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Submitted by
stevewhitfield
a Cross Country Rider
from Greenville, SC, USA
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Strengths: | Looks great, Well Made, Has a classy old school flair, for me was comfortable from the start after treating it with proofhide. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, for some the break in takes a while, but then so does fitness, education, or even a good meal. The best things are worth waiting for, and a little pain comes before the bliss. | | Similar Products Used: | Brooks Team Pro | | Bike Setup: | Trek Portland Urban Road bike with quick release fenders, lights, disc brakes, carbon fork. | | Bottom Line: | The Team Pro may be great for some but for me the long nosed saddle was kind of tough on the anatomy. I found the shorter nose of the B-17 champ just perfect. From the start the leather flexed with my hip bones with each pedal stroke. The saddle is good looking, comfortable, and a pleasure to ride on. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
fatoldslow
a Cross Country Rider
from charlotte, nc
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | love them all | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Most comfortable seat ever | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, takes a long time to break in and heavy | | Similar Products Used: | Every seat know to man. Crazy amount of money spent on seats. | | Bike Setup: | Road and cross country bikes | | Bottom Line: | Did I say this seat was heavy? Well it is very heavy but the upside is that it's the most comfortable seat ever once broken in. I used olive oil on the underside of the seat and that seemed to help a little but until it breaks in it is stiff and slick. Seat angle is very important on this seat but is worth the time to set up. Wish I could afford the lighter seats. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
grandegrande
a Cross Country Rider
from LA, CA
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Helen's | | Strengths: | Super comfy after broken in, looks good | | Weaknesses: | On the heavy side, sensitive to water and scratches | | Bike Setup: | Mojo w/ XT build
Blur LT | | Bottom Line: | If you don't mind the extra 1/2 lb definitely one of the most comfortable saddles around. Top quality product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
groveChuck
a Weekend Warrior
from miami
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Oleta/Markham/Santos, FLA | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$97.00 | | Purchased At: | Wallingford | | Strengths: | Comfortable Comfortable Comfortable | | Weaknesses: | Slippery | | Similar Products Used: | Too many to count... | | Bike Setup: | '95 Cannondale Killer V900 | | Bottom Line: | It's not hype, it's really comfortable! Used a tiny bit of neatsfoot oil, then the proofide, rode it, have never felt anything but comfort. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Roland M.
a Weekend Warrior
from Tübingen, Baden Wuerttemberg, Germany
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | the B 17 is a very elegant looking saddle which was comfortable for me from the start. | | Weaknesses: | After two years of use as a city and trecking bike the metal frame of the saddle broke while riding on a cycle way in flat terrain! | | Bottom Line: | I really loved this saddle because of its looks and its comfortable shape. The quality of the metal frame (at least in my case) is however another story. The Saddle was never in a situation of real mechanical stress and still the _metal_ frame broke. Considering the price, this is not acceptable.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
KaptainAmerika
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix, AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$97.00 | | Purchased At: | Wallingford Bicycle | | Strengths: | Everything! Especially how comfortable they are and how good they look. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Serfas Tegu, Serfas RX, WTB Silverado Race, Selle Royal Lookin Athletic | | Bike Setup: | Salsa Casseroll Triple | | Bottom Line: | I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this saddle. I just started riding a bike again about 2 weeks ago. I weigh over 300 lbs and figured riding a bike would be a great way to loose some weight. The saddle(WTB Silverado Race) that came with my bike just about split me in two. I immediately went out and bought two different Serfas saddles. They were better but I still could not ride for more than an hour. Next, I went back to the shop I bought my bike at and they traded me for a Selle Royal Lookin. This was better yet. Now I could ride for about an hour and a half. I read the reviews on the Brooks B17 and thought it might be the answer but I did not want to waste another $100 on a saddle that might not be any better than the four I had already tried. Then I read that Wallingford Bicycle Parts(www.wallbike.com) gave a six month, money back guarantee on any Brooks Saddle they sold. How could I loose? I ordered the B17 and it arrived today. I read all the information about speeding up the break in period. I even bought a huge bottle of Neetsfoot Oil to soak it in. I decided to try it before I did anything to it in case I decided to return it. I don't know what all the talk is about. The saddle is perfect the way it is. I rode for 2 1/2 hours and only stoped because it was getting too dark. I can't tell you how good it feels to ride a bike without feeling like your sitting on a popsickle stick. I will never ride anything else.
Did I mention how good it looks! Old School Class! You can tell that it was made to last a lifetime. I'm going to have to buy another bike just so I can try one of their other saddles.
Call Wallingford! You have nothing to loose and everything to gain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tomh
a Weekend Warrior
from Exeter, UK
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Strengths: | 1) Durable - literally will last decades
2) Comfortable - once you're used to it, you'll never want anything else. I've ridden Brooks for 50 years.
3) Like shoes, if you look after it, it is rain resistant.
4) Nothing better in hot weather.
5) If you ride longer than 10 km a trip, you need this! | | Weaknesses: | 1) Needs wearing in over 1000 km for perfection.
2) Needs perfect tensioning for your weight and riding position
3) Requires a bit of maintenance, like shoes.
4) Thieves like them! | | Similar Products Used: | Tried all the best gel saddles. They just aren't as good. | | Bottom Line: | Brooks make the best saddles bar none. The price is fantastic given the durability. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
seadna
a Weekend Warrior
from chengdu, sichuan, china
Date Reviewed: December 21, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | longquan, or as it would be in english "the dragon spring"! | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$160.00 | | Purchased At: | chainreactioncycles | | Strengths: | remarkable comfort, that stays good for ten hour rides.
it looks quite nice, although that's hardly critical.
improves with age, both in terms of comfort and aesthetics | | Weaknesses: | hard and sharp when you're on the nose or dropping off the back.
short rails.
heavy, even in Ti, but that's not such a big deal really, unless you're cycling towards a podium
| | Similar Products Used: | pro something or other, some old specialised saddle, a couple of different active saddles(cheap taiwanese brand, but quite ok) | | Bike Setup: | i've tried this on my AM fs, but it's normally on my hard tail | | Bottom Line: | i have an up and down relationship with my b17 ti.
if i were only allowed one saddle this would be it, but that's mostly because i use it for everything and do a lot of touring on my hard tail, and for touring it is absolutely without equal.
once i get on the trails however, i start to question just a little bit.
the nose is very hard, and having it's beak-like point jabbing your organs on steep technical ascents is not fun.
the edges are also sharp and unforgiving and my thighs have taken a lot of painful scratches/bruising when i hang on the back on descents. this is exacerbated by the sharp, metal bag loops on the back.i guess i could remove these, but i'm a bit wary of mutilating a saddle that now costs well over 200 american.
on the other hand the sharp edges are mostly only a problem when the trails are slippery, at this time of the year they rarely bother me.
it's also quite wide and tends to catch on loose trousers, i found myself stuck behind the saddle on numerous occasions before remembering to pull my trousers up so that they hug my crotch in an unsightly fashion (which isn't so cool if you're riding in company)
despite the above criticism i have ridden 3000+ k's on it since i got it in june. i took a long trip with a friend and he'd be in arse agony after a few hours, while i'd finish an eight to ten hour day on the road and start looking around for trails to ride.
incredibly, i have never felt numbness while riding this saddle, and no pain except for mild chafing of the inner thighs, due to long distances and inappropriate clothing.
i'm even wary of taking it off for trail riding, because it's not that bad, and i think i'm probably spoiled by the pedalling comfort that by now i take for granted.
one final this is that i found it less comfortable on the fs than i expected. because it's a smaller frame and i throw it around a lot i guess i was shifting my weight a lot more than i do on my ht, so that played to the weaknesses of the saddle. also i ride faster over bumps and rock stairs, so i was slapping uncomfortably against the hard surface of the saddle. that said it was still ok, just not the pinnacle of comfort my friends and i suspected it might be.
i rate it quite highly for value, because it's a beautiful, handmade piece of traditional craftsmanship, that is almost worth the price just for it's value as a curio. also, it will last a long time. the titanium, however, is probably not worth the extra cost. if i could do it all again i'd get the steel version and a cheap plastic saddle for the slipping season and/or times when i wanted to pick my bike up and go "hmm, that's a light bike".
so, in short, a great saddle for peddling all day, a great saddle when you're seated, but not quite so good for throwing around. if you're having comfort problems or ride long distances this may well be just what you need, even if you don't, it might be the saddle for you, but do take the drawbacks into consideration.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Simon
a Weekend Warrior
from Brisbane
Date Reviewed: December 9, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Strengths: | High quality material | | Weaknesses: | Everything else. Uncomfortable, poor design (see below) | | Similar Products Used: | Lots of other saddles | | Bike Setup: | Road bike | | Bottom Line: | I am extremely disappointed with this product given all the great reviews it has had. Personally, I believe it is a poor design. As the saddle breaks in, it forms a sort of hammock shape (only slightly). So as I sit on it, it slopes downwards slightly as it takes my weight, as it should. When this happens it pushes me forward, so I have to tilt the nose up quite a bit to counter this. Otherwise I find there’s too much weight on my shoulders and arms. However, because I’m tilting the nose up so much it’s causing pain in the soft tissue area which in turn causes numbness. I can’t see anyway around this problem, unless I need to break the saddle in more (in the soft tissue area). I’ve done 600km. I’ll do another 600km before I decide to sell the saddle or not. You can’t sit back on this saddle either, as you’re then sitting on the frame AND the rivets. The only reason I’m still using this saddle is because I’m determined to give it the chance it deserves. But so far, it is less comfortable than any other saddle I’ve used. AND, it makes a creaking sound with every revolution of the pedal. It’s the leather and the metal frame interacting I believe. I HATE it when my bike makes a regular noise like that. Even if the saddle eventually becomes comfortable (unlikely) I’d still dump it because of the noise. I don’t need my saddle reminding me of what my cadence is.
