The great saddle conspiracy

     Back when I started riding seriously, Nixon was hanging onto the presidency by a thread and the Brooks B-17 saddle was the "go to" saddle for any serious biker.

There were stories of "break in" problems with leather saddles, but once that was conquered the saddle conformed to each individual's butt print and they could claim it as their own.  Bicycle shorts amounted to tight wool shorts with a thin leather chamois (like the ones used to dry cars) sewn into the crotch to help wick moisture away.  Then the bike boom occurred, and something when horribly wrong.  Synthetic materials became more popular with seat design, and I think it was a graduation requirement for every MIT grad to design the "latest greatest" torture tool for the discerning masochistic cyclist.   Designs abounded for years ranging from mildly strange

 to completely ridiculous,

but most were just variations of the same thing, using gelatin pads and synthetic or bonded leather covers.

Then the problem became recognized.  These new designs, although looking and feeling very comfy at first touch, did not keep the butt dry.  In fact they served to trap moisture just where you don't want it for hours at a time.  So a new technique was developed to wick moisture, the shorts became spandex and lycra, while the "chamois" grew into a multi layered, scientifically developed 2 inch thick diaper.  And, presumably to keep the diaper dry, wind tunnels were built into the seats

     Now the manufacturers had perfected their craft.  Doctors said the gap would prevent damage to the prostate also and hooray, they had the medical community on their side as well!  Now every $200 saddle could go out the bike shop door promising return sales in the form of hundreds of dollars of team colored shorts with expensive diapers sewn in.  The problem is that most of these saddles did not prove to be very comfortable

Ignoring the idea that this one looks like it has hooks where you don 't want hooks, they still trapped moisture and the shorts just look dumb and dorkey.  I quit wearing lycra when a neighbor's teenage daughter complained, I didn't ask for details.
  I used a Brooks b-17 until I bought a new Trek 560 in 1986, being assured it had a selle italia saddle,the latest, greatest,  anatomically designed, ergonomically perfect seat on the market, I was confident I could let the leather one go.  I soon bought some shorts, and rode until, hearing there was a later, greatest thing ever to end the discomfort--I bought that.  I rode it for several years until the cover tore and bought the newest, latest, greatest thing ever and finally was relieved of the torment when that cover tore.  Sick and tired of the endless merchandise cycle I bought a new Brooks flyer with springs

 and found to my surprise that I was perfectly comfortable without the diapers and I honestly think that sprung saddles eliminate the vibration that frightened the doctors.  Now I am not being a total retro grouch, I have gel

saddles on my winter bike, and my folding bike, but mainly because they are not intended for long rides and the synthetic is safe from the weather.  My road bike, all day city mixte and touring bikes have leather and I still believe it's the best material for riding long distance.  I don't use Brooks brand exclusively, I also have Velo-Orange saddles which I think are a good competitor for the Brooks brand.  Over the years I have never experienced any break in discomfort with the Brooks brand, but the VO saddles can take some break-in time.  It can be aleviated by loosening the tension bolt and the "apron strings" as I think they are just wrapped too tightly at the factory.

Ride leather, be happy!