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Product Review: Brooks B17

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    I am not sure if this already been asked but I couldn't find anything clear on the internet or anything on the forums . Okay I know that saddles are not the same for everyone and cannot say if this saddle is best for another person but himself, I just want to know who ever had a Brooks B17 saddle, what is your take on this product, what is the positives and negative experiences on this product and is it really worth that $80.
    Thank you
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    ive heard nothing but positive stuff.
    • CommentAuthorronvandenb
    • CommentTimeAug 22nd 2009 edited
     
    I tried two Brooks saddles in a long gone past. Despite breaking them in properly, I could never get used to them. That's the thing with Brooks: you love 'em or you hate them. I fall in the latter category.

    These days I find that a €20 saddle will be as good as a Flite 10 years ago.

    Saddles is all about personal preference. The only company I came across that seem to have a trial period (at some cost) is SMP. But really that seems the way to go.
    • CommentAuthorglider
    • CommentTimeAug 22nd 2009
     
    it's a great saddle that'll last a lifetime with your due diligence - they'll break in nicely, effortlessly, & in most cases, painlessly.
    i ride on the swallow ti as well and it's a joy - worth its price given the givens.
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    Definitely. I have never ridden a more comfortable saddle, and, when properly maintained, they will live for decades.

    I purchased my B17 based on a bunch of recommendations and reviews. I was pretty disappointed when I rode it for the first time and it was stiffer than my 143 gram SLR (which is uncomfortable as shit). I had read that Brooks saddles are leather and by nature need to be broken in, just like leather shoes, but I didn't expect the first ride to be as uncomfortable as it was. Once mine was broken in though, (about three months of maybe 30 miles per week) it became my far my favorite saddle for long distance rides. Breaking it in allows it to conform to your ... features ... and ride style. Seriously, there is no alternative to a broken in Brooks.
    That said, I've never ridden any of the traditional track saddles and tend to ride WTB stuff otherwise, so I don't know how the Brooks ride compares to anything but WTB, but I can't imagine the Turbo or Concor could equal my B17 for ride or durability.
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    I need to get a brooks still, I been meaning to get one for the longest time(for comfort, not style even though they look bitchin). Im thinking of buying a couple, one for my road bike and or fixed gear, and one for my mountain bike. Are they exrememly heavy in weight, would that be a bad move for a mountain bike, any suggestions or experience on that??
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    Yeah, my B17 Champion Special weighs about twice my previous mountain saddle and almost three times as much as my road saddle. My mtn bike isn't the lightest, ~24 lbs, and I really don't care if I'm adding another 300g (2/3 of a pound) for the sake of comfort.

    If you're worried about weight, a B15 Swallow Ti will drop about 200g off a B17. Of course it will also add $200 to your out of pocket. I've seen a lot of people cut B17's down to look like the Swallow, I don't think it saves much weight though.
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    well Im not to worried about weight either seeing my MTB is under 20lbs anyhow, and my road bike is pretty light to, but weight isnt a factor really, I was just curious if anyone had experience with one on a mtb.
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    I've ridden with it on my mtb for almost a year now and I won't be switching up. It's pretty wet here eight months out of the year and the saddle never feels wet or spongy (since it's unpadded leather). It's also easy to clean and treat after riding in the mud. I have two issues with it: The saddle is pretty tank-like in a crash, but it does show scrapes and scratches noticeably and it takes some time to polish them out. On the plus side it doesn't rip or suffer any of the other issues which plague non-leather models. Also, I tend to ride behind my saddle when going down hills (most people do, I think), and Brooks saddles all have bag mounts in back which like to catch my clothes sometimes. The leather back there is pretty harsh, too. I guess I sometimes worry that the saddle is going to sodomize me if I crash the wrong way, but that's never happened. Altogether not a big deal and certainly worth the occasional little hassle.
    • CommentAuthormuttsbutts
    • CommentTimeAug 22nd 2009
     