The product promises that it’s breathable. I sweat more with this saddle, and so haven’t seen any improvement with this leather saddle as opposed to the other saddles I’ve used. I live in sub-tropical climate.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
superbox
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco, CA
Date Reviewed: December 4, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | Box Dog | | Strengths: | Most comfortable saddle ever made, smooth leather material | | Weaknesses: | Easy to break and scuff, needs constant care to keep it in good condition, expensive and the price keeps going up for them, theft magnet | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Avatar large size, a whole bunch of plastic saddles | | Bike Setup: | Various commuters | | Bottom Line: | It's a great saddle. Cover it if it is raining. Break it in properly by riding on it and enjoy it. Wish it wasn't so damn expensive or I'd have one on all of my bikes, but it is what it is. Ride it, Proofide it, love it, keep it on a pedestal, enjoy it. The Champion Special with copper rivets is my ride of choice, but I just crashed on it and it has a few scuffs. Still as comfy as normal but doesn't look as prestine; Whatever. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fatboy roadie
a Weekend Warrior
from albuquerque, NM USA
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere in NM | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Fat Tire, Sportz Out | | Strengths: | FIT. Quality of constuction, appearance | | Weaknesses: | weight? cost | | Similar Products Used: | Persons #77, Terry Fly, San Marco, LOTS of others | | Bike Setup: | 2 road, Cannondale and TCR, 2 Single Speed, Guerciotti and OCR 2, MTB Cannondale | | Bottom Line: | Bought one in late 2007 and it was used by me for a few months before my wife stole it for her bike. She has been 100% satisfied and has completed 2400 miles That's about 2000 more miles over her previous year, with increased enthusiasm based on comfort. I made an entry here in February 08 regarding that first one. I bought one to replace it for myself and it was just as good as the first and later bought a third and fourth for our other bikes (both with copper rivets). I have 3200 miles on mine and couldn't be happier. These are not cheap but compare favorably with high end costs for saddles. The four saddles cost close to $400 but have been the single best investments for my wife and myself. No saddle sores, no numbness and more miles.
I cannot imagine buying anything but a Brooks. If comfort is more important than grams, don't wait.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
not so slow anymore guy
a Weekend Warrior
from wayne, pa
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | perkiomen | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Looks great, comfortable after break in. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, not at all weatherproof | | Similar Products Used: | Brooks Champion Flyer; Selle Italia Mundialita; Fizik garbage | | Bike Setup: | 88 Schwinn Tempo with bar ends, mostly Shimano and some Suntour components | | Bottom Line: | I had a B17 Champion Special for a while. It was Ok but compared to the Brooks Flyer I replaced it with, it's not even close. My point is that if you're really looking for comfort, are willing to pay the weight penalty, and are willing to worry about keeping it covered in the rain, why not go all the way and get the Brooks Flyer? The B17 is a great saddle but the Flyer's lots better. Yes, the Flyer is even heavier than the B17 but its tons more comfortable on a long ride or on bad pavement/dirt trails. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bubuli
a Cross Country Rider
from Monroe NJ
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Wallbikes.com | | Strengths: | Comfortable | | Weaknesses: | Too smooth | | Bike Setup: | Trek 7.5FX | | Bottom Line: | I love my B17...but I haven't really drank the Brooks Kool-Aid and say that this is the perfect saddle. It is comfortable? yes. Is it perfect? no. And I'll tell you why.
When you first ride on the B17, the first thing you will notice that it's like riding on a rock. The first few rides with this would be uncomfortable...however, comfort gets better over time.
OK...now with the warts. Comfortable as it is, the nagging characteristic of this saddle is that it's TOO smooth. Most of the reviewers here subtly mentioned this, but it's a huge detraction to an otherwise great product, IMO. You will find yourself a bit rocking back and forth especially when you just applied Proofide. You will read advise to tilt the saddle a bit higher on the nose to alleviate the sliding...that's stupid advise...saddles should be level or your groin would hurt after a long ride.
So, basically what's needed is a bit of texture. Notice that the B17 also comes in "pre-aged" which may have that texture...now I don't really have a lot of cash burning in my pockets so I can't try for myself. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
diesel0719
a Weekend Warrior
from Arlington, VA
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | WOD | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$88.00 | | Strengths: | Comfortable out of the box | | Weaknesses: | Limited set back due to rail design. Prices have just gone up quite a bit. | | Similar Products Used: | Italia Flite Ti - very good saddle | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain RC-ST | | Bottom Line: | Best saddle purchase ever. Can't believe how much I enjoy riding my bike now!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
baboonrash
a Cross Country Rider
from huntington, ny, usa
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | stillwell | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | harris cyclery | | Strengths: | comfortable.... maybe some kind of cool retro factor | | Weaknesses: | heavy | | Similar Products Used: | everything | | Bike Setup: | titus racer x | | Bottom Line: | I gave up riding for two years. My old suburban had the mountain and road bike in the back, ready to go. I had enough of the pain and when I got to the trailhead everyday i reached for my running shoes instead of the sidi's. I bought a handful of expensive seats and nothing seemed to work. Three months ago I came across the reviews for this seat and I pulled the trigger. The vendor was prompt with my order. The seat arrived in packaging that felt expensive as if it were a coach wallet. There were instructions for breaking in the seat, which typically takes 200 miles. The seat is heavy, the leather is thick and stiff, the hardware that holds it together is robust. I installed it, an interesting look. A racer x with a big ol' retro leather seat. I've got about 350 miles on this seat now and I love it. The saddle has molded and feels... well I don't feel anything. Initially the break in was rough. Harris Cyclery posts a lot of informative biking info including several ways to break in the seat the quick way. I'm happy to be riding again. the weight is a not an issue. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
onelessfatguy
a Weekend Warrior
from Queens, NY
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Streets of New York | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA | | Strengths: | Very comfortable, puts the pressure where it should be (sit bones) | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Stock Mongoose seat with Gel Cushion | | Bike Setup: | 1997 Mongoose Hilltopper SX (great ride) | | Bottom Line: | I haven't gotten through the break in period yet so I just expect this saddle to get better. I have been on a few rough 10 mile rides and the seat feels great. You can feel your sit bones resting on the relatively hard leather seat (it's just a piece of leather, no cushion), but your butt doesn't hurt. I weigh 210 lbs and I Definitely recommend this saddle. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Roy Duhamel
a Weekend Warrior
from Missouri
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Katy Trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Harris | | Strengths: | I started in Sep 99 - Bottom Line: I read a lot of reviews before I bought this saddle. I now have 2251 miles on it, and I do mean on it, in the year and 5 months it has been on my bike. Last month I rode for the first ime in a month (of non-riding) 23 miles the first day and 28 miles the second day, while visiting my daughter in Zionsville, IN. All blacktop back roads out in the country. I had no problem with my sitter using the Performance standard padded undershorts. Although the saddle feels 'hard' to the touch, it is very comfortable. I guess it does just what they say - it conforms to your sit bones and does provide comfort! I would not trade mine for a $200 saddle by any other name!
