If you know how much a person rides and has ridden, and what sort of conditions he or she likes, it's fairly easy to make equipment recommendations. Now, some cyclists might prefer one brand over another--say, Continental or Michelin or Panaracer tires--but it's not hard to tell someone what type of tires or gearing, or even bike, would be best for his or her riding.
Saddles, though, are another story. Lots of internet bandwidth is wasted in arguments about which saddle is "best" or even "right." For every cyclist who loves a particular saddle, there is at least one other who despises it. Now, I can tell you that accounts of how long it takes to break in a Brooks saddle are, for the most part, exaggerated. But even if you and your riding partners agree that tensioned-leather saddles are the best, you won't all agree on which model is the best. (The B17? The Pro? An Ideale?)
I believe, though, that I may have just found a way to test saddles.
More precisely, when a task is difficult...outsource it! What else are pets for?
(My apologies to Marlee.)
Saddles, though, are another story. Lots of internet bandwidth is wasted in arguments about which saddle is "best" or even "right." For every cyclist who loves a particular saddle, there is at least one other who despises it. Now, I can tell you that accounts of how long it takes to break in a Brooks saddle are, for the most part, exaggerated. But even if you and your riding partners agree that tensioned-leather saddles are the best, you won't all agree on which model is the best. (The B17? The Pro? An Ideale?)
I believe, though, that I may have just found a way to test saddles.
More precisely, when a task is difficult...outsource it! What else are pets for?
(My apologies to Marlee.)
What is the minimum wage for saddle testing these days?
ReplyDeleteSaddle choice is a tough one and I seem to have samples of the Brooks range from those with great springing systems designed for undeveloped countries which are now ideal on our potholed Scottish roads right through to the latest"forgot to use leather" type which is comfortable right out of the box. I do miss my, moulded to perfection, B17 from my first ever new bike, a bike so nice it was stolen with great effort...