A Lovely Saddle

On a recent transportation ride on a cold December morning, I was attempting to remove my bicycle from its locked position. I tend to forget that cable locks aren't the greatest invention when temperatures drop well below the freezing point (though I am grateful to live in a fairly safe-for-locking-up-bikes community that allows me to often use a cable rather than a heftier option).

As I was fiddling and fussing, I was interrupted by a woman passing by.

"You're a brave soul to be out on a bicycle in this weather," she began.

I couldn't help but look up to the sky with the bright shining sun and cloud-free skies. Yes, it was cold (very cold, actually), but it was a beautifully bright day. I resisted the urge to inform her that there was little I would count as brave about my transportation choice, and instead replied with a smile, "Well, it's much warmer now than when I left home!" Which was the truth as it had warmed more than 15 degrees since my departure.

The woman continued, "That's such a lovely saddle you have," as she bent toward the bicycle and gently caressed the leather as if it was made of delicate porcelain. "Really, it's quite beautiful," she stated again, slowly, as she walked to the front door of the building, still staring, as if in a trance, at my bike.

It sounds creepier in the re-telling than it was in the moment. It was one of those quick instances in life that I would normally pass over without giving it much thought, but on my ride home all I could think about was the woman's comment regarding the looks of the bicycle saddle.

In truth, I don't think about the looks of my saddles much these days, but rather just have a go-to option in mind. That wasn't always the case and initially when I first started using Brooks saddles, there was definitely a part of the decision that was based on looks. Today, when first building a bicycle, I may think about color choice (if I have to purchase a new saddle, rather than using one already owned), but that is about the extent of my thought on such matters. I have found a model that seems to work well for me on just about any bike, so I don't have to put thought into what will be appropriate when another build arises.

This particular saddle photographed right after mounting for the first time. I was enraptured by the light color of this Brooks early on.

Perhaps there was a time when I obsessed over the looks of a saddle, or, for instance, when I first came across etched or carved leather saddles that I may have thought briefly about spending more on such an item simply because it was pretty, but over the years, I have learned that looks are not everything and if a saddle is uncomfortable, it can and most likely will make my riding experience - short or long - absolutely miserable!

Additionally, it took some time to figure out what type of saddle worked for me. I tried many synthetic options initially, but could never quite find comfort. Even different models of leather weren't to my liking. It wasn't so much that I chose a leather saddle because of its good-looks-factor (though, I do agree that I prefer the leather look over a plastic or rubberized choice), but rather that it just worked for my comfort.

When I arrived home from my ride on this day, I dismounted and studied the saddle, tilting and twisting my head from side to side like a puppy just hearing a new, high-pitched sound for the first time. The saddle had definitely aged since purchasing it more than five years prior. It has seen time on too many bikes as well, and I could easily see that it had changed quite a bit over the years. Though no one else would likely make this sort of assessment. There are some splotches from darker colored clothing, blemishes that have become more pronounced, and goodness knows I'm not great about re-applying proofide to the poor thing. I simply use - and unfortunately, sometimes abuse - this component.

As is true of many things in life, beauty is in the eye of the beholder though. Time has caused me to take for granted the saddle that allows me to ride in comfort and I no longer look at it seeing it as something pretty to look at, but rather as a functional piece that permits me longer stints on my bike in greater comfort. After all, it does have a purpose. But, somewhere along the line, I lost the desire to look at this item as pretty, and instead view it as practical.

The same saddle today has achieved a used-patina, but I can see (when I pay attention) that it is still lovely.

Still, having someone admire the saddle purely based on its looks caused me to take notice of it as I had once upon a time, through the eyes of someone judging purely on aesthetics and not at all on its functionality. There could be no denying that the leather has aged, but even that has brought about its own beauty. It's always a fantastic moment when the two worlds can collide though, and form and function are both well suited to the rider.

I took these words, this moment in time to appreciate not only the saddle, but the entire bicycle and the others in the fold as well. It's far too easy to take a bicycle for granted and I can often forget that the bicycle is not only functional, but something delightful to behold as well.

The Demise of the Brooks B-72 and a Bike Tube Explosion

When my Rivendell Sam Hillborne was first built up several years ago, I tried out a variety of set ups to find one that would work well for me. Initially, I tried to use it more as a road bike with drop bars and a narrow saddle, but the problem was that the top tube is a bit long for me to use comfortably in this manner. As saddles and handlebars were exchanged, I ultimately found a good fit with my inverted Albatross handlebars and a Brooks B-72 saddle.

