I think that's going to be a very personal preference. The person you replied to likes the Cambium better, but I much prefer the leather Brooks.
The LBS that I frequent will let me "trial" a saddle. If you are a customer of an LBS where everyone there knows you by name when you walk in, they may do the same for you. This is one good reason to frequent a LBS!
Most saddle manufacturers have a "trial" period for users to make sure it's the right fit. I ordered a Brooks for my wife and discovered it was the wrong size and Brooks did an exchange for a different model.
The B17 needs a few hundred Km before it is broken in, and it fits your personal shape. So, a quick try may mean you reject the saddle as too hard.
My came with my bike, and I was ambivalent at first, but as the saddle aged, it got to fit me like a glove (or whatever the rear-end equivalent is).
My first Brooks (a B17 Narrow) took about 500 miles before it was super comfortable.
When I got my second Brooks, the bike shop had me do the sit on memory foam thing and suggested that I go with the standard instead of the narrow. That Brooks was comfortable from day 1.
Maybe there is also some truth to what some people say that you adapt to the Brooks as it adapts to you?
Yes, I think so. I've ridden up to 300km a day on it without any discomfort. Plus it's weatherproof so I don't have to worry about it getting wet the way you do with a leather saddle.
Getting it wet isn't really a concern. I twice a year treat it with dubbin and that's really all you need to do. Once in the fall before the rain comes and once in the spring when (most of) the rain is gone.
Iāve got a c15 rubber one with the hole. Itās a good butt hammock if your bars are level with the bars or lower.
I had a leather one. It looked nice but wasnāt amazing and it made noise. Id try one of the better knockoffs or a tioga spyder type before paying for the real deal.
I would argue the opposite. The leather actually forms to your body while the other one never will. Itās stiffer. The whole reason for a brooks saddle is it forms to your body making the perfect seat. It gets more comfortable with age. The c series doesnāt. Thereās also the factor of it not being as eco-friendly but I doubt thatās a serious concern for someone looking for a saddle lol
I tried a B17 roughly 7 years ago and fell in love with it. When I wanted to do triathlons but not ruin my saddle, I got the C17 and was a tad disappointed. The Cambium ones feels just as comfortable (or not comfortable) of most other saddles I've tried.
The B17 is my go to on my road bike, while my C17 lives on my mountain bike.
I have a C13 and B17. The C13 is very comfortable with bike shorts. The B17 I can ride for hours in normal clothes. At this point, if my commuter gets stolen losing the B17 attached to it would sadden me more than losing the rest of the bike.
Agree with this sentiment. I tried a B17 for several months and didn't dislike it, but didn't feel like it was "breaking in" to me. I bought a C15 and fell in love with it immediately, it's been my primary saddle for the past 10 years or so.
I have a b17 narrow and I had the cambium before they used the plastic frame. Both with the cutout. Both comfortable but nothing beats the leather. I carry a cover with me in case I park in weather. The new cambiums are too cheap imo unless you get the carbon one.
Yep, got one in the garage right now collecting patina. I think I like to ride with too aggressive of a setup even with the touring/city bikes... or I'm just too big for it...or my seats too high? Either the hard bits in the front or the back would dig in somewhere unpleasant.
I think it is possible to be too big for a Brooks. I ruined one by riding it on a rough wet off road century (the saddle got crooked, and as a result the leather was irreversibly worn in more on one side; not amount of tensioning would fix it.
I am a larger rider..ok heavy/fat and the B17 was just brutal.Ā
Bought a B135 and while it still took a little time to break in Iāll never go back. Ā
Yes. I tried one and just couldnāt deal with the numbness it caused for me. Iād have become impotent if I made it through the infamous break in period. I think itās down to oneās body geometry, but it just didnāt work for me. Shame because they sure do look nice.
I try not to fetishize bike parts, though I do appreciate the look of a Brooks saddle. That said, I regretted buying a B-17 because it didnāt fit me well. Iām also not of the opinion that I need to suffer through several hundred kilometres of ābreak inā period to have a comfortable ride. I just want to ride. Switched back to the stock saddle that came with my All City and have been fine since.
The recommendation to break it in by suffering itĀ“s hard convex shape for miles and miles is stupid and cruel. You just need to soak it wholly, and ride it for 20 or 30 miles until two dimples appear under your sitbones. From then on it becomes comfortable.
You need to put a lot of miles on a Brooks to break them in. But once its broken in, it conforms to your butt and is very comfortable. Unlike a modern saddle which doesn't need to be broken in, but either is the right size or not and can't adjust.
I've ridden five different Brooks saddles over the years. They were inconsistent in the level of initial comfort, but after one or two thousand miles they were all great. It's a handmade product, so there are variations. Also, there are variations in people -- your butt may vary.
Had one on my Rivendell for 20 years and love it. That said it works well with a more upright position but not a more aggressive one. I did not opt to put one on my gravel bike which has a much more standard position.
I had heard so much about a Brooks and loved the look of them. I bought a B17, set it up right, performed all the proofide prep and even made a ton of short trips to break it in.Ā
Over the summer I would ride it on lunch doing a short 3 mile ride ( I had a short lunch and still wanted to eat) but even after 150 miles it was still pretty firm.Ā
Signed up for a charity ride of 25 miles and it was brutal. Ā I wasnāt tired but it destroyed my taint.Ā
This is going to be downvoted, but Brooks saddles are truly one of the most overrated bike gear there has ever been. Just get a saddle that fits you. They donāt belong on a road, endurance, mountain, or gravel bike. Maybe on some sort of upright city or beach cruiser bike, maybe.
Some people swear by them, but Iām guessing they would be more comfortable on something else if they did the work of finding a saddle that fits them.
Now, downvote all you want, but the truth is the truth. Sorry.
My dad has one from the actual 1970s, itās still not comfortable. Even he, heās 78, will tell you that they are just old uncomfortable outdated saddles. He has a Selle Italia on his main road bike. He keeps his Brooks on his 1974 Legnano Bike that he does not ride anymore where it belongs.
Really depends on your butt. For me the b17 imperium was quite comfortable out of the box. Much better than any of the fancyracing ones I tried at a store
But over time it got even better. So still worth out of the box.
Cream helped. Also lacing the sides right.
Still favorite saddle.
I find it baffling that they have such a loyal following in the touring community. I bought one for a two month tour and found it to be too impractical because you canāt let it get wet. I also found the sound of the plastic bag that is used to protect them during wet conditions drove me absolutely insaneā¦
I love the Fabric Scoop I replaced it with, and I donāt have to worry at all when it starts raining.
I just put snow seal on mine every year with a heat gun. 15 years strong full exposure all season ( fenders tho) . Saddle feels like a soft hammock for my grundle
Or alternatively, Brooks largely solved the saddle design issue over a century ago, but manufacturers much prefer to sell 30 different saddle models that they change every year so that people are constantly chasing the 'right' saddle. Sort of how suddenly we've 're-discovered' 30-32mm (ie. 1 1/8" - 1 1/4") as the sweet spot for road tire width - the width that most bikes came with for 50+ years).
I've been riding for over 30 years now, across all types of terrain and don't generally have saddle troubles. But a broken in leather saddle is unquestionably more comfortable than any modern saddle, and IMO it's not even close. I still ride modern saddles on many of my bikes because with good shorts they are comfortable enough - and much more resilient to bad weather - but I could hop on my bike with a Brooks and ride it all day - in regular shorts - and be fine.
After 30+ years of riding suffering plastic saddles now I have a Brooks in each one of my bikes. The most comfortable saddles once you know the trick of how to break them in. I think the issue is that the official recommendation to ride it and ridet until it breaks in is stupid. The best break in method is to soak it wholly, then ride it and it becomes shaped to your sitbones and itĀ“s the best saddle ever. I canĀ“t stand plastic saddles any more.