In 2008 with over 12,000 miles of sitting - still the same!
| | Weaknesses: | Shame the cost is uo now quite a bit. But I am about to replace my B17 Special - had to drill holes in the skirt, 3 on each side to tighten up the leather droop a couple years ago. | | Similar Products Used: | None that match! | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale 2001, Road Warrior 1000, Cyclocross headshock with just less than 14,000 miles on it. | | Bottom Line: | You cannot beat a Brooks ! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erik
a Cross Country Rider
from underhill ctr, VT
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | the one i'm riding | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | wall bikes | | Strengths: | retro style, different colors, unparalleled quality & workmanship, you have to try it to believe it. In a world that throws everything away, this is built for the duration and with one purpose: to make our bottoms happy! | | Weaknesses: | Zero. | | Similar Products Used: | specialized, sette, wtb | | Bike Setup: | commuter; FSR; and a hardtail All now wearing a brooks B-17.
the FSR wears a B-17N | | Bottom Line: | Expensive? not when I consider my bottom to be important. Rode other saddles for years with no love until six months ago when I put a Brooks on my commuter [25 mi/day]. What break-in period? A little proofhide and I was on my way. A comfortable seat is something I need when I'm on a bike, and Brooks provides that in an uncompromising product. I was so impressed with this seat I purchased two more, one for the wife [she is amazed too], and another B-17N for my FSR. If your bum has you feeling bad, call Bill at wallbikes. He wil set you up right. Super guy, super seat and 6 mos garuntee. Five flamers for value [its not plastic folks] and more than five for overall. Best addition you can make to any bike you own. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erik
a Cross Country Rider
from underhill ctr, VT
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | the one i'm riding | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | wall bikes | | Strengths: | retro style, different colors, unparalleled quality & workmanship, you have to try it to believe it. In a world that throws everything away, this is built for the duration and with one purpose: to make our bottoms happy! | | Weaknesses: | Zero. | | Similar Products Used: | specialized, sette, wtb | | Bike Setup: | commuter; FSR; and a hardtail All now wearing a brooks B-17.
the FSR wears a B-17N | | Bottom Line: | Expensive? not when I consider my bottom to be important. Rode other saddles for years with no love until six months ago when I put a Brooks on my commuter [25 mi/day]. What break-in period? A little proofhide and I was on my way. A comfortable seat is something I need when I'm on a bike, and Brooks provides that in an uncompromising product. I was so impressed with this seat I purchased two more, one for the wife [she is amazed too], and another B-17N for my FSR. If your bum has you feeling bad, call Bill at wallbikes. He wil set you up right. Super guy, super seat and 6 mos garuntee. Five flamers for value [its not plastic folks] and more than five for overall. Best addition you can make to any bike you own. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
duane
a
from denver,colorado
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | for $100 i'll take you there! | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | best seat i've ever tried, durable, unique, truly forms to fit! | | Weaknesses: | heavy, doesn't like water, more maintenance than other saddles, involves learning curve and break in time. | | Similar Products Used: | wtb, terry fly, spesh bg[second fave],dozens of others. | | Bike Setup: | kona coiler freeride with custom 7 inches of travel, dangerboy kit,daily rider used for 4 years for freeride, commute, dirt jumps, xc, bikepacking, everything but racing. | | Bottom Line: | Struggled for years to find the right seat, nothing worked, specialised bg was the closest i found, but the model i liked was pretty worn out before my new puppy got a hold of it, then i couldn't find the same 6 year old seat to replace it.in despair, i turned to this website and read the reviews for the brooks b-17.after 1 year of riding on it i will NEVER use anything else. what everyone else said is true,and even though people still tell me its too big and looks stupid on a freeride bike, i will NEVER take it off. my seat has conformed to my sit bones better than any modern manufacturer's seat could even think about.there have been drawbacks, such as riding in the rain, when the leather absolutely blistered on me, but with some mink oil and care it returned to shape in a couple of days.overall,the best i have ever ridden! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dusty
a Cross Country Rider
from Pottstown, PA
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | French Creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$72.00 | | Purchased At: | Shirk's Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Comfort, Comfort, Comfort
Retro Looks (if you're into that)
Comfort | | Weaknesses: | Weight
Retro Looks (if you're not into that) | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing compares to Brooks. I've used all sorts of high-tech bio-correct saddles; WTB, Sella, Terry etc. | | Bike Setup: | 06 Redline Conquest Cross Bike | | Bottom Line: | Model purchased: B-17 Standard, steel rails, basic black.
Type of rider: XC Mtb, Cross bike (mainly for road riding), about 2k mi/yr is the plan, logged a thousand road miles last year from June to Oct. Got back into riding a couple years ago after several years of local level mt bike, road & cross racing in the 90's. 175-180 lbs, 6' tall male.
I put this saddle on my Cross bike this weekend and put about 55 mi on it (on the road). Never say never, but I will never buy another brand of saddle again. I can't begin to tell you how comfortable this seat is right out of the box, despite it's initial rock-hard appearance. This seat will be crazy-comfy once broken in.
I initially adjusted the saddle level front to back, but about 5 mi into my first ride I felt like I was sliding forward with too much pressure on my wrists. I quickly adjusted it "nose-up" about 1/4" from level and pushed it as far back on the rails as it would go. Perfect.
I was debating whether to go B-17, B-17N or Team Professional (slightly narrower) but the B-17 doesn't feel (or look) too wide at all. Great climbing saddle, the more your weight shifts back the more it disappears beneath you.
Perhaps too heavy for weight-weenie racers (though ti-rail versions are avail), but for the rest of you, please do yourself a favor and give this saddle a try. It will change your riding experience. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Muzza
a Weekend Warrior
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | The ones I don't fall off | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | This is a follow up review for the one I submitted on the 15 September.
I swapped this saddle from my old Rift Zone to my new Maverick and what a difference.
the numbness described below has gone. I'm picking it was a factor of frame and seat angles conspiring against me.
Anyhow, the saddle has 700 mils on it and is extremely comfortable. 4+ hour rides with no problem.
Highly recommended. | | Weaknesses: | A bit wide at the rear but there are other models that aren't this way. | | Bottom Line: | Well worth a look for XC / AM bikes if weight isn't a problem. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
blas villanueva
a
from albuquerque
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Bosque | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$85.00 | | Purchased At: | Fat Tire Cycles | | Strengths: | black leather and chrome for those into it...Fit is like no other saddle I have ever ridden. I will never agan buy a non-brooks saddle. | | Weaknesses: | weight, if you value grams over comfort. Initial cost but it should be noted the saddle could last 20 to 30 years. | | Similar Products Used: | PERSONS-MAJESTIC #77, fizik pave, other fiziks, various gel saddles, forte slx | | Bike Setup: | 04 Giant TCR Alloy road; 95 Cannondale road. Stiff frames | | Bottom Line: | I started the break in and let my wife try the saddle because she was having severe problems with her previous cushy gel saddle as her ability to ride farther has developed. What's hers is hers and what's mine is hers, too. She pirated it completely and has given it her seal of approval.
It was definitely the finest fitting saddle I have ever ridden from out of the box, and has only improved. People say it disappears under you and it really does. No other saddle has ever given this disappearing sensation. Break in was improved with heavy coating of mink oil that was allowed to soak in over a warm radiator over a couple of hours. It took in something like 2 oz or more over the process but softened nicely and it should also be waterproof. I butchered and tied it into a "Swallowized" shape. No loss of stiffness and it looks even better if such a thing can be said.
One thing often not mentioned is that it dampens road vibration from the rear wheel very noticibly, giving a ride like a Caddillac on even a very stiff frame.
Overcoming the vanity of the carbon/titanium bird perches I have used for saddles until now is a decision I wish I had made sooner. You won't regret it if you give this saddle a chance.
Best single investment in my bike in years, even if it ended on my wife's bike. I'm getting another. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Henderson
a
from Raleigh, NC, US
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | Comfortable, cool-looking, durable, retro conversation piece | | Weaknesses: | Heavy | | Similar Products Used: | Lots of different saddles | | Bike Setup: | Roadie. Merlin Extralight, Campy stuff. | | Bottom Line: | I'm a roadie, riding about 4,000 miles a year, but roadbikereview.com doesn't include Brooks products. Huh? Anyway, many saddles used, and at least for my old parts, this is the schnizzel. Break-in was on the order of a couple of weeks before comfortable. Extra weight worth it, and if I need another, I'll get a B17 with a Ti frame, now that I'm aware that these things work. Note that I tried a Swift, and it was too narrow, so try to gauge your inter-ischial tuberosity span to pick the right one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from HK
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Excellent construction quality, looks cool. Good for touring/commuting. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy. Too slick for mountain biking use. Long break-in time as leather is very thick. | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale hardtail | | Bottom Line: | This is a good saddle for commuting or touring, where weight doesn't matter. It's comfortable, even though it's hardly broken in over a year of use (I must be too light at 140lbs). It has novelty value in most places (except in San Francisco, where it seems every third bike has a Brooks).
As a mountain biking saddle, this thing is terrible. It's very heavy (around 1lb) compared to synthetic saddles. And the slick leather surface means that you slide around on it easily, so you can't use it as an effective control point (either with your butt or when you stand on the pedals and grab the nose with your thighs).
I'm giving this a 3 out of 5 because it's a good quality, durable product. But not really suited to mountain biking. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Anthony
a Weekend Warrior
from Whitehorse, YT, Canada
Date Reviewed: December 28, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$62.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA | | Strengths: | Tops the charts for comfort, looks, and durability. Good choice for a big clyde (like me). | | Weaknesses: | Extra width means it can be hard to get off the back of the saddle. | | Similar Products Used: | Brooks Champion Flyer, WTB Laser V, various non-name saddles | | Bike Setup: | Rigid Karate Monkey singlespeed | | Bottom Line: | I'll never ride anything but Brooks on any bike, ever again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Lincoln
Date Reviewed: December 27, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$95.00 | | Purchased At: | Monkey Wrench Cycles, Lincoln Nebraska | | Strengths: | QUALITY!!!! And Comfort!! | | Weaknesses: | Weight if you are very into light weight bikes. Worries of getting it wet. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | SS 29er. | | Bottom Line: | Ok, So this review is for the B17 Champion Special with the brass rails and hammered brass rivets. I intentionally waited until I got about 1000mi on this saddle before I left a review. I think this saddle is great!!! It does the job perfectly, and it will be the last saddle I will probably ever buy...unless I buy more Brooks saddles for other bikes. I lived in Britain for 3 years and this saddle completely fits the British persona. Buy a high quality product and use it for many, many years.
