Mark Chandler wrote: I've found it difficult to get Brooks saddles (specifically, the B17) back far enough on modern frames/seatposts. Looking at pictures of Brooks-saddled bikes from the 1940's-1950's, I see that the seat angle is extremely slack. While it's difficult to tell exactly how slack, the angles look to be in the very high 60's or very low 70's. I have a hunch that the Brooks "geometry" was designed to complement frame geometry of the timeframe it was introduced (and vice-versa). Some questions: * For a typical "road bike" of the 40's-50's, what was the usual frame geometry (head/seat angles)? * Has Brooks changed their seat frame/rail geometry over the years to accommodate more modern geometry (seatposts)?
Well, if you use a conventional seat clip of the era (such as the dreaded Brooks auto-slip), and install it with the clip in front of the seat post instead of behind, you find yourself in a "modern" seating position. I've always assumed that many riders did that, and think I recal some pix, too. Works well for me on my very slack prewar Paramount.
harvey sachs
mcLean VA