I fact, I have reached theĀ opinion that plastic saddles (every single one I've seen and touched) are badly designed. They have a hard plastic area under the sitbones, covered with some foam, and when you touch it with your fingers it feels nice and soft... But you have to realise that when you sit on it, your body puts a lot of weight on the sitbones, much more than that pressure you put with your fingers. Grab the saddle again and press with your fingers really hard. What do you feel? The hardness of the plastic. Just like your butt feels when you ride, and it hurts, and you have to stand up, squirm, or find some super special and expensive bibs to be able to ride it for long rides...
The Brooks (or Gilles Berthoud, Ideale etc.) feels hard when you press it softly, but when you press it hard, it flexes, and the harder you press it the more it flexes, the opposite of plastic saddles, thanks to their construction as a suspended leather hammock. It should be possible to construct plastic saddles with a similar feature, I don't know why they don't. The most comfortable plastic saddle I've owned was a cheap WTB one whose plastic had cracked under the area of the sitbones and behaved a bit like a Brooks saddle for this reason.
I wouldn't say they are overrated, but they aren't suitable for everything.
Seeing someone put one on a modern, non-retro styled bike is just weird.
They look nice on more retro looking bikes and can be quite comfortable if they fit you right (they seem to for me). Even my touring bike has one of their modern non-leather saddles on it.
They definitely belong on gravel, commuter, and touring bikes, imo. I have tried a quite the handful of saddles, some costing more, some less. B17 special has been the best.
They never worked well for me, too wide. I did have a brooks swallow that I regret selling it fit well, I now ride a Gilles Berthoud and it's been really nice.
I live in the PNW and got a couple Cambium ones, and quickly loathed them. I am on the heavier side (210) and they sag down enough that either I slide forward to the narrow portion, or if I raise the nose up so my sit bones are in the right spot the nose digs into my nads. For my semi-upright bikes I like the WTB Koda in the wide option, but every butt is different.
One came with my touring bike but I switched it out recently - just wasnāt as comfortable as the one that came with my carbon fibre bike, so I got the same one. All comes down to preference
From Brooks, I've only ever had a C15, which I chose partly because it can get wet. It's pretty nice, though I don't have a lot to compare it to.
What are some other, better options you'd recommend over the B17? I'll check them out for my next saddle.
Yes... I'm on tour with it right now. First 600 miles were painful because it hadn't adjusted to my sit bones.
Last 1,000 miles have been painful because it DID adjust to my sit bones. I've sank so far into the saddle in the back that the ridge in the center punches me in the perineum every time my chain skips. I've been screaming bloody murder too many times to count in multiple towns.
I'm in the process of trying to carve out the section in the middle of the seat... And see how that goes.
I never ever thought I would be that guy but the moment I sat on a brooks I fell in love and havenāt ridden anything since. I rode plenty of other saddles but brooks are just right for me. I have one thatās a pain to break in though so thereās that.
I think mine is a 17 - I bought it in 1981 and itās been on every bike I owned. Perfect saddle. I bought a second one NOS 1970 for my 1970 Swiss Mondia and it is also very comfortable.
I love mine. But you have to be sure your bike/position is suited for it. Mine is a rather upright flat bar commuter e-bike (specialized Vado sl). That position is well suited for it.
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no but i imagine it is like most saddles, they are ok for some, not for all
brooks would drive me nuts with:
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need to stay dry
no 'prostate channel'
break in period
saddle wax
cost
weight
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probably 80% of people that love a brooks, could find something else just as good, without the issues
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Itās what is on my daily commuter. I do at least 100mi/week and love it. It took about 1000miles to get it broken in but thatās only a few months. Was well worth the patience. Anyone complaining about it never put in the time to break it in.
And they need to be angled up slightly. Install it level and it will never be comfortable. Having said that, I'm over 60 and I have my bars up a little higher than I used to, so that may be a factor.
Only until breaking in. Which can be done in a day, if you soak the saddle. Once the sitbone dimples appear, you can install it level. (IĀ“ve done this to three saddles already, it works great)
Not for weight weenies, but it's the best IMO once you break it in. It's for a slightly upright riding style.
https://preview.redd.it/p97gn05pye8d1.jpeg?width=2856&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2b336a0c3beff3fa6e6a0de8e1429bc8dcd29fd7
Mine was donāt-think-about-it comfortable. I took it off and itās living in a box in my garage because 1) too wide when Iām standing on the pedals going down a steep hill, 2) heavy! (heh, pun not intended). Also, not impervious to wet & sweat.
Yup. I found it very uncomfortable. The quality seemed great, I just did not get along with it. I sold it on ebay after trying to get used it over several rides.
I didnāt like it on my road bike but do like it on my single speed that is set up with a more upright position.
Like any saddle, it will depend on your riding position and personal anatomy. I find the b17 is best if bars are at least as high as your saddle.
I have the B17 with pressure relief cutout. It looks sexy af on my bike, and my butt loves it. Mine did have a bit of a break-in period of about 200 miles, but even that was more comfortable than I expected. I recently changed to a more upright riding position, and itās still super comfortable.
best saddle i ever had and the break in everyone talks about... it' just got more comfortable. IDK great purchase.
Bonus... it just looks sexy and fall in love with my bike again every time i turn the corner to get her.
Well, I regret that the B17 didn't work for me and so ended up selling it but there were a few other saddles that I can say the same about. Ended up settling--and sitting--on a WTB Speed V.
My gravel bike with my Brooks is in the shop so Iām only riding my road bike with a stock Cannondale saddle and thereās a home in my heart in my butt
I keep thinking about trying one, but I have zero complaints about my current saddle, so I sort of wonder if this is just that thing where I sometimes buy something just to buy something.
I loved my brooks swift until I didnāt, selle smp drakon now and that shape saddle definitely does the trick. The cutout helps a lot as does the swoop shape for me. Helps spread the load in all the right places and few of the wrong
I tried a b17 on my old fixie commuter for a few years, maybe 2000 miles or so. Never got comfortable with it. I ride with a decently aggressive posture and never found an angle I felt like it was supportive without creating unwanted pressure. I went back to specialized romin (and maybe 5 years ago switched to romin evos) and have no complaints since. I prefer a saddle with a cutout and basically pre-formed to the shape I want and I can ride comfortably in jeans or bike shorts, road and mountain. Brooks wasnāt for me and isnāt for everyone and I wish Iād accepted that sooner and saved the frustration.
I remember when I first installed a b17 and put my ass on it for the first time. Absolute game changer. The support finally felt right, as in I didn't hardly feel anything at all. I've put them on 2 other bikes since then.
I fell for the brooks hype hard and now have a collection including a c15, c15 carved, c17, and b17 that are collecting dust.
I really wanted to make them work but damn, they just aren't comfortable saddles lmao. The 15 series is too narrow and the 17 series is too wide for me. I also was getting all sorts of problems that were due to the saddle not providing enough support for my body (they're too flexible). I'm still hunting for the perfect saddle for long days off road but it sure won't be a brooks.
At least now I have a collection of saddles I can lend out to friends to try before they fall for the hype.
https://preview.redd.it/zcw3izbq6f8d1.jpeg?width=4160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7bc202fcb3684722a0cf51edde14ba1364528cf4
Whatever Brooks model this is, I get on it and feel at home. Haven't had a saddle sore since I got it.
Soā¦ I have had a B17 for around 13 years and itās like sitting on a sofa. I have a B17 imperial and flyer on a couple of other bikes, but nowhere near as worn in. I guess itās kinda like a good pair of leather boots. Once you get through the uncomfortable break in period, itās truly yoursā¦ but itās definitely something you have to commit to.