The saddle fully broke in for me in about 200mi using sweat from my butt and one coat of saddle soap. It is now the most comfortable saddle I have ever ridden. Yes, it weighs much more than the cool looking carbon fiber jobbies on expensive racing bikes. But I believe there comes a point in every boy racer's life when you have to be honest with yourself and realize that you are never going to ride Le Tour, and so a few extra grams does not really matter. What matters is riding in comfort!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wade Patton
a Cross Country Rider
from Woodbury, TN
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | the one I'm riding | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Wallingford Bike | | Strengths: | Comfort, durability, style. | | Similar Products Used: | all of 'em. | | Bike Setup: | Road or Mountain, they have Brooks saddles. | | Bottom Line: | If your butt ever bothers you, get a Brooks. Some break in quickly some don't, but they all will. AND Wallingford will take it back if you decide you don't like it. All my bikes wear leather. And I race some.
Break-in trick: Damp it down by leaving a wet rag on it for several minutes before riding for the first several rides. Don't saturate, but simulate a sweat-soaked condition. When the dimples start to form, stop wetting and start Proofhiding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Weekend Warrior
from Norco, La USA
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Comite trail system-Baton Rouge | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | Price Point | | Strengths: | Beauty, simplicity, quality, does what it's supposed to without looking like something that doesn't | | Weaknesses: | No middle of the seat groove | | Similar Products Used: | Koobi (now #2), Serta, WTB Pure, WTB Laser | | Bike Setup: | Jamis XLT,Mavic wheels, Hope QR's,seat lock, and hubs,LX cranks, Fox Float front and rear sm blk Kenda's | | Bottom Line: | I know there's already enough said about this saddle but I couldn't help raving. I'm 60, overweight, only two years into bikes, have tried everything (Koobi being the best to date)and then on a whim bought this and I can't believe it. Tough at first, then 30 miles-better, 50 miles-even better-75 miles and there's two little dents where my big ass nestles into and goes for the most comfortable bike ride it's ever had. Hard to find high quality, high end workmanship, and value these days. Oh yeah, bike shorts are now an option! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chcmuzza
a Weekend Warrior
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Anaconda | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$190.00 | | Purchased At: | Beyond Bikes | | Strengths: | ***** This is for the Brooks B17 Champion Special with Ti Rails *****
Does mold to the shape of your sitting position. Well made, very sturdy. | | Weaknesses: | The nose of the saddle is very hard. This is where hardware used to stretch the saddle is located and this part of the saddle 'digs in' to the channel between front and back of the body. Can get very tender on long rides.
This might be all part of the break-in process or maybe the way I am sitting on the saddle. The 'boys' are in front of the saddle nose thus I might be too far forwards, perhaps a function of the width at the back of the saddle.
Very wide at the rear, inhibits quickly moving off the saddle for downhill sections. | | Similar Products Used: | Serfias gel saddle | | Bike Setup: | 98 Marin Rift Zone | | Bottom Line: | I got this to improve on the numb backside around the sit bones and the numb 'boys'. Both these have improved but I do find tenderness as described above.
This was one of the widest Brooks saddles available and I chose it as I am 240lbs and 6'1".
I would consider something narrower next time.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Thompson
a Racer
from MT
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Growlers Gulch | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$89.00 | | Purchased At: | Wallingford Bicycles | | Strengths: | Comfort, durability, craftsmanship, tradition, a bit of hand-made art for your bike. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, irrelevent for all but elite racers. Maybe not even them | | Similar Products Used: | Turbos, Flites, Terrys, Selle Anatomica (the only one that even comes close) | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fischer Big Sur w/ XT | | Bottom Line: | Many before me have written gushing reviews, so I'll keep it simple: I have three B17 Champion Specials. One on my MTB, on on my cyclocross/touring/commuter, and even one on my roadracing bike. After years of trying to find something both light and comfortable I finally gave up and put on a Brooks. If anything it improved my race results (which were pretty modest to begin with) because now I can ride in the drops for as long as necessary without discomfort. I don't notice the extra weight. Spend some time getting the saddle set up (don't be surprised if you have to make adjustments as it breaks in)and you will not be disappointed. These saddles are simply the best money can buy, and they will outlast anything else available. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Everett
a
from Portland, OR, USA
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$95.00 | | Purchased At: | Veloce Bicycles | | Strengths: | Looks cool, Very Comfortable | | Weaknesses: | Sensitive to rain (Not good for pdx) Mink Oil stains saddle | | Similar Products Used: | Terry Fly | | Bike Setup: | 2007 Bianchi Pista, Stock. | | Bottom Line: | Even after just two days, this is the most comfortable saddle I have ever ridden. The guy at the bike shop told me to pour melted mink oil paste into the underside of the saddle and put the paste on top. Apparently I wiped the paste off to soon, so part of the saddle is darker then the other. THis will al even out when I let the paste fully soak in.
I never wear padded shorts and this is still the most comfortable thing ever!!
The British racing green w/ the copper sidrails looks pretty cool, until the Mink oil darkens it. But then you have this unique color that no one else will have. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brandon
a Cross Country Rider
from Seoul, South Korea
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS SEOUL | | Strengths: | Looks cool with the big copper rivets, wider than most modern seats, really comfy after break-in | | Weaknesses: | Takes some KM/MILES to break it in. | | Similar Products Used: | the other stuff from SELLE whatever. | | Bike Setup: | Soma Groove (steel) Full XTR drive train, Hope mini-motos, custom wheels, Ritchey WCS cockpit, BROOKS b-17 champion special | | Bottom Line: | I ride a lot and a narrow hard seat was just not fitting the bill. I read all the posts and decided to give it a try. Cheaper than a lot of other stamped products out there and I am a happier rider now. I am not going to say that is heaven upon installation becasue it is not. I used the Proofride, but I also went against the norm and used some A&D ointment (it has many of the same properties as the brooks stuff) I think this aided in the breakin process. After about 200-300 miles I could really feel the difference, especially since my old seat went on ny other bike and I ride it to work daily. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
thien truong
a Cross Country Rider
from loganvile
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | International Horse park | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$10.00 | | Purchased At: | Mark's bike | | Strengths: | it will last forever | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | every fancy saddle that ever made. | | Bike Setup: | Santacuz supper light | | Bottom Line: | I'm looking to buy another Brook saddle for my road bike, because I took my Brook saddle off my road bike and put it on my Santacuz to see how it fell to ride it on a mountain bike. It's been six year ago, Three days a week and 12 miles a day off road riding, not one complaint. Now I'm back to do some road riding and I'll need my Brook back, I have no other choice, but getting another Brook saddle. It was $10.00 well spend 15 years, when I brought it on a table marking final sale sign at my local bike shop. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clay Spradlin
a Weekend Warrior
from Wooster, AR...USA
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Cadron Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | looks, comfort, durable | | Weaknesses: | none to speak of | | Similar Products Used: | Selle Flight Gel.....aka a$$ hatchet!!! | | Bike Setup: | Leader 526 hard tail, Fox F100RLC, XTR shifters and brakes, XT Drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | I'll never ride anything else again! If your like me, you've read all the reviews for this saddle twice, believe them! Right out of the box this saddle was more comfortable than what I was riding. As expected it does have some stiffness but that wont last long. I mostly ride on the road for the exercise, but I also trail ride when I get a chance. I was worried that it would be to wide for trail riding (getting behind the saddle on steep downhills) no problem at all, Its only slightly wider that my old seat but wide enough to support by sit bones.