The B-72 seemed to be a perfect fit for this bike. Then, one day I was attempting to fix a squeaking problem under the saddle with some oil and it got a bit out of hand. The oil ended up drenching the saddle and I had to let it sit out for some time to dry and get back to some sense of normal. Not too long after this event, I realized that the sides of the saddle were splaying far too much for my comfort and I decided to go to a leather shop and have the saddle laced underneath to keep this from occurring. It wasn't anything novel, and I'd heard of many others doing this very same thing, but generally it was done to older saddles that required some extra love as the years had passed. The shop I decided to visit for my fix did a wonderful job at carrying out my request and things went along smoothly. One slightly annoying factor was the need to deal with the laces any time the saddle was adjusted. Most people would probably set up their saddle and be done, but mine always seemed to need a bit of tweaking from time to time.

After some years of use, the B-72 is showing wear, but doesn't look too bad from the top, considering it's seen rain, snow, hail and many bright and hot sunny days.

The saddle was originally sent with a special bracket to help use this saddle on a modern seatpost. As can be seen from the under side of this saddle, there are two rows of rails that need to fit on the post. When Sam had set up the saddle, he found using the special bracket to be a nuisance, so he opted to use only the two rails on the bottom of the seatpost. Never thinking anything of this, I went about using the saddle for years in this manner. 

Over the last year or so, I've noticed a bit more spring or squish in the saddle, but assumed this was simply due to it breaking in over time. I've ridden the saddle for about four years now, so I just believed that this was the nature of leather saddles. After a recent longer ride on the Hillborne, I was concerned about the movement taking place on the saddle. One side seemed to be inordinately full of movement and squishy. I asked Sam to check it out, but when I returned to see how things were going, he'd made the shocking discovery that the saddle was actually broken. Not the leather, but the rail had completely split. 

It's easy to see here that the lower line of rails and the upper line have converged into a single one over time due to pressure and improper use.

This is obviously no fault of the saddle, and if anything, I'm impressed that it held up so well to the abuse it was put through over the time of use. However, it's always a good reminder that there is usually a reason for the "extra" parts that are included. The bracket for the rails on this saddle is definitely not extra and as a precautionary thought to anyone else who might be doing this right now or pondering not using the bracket on a modern seatpost, I thought I would share the tale.

My much loved B-72 is now a part of the saddle graveyard and I am experimenting with other saddles we have to see if I can find the right fit without purchasing a new one. Lesson definitely learned.

This past week, we've had some pretty warm days here in Colorado. On one of these hotter-than-I'd-prefer days, Sam decided to take his road bike to work in the car so he could get in a good ride at lunch (he's training for a race this weekend, so any little bit helps). As he got started on his lunch time ride, he realized he had a flat tire. Instead of spending his lunch riding, he ended up at a bike shop to buy some extra tubes, after which he changed out the flattened tube for a new one. When he pulled out the old tube there were tiny little dimples in it and one had a small puncture.

It seemed odd, but he didn't think too much about it. As he returned to the car to drive home at the end of the day, he opened the back of the car only to discover that the other tube had completely - well, the best way to describe it is - exploded.

As you can see, the tube is pretty well shredded. The only thing we could determine was that it just got so hot in the car that the tubes expanded, causing the ultimate destruction. The tube that had been replaced was just fine, but had only a few pounds of pressure in it (which likely saved it). While we do have a bike rack that the bike could've traveled on, I suppose it seemed easier in the early morning moments to just toss the bike in the back of the wagon. Another lesson to be learned though when it comes to hot summer days and fully inflated road tires/tubes.

Have you taken a shortcut or left out a piece of something and had it go awry? Any lessons you've picked up while riding (or traveling) in summer heat? Stay safe out there.

Brooks B17 Select Follow-Up

Saddles can be such a difficult thing to choose. Just because one person loves a saddle doesn't mean it's necessarily the right one for another individual. I am aware of many ladies of various shapes and sizes who love their Terry saddles, but I have yet to find one that I find comfortable. After deciding to move forward with the purchase of the Surly Pacer earlier this year, I went through quite a plethora of seats for the bike, and ultimately settled on a Brooks B-17 Select that I was able to find locally. I chose it because I've been fairly happy with Brooks on most of my bikes, and because after trying out several other cushioned saddles, I realized that the cushioning did more harm than good when riding distances longer than a few miles. As you may recall, I was a little concerned about how hard the saddle felt to the touch (I believe my more precise phrasing was something like my fingers rapping on it sounded like a woodpecker in a tree).