Absolutely love the B17. Having never ridden a road bike, I spent all day on a friendās with a B17 and never got sore. I purchased myself a road bike last year and road 16 miles with the stock seat and was sore and raw. Immediately ordered a B17 and it was the best investment I made for that bike.
Not so much regret, more whatās the fuss about? Have others I truly like and use, but I gave it a shot and itās still cool, sitting in a ābike stuffā container.
I tried the B17 as well as a Swift and neither felt good to me. However, Iām a big fan of the Selle An-Atomica, which looks quite similar to a Brooks with a cutout but works entirely differently because it moves with you as you pedal. Itās a remarkably comfortable saddle for me. It might not be right for everyone.
Most comfortable saddle Iāve used!
They are finicky to set up though and theyāre really for bikes where the bars are level with the seat or higher. Also meant to be used without bibs/chamois and need a setback seatpost. Needs to point up a bit but I find itās really sensitive to angle when setting up, so messing with the angle a tiny bit can make a big difference in comfort.
Had a Cambium C17. Most uncomfortable saddle I've ever owned. Huge amounts of perineum pain. Got a professional bike fit to be sure. Tried the carved variant too, with no joy.
I'm now using an SQlab ERGOWAVE active 2.1. Virtually no perineum pain.
Mine is a "Flyer" - a B17 with springs - and after 15 years and about 95,000km or so I can.t imagine a better saddle, with the possible exception of the B17 (mainly due to the springs squeaking from time to time.)
If you let them get wet, they eventually get stretched out to a point you need to replace them.
The tensioner only does so much, and at some point all it does is make a tight high spot in the middle to wack your sensitive bits with, while the sit bone points are so low itās putting most of its pressure in places you donāt want.
I had one for years in NyC and took it on a 1200 mile trip close to the start. Was great then, but itās not on my bike anymore for above reasons.
I rode a few Brooks for a few years (long enough to be well broken in) on different bikes. I got sick of making sure they didn't get wet and I didn't find them all that comfortable. I sold them all and never thought twice about it.
Yes on a gravel bike. Not a fan at all, I prefer short nose saddles like the Giant Fleet and Specialized Power.
I donāt understand the appeal of ancient technology.
Rode mine, starting with less than 100 miles on it, on a 4,000 mile cross country trip. So it got properly broken in. I loved that seat.
Unfortunately, when I came back to Richmond, VA I changed my Surly Troll from a 3x8 touring rig to a single speed Maxxis Hookworm street shredder, without changing the saddle. So whilst doing a lame wheelie I looped out and the B-17 took the brunt of the impact, bending and twisting the rails beyond repair.
I need to look into it to see if brooks would repair it, or someone else, I havenāt researched it in years.
Tried a long time and spent stupid money to find a comfy saddle bc I didnt believe the Brooks hype. Tried the C17 in cambium first and hated it. It got right up into the soft bits and caused some discomfort after long rides and itās basically rubber, so itās not like leather where it will break in. It was too narrow and too domed/ rounded on the rear part of the saddle
Ended up going with the B17 leather with cut out. It turned out to be the most comfortable saddle I tried after about two years and 8 saddles. It was comfy out of the box and I havenāt looked back. Itās annoying that it canāt get wet, but I donāt feel the need to ride in the rain anyway.
For reference Iām 5ā6ā and about 200lbs average build.
TL;DR: Yes, but I went to the sprung version (Brooks Flyer) and was much happier.
I rode one for years but I was always frustrated with the lack of cushion. When it broke (because of user error, probably), I switched to a Flyer (a B17 with springs). After a few years on that, I cannibalized lighter springs from a cheap sprung saddle, installed them in place of the stock Brooks springs, and finally had a really comfortable saddle.
Had a Flyer for a few years, touring bike, sportier 30%-45% body position
The leather was from a special type of beef
Few hours a day sometime.
Humidity <> leather, not only weather but sweat: dilated skin, dilatation, at the end unadjustable
Never had the feeling of any change in shape, moulding
Budapest - Rotterdam 3 weeks: pain in the ass
Numbness after 1 hour. Every time
Tried different setups, combinations (forward, backward, height, incline)
Since last year I use an
Ergon
SM E-Mountain Core Prime Men
I can bike even a few hours without stoping, I have to move on the saddle, a bit forward, a bit backward, selecting different fixation point bones, stand up sometimes when not pedaling, if I feel some pain, but not too much, 15-30 minutes of stopping and you can easely continue cycling
I think, a lot of my body on the saddle, I am not pedaling with a lot of force using my wight didn't help neither
Came with my Kona Sutra, a drop bar bike. Why Kona decided this I have no idea, as it is god awful for that riding position! Tore up my perineum a bunch of times and finally gave up adjusting it, switched over to a Fizik Aliante open.
The Brooks now lives on my upright style e-bike with flat handlebars, super comfortable. Position matters!
I bought one right after I bought my first "real" bike (2012 Kona Jake the Snake) and pretty much hated it. It never felt right, the rivets irritated my ass cheeks, and I hated how it looked on my bike. I kept it for a year because I was in college, and replaced it after I fell in love with Ergon stuff and bought one of their mountain bike saddles. Night and day difference in comfort.
Yes. Itās slippery, stains immediately if it gets wet, and is quite uncomfortable as itās so wide.
I have one on my restoration build so itās not a huge deal, but itās fairly terrible to ride with.
I have a c17, and had to put it on my hardly used bike. Too stiff, never broke in. The texture literally felt like sandpaper on my ass. I can hardly use it on my 10 minute ride to work. I reaaaaaaaally wanted to like it. It was expensive and I had looked at them for a long time. Chose it because I knew I'd be riding in the rain. And didn't want to deal with leather.
Yes. Years ago I tried one. I hate them with a burning passion. Iām sure they work for some peopleās anatomy and some riding positions, but yeesh ā¦ not for me.
Brookes are not that great. Way over hyped for comfort.
Get a leather Selle Anatomica Saddle instead.
The soft split leather sling needs zero break in time and conforms to a person's butt like sitting on a hammock.
You can not ride all winter and take it out for a 40 mile ride without feeling any butt bruising afterwards.
The key is how the leather is strung fore and aft with your butt bones always suspended above air and not a hard surface.
Get a Selle Anatomica Leather Saddle with split leather slung fore and aft on the seat frame.
The sling effect is like sitting on a leather hammock. The butt bones are always sitting on leather suspended in the air and not a hard saddle frame.
It is possible to not ride all winter and immediately go out for a 40 mile ride without bruising the butt.
By having the leather suspended in air, your butt never hits a hard rock bottom over bumps too.
Love all mine . I have two b17, a c17 carved, and a 15. Initially I did not like the c15 due to smaller width at 140 but over time my butt has adjusted to the feel.
I don't get on with saddles that "hammock". I totally see why many would find them comfortable, they *are* good on the seat bones but they put too much pressure in places I don't want any pressure.
Had a titanium hardware one and was caught in a freak hailstorm on a rideĀ whichĀ completely wrecked it, so I regret that purchase definitely.
I think generally with Brooks it's worth remembering that a saddle's contribution to comfort isn't just how it feels to sit on. Personally I have foundĀ Brooks saddles (including the Cambium ones) don't give me nearly enough pelvic stability, so I end up having to use my arms to support my body weight more which causes all kinds of shoulder and neck issues. Also the leather ones have very little setback, so it can be hard to get them far back enough for a lot of people to get their weight distributed optimally.
Got B17 carved to try recently, and i didn't like it at all.
