I have both; the B-17 on my Quickbeam, which I have set up with Noodle
bars to give me the most variety of position possible, and the
Champion Flyer on a 1997 Cannondale F-900 with Albatross bars set up
for more upright "city" riding, which, however, allows me to lean
forward on the bends of the Albatross bars, if I don't need brakes.

The Cannondale has a suspension fork, and the springs in the saddle
give me a fully "suspended" ride. It's really just fine for rough dirt
roads and city lumps, allowing me to stay seated on bigger bumps in
the road, especially on longer rides when I sit upright more, and ride
more leisurely. I can ride all day on the Quickbeam, though, just
about anywhere.

My muscles provide suspension, of course, on big and small bumps, on
both bikes. Recent research, and experience, shows that a lot of rider
energy goes into adapting to rough roads.

This research shows that suspension works best when it's closest to
the road: tires first, then frame, then saddle and bars. I'm surprised
that more rough riders haven't adopted a sprung saddle, even on top of
a full-suspension frame and fat tires for really rough trails. Tires
have limits, and suspended frames have stiction, while saddle springs
have no stiction, like tires, and easily absorb high frequency
vibrations, and even though they have limits in the amplitude of the
shocks they can absorb. And really, I have no use for complicated
mechanical suspension where I want to ride a bike. I'd just as soon
walk and smell the creosote brush as ride a fully suspended bike on a
really technical trail (for me) these days.

In other words, of course, the Champion Flyer would be a fine choice
for a Bombadil! Why not? Cost & weight isn't the factor it might be
for lesser frames.

The only caveat might be the variable quality of Brooks leather these
days. I've had good luck with mine, but really thick leather seems to
be found on Berthoud saddles, which don't come with springs so far as
I know.

On Sat, Dec 26, 2009 at 9:31 PM, Rene Sterental <orthie...@gmail.com> wrote:
> After having taken a couple of rides on and off-road with my Bombadil, and
> after seeing many pictures of Bombadil and Atlantis bikes with sprung
> saddles, I've begun wondering if putting a Champion Flyer saddle on the
> Bombadil is a good move. Obviously on the road the B-17 feels fine, but
> off-road you have to always stand up when going over rough stuff.
> How do others here feel about the Champion Flyer and what would be the
> pros/cons of doing such a move? What are the advantages of using one for
> on-road riding/touring?
> Thanks all!
> René
>
> --
>
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
> To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com.
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
> For more options, visit this group at
> http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
>



-- 
Bill Gibson
Tempe, Arizona, USA

--

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to 
rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at 
http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.


Reply via email to