Bottom Line: great seat, most comfortable seat to ever grace my a$$. Proofhide it every few months and you can include it in your will. If your a big guy (I'm 6-4 235lb.)this is the seat for you. Smaller guys can prolly go with the B17 N (narrow), but my a$$ is wider than average. Buy this saddle!!! your a$$ will thank you! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
handsome george
a Cross Country Rider
from UK
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | any away from people! | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | uk | | Strengths: | Class, history, proven record. | | Weaknesses: | not many. leather needs looking after. | | Similar Products Used: | various crap saddles. | | Bike Setup: | Touring | | Bottom Line: | Was instantly an improvement over crippling the saddle I took off even tho' the B-17 was new and hard as rock its getting better all the time and my ass didn't hurt from the off. It looks the tits too. I can see its gonna be even better. Plus it'll last for years and tough with it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
christopher pellitier
a Cross Country Rider
from buford ga 30519
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | mansfield hollow | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$49.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | 100 plus years of quality products , comfortable ya i said comfortable should i say it again | | Weaknesses: | none that i could state | | Similar Products Used: | all the garbage put out by taiwan and china , plastic a** killers | | Bike Setup: | fetish cycles discipline ( hardtail ) | | Bottom Line: | i laughed at a friend of mine about 5 years ago for owning this saddle, what a mistake i made , i purchased this saddle after reading the reviews here and everyone could not have been any more right , no numbness no sore backside this has to be the best thing since sliced bread.
get one now and stop the unneeded pain , i think cycling is for fun not pain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Loren Bourassa
a Cross Country Rider
from Clackamas, OR, USA
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | guedoloco@hotmail.com | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Has oh, something like 100 years of experience backing it's design. Made of steel and leather. People will think you're some kind of he-man for riding such an archaic looking saddle. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy. Yeah, big fizz. | | Similar Products Used: | Lots of sucky plastic padded saddles, with grooves and holes and fancy names and such. All lame. | | Bike Setup: | Which one? I have a brooks on every one. Envy me. | | Bottom Line: | There has been no finer saddle on the face of the earth for this guy. If I could cough up a grand or so, I'd put titanium brooks saddles on all my bikes. But that's just a nicety, steel does just fine. I started off as a heavier rider, around 230, and this is the finest saddle I have ever ridden. My saddles did break in and get more comfortable with a few weeks of riding, but even when new, were so much more comfortable than any saddle I had ridden. Now I just laugh and ride my bike. I now know the feeling of being "all day comfortable". If you've tried a bunch of saddles, and are wondering of you'll ever get comfortable, give one a try. That archaic looking saddle will grow on you when it treats you so well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Sherman Oaks
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$89.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Looks, Quality, Comfort | | Weaknesses: | Heavy | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized, Raleigh and Giant stock saddles | | Bike Setup: | Motobecane 400 HT pretty much Stock except the seat... | | Bottom Line: | Just started riding again after a few years...My last bike (Specialized Hardrock)was ripped off by some Hoodlum. All of the bikes that I have owned have had a piss poor saddle, causing my butt to hurt for days after a ride...NOT with this saddle. I wanted to get something a little lighter, but the reviews and heritage of this saddle had me sold. I bought the Narrow version and ust completed the first ride on my bike, 9 miles, and this brand new Brooks B17N was outstanding. Comfortable and easy on my arse. I'm sold. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joedirt24
a Cross Country Rider
from southeast pa
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | beaver valley | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$160.00 | | Purchased At: | chainreactioncycles.com | | Strengths: | Awesome looking I got the Ti version. forgiving.craftsmanship A++ | | Weaknesses: | Maybe maintenance no worse then washing your bike. | | Bike Setup: | Dos Niner, raceface deus seatpost, hope stem, salsa riser bars | | Bottom Line: | I built this bike wanting comfort and quality. Seen good reviews about. I just got back into biking after a 4-5yr lay off. The 1st day of use my butt hurt a little. After the 1st day I can ride all day everyday. No pain or discomfort A+++.Just make sure you get a tin of proofhide | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from Balko, OK USA
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Palo Duro | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$51.00 | | Purchased At: | Nashbar | | Strengths: | Quality leather that would last for a long time. | | Weaknesses: | Terrible break in period. Heavy. Very unforgiving | | Similar Products Used: | Vetta saddle | | Bike Setup: | Canondale | | Bottom Line: | This saddle seemed to be good. I liked the reviews and the look of the saddle. I was prepared for a break in period and a finnicky set up. I followed the advice on the web and in the package. I wanted this saddle to work but it didn't. It was uncomfortable and was causing other problems . . . enough said. I guess it just didn't fit the shape of my anatomy. Hopefully they will take it back after some miles. I am disappointed, this saddle did not come close to my expectations. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from Saint Louis, Mo USA
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Berryman | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Wallbike | | Strengths: | The most comfortable seat out there, period. | | Weaknesses: | Treated with break-in neatsfoot oil, it'll stain your shorts for a while. Wear black. | | Similar Products Used: | Flite saddles forever...until now. | | Bike Setup: | SS 29er Raleigh XXIX | | Bottom Line: | I am almost 40. I used to scoff at any Brooks seat when I was a kid riding BMX. Then, in my weight weenie years, I suffered saddle sores and numb dong for years on Flight saddles (even a CF one!) I went with a Brooks B17 Champions Special (mid sized copper rivets) and I followed Sheldon Brown's advice on the Neatsfoot oil breakin and WOW! I should have been riding one of these seats a minimum of 15 years ago. The seat was basically broke in at 100 miles and has gotten so darn nice that I will not give this seat up for anything else, weight be damned!
Do you know that feeling of dread getting on to your MTB after riding for three days straight, knowing your ass is going to hurt BAD because of all that riding on a hard seat? Well, it doesn't happen with one of these. No joke. I still can't believe how NICE this seat is right from the get go to 4 hours later.
I am a little heavier, so a light rider might have a little longer break-in time with this seat. The Neatsfoot oil treatment was the way to go, as the seat softened dramatically from the start. sheldonbrown.com has a little info on Brooks saddles.
If you are on the fence, like I had been for soooo long, just take the plunge. Buying from Wallingford Bicycle wallbike.com will get you a 6 month satisfation guarantee. They do honor this, and it's the best way to try out a Brooks saddle w/o any risk. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a
from San Antonio, TX
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Comfortable and very, very stylish! | | Weaknesses: | moderately heavy, though a model with Ti rails is available... | | Similar Products Used: | WTB saddle, Bontager Gel Saddle(both hunks of junk) | | Bike Setup: | fixed-gear | | Bottom Line: | My sit-bones are a little asymetrical, and associated back pain was a big problem that limited my riding. after hearing about how a brooks breaks in to the rider, i bought one and haven't looked back! no more pain, enough said. it will seem hard right off, but with some proofide and time you'll never ride anything else. just take care not to proofide too often or to overtighten as this can screw up the delicately tensioned leather. the nose of this saddle will likely point up slightly when properly adjusted due to the camber that brooks saddles have on the top. highly, highly, highly recommended! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
KenS
a Weekend Warrior
from NC
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | www.wallbike.com | | Strengths: | Comfort for long hours in the saddle. | | Weaknesses: | Heavier than many saddles. | | Similar Products Used: | Selle Italia Ti Flite
WTB | | Bike Setup: | 700C touring bike
Hardtail mt. bike | | Bottom Line: | I rode with a Flite saddle on both my touring bike and my hardtail for several years. For both bikes there was a time limit on how long I could ride comfortably. At the 90 minute mark on my touring bike, it would feel as if the saddle disappeared and I was riding on a seatpost. I began to look for a new saddle a couple of years ago and was impressed by the strong enthusiasms expressed for Brooks saddles. At the same time, there were a few *very* negative reviews and so I backed off from the saddle.
I was finally convinced to give Brooks a try when I saw the 6-month unconditional money-back guarantee from www.wallbike.com. I figured that was a long enough time to give the Brooks a fair test. I ordered a B-17 CS (a nicer version of the standard B-17). I applied ProofAid a couple of times as suggested prior to the first use and that was all I did.
My first ride was an easy 20 miles. The first couple of miles made me worry because the saddle felt very hard but by the time I hit the 10-mile mark I could feel the seat give slightly when I hit a bump. By the time I finished the ride I knew that the saddle was going to work out well. I now have well over a 1000 miles on the saddle, with a bunch of 3-4 hour rides, and have never had discomfort.
Recently I bought a B-17 CS for my hardtail. I followed the same procedure as before and took it out on a short 15-miler. I had the same experience as before. The first couple of miles had me worried but then I could feel the saddle start to give just a bit on bumps. I was out for 3 hours this weekend and there was no pain whatsoever.
Another concern you hear about leather saddles is that they could be "ruined" by rain. I have been caught in a few frog-stranglers and there has been no problem with damage to the saddle. Remember that the Brooks is made in England and the English bicyclists have to deal with a fair amount of moisture. So I find it hard to understand how this story became so popular. On the other hand, if you leave your bike out in the rain all the time then you are going to encounter lots of problems.
The bottom line. If you spend long hours on your bike and don't need the weight savings of some of the racing saddles then give a Brooks a try. It gives a comfy ride.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Muizz Ali
a Downhiller
from Lancashire, UK
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Strengths: | Serious comfort. I liken it to a sofa on a stick. Once broken in, you WILL forget about all of that plastic shelled, padded, kevlar-faced rubbish you were riding earlier.
Durability. Can last for 30 years if looked after.
| | Weaknesses: | None. (Unless you're a weight weenie) | | Similar Products Used: | OEM WTB Speed V (pile of rubbish), DMR LongHaul (OK, but not as good as the Brooks) | | Bike Setup: | 05 Kona Coiler freeride rig with upgrades (Avid Juicy 7's, FSA Carbon Bars, Raceface seatpost, Maxxis Swampthing tyres, etc) | | Bottom Line: | If you want extreme comfort and retro chic rolled into one, BUY ONE! This thing is simply amazing, primarily because it comes from a bygone age where things were built to last, rather than the Japanese disposable rubbish flung at us today (you know who you are, cough *Shimano* cough)
As someone said earlier, it IS akin to a sexual experience; you will not want to stop riding until you pass out from exhaustion.