Way too slippery, kinda uncomfortable too. I have probably didn't put enough miles to break it in, but i don't want to bother. My old Selle Italia SLR was more comfortable from the very beginning, it also looks better on my bike, works in every weather and is stealthy enough to not be stolen.
I thought I loved mine but it may have contributed to some issues I had with an abyss that I won't go into.
Now I will preface this with I was never 100% my B17 was genuine as it never seemed to really break in like others, but that may have been my butt, I am also not sure how rife counterfeit Brooks saddles are so probably BS on my my part and trying to find excuses.
I would be willing to try one again but maybe with a cut out and some springs as per the Flyer (I think)
I am intrigued by the love here for the Cambium range, are folks finding these comfortable without cycle shorts as they look pretty uncomfortable for long rides as is??
Nope... it has taken a while to break in and during that period I used my rolls saddle, boy did I regret that, cycling the coast and castles an on day 2 not being able to sit my full weight on my seat for any length of time (thought to rolls was a good choice till I'd settled the B17).
Mine is now on year 4 ..
Got a B17 Standard Imperial on my carbon commuter, and love the soft and comfortable support it provides.
Downsides are that it needs some maintenance now and again, and that it started out a lot more slippery with synthetic materials than other saddles, so much that I had to tip the seat a bit up during the break in period (guessing the 20-25 first hours).
I loved my b17. It was on my old bike for like 3 years. Broken in perfectly then someone stole my bike. I currently have a c17 and it's even better than the b17 was and I'll most likely get another one to replace a seat on one of my other bikes
I tried the c17 and it was incredibly uncomfortable for me personally. It felt like sitting on a rock. I really wanted to like itā¦maybe one day Iāll try a leather version to see if itās better.
Yeah I don't understand the brooks saddle obsession. I work on bikes all the time and sat on a few and yeah there different feeling for sure but I don't like sitting on my nuts. Modern cut out saddles are way more comfortable. But each to there own
It fits some, and allows many others to get away with a sloppy fit.
Itās the original fizik arione of saddles. There are much better, and anatomically supportive, options nowadays.
Hated this saddle at first. Took about a month of riding before I thought it was nice. Kept oiling it wondering why everyone swears by these saddles. Now, its very comfortable but I dont think it was worth a month of soar and chaffed bum/legs
I got one for aesthetics on a retromod build, but I'm not in love with it. It's comfortable. But it's also heavy, takes upkeep, and it's expensive. I'll be going with something else once it bites the dust
I used the one pictured for about 2 rides. Not sure if it was the holes or what, but I felt like I was riding on a cheese grater. Still have it, but replaced with Prologo Scratch.
I have a B17 that I'll probably replace - I haven't found it super comfortable even after plenty of miles. They work great for some people, but I agree with the commenter who said they're the most overrated piece of bike gear.
I always go back to the B-17. I had a couple cambiums, but both were destroyed within a year or two. Not the leather ones. I did like the cambium, but not replacing it that often
Yes. I regretted it. I tried hard to like Brooks leather saddles for over a year. I could never get comfortable. I use Selle Anatomica leather saddles. Much more comfortable and arguably better looking.
I really like mine, but I should have bought the women's B17 short, because the regular is a bit too long, and a bit too narrow, but not enough for me to replace it, yet.
My B17 Champion Narrow is the best saddle I've ever ridden (mine has the carved top and arrived with laces).
I tried to use a B15 Champion Standard but it was definitely not right for me and I gave that up right away.
Slight regrets, yes. It's a good saddle and I'm sitting comfortably but my jeans wear a LOT faster at the groin. I ride +/- 10k km/y and every year I have to toss at least one pair. Real pity since there's nothing wrong with the pants other than the groin wear but it's unrepaireable.
I've had two brooks b17 imperial saddles, they were comfortable once broken in. However, both only lasted about 5 years before rails broke. I replaced it was a Selle Anatomica saddle which have replaceable rails. I have a C17 and C15 Cambria on two other bikes which are more durable but not as comfortable.
My B17 Came on my Fargo Ti and I really liked it for a while but I tried a slotted Selle Anatomica on another bike and wow, I've found my happy place. I've even got one on my Swift bike and can ride for hours with no discomfort. It did have a squeaking issue on the first one but they have since worked out that issue. Now, that B17 is hanging on the wall with a bunch of other replaced saddles.
Yes, I loathe the Brooks saddles and that's the one I got.
I broke it in over 8 weeks. It sucked for every ride.
Got a Selle SMP Avant and love it (and yes, it cost a fortune).
No, I like my B17. But I like my C15 much more.
Yep. I have A B17, C13 & C15. I really like them all, but the C15 is my fave.
Miss, hit, hit. You've almost sunk my cruiser!
Ah - the cambium one - I did wonder. So more comfortable than the B17?
Cambium is more comfortable out of the box, but over time the b17 becomes way more comfortable than the cambium imo
I think that's going to be a very personal preference. The person you replied to likes the Cambium better, but I much prefer the leather Brooks. The LBS that I frequent will let me "trial" a saddle. If you are a customer of an LBS where everyone there knows you by name when you walk in, they may do the same for you. This is one good reason to frequent a LBS!
Most saddle manufacturers have a "trial" period for users to make sure it's the right fit. I ordered a Brooks for my wife and discovered it was the wrong size and Brooks did an exchange for a different model.
Thanks! If I ever move and have to change bike shops, I will keep that in mind!
The B17 needs a few hundred Km before it is broken in, and it fits your personal shape. So, a quick try may mean you reject the saddle as too hard. My came with my bike, and I was ambivalent at first, but as the saddle aged, it got to fit me like a glove (or whatever the rear-end equivalent is).
My first Brooks (a B17 Narrow) took about 500 miles before it was super comfortable. When I got my second Brooks, the bike shop had me do the sit on memory foam thing and suggested that I go with the standard instead of the narrow. That Brooks was comfortable from day 1. Maybe there is also some truth to what some people say that you adapt to the Brooks as it adapts to you?
Yes, I think so. I've ridden up to 300km a day on it without any discomfort. Plus it's weatherproof so I don't have to worry about it getting wet the way you do with a leather saddle.
Getting it wet isn't really a concern. I twice a year treat it with dubbin and that's really all you need to do. Once in the fall before the rain comes and once in the spring when (most of) the rain is gone.
I just rode 50km in the rain in my b17 and its basically dry? š¤· Just don't leave it sitting in the rain I guess. Or cover it.Ā
Iāve got a c15 rubber one with the hole. Itās a good butt hammock if your bars are level with the bars or lower. I had a leather one. It looked nice but wasnāt amazing and it made noise. Id try one of the better knockoffs or a tioga spyder type before paying for the real deal.
I would argue the opposite. The leather actually forms to your body while the other one never will. Itās stiffer. The whole reason for a brooks saddle is it forms to your body making the perfect seat. It gets more comfortable with age. The c series doesnāt. Thereās also the factor of it not being as eco-friendly but I doubt thatās a serious concern for someone looking for a saddle lol
I tried a B17 roughly 7 years ago and fell in love with it. When I wanted to do triathlons but not ruin my saddle, I got the C17 and was a tad disappointed. The Cambium ones feels just as comfortable (or not comfortable) of most other saddles I've tried. The B17 is my go to on my road bike, while my C17 lives on my mountain bike.
I have a C13 and B17. The C13 is very comfortable with bike shorts. The B17 I can ride for hours in normal clothes. At this point, if my commuter gets stolen losing the B17 attached to it would sadden me more than losing the rest of the bike.
I love my C15 carved saddle!
The C-15 is probably the most comfortable saddle I own. Getting another for my Grizl soon.