    I just installed my B17 Special a month ago; so far, I like it. The special looks nice on my bike: it is honey colored with copper rails and rivets; also, the leather itself, the feel and smell, is a tactile and olfactory bonus. Plus, and this may be inane, I like how it is made, of what it is made, and where it is made. My butt and/or saddle is conforming to the other one nicely. I replaced the Turbo that I had (literally) outgrown, with the Brooks. The B17 is wider in the rear, for the sit bones than the Turbo. In retrospect, I didn't do as much research as maybe I should have done, because of the varying widths, lengths, and styles Brooks offers riders. While very happy and satisfied with the with the saddle, I sometimes wonder if I should have purchased one of their narrower saddles; still, so far, I have no regrets nor the amount discomfort and numbing with the Brooks saddle as with the Turbo. I would recommend going to Brooks' website and look at all their models, plus read the comments about the saddles. The one thing I think Brooks needs to supply with each of their saddles is their saddle conditioner "Proofide". So if you buy one of their saddles, get the proofide to dress the saddle properly.
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    thanks alot guys i just bought the saddle and just got home and about to set it up on my whip i cant wait to enjoy it <3
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    final question about the brooks
    do you really need that proofide oil for the saddle?
    thank you
    • CommentAuthorwes m.
    • CommentTimeAug 22nd 2009
     
    It helps break the saddle in and protect it from moisture. Its not life or death but if youre going to drop that much cash on the saddle you might as well spend a little more to take good care of it.
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    and how much and how often do you apply it? i know after break in you apply it once every few months but what about new?
    • CommentAuthorwes m.
    • CommentTimeAug 22nd 2009 edited
     
    You wax it really well when you first get the saddle, including the underside. You let the wax settle in until its dry and then you wipe the wax off the TOP of the saddle. Leave the excess wax on the bottom, it helps protect the saddle from water spraying up from the wheels. I'd say use it about once a month until the saddle is broken in.

    I dont think you really need to do it every couple months once its broken in. I do it once before the rainy season and once after. A small tin of proofide lasts me a couple years. A little goes a long way after the break in period.

    This is all based on my personal experience. I live in the bay area where we have 9 months of sun and 3 months of rain. In areas with more rain you might want to treat your saddle more often.
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    thank you very much for your help and i appreciate it and if there is anything to add that can be helpful feel free to lay it on me :] i just put the saddle on my bike and posted a picture and once again thanks
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    I've had mine for about a year and a half now and while i love it, i have two problems.

    1. I've had it lose tension twice causing me to get a saddle sore the one time i was away from civilization. This just takes a little adjument from a special tool that my LBS has and wasnt a problem after the sore healed.

    2. For me to get the rear end in a comfortable position I have to tilt the nose up more than I would with my others. The only real is with a certain seat post that doesnt allow for me to adjust the tilt easily. It also makes it harder to "eyeball" it, but that not really an issue.

    Overall, the B-17 is the most comfortable saddle I own for distance riding, especially when you have a nice pair of bike shorts on.
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    Ahhh this is the best thing on my bike i am glad i bought this saddle its the most comfy saddle ive ever ridden i cant wait for this to be broken in
    • CommentAuthorMRE
    • CommentTimeAug 25th 2009
     
    im also looking into this saddle, what kind of seatpost would be the best match??
    • CommentAuthorwes m.
    • CommentTimeAug 25th 2009
     
    Considering that seats and seatposts are standardized I'd say damn near any seatpost. Or am I missing the point of the question?
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    I would just use any seatpost you have, that is what Im doing, or going to do..
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    Yeah, that's a funny question... I use mine with a Thomson, but have mounted it on an Easton and a Titec as well. Like Wes said, it doesn't matter what kind of post you use, as long as it has a 40mm rail width. The Thomson post clamp is by far the best, almost all others are a pain in the ass to mount a saddle to. Otherwise, just get a post which fits your frame.
    • CommentAuthorAaron C
    • CommentTimeAug 26th 2009 edited
     
    Posted By: floggingdavy2. For me to get the rear end in a comfortable position I have to tilt the nose up more than I would with my others


    you need to watch your saddle to bar drop, they are not meant for setups where your hands are going be lower than your ass.

    i own an old Brooks Pro and have ridden b-17s, i love the saddle just mind that the b-17 is wide and if you have large thighs the saddle may be in the way. besides the weight issues, they are also not great for your go-fast-bike because of the size and the limitations on how low you bars can be (they really are uncomfortable if your hands are below the seat), also if you do a lot of riding on the nose of the saddle you may want to look someplace else.

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