Break-in was fine; Proofhide it, take things easy for the first 100 miles of so and you'll be laughing.
Ok, so I get some funny looks from the other freeriders when they spot the Brooks on my rig, but I secretly rejoice in the fact that, at the end of the day, I won't be among the bandy-legged and wincing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shane
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Looks Cool | | Weaknesses: | Weight | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Scalpel Mountain Bike - Cannondale R2000 Road Bike | | Bottom Line: | Based on the reviews I read at MTBReview I purchased the B-17. I originally bought it for my road bike...this is the most comfortable seat I've ever owned! I'm now buying one for my mountain bike...sacrifice the extra grams it's well worth it!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BillyBob
a Cross Country Rider
from North of 49
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Bottom Line: | The Brooks B-17 is the most comfortable saddle I've ridden. Period. It does, however, require pretty finicky adjustments - the tilt and fore-aft adjustments, and even the left-right swing of the nose. It takes some careful attention to get the sweet spot in just the right place. I'm still trying to find the right amount of tilt that will put my sit-bones in the right place without sliding forward (too low) or putting too much pressure in the perineal area (too high).
It requires both tilt and fore-aft adjustments together to get it right (eg. tilt it up a degree and slide it forward a centimeter, or down and back a bit...), and I'm not quite there yet. One more 50 mile ride with wrenches in my pocket should have it dialed. I dunno, maybe I've just got one of those "princess" butts. You know, like the "Princess and the Pea" story (c'mon guys, gimme a break on the simile here!!!!).
The saddle rails have a relatively short amount of fore-aft adjustment. I had to swap my straight seatpost for one with a setback head to get the saddle in the correct position for me.
The B-17 is quite wide compared to my Fizik and the Selle Italia bricks I started with. The width, however, doesn't get in the way of pedalling. The shape of the nose and the nose-to-wide-part-of-the-saddle transition is perfect for me. It just feels great!
It does kick up at the rear more than others I've tried. This up-kick is why getting the tilt right has been so tricky for me. I believe the Brooks Pro has a little flatter profile and is a little narrower. I'll probably pick one up later this summer and give it a try.
Break-in was more time-consuming than I expected, took a good three hundred miles or so. I followed the Brooks recommended pattern of applying Proofhide, but was more liberal in the initial application. It soaked the Proofhide up pretty quickly, so it took more than I expected for the first treatment.
As the saddle broke in more it became more "hammock-like." You can feel the center of the saddle sag slightly under your weight as the leather softens. It is quite comfortable, and a very interesting sensation. However, I began to feel a little less comfortable as it began to sag a little more, so I tightened it up some (about 1/4" of threads on the bolt) and was rewarded with a significant boost in comfort - very cool feature! I'll be taking another 1/4" soon, which will be about half the adjustment available. I think that will probably be all it will ever need. Tightening it up helps flatten the profile and makes it more firm. But I do know some who prefer the deeper hammock effect and find it even more comfortable as it sags.
Just a note on the adjusting bolt. It appears that it is not a standard size - neither metric nor imperial open-end wrenches fit, so I made-do with a small adjustable wrench. Clearances under the nose of the saddle are tight, so it was a difficult and time-consuming process. I wanted to play with that adjustment more, but ran out of patience. I would suggest buying the special wrench...
One thing that concerns me is that as it broke in the surface began to look wrinkly, not smooth. It is purely cosmetic, I can't feel the wrinkles through my padded shorts, it just looks a little funky. I hadn't noticed these wrinkles in any photos of older saddles, so I'm wondering if I got a "lesser quality" saddle...
I'm very happy with this purchase. It has done more for my enjoyment of cycling than any other upgrade I've made. If you're looking for a new saddle, give this one a try. I ride a lot of centuries (32 in the last two years and 3 months). This Brooks will take me on many, many more! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad
a Weekend Warrior
from King
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Strengths: | Looks, Comfort, durable. | | Weaknesses: | Weight | | Similar Products Used: | Doesn't compare to other products. | | Bottom Line: | I was in the market for a new saddle. I had looked, read reviews for a long time. I stubbled across the reviews for this Brooks saddle and thought, this sounds like what have been looking for. Well I purchased a B-17 Standard. When I got the saddle it felt a bit hard, but it was actually quite comfortable. After riding it for a while, It seemed to be a little wide for my style of riding, so I ordered a narrow which was perfect. The seat has broken in well for me, and I have to say, after 12 years of riding, this is by far the best seat I've ever owned. Try one, you want be disappointed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robbie Borthwick
a Weekend Warrior
from France
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | UK... on the web | | Strengths: | B17 Narrow...Durability, indestructable...... comfort ;-) | | Weaknesses: | Weight, wet weather | | Similar Products Used: | Fizik Nizene | | Bike Setup: | Turner Burner plus all the goodies | | Bottom Line: | If you suffer discomfort or saddle sore then this is answer. before after a 3 to 4 hours sortie I was in agony spending more time out of the saddle. Now 4 or 5 hours in the saddle my legs hurt but nothing else... pure heaven. It is not a hi-tec saddle. Durability (scuff and polish... good as new). Wet weather can be a pain but let it dry naturally. Break in period was not a problem (read other reviews how to speed this up)... cycling is joy but my BROOKES makes it a pure pleasure (NO PAIN other than falling off!!!) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matthew S
a Weekend Warrior
from New York, NY
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | 59th Street - good potholes | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | branfordbike.com | | Strengths: | The only reason for choosing any saddle - comfort. | | Weaknesses: | A bit heavy, if you care about that type of thing. Also, it's not a weakness, but you should Proofide to protect it. | | Similar Products Used: | You name it - Fizik Aliante, Selle Italia Flite, some Specialized piece of junk. | | Bike Setup: | Beater steel hardtail with full XT. | | Bottom Line: | This is a truly great saddle. I used to believe that Brooks was for poseurs - somebody willing to suffer a sore butt to look all proper and English. Truth is the thing is damn comfortable, or perhaps I'm now a poseur myself. All the warnings about a painful break in didn't hold for me. This thing was great right out of the box. It's counterintuitive but a hard saddle like this one is much more comfortable than a lot of cushy saddles that I've tried. See Sheldon Brown on this issue if you care to know more. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
GSjohnny
a Cross Country Rider
from KS, USA
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Wallingford bicycle parts (wallbike.com) | | Strengths: | Fits like a glove. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Terry fly titanium, some coda seat... | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Jekyll with upgrades. | | Bottom Line: | At first, when I got the seat out of the box, I thought to myself, "This seat might be a problem" HOWEVER, I persevered following a couple of sessions of the proofide and rides. Now this thing is like a broken in baseball glove. IT WILL take several rides to break in, but once it does, you will never have issues with your saddle again. Wallingford bikes will let you 'try' the saddle for several months, and if you don't like it, they will allow you to return it. They will NOT be getting this seat back, IT IS THE BEST, PERIOD. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
onyourleft
a
from US
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | Wallingford | | Bike Setup: | '03 Raleigh Professional 56 cm., Campy 10 | | Bottom Line: | This is about the B17N ("Narrow"). Brooks considers it one of their "classic" models, along with the Swallow and B72. Apparently those 3 have been around longer than other models.
The '17N seemed to fit well right off the bat, and had much more give to it that my well-broken in Brooks Professional. It is narrower at the 153 mm. width I measured than the Pro at 159mm. It was great for shorter rides until I took it on a 45-miler. After about 30 minutes I started to go numb, then a short time later I couldn't feel anything at all in the genital area. Not good!
I thought the flatter top would work better for me than the dip in the center that the Pro has, but nope. The Pro puts me back on the sit bones more, where with the '17N I was more on the perineal area. Strange, because initially the '17N actually fit better overall than the Pro.
I don't think a longer break-in period would have made much difference, because as I said, this one felt pretty much broken in out of the box.
Value would have been great for $65. if I could have lived with this model. I sent it back to Wallingford for a refund. If it happens to fit your shape and riding style, it would probably be a great saddle. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$109.00 | | Purchased At: | Slippery Pig Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Craftmanship, Looks, Comfort | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | WTB, Serfas | | Bike Setup: | Moots Rigormootis size 19.5" with moots 90mm stem laidback seatpost and moots handlebar. XT crankset with Blackspire single speed 32 tooth chain ring. Chris King headset and hubs on Mavic 823 rims. All set up to ride as a single speed. | | Bottom Line: | I purchased the Brooks B-17 with the Ti rails in the green leather. At first I was worried about how long it would take to break the saddle in but I followed some of the reviews here on MTBR and all I can say is thanks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonathan
a Weekend Warrior
from Darmstadt, Germany
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | Brunner Fahrrad | | Strengths: | break-in is immediate (new pre-aged "1 year old" distressed model, 2005)
looks very cool indeed. | | Weaknesses: | quite heavy (who cares on an 11kg mtn bike?), softer than standard B17 - good for hardtail on bad trails! | | Similar Products Used: | Team Pro | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F700(?) CAAD-3 mtn bike | | Bottom Line: | "Your bottom will love you"
The best saddle money can buy.