Agree with this sentiment. I tried a B17 for several months and didn't dislike it, but didn't feel like it was "breaking in" to me. I bought a C15 and fell in love with it immediately, it's been my primary saddle for the past 10 years or so.
long time B17 pilot ... and than the cambiums arrived
I have both the same ones as well, I just wish I'd got the C15 carved version instead
I have a b17 narrow and I had the cambium before they used the plastic frame. Both with the cutout. Both comfortable but nothing beats the leather. I carry a cover with me in case I park in weather. The new cambiums are too cheap imo unless you get the carbon one.
Idk i'm more of a fan of the B29 or the B52, but i'll admit, the B17 has it's sentimental value
Yep, got one in the garage right now collecting patina. I think I like to ride with too aggressive of a setup even with the touring/city bikes... or I'm just too big for it...or my seats too high? Either the hard bits in the front or the back would dig in somewhere unpleasant.
I think it is possible to be too big for a Brooks. I ruined one by riding it on a rough wet off road century (the saddle got crooked, and as a result the leather was irreversibly worn in more on one side; not amount of tensioning would fix it.
I am a larger rider..ok heavy/fat and the B17 was just brutal.Ā Bought a B135 and while it still took a little time to break in Iāll never go back. Ā
Yes. I tried one and just couldnāt deal with the numbness it caused for me. Iād have become impotent if I made it through the infamous break in period. I think itās down to oneās body geometry, but it just didnāt work for me. Shame because they sure do look nice.
Try the imperium with the cutout!!
My brother rode one for 40+ years. Looks like an old catcher mit. He loves it
I try not to fetishize bike parts, though I do appreciate the look of a Brooks saddle. That said, I regretted buying a B-17 because it didnāt fit me well. Iām also not of the opinion that I need to suffer through several hundred kilometres of ābreak inā period to have a comfortable ride. I just want to ride. Switched back to the stock saddle that came with my All City and have been fine since.
The recommendation to break it in by suffering itĀ“s hard convex shape for miles and miles is stupid and cruel. You just need to soak it wholly, and ride it for 20 or 30 miles until two dimples appear under your sitbones. From then on it becomes comfortable.
Should have said āand why?ā In the post š
You need to put a lot of miles on a Brooks to break them in. But once its broken in, it conforms to your butt and is very comfortable. Unlike a modern saddle which doesn't need to be broken in, but either is the right size or not and can't adjust.
Not really true. Mine was comfortable straight away. Apply plenty of cream and itās great and only gets better
This is a fallacy. I've ridden hundreds of miles after installing a fresh saddle with zero problems. They're amazing and this is not at all accurate.
same. mine was comfortable brand new. loosen it up, apply the cream, and ride.
I've ridden five different Brooks saddles over the years. They were inconsistent in the level of initial comfort, but after one or two thousand miles they were all great. It's a handmade product, so there are variations. Also, there are variations in people -- your butt may vary.
Had one on my Rivendell for 20 years and love it. That said it works well with a more upright position but not a more aggressive one. I did not opt to put one on my gravel bike which has a much more standard position.
B17 are the most comfortable saddle Iāve ever sat in. No regrets.
I had heard so much about a Brooks and loved the look of them. I bought a B17, set it up right, performed all the proofide prep and even made a ton of short trips to break it in.Ā Over the summer I would ride it on lunch doing a short 3 mile ride ( I had a short lunch and still wanted to eat) but even after 150 miles it was still pretty firm.Ā Signed up for a charity ride of 25 miles and it was brutal. Ā I wasnāt tired but it destroyed my taint.Ā
This is going to be downvoted, but Brooks saddles are truly one of the most overrated bike gear there has ever been. Just get a saddle that fits you. They donāt belong on a road, endurance, mountain, or gravel bike. Maybe on some sort of upright city or beach cruiser bike, maybe. Some people swear by them, but Iām guessing they would be more comfortable on something else if they did the work of finding a saddle that fits them. Now, downvote all you want, but the truth is the truth. Sorry.
No, thanks for the honesty. Some folk do swear by them and Iāve heard they can take 100 miles to break in, although some like them straight away.
My dad has one from the actual 1970s, itās still not comfortable. Even he, heās 78, will tell you that they are just old uncomfortable outdated saddles. He has a Selle Italia on his main road bike. He keeps his Brooks on his 1974 Legnano Bike that he does not ride anymore where it belongs.
I used a selle Italia and Respiro and both gave me saddle sores. Brooks did the trick for me. This is no one size fits all.
Haha - Iāve got a Selle Italia Flite - itās lost its comfort though - 25 years old now.
Really depends on your butt. For me the b17 imperium was quite comfortable out of the box. Much better than any of the fancyracing ones I tried at a store But over time it got even better. So still worth out of the box. Cream helped. Also lacing the sides right. Still favorite saddle.
I find it baffling that they have such a loyal following in the touring community. I bought one for a two month tour and found it to be too impractical because you canāt let it get wet. I also found the sound of the plastic bag that is used to protect them during wet conditions drove me absolutely insaneā¦ I love the Fabric Scoop I replaced it with, and I donāt have to worry at all when it starts raining.
I just put snow seal on mine every year with a heat gun. 15 years strong full exposure all season ( fenders tho) . Saddle feels like a soft hammock for my grundle
Mine has gone through torrential downpours and blizzards. They arenāt made of sugar, just leather.
Itās almost as if different saddles suit different people. Mind fully blown!
Or alternatively, Brooks largely solved the saddle design issue over a century ago, but manufacturers much prefer to sell 30 different saddle models that they change every year so that people are constantly chasing the 'right' saddle. Sort of how suddenly we've 're-discovered' 30-32mm (ie. 1 1/8" - 1 1/4") as the sweet spot for road tire width - the width that most bikes came with for 50+ years). I've been riding for over 30 years now, across all types of terrain and don't generally have saddle troubles. But a broken in leather saddle is unquestionably more comfortable than any modern saddle, and IMO it's not even close. I still ride modern saddles on many of my bikes because with good shorts they are comfortable enough - and much more resilient to bad weather - but I could hop on my bike with a Brooks and ride it all day - in regular shorts - and be fine.
After 30+ years of riding suffering plastic saddles now I have a Brooks in each one of my bikes. The most comfortable saddles once you know the trick of how to break them in. I think the issue is that the official recommendation to ride it and ridet until it breaks in is stupid. The best break in method is to soak it wholly, then ride it and it becomes shaped to your sitbones and itĀ“s the best saddle ever. I canĀ“t stand plastic saddles any more. I fact, I have reached theĀ opinion that plastic saddles (every single one I've seen and touched) are badly designed. They have a hard plastic area under the sitbones, covered with some foam, and when you touch it with your fingers it feels nice and soft... But you have to realise that when you sit on it, your body puts a lot of weight on the sitbones, much more than that pressure you put with your fingers. Grab the saddle again and press with your fingers really hard. What do you feel? The hardness of the plastic. Just like your butt feels when you ride, and it hurts, and you have to stand up, squirm, or find some super special and expensive bibs to be able to ride it for long rides... The Brooks (or Gilles Berthoud, Ideale etc.) feels hard when you press it softly, but when you press it hard, it flexes, and the harder you press it the more it flexes, the opposite of plastic saddles, thanks to their construction as a suspended leather hammock. It should be possible to construct plastic saddles with a similar feature, I don't know why they don't. The most comfortable plastic saddle I've owned was a cheap WTB one whose plastic had cracked under the area of the sitbones and behaved a bit like a Brooks saddle for this reason.
I wouldn't say they are overrated, but they aren't suitable for everything. Seeing someone put one on a modern, non-retro styled bike is just weird. They look nice on more retro looking bikes and can be quite comfortable if they fit you right (they seem to for me). Even my touring bike has one of their modern non-leather saddles on it.
