AFAIK they have been discontinued, so it'll be the last of their stock - http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/TYSCSTPLF/schwalbe-stelvio-plus-smart-guard-folding-tyre

    EDIT: re-read the OP to see a verdict was wanted, not a source, i'll leave the link in for anyone else though

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Old leather saddles

Posted by Avatar for Drumnagorrach @Drumnagorrach

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