Fit for a Princess?

Only 1 month left until I return to the US and get my Pashley Princess. The anticipation is so keen, that madness has set in: I decided to get the Brooks B18 "Lady" saddle for my precious Green Beauty.


A recently re-introduced limited-edition model that was last produced in the 1930s, the B18 is embossed with a floral filigree pattern. It is a traditional lady's design that is extra wide and has a short, wrap-around nose, to accommodate riding in a skirt.



Here is the B18 in her presentation box next to the leather washer grips, before Harris Cyclery attached them both to my Pashley. Over the top? Yes, I think it is... But then, let's face it -- so is the Princess herself, so I might as well take it all the way!

Comments

  1. That is the most beautiful saddle that I have ever seen. Congratulations. I can't wait for you to get your bike.

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  2. Thank you, I think so too! I have heard that the embossing also serves a practical function, making the seat more comfortable.

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  3. Oooooh, nice. Not over the top - just right :)

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  4. Didn't Brooks make a limited edition green saddle a couple years ago, and wouldn't that be EVEN MORE of whatever you are trying to accomplish? So maybe you need the Limited Edition as drastically as you need the Green Pashley? I'm just saying...

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  5. Ah, you mean the Green Swallow (now sold out)!

    Well, thankfully the Swallow is a racing saddle, and designed with a very long and narrow nose for males -- so this disqualified it from my wish list. Also, I think that a green saddle on a green bike would be too much green. The brown embossed leather of the Lady will provide just the right amount of contrast and femininity.

    Now, should I later happen to get a road bike...

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  6. I had to show the pictures to my wife. She still shows little interst in riding,but she loved the saddle :p. Bet you can't wait to ride that new steed,huh?
    Steve

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  7. I think Brooks knows what they are doing, especially with the release of multi-coloured saddles in limited production. I wonder how the Boston saddle would look on a folding Brompton with clear coat (which I don't yet have, but that's another story).

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  8. > MDI said...
    >
    > I wonder how the Boston saddle would look
    > on a folding Brompton with clear coat

    oh... that mustard-coloured saddle will look out of this world!

    > SS:Mtn Biker said...
    >
    > I had to show the pictures to my wife.
    > She still shows little interst in riding,
    > but she loved the saddle

    See! Slowly but surely, we'll get her riding. Next may I suggest vintage posters? : ))

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  9. Nope...I tird that,she just rolled her eyes and after a few days had me take them down because my "bike stuff is taking over the house..." =/
    LOL!
    Steve

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  10. Oh that is truly a beauty! The pictures online at Brook's website don't do it justice!

    I also am waiting for the arrival of my Pashley and have been contemplating the purchase of this seat. I had decided that the Brooks seat it comes with is perfectly capable, but after seeing these shots I'm undecided yet again!

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  11. Stunning. Why did I just order a 'plain' Brooks saddle for our xtra Radish yesterday??? Didn't see this beauty.

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  12. Celeste and sara --

    Several things to consider aside from the aesthetics:

    . The B18 is wider than the B66S that comes standard issue with the Pashley Princess Sovereign (and wider than any other Brooks saddle, as far as I know), thus better accommodating the structure of womens's sit-bones and the wearing of skirts.

    . The B18 is a sprung saddle, but not to the extent of the B66S. As you can see on photos, the B66S has enormous, hard-core spring coils.

    So it is basically a choice between better weight distribution (B18) vs. more spring (B66).

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  13. Ooh. I had been wanting a Brooks for a while -- this design might push me over the top!

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