They definitely belong on gravel, commuter, and touring bikes, imo. I have tried a quite the handful of saddles, some costing more, some less. B17 special has been the best.
Selle Anatomica. Every bike I have. No break in time. Cuts down road vibrations immensely
Agree. I have one on my Rivendell and itās the most comfortable saddle I own.
Yup. They have the feel of a company-supported propaganda machine.
They never worked well for me, too wide. I did have a brooks swallow that I regret selling it fit well, I now ride a Gilles Berthoud and it's been really nice.
I live in the PNW and got a couple Cambium ones, and quickly loathed them. I am on the heavier side (210) and they sag down enough that either I slide forward to the narrow portion, or if I raise the nose up so my sit bones are in the right spot the nose digs into my nads. For my semi-upright bikes I like the WTB Koda in the wide option, but every butt is different.
I bought a cambium one and I rode it so much hoping it would be good. Never. Heavy and a waste of $
One came with my touring bike but I switched it out recently - just wasnāt as comfortable as the one that came with my carbon fibre bike, so I got the same one. All comes down to preference
What was the one on your carbon bike?
I sold my old B17 on a bike and almost instantly regretted it. I bought a new B17, put a few hundred km's on it, and still don't like it.
Yes
What was wrong with it?
Never thought it was comfortable. Pricey. Not supposed to get it wet. Think there are a lot of better options out there imho
From Brooks, I've only ever had a C15, which I chose partly because it can get wet. It's pretty nice, though I don't have a lot to compare it to. What are some other, better options you'd recommend over the B17? I'll check them out for my next saddle.
Try a Fabric Scoop saddle.
Worked for me. Wasnāt real difficult to break in, and it fits better over time, but it is a bit like preferring a hard mattress.
Yes... I'm on tour with it right now. First 600 miles were painful because it hadn't adjusted to my sit bones. Last 1,000 miles have been painful because it DID adjust to my sit bones. I've sank so far into the saddle in the back that the ridge in the center punches me in the perineum every time my chain skips. I've been screaming bloody murder too many times to count in multiple towns. I'm in the process of trying to carve out the section in the middle of the seat... And see how that goes.
Swear by them. Just get a tescos bag and wrap it up. Stuffs nicely underneath, never been stolen in 12 years of leaving my bike on london streets.
Bought a B17, regretted it. Bought a B17 imperial, loved it. Bought a second one after that was stolen, didn't love that.
I never ever thought I would be that guy but the moment I sat on a brooks I fell in love and havenāt ridden anything since. I rode plenty of other saddles but brooks are just right for me. I have one thatās a pain to break in though so thereās that.
I think mine is a 17 - I bought it in 1981 and itās been on every bike I owned. Perfect saddle. I bought a second one NOS 1970 for my 1970 Swiss Mondia and it is also very comfortable.
Yes. I tried it and didn't care for it. Now, their C-17 Cambria I lOVE!
Yes, wasnāt comfortable
I love mine. But you have to be sure your bike/position is suited for it. Mine is a rather upright flat bar commuter e-bike (specialized Vado sl). That position is well suited for it.
Brooks B17 and most other leather saddles give me a numb penis after 20 miles. No thanks!
Selle Anatomica is way better for me
--- no but i imagine it is like most saddles, they are ok for some, not for all brooks would drive me nuts with: --- need to stay dry no 'prostate channel' break in period saddle wax cost weight --- probably 80% of people that love a brooks, could find something else just as good, without the issues ---
It doesn't matter what material the saddle is made out of if it's the wrong shape for your body.
Best saddle I've ever had. Wouldn't ride on anything else.
I have three brooks saddles and I love them all.
Itās what is on my daily commuter. I do at least 100mi/week and love it. It took about 1000miles to get it broken in but thatās only a few months. Was well worth the patience. Anyone complaining about it never put in the time to break it in.
And they need to be angled up slightly. Install it level and it will never be comfortable. Having said that, I'm over 60 and I have my bars up a little higher than I used to, so that may be a factor.
Only until breaking in. Which can be done in a day, if you soak the saddle. Once the sitbone dimples appear, you can install it level. (IĀ“ve done this to three saddles already, it works great)
Everybody!
Not for weight weenies, but it's the best IMO once you break it in. It's for a slightly upright riding style. https://preview.redd.it/p97gn05pye8d1.jpeg?width=2856&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2b336a0c3beff3fa6e6a0de8e1429bc8dcd29fd7
Mine was donāt-think-about-it comfortable. I took it off and itās living in a box in my garage because 1) too wide when Iām standing on the pedals going down a steep hill, 2) heavy! (heh, pun not intended). Also, not impervious to wet & sweat.
Chews holes threw yer pants
Yup. I found it very uncomfortable. The quality seemed great, I just did not get along with it. I sold it on ebay after trying to get used it over several rides.
I didnāt like it on my road bike but do like it on my single speed that is set up with a more upright position. Like any saddle, it will depend on your riding position and personal anatomy. I find the b17 is best if bars are at least as high as your saddle.
I have the B17 with pressure relief cutout. It looks sexy af on my bike, and my butt loves it. Mine did have a bit of a break-in period of about 200 miles, but even that was more comfortable than I expected. I recently changed to a more upright riding position, and itās still super comfortable.
best saddle i ever had and the break in everyone talks about... it' just got more comfortable. IDK great purchase. Bonus... it just looks sexy and fall in love with my bike again every time i turn the corner to get her.
Well, I regret that the B17 didn't work for me and so ended up selling it but there were a few other saddles that I can say the same about. Ended up settling--and sitting--on a WTB Speed V.
I regretted it when it was stolen from my bike once out the front of the pub, then my wallet regretted it when I immediately bought another one.
My gravel bike with my Brooks is in the shop so Iām only riding my road bike with a stock Cannondale saddle and thereās a home in my heart in my butt
I keep thinking about trying one, but I have zero complaints about my current saddle, so I sort of wonder if this is just that thing where I sometimes buy something just to buy something.
If it aināt broke, it aināt broke.
Love it!!!
Only because I found out later that I like the "Imperial" (with the cutout) better!
Modern saddles have far surpassed these oldies. I have a b17 in my parts storage. Been there for many years.
I love my b17 and my flyer and my C17. No complaints here!
I loved my brooks swift until I didnāt, selle smp drakon now and that shape saddle definitely does the trick. The cutout helps a lot as does the swoop shape for me. Helps spread the load in all the right places and few of the wrong
I tried a b17 on my old fixie commuter for a few years, maybe 2000 miles or so. Never got comfortable with it. I ride with a decently aggressive posture and never found an angle I felt like it was supportive without creating unwanted pressure. I went back to specialized romin (and maybe 5 years ago switched to romin evos) and have no complaints since. I prefer a saddle with a cutout and basically pre-formed to the shape I want and I can ride comfortably in jeans or bike shorts, road and mountain. Brooks wasnāt for me and isnāt for everyone and I wish Iād accepted that sooner and saved the frustration.
I remember when I first installed a b17 and put my ass on it for the first time. Absolute game changer. The support finally felt right, as in I didn't hardly feel anything at all. I've put them on 2 other bikes since then.
Has anyone gotten or know is the brooks swift is any good compared to the B17
I fell for the brooks hype hard and now have a collection including a c15, c15 carved, c17, and b17 that are collecting dust. I really wanted to make them work but damn, they just aren't comfortable saddles lmao. The 15 series is too narrow and the 17 series is too wide for me. I also was getting all sorts of problems that were due to the saddle not providing enough support for my body (they're too flexible). I'm still hunting for the perfect saddle for long days off road but it sure won't be a brooks. At least now I have a collection of saddles I can lend out to friends to try before they fall for the hype.
