I admit, I am a Brooks saddle tragic and have a Brooks B17N on Froggie and a Brooks B17 on Sir Lancelot and plan to purchase a Swift or a Swallow for Froggie, moving the B17N to Julia.

So the purpose of this post is to share these two videos reminding us of the history and beauty of a Brooks saddle and to share a little on my Brooks Saddle experiences.

With respect to my two saddles, I have had a far more positive experience with the B17 than the B17N. The B17 is currently installed on Sir Lancelot and prior to that served time on Chase, so it has done over 10,000 km now.  As a first time Brooks owner I did make the mistake of over treating it (treated it fairly regularly with Proofide in the early stages which was a mistake, causing it to sag. Re-tensioning has resolved this little issue and I find the saddle very comfortable and suited to the Surly Long Haul Trucker.

The B17N fitted to my Look 555  has proved a less suitable choice of saddle, taking sometime to break-in. I suspect this is in part due to my part-time riding of Froggie (mainly a weekend ride for most of the year during this break-in period) and the riding position on Froggie. I am not sure that the B17N is the right saddle for this bike and will be replacing it with a B15 Swallow Titanium funds permitting or a Swallow or Swift Chrome if the budget does not allow for a high end Swallow.  The B17N will then go to Julia my Giant XTC 2 mountain bike where I suspect the more upright riding position will suit the saddle.

Either way, all my bikes will be Brooks equipped

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Tags: B17,B17N,Brooks,Froggie,Julia,Look 555,Sir Lancelot,Surly Long Haul Trucker,Swallow,Swift,XTC 2
Categories: Bicycle gear reviews, Bicycling
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Froggie, my Look 555 today received his first spring service for 2009 at 9,481 km / 5,891 mi.  Spring services are scheduled every 500 km (311 mi), but this one was late by 117 km.  The service consists of:

1. Degreasing the chain using a Park’s Tool CM-5 Cyclone Chain Scrubber and Australian Export degreaser;
2. Application of Rock and Roll Gold chain lube to the chain;
3. Checking of chain wear with a Park Tools CC-3 Chain Wear indicator.  The chain wear indicator is now just slipping in at 1.00 as per this study and related discussion at the Australian Cycling Forums it is due for replacement.  I was pushed for time today so will have to put this off till next weekend.  This will mean the chain will do another ~250 km before replacement.
4. The rear Mavic Ksyrium Equipe wheel spokes are loosing some tension so will need to get this wheel in for truing.  This is one task that I will pass over to the LBS. Probably in a week or so.
5. Normally I go over the bike checking the bolts and screws but didn’t this time; rather just visual/feel check of the various components.
6. I did adjust the rear derailleur but will need to fine tune it when the new chain is fitted.
7. Adjusted the brakes. The rear brake is feeling a bit stiff. Not sure what exactly is the issue there. The OEM pads are still looking good.
8. I finished off with a quick clean of the bike. I really need to give it a good going over but.

No other issues where noted. Tyre wear is okay and brake pad wear is okay.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Tags: Look 555,Service
Categories: Bicycling
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