WTB Brooks B67

Before I pull the trigger on a new Brooks or possibly the VO equivalent I thought I'd see if someone has one they're looking to sell. Doesn't have to be mint as the bike it's going on isn't.

B67 is the 'sprung' saddle with modern rails. NOT looking for a B-17, thanks.

For that matter, I'd welcome comments from anyone who has tried the VO (or Cardiff or other knockoffs).  The VO was on sale for $65 but not anymore.


Prefer black.

Look forward to any possible replies. Except spam. I hate those.

Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Albany Park Al on April 3, 2012 at 5:53am

Hi, Chris...and thanks for the quick reply!  Look forward to hearing from you. 

Permalink Reply by Duppie on April 3, 2012 at 6:55am

If you plan on buying a new one, but want to try it without any risk:

I bought a Brooks from these guys before. They have a six month unconditional guarantee. I've returned a saddle after multiple weeks of riding, without any questions asked.

http://www.wallbike.com/

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on April 3, 2012 at 7:10am

And they periodically sell these returned saddles (somewhat broken in and in excellent condition) for a discounted price. 

Duppie said:

If you plan on buying a new one, but want to try it without any risk:

I bought a Brooks from these guys before. They have a six month unconditional guarantee. I've returned a saddle after multiple weeks of riding, without any questions asked.

http://www.wallbike.com/

Permalink Reply by Albany Park Al on April 4, 2012 at 1:12am

Hey, Chris:

By all means I'd like to see pics of the B67.  The B190 looks a bit much.   Last year I was able to buy a nice slightly used B67 for my wife's bike; now daughter is riding it and would like the same.

Thanks!

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on April 4, 2012 at 1:46am

The B66 is a better saddle IMHO because of the increased stability that the dual rails give over the single-railed B67.  The weight saved by eliminating one rail is minimal in a saddle that is already pretty heavy and the "modernity" of a modern seatpost can be preserved by simply using a sandwich adapter and maybe a $1.50 longer metric bolt (if even necessary) available at any better hardware store.  

For any rider pushing anywhere close to 200lbs the increased stability of the dual rail will equate to more comfort and better shock absorption by allowing the springs to do their thing rather than the rails flexing all over the place.  There is a reason why Brooks designed the seat with dual rails in the first place back in the day years ago -the single-rail version is a compromise and a bow to modernity for aesthetics-sake -and a poor one at that IMHO.

I own a B66 and it is my favorite saddle of all the bikes in my fleet.  I'd love to have a second one of them as I end up swapping it from my daily rider to my tweed bike and have yet to "spring" for the cash to buy a second B66 for a bike that I only ride every few months.  I have contemplated the VO version but these days one isn't saving all that much over the genuine article.

On my road bikes I've thought about getting B17's but they are expensive (and heavy) and on a drop-bar bike the saddle doesn't need to be as comfy as one puts so much less weight on it if they are actually pedaling hard. I've actually got a very nice saddle on my long-distance road bike which is titanium-rail light and nearly as comfortable as a b17.    If I am not in the mood to ride fast then I don't bring a road bike and instead ride my comfy upright bike with the B66.    My theory is to use the right tool for the job and a comfy city/upright job is the right tool for around-town errands in style -why not put the best saddle on it and not compromise with the B67?   Go all out with the B66 and be done with it.

That's just my $.02

Permalink Reply by Albany Park Al on April 4, 2012 at 2:42am

Thanks James...a B66 would do too, with that adapter.  However I think I'm more likely to find a B67 used. 

Also, my daughter, whom this is for, is pushing more like 100lbs so the capacity of the single rail is not really a concern.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on April 4, 2012 at 3:42am

I think there are more older B66's out there as they used to come standard on many 50's, 60's, and 70's bikes. 

Most of the time they come still attached to an old 3-speed. 

Permalink Reply by Albany Park Al on April 4, 2012 at 12:26pm

B66 was standard issue for Raleigh Sports  up to 1960 per Sheldon Brown.   After that they got the cheaper and minimally sprung B72 (like the c1968 model we had for a while) and in the early 70s went to the ubiquitous mattress saddles.  The Superbe continued to get the B66 but that was a fancier and more expensive bike overall.

I don't know where you guys are finding all these B66s but I am not seeing them. And I would not expect one from the 50s to be in usable condition--the c. 1970 Brooks Pro and Ideale 90 I currently have are rideable but definitely showing their age.

OTOH I picked up a recent B67 last year through a WTB ad similar to this one, and Chris C sounds like he may have one.  

If you have a B66 to offer, sure I'd be interested, otherwise I think I've got enough advice about what I should be doing.

Permalink Reply by Albany Park Al on April 4, 2012 at 2:15pm

Thanks Chris...I'm going to message you here; don't even know if that will trigger an alert email to you. 

Ooops.  I forgot the strange message system here says I can't send you a message until we are 'friends.'  However I can't seem to do that either, I get a message that there is no such member as Chris C.  

Which is obviously not true, as if it were I'd be talking to myself here.   Which would be crazy.  Heh.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on April 5, 2012 at 2:56am

Also, for anyone still reading or caring don't discount the vinyl Brooks mattress saddle.  It is a very comfortable saddle and actually more durable than the leather Brooks models.  The early mattress was built with internal strap supports made of horse hair.  The spring suspension and frame of the saddle is virtually identical to the B66/B67.  Because the saddle is covered with vinyl it is water-proof unlike a leather Brooks which should really never be left outside in the rain without a good cover.

The comfort of the mattress is as good as the leather saddle -especially for any ride under 10 miles.  The firmer support of the leather saddle only really starts to shine after 20 miles and most commuters never put that much in on a single sitting.  The vinyl is even easily repaired if it tears with simple vinyl cement that works just like the rubber cement for tube patching.  Holes can be patched the same way as a tube too.

For a commuter bike a Brooks mattress would make an excellent choice in every way except for snob appeal as so many people associate the leather saddle with a "real" Brooks while the mattress was still a very fine saddle indeed. 

Kevin T. said:



I wrote Roadster not Sports

Permalink Reply by Justin B Newman on April 5, 2012 at 3:35am

Is the vinyl Brooks mattress available new, or only on the used market?

-jbn

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on April 5, 2012 at 3:48am

I don't think that Brooks still makes this model but it is much-copied and I'm sure someone makes a similar model new still.

But I bet you could find a Brooks Mattress at any used swap or probably even at Working Bikes.  Just about any $40 old Schwinn 3-speed backetcase will come with one.  The Brooks-branded ones are the best, some of the copies are very true to the original design while others are torture devices.  I'd recommend looking for one that had the Brooks tag on the back if you weren't sure.  They are everywhere though, not hard to find as millions of bikes came with them.   They clean up very nicely and you can still get most all of the frame parts for them from Brooks as they share the frame for the most part with the other sprung saddles. Instead of the leather stressed-member top of the saddle the Mattress had a lattice of springs/horsehair and a bit of foam covered by the vinyl top.  

At one time in the past the vinyl top piece and cushion pad was available by itself from dealers/LBS as a replacement piece as it easily snaps off and can be removed and replaced quite simply by just about anyone with hands.   I don't think this is still the case but the vinyl is easily repaired from the top or from the bottom after pulling the cover off if you want to be neat 

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