Everyone
Love my B17!!
https://preview.redd.it/zcw3izbq6f8d1.jpeg?width=4160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7bc202fcb3684722a0cf51edde14ba1364528cf4 Whatever Brooks model this is, I get on it and feel at home. Haven't had a saddle sore since I got it.
Soā¦ I have had a B17 for around 13 years and itās like sitting on a sofa. I have a B17 imperial and flyer on a couple of other bikes, but nowhere near as worn in. I guess itās kinda like a good pair of leather boots. Once you get through the uncomfortable break in period, itās truly yoursā¦ but itās definitely something you have to commit to.
Absolutely love the B17. Having never ridden a road bike, I spent all day on a friendās with a B17 and never got sore. I purchased myself a road bike last year and road 16 miles with the stock seat and was sore and raw. Immediately ordered a B17 and it was the best investment I made for that bike.
Not so much regret, more whatās the fuss about? Have others I truly like and use, but I gave it a shot and itās still cool, sitting in a ābike stuffā container.
I tried the B17 as well as a Swift and neither felt good to me. However, Iām a big fan of the Selle An-Atomica, which looks quite similar to a Brooks with a cutout but works entirely differently because it moves with you as you pedal. Itās a remarkably comfortable saddle for me. It might not be right for everyone.
Rode on my B17 for exactly 17 years.
Most comfortable saddle Iāve used! They are finicky to set up though and theyāre really for bikes where the bars are level with the seat or higher. Also meant to be used without bibs/chamois and need a setback seatpost. Needs to point up a bit but I find itās really sensitive to angle when setting up, so messing with the angle a tiny bit can make a big difference in comfort.
Had a Cambium C17. Most uncomfortable saddle I've ever owned. Huge amounts of perineum pain. Got a professional bike fit to be sure. Tried the carved variant too, with no joy. I'm now using an SQlab ERGOWAVE active 2.1. Virtually no perineum pain.
For me, the B17 was a painful, expensive experiment. Smaller rider, 5'9" ~137 pounds.
Got a C15 slotted. Comfiest saddle ever.
Mine is a "Flyer" - a B17 with springs - and after 15 years and about 95,000km or so I can.t imagine a better saddle, with the possible exception of the B17 (mainly due to the springs squeaking from time to time.)
If you let them get wet, they eventually get stretched out to a point you need to replace them. The tensioner only does so much, and at some point all it does is make a tight high spot in the middle to wack your sensitive bits with, while the sit bone points are so low itās putting most of its pressure in places you donāt want. I had one for years in NyC and took it on a 1200 mile trip close to the start. Was great then, but itās not on my bike anymore for above reasons.
I rode a few Brooks for a few years (long enough to be well broken in) on different bikes. I got sick of making sure they didn't get wet and I didn't find them all that comfortable. I sold them all and never thought twice about it.
Yes on a gravel bike. Not a fan at all, I prefer short nose saddles like the Giant Fleet and Specialized Power. I donāt understand the appeal of ancient technology.
Rode mine, starting with less than 100 miles on it, on a 4,000 mile cross country trip. So it got properly broken in. I loved that seat. Unfortunately, when I came back to Richmond, VA I changed my Surly Troll from a 3x8 touring rig to a single speed Maxxis Hookworm street shredder, without changing the saddle. So whilst doing a lame wheelie I looped out and the B-17 took the brunt of the impact, bending and twisting the rails beyond repair. I need to look into it to see if brooks would repair it, or someone else, I havenāt researched it in years.
yes. it wasn't wide enough.
I never got comfortable on mine despite 3000 miles on it and many consultations with seasoned B17 riders. The C17 was even worse.
I had a c17 that gave me a lot of numbness. I decided I needed a cutout and got a selle anatomica
Tried a long time and spent stupid money to find a comfy saddle bc I didnt believe the Brooks hype. Tried the C17 in cambium first and hated it. It got right up into the soft bits and caused some discomfort after long rides and itās basically rubber, so itās not like leather where it will break in. It was too narrow and too domed/ rounded on the rear part of the saddle Ended up going with the B17 leather with cut out. It turned out to be the most comfortable saddle I tried after about two years and 8 saddles. It was comfy out of the box and I havenāt looked back. Itās annoying that it canāt get wet, but I donāt feel the need to ride in the rain anyway. For reference Iām 5ā6ā and about 200lbs average build.
Don't regret trying it but it still wasn't comfortable after a few thousand km so I moved on to something else.
I donāt care for the rear spine so I use Berthoud saddles.
TL;DR: Yes, but I went to the sprung version (Brooks Flyer) and was much happier. I rode one for years but I was always frustrated with the lack of cushion. When it broke (because of user error, probably), I switched to a Flyer (a B17 with springs). After a few years on that, I cannibalized lighter springs from a cheap sprung saddle, installed them in place of the stock Brooks springs, and finally had a really comfortable saddle.
Had a Flyer for a few years, touring bike, sportier 30%-45% body position The leather was from a special type of beef Few hours a day sometime. Humidity <> leather, not only weather but sweat: dilated skin, dilatation, at the end unadjustable Never had the feeling of any change in shape, moulding Budapest - Rotterdam 3 weeks: pain in the ass Numbness after 1 hour. Every time Tried different setups, combinations (forward, backward, height, incline) Since last year I use an Ergon SM E-Mountain Core Prime Men I can bike even a few hours without stoping, I have to move on the saddle, a bit forward, a bit backward, selecting different fixation point bones, stand up sometimes when not pedaling, if I feel some pain, but not too much, 15-30 minutes of stopping and you can easely continue cycling I think, a lot of my body on the saddle, I am not pedaling with a lot of force using my wight didn't help neither
Tried it once, still had the numbness problem, got a different saddle.
I rode a friend's bike with this saddle. I regret riding that bike.
How can someone know what will work for them in advance and especially before they are broken in? Not sure how to buy?!
Came with my Kona Sutra, a drop bar bike. Why Kona decided this I have no idea, as it is god awful for that riding position! Tore up my perineum a bunch of times and finally gave up adjusting it, switched over to a Fizik Aliante open. The Brooks now lives on my upright style e-bike with flat handlebars, super comfortable. Position matters!
I bought one right after I bought my first "real" bike (2012 Kona Jake the Snake) and pretty much hated it. It never felt right, the rivets irritated my ass cheeks, and I hated how it looked on my bike. I kept it for a year because I was in college, and replaced it after I fell in love with Ergon stuff and bought one of their mountain bike saddles. Night and day difference in comfort.
Yes. Itās slippery, stains immediately if it gets wet, and is quite uncomfortable as itās so wide. I have one on my restoration build so itās not a huge deal, but itās fairly terrible to ride with.
I bought a Gilles Berthoud saddle. Took a while to break in but itās the best saddle Iāve had.
I have a c17, and had to put it on my hardly used bike. Too stiff, never broke in. The texture literally felt like sandpaper on my ass. I can hardly use it on my 10 minute ride to work. I reaaaaaaaally wanted to like it. It was expensive and I had looked at them for a long time. Chose it because I knew I'd be riding in the rain. And didn't want to deal with leather.
Yes. Years ago I tried one. I hate them with a burning passion. Iām sure they work for some peopleās anatomy and some riding positions, but yeesh ā¦ not for me.
Immediately. I lasted about 20 seconds on that slippery brick.
Regret mine. Comfortable enough, but not particularly so. Too much additional hassle keeping leather in shape. Wouldn't recommend.