Watch your co-riders line up for a go! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Morrison
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Barton Creek Jedi trails | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$85.00 | | Purchased At: | Wallbike.com | | Strengths: | Beautiful, classic handcrafted quality. I got the racing green B17 Champion Special with copper rails | | Weaknesses: | Weight?? ... not in my book | | Similar Products Used: | various | | Bike Setup: | Surly Cross Check set up as a commuter | | Bottom Line: | Got back into riding a year ago with the intention to commute. My freind who motivated me to commute raved about his Brooks and let me borrow a Team Professional for awhile and I was sold.
I went with a B-17 for the bag loops and carry a Carradice bag on it daily. I now have over 5,000 miles on it and just love it. The best compliment I can give the saddle is to say I never notice it, even after 7+ consecutive days ... except the occasional thought about how comfortable it is!
It is well broken in now and my sit bone impressions quite noticable, what is interesting is that due to a long ago knee injury my left leg is stronger/bigger than the right and you can see from the indentations how the seat has compensated for that! When I settle into it first thing every morning it is like settling into an old friend. It was comfortable right out of the box and only got better with mileage. Although well broken in, it is in excellent condition and looks great ... I expect many more years and thousands of miles more out of it.
Since Proofide was extra I just used the tin of SnoSeal beeswax shoe waterproofer I had and that has been great. I've ridden in heavy rains with no extra protection than fenders and had no problems whatsoever. I would be cautious about exposing it it directly to rain in storage or transport though.
Buy it, if you are worried about the weight go on a diet for a few days. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Grig
a Weekend Warrior
from AZ
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | South Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$54.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay -> BensBikes.com | | Strengths: | Quality! Look and feel. Hand made in England. Looks bullet proof. | | Weaknesses: | a little heavy. big deal, I'm not a weight weenie..... | | Similar Products Used: | some stock Bontrager that came on my Trek, (ouch!), also tried a Specialized Milano, (ouch too!). | | Bike Setup: | Stock Trek 6500 with V-Brakes. Cane Creek Thudbuster. | | Bottom Line: | Believe the reviewers! I can ride this thing and not have any pain. The sit muscles, (and my *ss), are doing just fine now. :-)
Got the saddle in the mail on a Friday night. Hit it with the Proofide and let it set over night. In the morning, rubbed out the Proofide, and then reloaded it with more Proofide. Put the saddle out in the AZ Sun, and let it bake all day. Rubbed it out before going to bed. Sunday morning, put a little more Proofide on it and repeated the baking process. Rubbed out one more time. Then placed the saddle on my bike and rode 10 miles on Monday. Not a problem at all with the sit bones. It is hard, but all my weight is balanced on the sit bones, just right. Honestly, after riding on this saddle for a week now, my *ss doesn't hurt.
My initial Proofide process sounds extreme. But heck, it's been in the upper 80's in Phx. now, and I wanted to put that good ole sun to work for me. I could see that Proofide "melt", and hopefully soak in just right.... :-)
I've had this saddle now for about 2 weeks. I'll post a follow-up after a couple months.
buy it, you'll love it. Looks kinda cool too with the rivets and all. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert
a Weekend Warrior
from Perth, Western Australia
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Railway Heritage | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | E-Bay | | Strengths: | Tradition & history. Handmade craftsmanship. The way it looks & feels. The comfort! Those funky rivets and brass nameplate. | | Weaknesses: | A bit heavy and requires a tad more maintenance & care. Small price to pay! | | Similar Products Used: | Avocet, WTB, Selle, Cinelli | | Bike Setup: | 03 Giant AC1 | | Bottom Line: | I am 45, 230lb+ & relatively unfit so do a lot of sitting. After being in agony thru my pelvis on a 4 hour ride and reading the reviews here I decided to try a Brooks B17 Champion
Comes out of the box looking great, but flat, hard & unforgiving. My God, what have I done? Proofride, install & ride. It doesn't grip your bum the way most saddles do, and feels like you might slide off. Relax,you won't. Supposed to be nasty until they break in, but mine was comfy from the start. 2 hours in and on inspection the copper rivets have been buffed to a high shine & the flat, hard surface has changed into this 3D image of the shape of my rear. I would get pins & needles in the legs & toes after an hour, no more. No more sit bone pain. Climbing has improved as I can now put all the energy into the pedals instead of lifting my weight slightly. Absolutely awesome! Heard the legend, never believed until now. Just add saddle maintenance to the things that need doing every 6 months.
I'll add to this when I have some big hours up
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rain Man
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Local singletracks. | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$178.00 | | Purchased At: | Wallingford Bicycle USA | | Strengths: | Hand made in England by master craftsmen. Lasts for 30+ years. Absolutely the best bike saddle available for any amount of money. Leather, breathable, comfortable. Outstanding appearance. Tradition. | | Weaknesses: |
Weaknesses??? ...There are none. | | Similar Products Used: | Brooks... Brooks, and Brooks. Oh yeah, I have tried a few other 'plastic' seats, they were all junk, imo. | | Bike Setup: | Road, touring and mountain bikes. Current bike is a Giant VT-2. | | Bottom Line: | The "bottom" line.. appropriate heading, as this is where it really counts..the contact between your backside and the saddle.
When I first started riding pushbikes, they all came with leather saddles as standard equipment. Quite a lot of them were Brooks saddles. In those days, we took saddle comfort for granted. However, as the years passed, more and more plastic seats appeared on bikes, and less and less leather saddles.
You notice that I don't refer to the current plastic techno-marvels as "saddles". Only a proper leather bicycle seat is a saddle, all the rest are plastic 'seats'.
I have ridden many miles, and even though I gave biking away sometimes over the years, I always returned to it again. I have tried many many different seats on bikes, but none of then have ever matched the legendary comfort of the Brooks saddle.
No plastic base seat is going to conform to your backside like a leather saddle does. Brooks makes an incredible product that not only lasts for years, but is really comfortable to use.
There are some things in this world that are unique, valued by those who know, hand crafted by master craftsmen following traditions handed down over a hundred years.
The Brooks saddle is one such example of this art.
These rare and unique items have been refined, tested and proven over many many years and many miles by some of the world's best cyclists.
Honestly, why anyone would want to ride on a hard, hot, uncomfortable plastic-padded seat is beyond me.
Most cyclists are fooled into thinking that these'seats' are the 'mutts nuts' for your bicycle, when in reality, they are mass-produced plastic creations from the mind of the ad-men who want you to buy a new seat every few months.
Plastic based seats don't conform to your sit-bones, they can't change shape to cradle your backside in comfort like a good leather saddle does.
Every single cyclist owes it to themselves to try a real leather Brooks saddle on their bike for a few months. If you buy it from Wallingford, they have a six month return policy if you aren't totally satisfied. How can you lose?
I have just purchased my third Brooks saddle, a B.17 Champion with Ti rails from Wallingford after wearing out my first two which I have had on various bikes for over 30 years.
Nothing can match the Brooks saddles, they are unique and lasting in a throw-away society that has mostly forgotten the true worth of tradition and craftmanship.
If you really do want to enjoy your biking and forget the sore bum syndrome forever, get yourself a Brooks leather saddle, and forget about the discomfort of the latest techno-marvel plastic and gel-covered creation that you currently have to put up with.
You will never go back to them again...ever.
Bury me with my Brooks. There is no substitute for quality.
Rainman.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mtb29
a Cross Country Rider
from Honolulu, Hawaii. USA
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$49.00 | | Purchased At: | aebike | | Strengths: | COMFORT! | | Weaknesses: | Heavy,need to keep dry,needs some care | | Bike Setup: | 29er hardtail | | Bottom Line: | Only 2nd day of use but it's good already! Rode it for the 1st time yesterday for 3 hours, it felt hard but there was no pain or discomfort. I expected pain today but there is none and it feels even better. Amazing that it is beaking in w/out any discomfort. I bought it because of the reviews here and it is turning out to be totally excellent. Be sure to use proofide or good leather oil. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Felix
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Taiwan LBS | | Strengths: | Very comfy! | | Weaknesses: | Does not like to get wet, heavy. | | Similar Products Used: | Flite TT, Flite Trans Am, Selle San Marco Regal, Brooks Swift, etc etc | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F1000SL, Battaglin SLX etc etc | | Bottom Line: | I have all the saddles on my 3 bikes changed to B17 Ti after a 3 hour ride on my road bike. It feels great out of the box. Too bad it does not like to get wet so I guess I have to take care of it more. A little bit expensive, but I am willing to pay for comfort. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marco Levy
a Weekend Warrior
from St. Louis
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Castlewood park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | http://www.wallbike.com/ | | Strengths: | Takes about 20 miles to get it dialed in correctly. Then it is nothing but awesome comfort for years to come. Just keep the underside covered with a small film of proofride and you will be fine. | | Weaknesses: | Does not like rain, so when off the saddle, cover it with something. I keep some plastic bags in my car when transporting | | Similar Products Used: | I use to own a Ti framed brooks. But after some agressive ridng, one of the rails broke. But at 225 lbs I think I am to blame fot that | | Bike Setup: | Trek OCLV with all the goodies to with it. And a honey Brooks saddle to top things off! | | Bottom Line: | Read all the reviews, this will be the last seat you ever buy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gman
a Weekend Warrior
from Boise
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Sidewinder | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | http://www.wallbike.com/ | | Strengths: | Comfort, Comfort, Comfort.
