Dutch Bike Co Weblog

Even though I have been riding bikes for over two-thirds of my life, I have never owned a Brooks saddle. Since starting at Dutch Bike Seattle, this fact has been weighting on me since nearly every bike we carry has a Brooks. As fate would have it, two saddles of mine have just given up the ghost in what I can only assume is a karmic catalyst to give me no reason not to own one, or two as it were. Last week, I ordered and received a pair of Brooks saddles for myself, and one for my wife. This week, I will be documenting some suggestions I have on how to care for a Brooks saddle, be it a brand new one, or a long term fixture on your bike. Despite never personally owning one, years of working with them have given me a long view of how you can make a Brooks saddle your best cycling partner. I look forward to answering and including any questions you may have. Cheers!

... of the saddle that is. You'll notice in most pictures of Dutch bikes that the nose of the saddle is turned up and not level as on most road bikes. Apart from looking cool or funny (you choose), there is an ergonomic advantage to turning up the nose of the saddle. Because of the high swept-back handlebars, a Dutch bike rider can sit completely upright, back straight, neck relaxed and with very little pressure on the hands. This position affords incredible comfort, if the saddle is adjusted correctly. The upright position versus a dropped position, as on a road or mountain bike, means that the hips are rotated onto the back of the saddle. You are sitting back on your sit bones (ischial tuberosities for you anatomy buffs) and there is little pressure on your pubic bone. The trick to all of this, especially with leather saddles is to get the angle high enough so that you are sitting in the "pocket" of the widest part of the saddle. Too high and you'll start feeling pressure on your pubic bone or like you are going to slip off the back. Too low (closer to flat/level) and it feels like you are getting pushed into the handle bars or slipping off the front. All of this can feel highly odd to anyone who may be used to riding in a dropped or forward position where there is more pressure on the hands and pubic bone. Sitting so tall and upright can initially feel like a new balancing act, yet ultimately allows a rider to pedal with a straight spine and relax their grip on the bars to the point where the hands can even rest on top of the bars. Improved visibility is an additional welcome side effect. Ultimately your everyday posture can improve by getting your seat properly nosed-up and raising the bars high enough so that you achieve the perfect "sit up and beg" position. Many may ask or wonder, what about hill climbing and getting up and out of the saddle from such a kicked-back position with the handle bars so close? Well, you can always apply the first rule of biking as an everyday utility: if you think you're going to sweat, slow down. All of our bikes come with gears — most eight speeds — so there is rarely a point where you'll need to imitate Lance Armstrong climbing the Pyrenees. But, if you do want to apply more power, you can rock your upper body forward over the bars on each down stroke of the pedals. You'll look turkey-necked and will have to decide if being in a hurry is worth looking turkey-necked, but I can assure you this is the way the Dutch add some power to their pedaling and it works. So, turn up the nose, raise your bars, sit up and enjoy a dignified ride.