After having the saddle now for a few months and having a bit of time with it, I am pleased to report that, while it is still not broken in, it is becoming more comfortable each time I ride. I think I am most amazed that something that is still hard as a rock can be more comfortable than a saddle with gel or other cushioning material. This one may be a challenge to soften, but I am certainly not disliking the ride even while I wait out the break in period. I'm a bit hesitant to ride it these days because we've had snow, followed by extremely cold days, which have created a lot of large icy spots on the roads (we have warmed slightly though, so perhaps it will melt off in the coming days), but I'm sure it will still get used through the winter months, depending on road conditions.

One of the other odd realities of this saddle has been how different the color of the leather has become. When I purchased the B-17 it was a very light, natural color. It wasn't white, but certainly not as dark as the honey color sold on other B-17 models. Even though I had noticed a change in the saddle color over time, when comparing the photos of day one compared to its current state, I am amazed at how much darker the saddle has become. I wouldn't say it's quite honey colored yet, but I'm wondering how much darker it will become over time and with continued proofide application? I hadn't experienced this phenomenon with my other Brooks saddles (likely because they have been dark brown or black and it simply isn't as noticeable), but I am interested to see if it continues to darken or if it has reached its darkest level of saturation. Has anyone had experience with this specific saddle and the color-changing issue? I'd love to know what your experience has been. I don't find the color unattractive, I'm just a bit surprised at how much darker it has become.

{Part 2} The Surly Pacer: Modifications to Make it Work

The ongoing saga of the Surly Pacer set up continues, and I am finding that I do enjoy riding this bike. The changes that have taken place are definitely helping with comfort and (hopefully) with the longevity of this bike in our household. After writing about round one mods on the Pacer, I figure it's a good point to check in again.

Since the last post, the first thing to get switched out were the handlebars. While I continue to attempt to make drop bars work for me (in various forms, on different bikes), I believe that it is very near impossible for me to find comfort with any model of drops for rides longer than 10 miles or so. I am at a loss as to the why's of this, and I wish there was something scientific or even specific that I could point to as to the reason they don't work, but every time I try, it seems to be unsuccessful in the long term. So, rather than fight with it on the Pacer, I decided that a switch out to the Albatross bars might be the answer.

Somewhat surprisingly, these handlebars do seem to work well. I've been on a couple of longer rides with them and I don't return with aching hands or numb fingers. Stylistically, I think it makes the Pacer look more like a cafe racer type of bicycle than a road bike, but I've never really been one to follow the rules very well, so why should my road bike set up be any different? I have these mounted in the "unconventional" manner (flipped upside down), and it seems to work well.

The other change that has taken place is the saddle. I had mentioned that the temporary Public Bikes saddle was working in the short term, but that it wasn't a long term solution. The main reason for this is that after any sort of distance over 18-20 miles, I begin to go numb in the rear. It doesn't seem to matter if I rise up out of the saddle for a bit or not, the squishier saddle just doesn't work for long rides for my bum. I'm currently trying out a Brooks B-17 Select. While I am a Brooks fan, I have to admit that the leather on this model seems to be supremely hard (I actually knocked on it while we were adjusting it and it sounded like a woodpecker in a tree). I've never experienced this extreme on any of the wider saddles (the B-72, B-67, B-18, or B-66), so I'm prepping myself to deal with a lengthy break in process so many Brooks riders bemoan. I've proofided it up to make it as pain-free as possible, but I have a feeling that I'm in for a rocky few hundred miles (at minimum, I'm sure) to get it to a more comfortable place.

For now, these changes seem to be adequate to make the bike ride-able and comfortable. While "adequate" isn't really the word I'd like to be using, until I have more time to ride some distance, I'll refrain from shouting from the mountain tops about the glorious set up of this bike (though I do find it to be interesting and unique). As with all modifications, one change can sometimes create other issues, so I'm somewhat wary of the outcome. Stay tuned!

