Again in December, I shared a narrative a few saddle. Longtime leather-based saddle maker, Brooks England, was placing the enduring B72, again into manufacturing.
After the story went reside, Brooks reached out and requested if I’d prefer to overview a kind of saddles. I believed it might look fairly sick on my Rivendell Gus Boots Willsen, so I accepted.
The B72 is made for an upright driving place, say for the informal tourer, or driving round and runnin’ errands within the metropolis. It’s additionally an excellent match for traditional bicycles.
In the course of the beginning of mountain biking, it was the well-liked saddle alternative of these early filth daredevils flying down Mt Tamplapais within the late 70s, clinching the B72’s spot in MTB historical past.
I felt that it might be an incredible match for my mountain bike (ATB?), so let’s get it put in.
First Impressions of the Brooks B72
The very first thing I seen after I opened the field was the form of the B72. Its form was fairly totally different than my B17’s form. the B17 Particular is my “go-to” saddle, and I apply it to all of my bikes.
On my Gus Boots, the B72 will probably be changing the B17, so form is essential. The width of my B17 Particular is 175mm as in comparison with the B72’s width of 205mm. The size distinction can be substantial, with the B72 being loads shorter at 260mm to the B17’s size at 275mm.
I really feel just like the distinction in size between the saddles received’t be as essential in my driving because the width. Will it’s loads much less comfy getting off the again of the B72 on steep descents, than the B17? We’ll see. There’s a slight weight distinction (28g) between the B72 (578g) and B17 (550g).
I believe the B72 would look cool with the B17 Particular’s fashion of hand-hammered brass rivets versus the extra commonplace tubular metal rivets that got here on the B72. However the black powder-coated rails and body look nice on the B72.
Putting in the Brooks B72
Set up can be simple sufficient, though slightly extra concerned than a normal Brooks saddle set up. The reason being, that the Brooks B72 is a suspended saddle with springs, so it makes use of twin rails.
Because of this I needed to get the Brooks Sandwich Seat Adaptor to put in the saddle appropriately. Above you see the variations between the usual Brooks single rail and the double rail (with the Sandwich Adaptor) when put in.
The Sandwich Adaptor got here packaged with the entire {hardware} that was wanted to do the set up. A Brooks double-rail saddle will want longer bolts than your trendy submit makes use of, so that you’ll have to swap them out. The Sandwich Adaptor is an effective way to suit your traditional saddle to your trendy seatposts.
After I acquired the adaptor in place, it was only a matter of constructing positive the rails stayed vertical and centered whereas tightening the clamp on the seat submit. Simple peasy.
Use the Provided Proofide
Each leather-based saddle that you simply purchase from Brooks will include the instrument to tighten or loosen the quantity of “suspension”. It additionally comes with slightly package deal of Proofide. Don’t discard that little package deal.
Proofide is a product from Brooks that helps with the break-in strategy of the leather-based, and to waterproof the saddle. It’s a little bit of a sport, however for those who use it correctly it’s best to be capable of do the highest and the beneath of the saddle.
Trace: slightly goes a great distance… significantly. Simply apply it along with your fingers and let it sit and dry. As soon as the saddle begins to dry, you’ll see leather-based take a matte look on high which implies the Proofide is dry.
As soon as the entire saddle appears to be like matte, get a cotton rag and buff it clear. Executed. Depart the underside of the saddle alone.
As soon as you utilize the packet, you’ll want to purchase your self one other lil’ tub for the yearly touch-ups. It doesn’t simply waterproof your saddle, it retains the leather-based supple and speeds the “break-in” time.
First Experience on the B72
I’ve solely had a possibility to journey the saddle as soon as, on one in every of my favourite loops. It’s a loop that I typically use for testing and evaluations. I’ve been driving this 12-mile loop for greater than 25 years, so it’s simple for me to inform when one thing I do to my bike has modified or totally different, for higher or for worse.
Whereas driving the flat elements and climbing the few lengthy climbs of this loop, I may really feel the springy distinction when in comparison with my B17. It was comfy whereas lollygagging down the path, doing its job absorbing a few of the smaller bumps.
The place I discovered the largest distinction between the B72 and B17, was the place I believed I might – the form of the saddle. I discovered it very uncomfortable to “get off the again of the saddle” on the few steep, technical descents that my loop presents.
Kind over Operate
Apart from comically bowing my legs out to get off the again of the saddle, the B72 operated properly on the path. It’s a very comfy saddle, and like the entire Brooks saddles I’ve owned, will solely get comfier with time.
I’ll be driving the B72 a ton to get the ultimate results of this overview. I’m wanting ahead to breaking it in and attending to realize it. And whereas aesthetics are essential, there may be an expectation of efficiency, even from a looker just like the B72. Kind and performance can reside collectively and don’t must be mutually unique.
And though the B72 could be very aesthetically pleasing, as of writing this text the B17 continues to be my “go-to” saddle
The B72 appears to be like wonderful mounted on my Gus Boots Willsen, there’s no denying that. For anybody who’s restoring an older mountain bike and even an previous Klunker-type MTB, the Brooks B72 saddle can be a smart alternative, popping your construct to the following stage.
Try the entire saddles and goodies Brooks England has to supply on the hyperlink beneath.