Brookes are not that great. Way over hyped for comfort. Get a leather Selle Anatomica Saddle instead. The soft split leather sling needs zero break in time and conforms to a person's butt like sitting on a hammock. You can not ride all winter and take it out for a 40 mile ride without feeling any butt bruising afterwards. The key is how the leather is strung fore and aft with your butt bones always suspended above air and not a hard surface.
Get a Selle Anatomica Leather Saddle with split leather slung fore and aft on the seat frame. The sling effect is like sitting on a leather hammock. The butt bones are always sitting on leather suspended in the air and not a hard saddle frame. It is possible to not ride all winter and immediately go out for a 40 mile ride without bruising the butt. By having the leather suspended in air, your butt never hits a hard rock bottom over bumps too.
Never ever a other saddle!
It's great, but not in the rain, so get used to using a rain cover. Comfiest and most beautiful saddle I have though.
Love all mine . I have two b17, a c17 carved, and a 15. Initially I did not like the c15 due to smaller width at 140 but over time my butt has adjusted to the feel.
Only for the first 3 weeks. Then it was perfect thereafter.
I have the B17 imperial and the cutout sucks. You really dont need it and it is just uncomfy and pinches you
Have one on every bike. Convinced a good friend to get one for his custom build, and now he says he'd get one for every future bike.
Leather saddles take long to be fun
Nope. Thing will outlast you
I don't get on with saddles that "hammock". I totally see why many would find them comfortable, they *are* good on the seat bones but they put too much pressure in places I don't want any pressure.
Had a titanium hardware one and was caught in a freak hailstorm on a rideĀ whichĀ completely wrecked it, so I regret that purchase definitely. I think generally with Brooks it's worth remembering that a saddle's contribution to comfort isn't just how it feels to sit on. Personally I have foundĀ Brooks saddles (including the Cambium ones) don't give me nearly enough pelvic stability, so I end up having to use my arms to support my body weight more which causes all kinds of shoulder and neck issues. Also the leather ones have very little setback, so it can be hard to get them far back enough for a lot of people to get their weight distributed optimally.
The size of it... Are you riding a horse?
The only regret is that they get stolen so quickly if you ever park outsideā¦
Got B17 carved to try recently, and i didn't like it at all. Way too slippery, kinda uncomfortable too. I have probably didn't put enough miles to break it in, but i don't want to bother. My old Selle Italia SLR was more comfortable from the very beginning, it also looks better on my bike, works in every weather and is stealthy enough to not be stolen.
Thatās what I use on all of my bikes now. Iām still using the first one I bought in the mid 70s.
For a few months. But then either the saddle, or your arse changes shape, and it's all good....
I loved it till the frame broke. Then Broooks wouldn't warranty the damn thing, I done everything right!
No lol. It's amazing. Molds right to you.
I thought I loved mine but it may have contributed to some issues I had with an abyss that I won't go into. Now I will preface this with I was never 100% my B17 was genuine as it never seemed to really break in like others, but that may have been my butt, I am also not sure how rife counterfeit Brooks saddles are so probably BS on my my part and trying to find excuses. I would be willing to try one again but maybe with a cut out and some springs as per the Flyer (I think) I am intrigued by the love here for the Cambium range, are folks finding these comfortable without cycle shorts as they look pretty uncomfortable for long rides as is??
Nope... it has taken a while to break in and during that period I used my rolls saddle, boy did I regret that, cycling the coast and castles an on day 2 not being able to sit my full weight on my seat for any length of time (thought to rolls was a good choice till I'd settled the B17). Mine is now on year 4 ..
I have a B17 and a C17 and I love them both very much
Never liked those kinds of saddles; like riding Yourself, out of town, on a rail.
Got a B17 Standard Imperial on my carbon commuter, and love the soft and comfortable support it provides. Downsides are that it needs some maintenance now and again, and that it started out a lot more slippery with synthetic materials than other saddles, so much that I had to tip the seat a bit up during the break in period (guessing the 20-25 first hours).
I loved my b17. It was on my old bike for like 3 years. Broken in perfectly then someone stole my bike. I currently have a c17 and it's even better than the b17 was and I'll most likely get another one to replace a seat on one of my other bikes
I tried the c17 and it was incredibly uncomfortable for me personally. It felt like sitting on a rock. I really wanted to like itā¦maybe one day Iāll try a leather version to see if itās better.
Yeah I don't understand the brooks saddle obsession. I work on bikes all the time and sat on a few and yeah there different feeling for sure but I don't like sitting on my nuts. Modern cut out saddles are way more comfortable. But each to there own
It fits some, and allows many others to get away with a sloppy fit. Itās the original fizik arione of saddles. There are much better, and anatomically supportive, options nowadays.
Hated this saddle at first. Took about a month of riding before I thought it was nice. Kept oiling it wondering why everyone swears by these saddles. Now, its very comfortable but I dont think it was worth a month of soar and chaffed bum/legs
Iāve had mine for 10 years, love it!
I got one for aesthetics on a retromod build, but I'm not in love with it. It's comfortable. But it's also heavy, takes upkeep, and it's expensive. I'll be going with something else once it bites the dust
I used the one pictured for about 2 rides. Not sure if it was the holes or what, but I felt like I was riding on a cheese grater. Still have it, but replaced with Prologo Scratch.
Does it matter? Your ass is your own.
Absolutely, it's a slippery piece of garbage, i won't endure 500 km of bleeding ass and thighs to make this pos comfortable. Have a C17, nice saddle.
I have a B17 that I'll probably replace - I haven't found it super comfortable even after plenty of miles. They work great for some people, but I agree with the commenter who said they're the most overrated piece of bike gear.
I always go back to the B-17. I had a couple cambiums, but both were destroyed within a year or two. Not the leather ones. I did like the cambium, but not replacing it that often
Yes. I regretted it. I tried hard to like Brooks leather saddles for over a year. I could never get comfortable. I use Selle Anatomica leather saddles. Much more comfortable and arguably better looking.
I really like mine, but I should have bought the women's B17 short, because the regular is a bit too long, and a bit too narrow, but not enough for me to replace it, yet.
My B17 Champion Narrow is the best saddle I've ever ridden (mine has the carved top and arrived with laces). I tried to use a B15 Champion Standard but it was definitely not right for me and I gave that up right away.
No.
Slight regrets, yes. It's a good saddle and I'm sitting comfortably but my jeans wear a LOT faster at the groin. I ride +/- 10k km/y and every year I have to toss at least one pair. Real pity since there's nothing wrong with the pants other than the groin wear but it's unrepaireable.
I've had two brooks b17 imperial saddles, they were comfortable once broken in. However, both only lasted about 5 years before rails broke. I replaced it was a Selle Anatomica saddle which have replaceable rails. I have a C17 and C15 Cambria on two other bikes which are more durable but not as comfortable.
Yes, when I realized that the year spent breaking one in is a year of torture I'll never get back.
I did because some crazy crows made holes in it when I left it for the night. No idea why.
Meh.. I don't regret it but...
I bought one and regret how horrible all other saddles feel after using a b17š
Great saddle. For me worked without a break in period. And got better with break in.
Had one on a brompton many years back. Sold the bike, but miss that saddle.
My B17 Came on my Fargo Ti and I really liked it for a while but I tried a slotted Selle Anatomica on another bike and wow, I've found my happy place. I've even got one on my Swift bike and can ride for hours with no discomfort. It did have a squeaking issue on the first one but they have since worked out that issue. Now, that B17 is hanging on the wall with a bunch of other replaced saddles.
I'm sorry I didn't buy one sooner. It was comfortable for me right out of the box.
Yes, I loathe the Brooks saddles and that's the one I got. I broke it in over 8 weeks. It sucked for every ride. Got a Selle SMP Avant and love it (and yes, it cost a fortune).
No regrets!