**A few more photos of the Pacer's set up can be found here, if interested.

From My Experience: 6 Tips for Larger Cyclists

I was reading some follow up commentary on Cecily's profile of me the other day and it got me thinking about other women (and men) who ride and aren't slim cyclists. There was a comment from one reader who was talking about pain in her back side and knees when she rides, and it made me wonder if others are having similar issues. I don't claim to be an expert, and I have no professional experience in the cycling world, but I do have my personal experiences to go off of, and I thought maybe a post about things I've noticed could be beneficial for others.  A lot of these things we already know, but sometimes, it's nice to just hear (read) it again. Honestly, I don't think these items are different for any rider - large or small - so feel free to read along, even if you are a slim rider. :o)

Use Your Best Judgement. When I first started riding a bicycle again as an adult, I had to face the reality that I am larger than the average bicycle rider I see on the roads. It's not a bad thing at all, but there are challenges to having added weight on a bicycle (just as there are challenges doing any form of movement when one isn't thin). Often times, bicycle shops don't understand that it's different for a heavier rider (of course, they often don't understand that it's different for a female vs male either... but that's another topic to discuss later) and their suggestions, while generally speaking are coming from a good place, may not always work for a bigger person. I have found the best way to deal with this is to take their suggestions, try them, and then tweak them as need be for my comfort. For example, the shop may say that my saddle is tipped forward too far, while I am uncomfortable with it tipped too far back. This is just a simple example, but it applies to many suggestions that may come your way. You have to trust in yourself, and know that you are the only one who knows what feels right for you.

Speaking of Bike Shops... Don't be afraid to go into bike shops. I know it can be intimidating and sometimes I truly think they do this on purpose, but if you continue to go in, you'll get more and more comfortable with parts, lingo, etc. The nice part is that if you are treated rudely, you have the power not to return to the shop. The biggest message to any retailer is not to have repeat customers. Don't give up if the first place (or second, or fifth) isn't right. It doesn't mean all bike shops are evil places... I promise, there are great bicycle shops out there, with really awesome people who are willing to help you. Believe me, I speak from experience. I live in the land of super-fit, ultra-athletes, and I've still been able to make peace with bike shops, and even find some that I really love.

Practice Makes Perfect (or at least close to it).  The more I ride my bikes, the more I come to understand my body and where it is happy and comfortable. I didn't just wake up one morning and think, "Oh, I should really raise my saddle," or, "You know, maybe a wider tire would be more comfortable." Okay, sometimes I do just wake up in the morning and think those thoughts, but it took some time to get there. Having a roadish/touring sort of bicycle and a more upright style bicycle (as well as a mountain bike... but that is another bridge to cross), they each have their own comfort spots. Sometimes a bike is comfortable right away without too many tweaks, but other times it may require a lot of effort to get it to a place that works. It's okay to change things as you continue to ride. Remember that almost every part on a bike is tweak-able or changeable. What's comfortable to you will likely change the more you ride as well, and that's perfectly acceptable. Keep riding and figure out what is bothering you, and then seek assistance (online or from a shop)  for improvement.

You Shouldn't Be in Pain! There is a difference between feeling fatigued from a long ride or using muscles you may not have used for awhile, and actually being in pain due to improper bike set up. You have to know your body well enough to know the difference. When I first started training for a marathon several years ago, I hurt - but it was hurt from using running muscles I hadn't used for quite awhile. Same thing goes with a bike. If I have been riding one style of bike over the other for several weeks, when I get on the other, I sometimes feel muscles I haven't felt for awhile, but it goes away as I continue to ride or within a day or so. If you're actually in pain, seek assistance or play with your ride to make things work for you. Knees shouldn't hurt, hands shouldn't hurt, back shouldn't hurt, and so on if you're set up properly. You may fatigue from length of ride, but no true, agonizing, aching pain should be present.

**Image taken by Andreas of Pedals and Paddles

Sometimes, it's Just Not the Right Bike. Sometimes, it's just not the right bike. Yeah, I said it twice - purposefully. This can be an expensive error to deal with (or admit), but the nice thing is people are always looking for bicycles. Just because it didn't work for you, doesn't mean it won't be perfect for someone else. If you got a good deal when you purchased a bike, it makes it much less painful. If you didn't get such a great deal, don't let that detour you from selling it anyway. If you aren't going to ride the bike, it isn't worth having it sit around and gather dust, is it? Find something that works for you, and if it takes trial and error, so be it. You may have to save up for a bit to make the exchange, but if it's worth it to get you on the road, it's definitely worth the expense.

