Could it really be the saddle?

[BliarOut]

Just fitted a new Brooks to my roadie and bloody hell I'm flying

I got six PB's on Strava and a second overall (would have been KOM but I got held up by a car in a twenty zone!)

Can a saddle really make that much difference? It was like I'd borrowed the legs of a bloke twenty years younger I was climbing like never before, my speeds seemed to be three or four MPH up almost everywhere. No headwind to fluke it as I did a forty mile loop.

The reason I ask is I've also fitted a new chain and jockey wheels today, but I don't think it was that because I haven't got it indexed quite right and the bike just seems loads faster than when it was brand new.

Can a good saddle make that much difference, or perhaps I should ask can a bad one slow you down that much?

[Gizmoish]

My money would be on the chain and jockey wheels tbh.

[BliarOut]

I'm was thinking that but it doesn't explain how much stronger my legs felt. They've never been this strong, I'm wondering if the old one (Fizik) was cutting off the blood to my legs. I always felt my sit muscles were fighting it, it's as if I'm just floating above the pedals now

[BadgerBenji]

Better position possibly?

Personally I would ride quicker on a brooks just to get off it (not my cup of tea).

[Gizmoish]

Maybe a bit of that... plus the placebo...

If the new chain makes it easier every time you push the pedals, you'll be less tired and start to feel awesome though.

[Jimbo.]

Co-incidence.

[BliarOut]

Don't think it is a coincidence, my Strava times all got blown away today and I've never felt this strong up hills in the saddle even from new.

I should probably mention I've got one leg 2" shorter than the other, so it may just be that I'm more affected by the saddle than most

I hope it bloody continues

[nammynake]

Jimbo. said:

Co-incidence.

+1

[gazza285]

Might have been wind.

[BliarOut]

Definitely wasn't wind, I rode a figure eight loop and my speed was up in every direction

[gazza285]

Not that sort of wind!

[TwistingMyMelon]

Surely it wasn't because of the time you had off riding to fit the parts?

If I have a week off, after 30 mins my body feels amazing, esp on steep climbs

Saddle position might be better and more suited and chain could/would make a noticable difference

[DrMekon]

Brooks are relatively tall - maybe you've effectively raised your saddle.

I love Brooks - have B17, B17 Champion & Team Pro. Prices are ridiculous now though - I got my Champion for £40 in 2009, and I could sell it on ebay for a profit. I've switched to Spa - be warned, they make Brooks feel like memory foam in comparison. Arse of steel required for 1000km to break them in.

[TKF]

No, a saddle doesn't add 3-4mph.

[BliarOut]

Perhaps a better question might be can a new chain add that amount then?

[paranoid airbag]

Unless your previous chain/jockey wheel was made of sandpaper and glue, no. It's placebo effect, possibly combined with a natural high point in performance

Out of interest, which brooks did you get?

[BliarOut]

A Swift, their recommendation for a man of my... mass

I think what's happening is I'm just relaxing into the saddle and using my muscles more efficiently/correctly. I reckon, but I could be wrong, that I was tensing my sit muscles on the old one and it wasn't letting me use my legs properly.

[TKF]

BliarOut said:

Perhaps a better question might be can a new chain add that amount then?

Drive train losses only account for 3-5% so again I can't see them adding any noticeable speed. 3mph PBs on Strava segments is massive!

The chain probably felt smoother and the saddle was more comfortable. These made you enjoy the ride and subsequently go faster.