Brooks B67 on a Clem or other upright bike

[Richard Rose]

This may or may not be a question aimed specifically at Clem owners. Rivendell suggest the B67 for very upright positions. But, most Riv bikes (Clem or other) I see have either B17, Flyer or other brand leather saddles (Rivet, RH, SAA...). Even when I take a look at the Riv "staff bikes" I rarely see a B67, though most of the bikes look pretty upright.

FWIW, I tried a secondhand B67 on my Jones bike when I was struggling to get comfortable on it after converting it from my mountain bike to my everything else bike. In that effort I swapped the Jones loop bar for a more swept back bar (Soma Oxford) and jacked the bars up using a VO Cigne stem. I was pretty comfortable but just could not get the B67 in a place where I was not sliding forward so I (foolishly?) sold it. But the experiment led me to my interest in and eventual purchase of my Clem (Lucky day!). To date I have only ridden the Clem with my trusty SQ Labs saddle and it has been great for most of the nearly 600 miles I have put on the bike. Most of those rides have been between 1 - 2.5 hours in length. The other day I went almost three hours and my sit bones were getting uncomfortable. My thinking is that the SQ is just too narrow for the very upright position. The B67 seems the natural choice. Thus my question - why do I not see more B67's on Riv bikes and on Clem's in particular?

[Sofie C]

I've cycled through a few different saddles but I now prefer my B67s on my new clem (even over my Berthoud Marie-Blanque saddle and definitely more than the B17). The cons of the saddle seem to be the weight (those heavy springs!) -- also at first the leather feels almost plastic-like, as compared to the smooth leather on the B17. I also think the springiness of the saddle is perceptible in a good way, which makes up for the weight. The B67s feels the most hammock-like of any of the ones I've tried. Granted, I have not taken the Clem or the saddle for any long rides, so I speak from very limited experience!

[Patrick Moore]

I've used a couple of B 67s and B 68s and they are very definitely made for the old-fashioned sit-up-and-beg riding position; bend forward much and you'll wish for something narrower. But for sitting bolt upright they were fine, tho' I'm just as happy upright on a b 17-width saddle, which I find too wide for drop bars 1" lower than saddle (the original Flite is perfect for that, for me).

But saddles are so personal that others' choices may well be very different from what is comfortable for you.

On Sun, Mar 20, 2022 at 10:19 AM Richard Rose <rmro...@gmail.com> wrote:

This may or may not be a question aimed specifically at Clem owners. Rivendell suggest the B67 for very upright positions. But, most Riv bikes (Clem or other) I see have either B17, Flyer or other brand leather saddles (Rivet, RH, SAA...). Even when I take a look at the Riv "staff bikes" I rarely see a B67, though most of the bikes look pretty upright.

FWIW, I tried a secondhand B67 on my Jones bike when I was struggling to get comfortable on it after converting it from my mountain bike to my everything else bike. In that effort I swapped the Jones loop bar for a more swept back bar (Soma Oxford) and jacked the bars up using a VO Cigne stem. I was pretty comfortable but just could not get the B67 in a place where I was not sliding forward so I (foolishly?) sold it. But the experiment led me to my interest in and eventual purchase of my Clem (Lucky day!). To date I have only ridden the Clem with my trusty SQ Labs saddle and it has been great for most of the nearly 600 miles I have put on the bike. Most of those rides have been between 1 - 2.5 hours in length. The other day I went almost three hours and my sit bones were getting uncomfortable. My thinking is that the SQ is just too narrow for the very upright position. The B67 seems the natural choice. Thus my question - why do I not see more B67's on Riv bikes and on Clem's in particular?

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Patrick Moore

Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique, Orbis Terrarum

[Friend]

Only complaint I have with my B67 on a very upright Joe App is that is squeaks.  I imagine some oil would fix that though.

[John Phillips]

If you were sliding off the front of the B67, next time angle the nose up till the back is about level. Test ride and adjust until you no longer slide forward or back. The nose might look like it's pointing up in a dangerous direction, but I've never seen a well used B67 on a bike where the nose wasn't pointed upward. It's not how your saddle looks when you're not riding, it's how your saddle feels when you are.

It's more than just your riding position, the width of your sit bones matters too as to whether the B67 will be comfortable. If you have wider sit bones like me, a wider saddle like the B67 or the Berthoud Aubisque or Berthoud Vars is a must.

John

[Richard Rose]

Very good to hear. I can deal with that.:)

Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 21, 2022, at 2:08 PM, 'John Phillips' via RBW Owners Bunch <rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



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[John Phillips]

You might also need a seat post with more setback, like Nitto S83 or S84. I like the lugged Nitto S84, but everyone's different.

John

[Richard Rose]

I have a S83 on the way. I did not realize it has more setback than the stock Kalloy?

Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 21, 2022, at 4:13 PM, 'John Phillips' via RBW Owners Bunch <rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



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[Roberta]

I've had B17 and Flyer on my Joe Appaloosa.  I had the same on my AHH.  They felt Ok, but not quite right (I liked the Flyer on the Joe very much).  Then I tried B67 and B68s on my Platy and AHH--so much better for my sits bones.  Instead of the saddle being between my sits bones, it was now under my sits bones. 

I like both B68 and B67 equally well and have the B67 on a bike I'm more likely to lock up (and possibly get stolen).  I can replace the B67.  Platy and AHH have the B68.

If I ever decide to go on a long ride on Platy  or AHH (like multiple days or >50 or 100 miles in one day), I might change the saddle to the B67 springed version for the more shock absorbing quality.  My flyers squeaked but didn't bother me.  My B67 does not squeak.

Roberta

On Sunday, March 20, 2022 at 12:19:32 PM UTC-4 rmro...@gmail.com wrote:

[james k]

I Have a B67 on my clem jr and find it the most comfortable.  I had switched to a cambium c19 for awhile but it was way more harsh on the bumpy stuff so ultimately went back.  finding the right angle has been key in my experience as they do tend to push you off the front if not angled properly 

[Richard Rose]

I am really liking mine. So what angle is working for you? I think I may need a tiny bit more lift to the nose as I still slide forward just a little.

Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 28, 2022, at 11:21 AM, james k <jame...@gmail.com> wrote:

I Have a B67 on my clem jr and find it the most comfortable.  I had switched to a cambium c19 for awhile but it was way more harsh on the bumpy stuff so ultimately went back.  finding the right angle has been key in my experience as they do tend to push you off the front if not angled properly 

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