There are No "Right" or "Wrong" Answers. I think this was the biggest (and maybe still is) challenge for me with riding a bike. I seem to think that there is a magical right answer to making things work properly. I look for information online, go to shops, ask experts, etc, hoping that there is just one answer that will make everything perfect. Guess what? There is no such answer. Many times there are common complaints and solutions, but it doesn't mean it will work for you. If something works for you, don't let peer pressure from blogs, bike shops, friends, family, or anyone tell you otherwise. Sometimes you'll discover down the line that they were right and you'll change your set up. Other times, you may have to hold true to yourself and know that you just may not be comfortable the way others are on a bike. We are not sheep - we are human beings, and we have been given the capacity to make decisions for ourselves.

See, nothing earth shattering, right? But I know it was a good reminder for myself today as well as I look to make some modifications on one of my bikes. Now it's time to get out there and ride your bike - and enjoy it! :o)

Saddle Test

Does something seem wrong with this picture?

How about if I put a picture up from a different angle and crop in a bit more to see a certain section of my beloved Pepper Potts (Pashley Princess Sovereign) bicycle?

After posting the other day about my saddle issues on the Hillborne bicycle, I decided to put the Pashley saddle on the Hillborne to see how much difference it made.  It's a little strange to see Pepper in such a naked state, but rest assured, she won't be without saddle for long. While in class last night, Sam was kind enough to make the switch so that I could test it out today.

I have to admit, it's a little strange to see Pepper's saddle on Tony, but I think it works visually, so I was down for a test ride. Not surprisingly, the wider saddle made a world of difference in saddle comfort. I didn't go for a horribly long ride, as the wind has decided to try to kill us all with these 20-35 mph (or higher) winds for the last couple of days, but the ride quality was extremely improved over the narrower saddle.

I cannot believe what a difference it made. I know that the wider saddle is something that will be more comfortable because my handlebars are significantly higher than they 'should' be for a typical touring bicycle. I had zero pain in my sit bones, and I didn't feel any unnecessary rubbing on the sides of my legs/crotch area, which was one of my fears about a wider saddle.

Though the wind was beyond brutal, the sun was shining brightly, and I am happy to report that a wider saddle seems to be in my future for the Hillborne, and hey, if anyone happens to be in the market for a Champion Flyer S, I'm selling one for a decent deal!

Saddle Discomfort

I went for a little ride today on Tony Stark, the Sam Hillborne. There was nothing special about it, and it wasn't even that far (only about 5 miles), but it was nice to just be on a bike. For your nauseating pleasure (and it does make me ill watching it because it's so jumpy and I turned the camera too much), a brief snippet of the ride today.

I also made a bit of a discovery... one that I think has been apparent for some time now, but I keep denying it: my saddle isn't supporting my sit bones. I've read quite a bit about saddles over the last year or so, and I've been on enough bicycles to know when a saddle feels good and when it doesn't. I keep denying that this one isn't working for me, but I don't understand why I'm in such denial. Maybe it's because it's a Brooks and I believe it should feel good, or maybe it's because I'm stubborn at times and just keep thinking that I'll break it in eventually, but I did try a little test on my ride today to see if it really is the lack of support.

Brooks saddle on Tony... Can't even find wear spots from my sit bones,
even after many, many miles of riding

Most of the time when I ride this bike, I have my hands either on the hoods or on the top of the bar, and I believe, in combination with the bars being set higher than the saddle, it's creating too much pressure on my backside on a seat that doesn't have the support in places it is needed. So, I tried leaning over on the drops of the bar to see if that helped, and, sure enough, it relieved the pressure on the sit bones. Hmmm.

Now the question becomes, do I keep the handlebars up high (where I am most comfortable) and find another saddle that is wider, do I continue to deal with the discomfort (which becomes far worse when on longer rides), or do I drop the handlebar height and keep the saddle as is (potentially causing more issues with my hands)? My gut tells me to leave everything as is and try out another saddle, but they aren't cheap and I hate to give up on something with out a fight. The other issue with a wider saddle is that I question how comfortable it will be when leaned over on the drop portion of the bars.

Pepper Potts Brooks Saddle, B66s

There is the option of taking my Brooks saddle from Pepper and trying it out on Tony to see if that might be an option. Then, if it does work, I just have to basically exchange one for the other(which of course, means selling the current saddle, and buying a replacement). Though I'm not quite sure which option is the right one, at least I'm ready to admit defeat (at least somewhat) and start looking for a better solution. After all, there is no reason I should be sore after a little 5 mile ride.