Price.
NOTE: price includes shipping, Proofide or Montana Pitch Blend conditioner and 6 mo. return policy from Wallington Bike. Wallbike rocks!
| | Weaknesses: | a little heavy
edges are hard
doesn't like water. | | Similar Products Used: | WTB Rocket V, WTB Speed V, Fizik Nisene, Selle Italia Cuda, SDG Bel Air, Specialized Body Geometry | | Bike Setup: | Surly rigid SS and K2 EVO 3.0 FS w/ Marzocchi MX Comp up front | | Bottom Line: | I'm a big guy, 6'5", 220lbs. This is the most comfortable saddle I've *ever* used, which is why it's on both of my bikes now.
If you are a big guy and need a wider saddle to support...uh...things, this is it!
Yeah, it looks hard, but don't judge it with your hand, judge it with your backside. The saddle flexes enough to be comfortable, but is rigid enough not to poke you with excess padding.
It is a bigger saddle, so it's harder to get back sometimes, but I NEED a bigger saddle, so I don't really see an option here.
The break in period for both saddles has been very minimal for me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
c fore
a Racer
from Concord, New Hampshire
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | anything man, bring it on | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$95.00 | | Purchased At: | Harris cyclery, W. Newton MA | | Strengths: | comfort, good looks | | Weaknesses: | heavy, rain sensitive (they don't swim) | | Similar Products Used: | absolutely every saddle you can imagine! | | Bike Setup: | Giant TCR, dura ace. | | Bottom Line: | It's been six months since I got this beauty! I have about 1500mi logged on this baby. I can't believe what this saddle has done for my cycling. I absolutely love this seat. A 50 mile ride now involves no pain in the rear, which to me is quite amazing (even in the drops!). I have never found racing saddles comfortable, but this b17 is the ticket. *Added bonus= tons of gear space under the seat*. Despite the weight, I am convinced I am faster due to increased low intensity training and comfort. If you are unsatisfied with you saddle, buy one. Once this thing is broken in (500mi), you will swear by it. Hell, mine was comfortable out of the box! Enough said... become a believer. Riding happy (finally) in New Hampshire. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Frank D
a Cross Country Rider
from Marquette Michigan
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | came with a old KHS | | Strengths: | Comfort Comfort Comfort/Looks cool/comfort | | Weaknesses: | A little heavy | | Similar Products Used: | lots of others | | Bike Setup: | custom hardtail thats better every year | | Bottom Line: | I rode this seat for a couple of years on few different bikes. When I first got it, it came on a nice KHS that I bought to commute to school. I'd never even heard of brooks before. Just out of school and short on cash I put together MTB out of parts of my older bikes. (That works fine, don't belive the hype) So I used that seat because my brother had my other one. After a few years the cash flow gets better so I start putting new parts on my bike. ( thats a good way to get a nice bike if your wife doesn't want you to drop 3 grand on a new one) Changed seats rode a lite weight flite. accepting that this was good,and rode it for a year. just as something to do put my old brooks b-17 back on my sweet hardtail. I never knew how good I had it. I can't even describe how nice that seat felt. it really conforms to your ass shape. on a bike there's nothing better. Maybe it's a little heavy, but come on, it's so worth it. you will ride better, faster and longer on a seat thats comfortable. The weight differance is nothing compared to the comfort and quality that Brooks delivers. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
c fore
a Racer
from concord NH
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | hilly blacktop | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$98.00 | | Purchased At: | Harris cyclery, Newton MA | | Strengths: | looks, comfort, feeling like a Bob Roll type (the man) | | Weaknesses: | weight (worth it) | | Similar Products Used: | everything you can image: Old crappy turbos to MTB's finest. I have riden at least 30 saddles in my career! | | Bike Setup: | Giant team Once TCR, dura-ace, tubulars). My mountain frau is a giant VT-1 (awesome.. buy one) | | Bottom Line: | I had an extreme experience today. I recently broke down and decided to buy a good old fashion Brooks B-17 special champion saddle. I soaked it in neatsfoot oil for 2 hours then slapped it on the ole winter spin bike (giant tempo..buy one). I got on, started the U2 DVD..... and nothing. I was, literally, for the first time in 15+ years of serious riding, completely unaware of my hindquarters. I felt no pain, pressure, aching, numbness. I felt...Nothing!!!!!!!!! I love this thing. I sat their spinning for one hour at a cadence of say 100-110 rpm's and never got up once. Even on slow twitch, hammer-fest, seated workouts days, I usually get up 5-10 times for 2-3 minutes of climbing to give my ole-keister a break. Not today. Bottom line= suck it up, go heavy, buy one, and try it. I am so pleased with this thing even after one hour I think I might sleep with it tonight. Word to the wise, get the honey color with copper rails... gorgeous! Sweet dreams. A road racer, and yes... nearly-possessed trash-talking mountain bike rider, from New Hampshire. And no, I'm not a giant rep, but I should be. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a
from Springville, Utah
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Strengths: | Ageless Styling, great look, sturdy. Workmanship. The saddle has brought a lot of looks and comments. | | Weaknesses: | New saddle after leather treatment was extremely slippery to sit on. I had to keep adjusting my posture often during rides the first few times out. Saddle is heavier than my previous one. | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale T2000 Touring Bike | | Bottom Line: | After daily use riding to and from work and longer weekend rides the saddle has performed admirably. The 'break-in' that a lot of reviewers spoke about was a non-issue for me other than the slipperyness of the new saddle. My biggest complaint has been setting the darn thing up to fit my riding style. It seemed that I could get the saddle to fit if I rode sitting up or down in the drops, but not both. After much tweaking and many minor adjustments the saddle is now adjusted and comfortable. The other thing is after proofing the saddle it was quite slippery and I would either slide back or forward as I was riding; which forced me to use my arms more than I have ever used them while riding to keep me positioned in the saddle. After many rides that has stopped.
Bottom line...the saddle works well and I hope to have it a long, long time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chuck cypert
a Cross Country Rider
from dallas, the metromess
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Old Ore Road | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Classic beauty, timeless design. I like the bag mounting tabs too, I have a Baggins seat bag. | | Weaknesses: | Pretty heavy, and probably expensive compared to most of what is in the market place today. | | Similar Products Used: | Many Brooks and various others over the decades. | | Bike Setup: | Old old old Schwinn Paramount converted to SS, my main on-road trainer. | | Bottom Line: | You will either love a Brooks saddle or hate it. If you will take the thing and goop it heavy with Proofide (bottom too) and then set it in the sun for several days in a row it will be ready for use. Then if you will put a few hundred miles on it your butt will be too.
I like the old-timey looks, it fits on my old bike I ride, and I am a huge Brooks fan so I have nothing but good stuff to say about any of their products. If you are the right type of person who really enjoys a handmade leather saddle you cannot go wrong. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jason
a
from Kansas
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$49.00 | | Purchased At: | Wallingford Bikes | | Strengths: | This thing is a masterpiece. It is elegant looking, even though it may look a little formal on a technical piece of equipment. Sort of like Polo sports wear on the guys from Star Trek. | | Weaknesses: | None absolutely zero. | | Similar Products Used: | Spongey butt jabbers. | | Bike Setup: | Stock 2004 Trek 4300 | | Bottom Line: | You have read all of the reviews, just like I did. This many people can't be wrong and they are not. I figured I would like this saddle based on what i read. I was right I really do like it.
The most accurate thing I read about this saddle is that you don't know it is there. That is true. After you get used to it, which will take probably 100 miles or better, you completely forget about it. Most spongey saddles jab you every one and awhile just to say, "hey man, I am still here and I am going to jab you every once in awhile."
This saddle doesn't do that. You simply never think about it. It just doesn't jab you like the soft saddles do. I will leave it up to the experts to explain offically why but here is my analysis. If you have ever had an IV in any part of your body you will likely remember how it felt when the needle went in.
Somehow it never really hurts that much after you get the needle in. YOu just sort of "forget about it." Just like this saddle. The other soft saddles keep poking you every once in awhile. They are like getting new IV's.
The reason most people are in love with the cushy saddles is that we equate a comfortable seat with soft. That is because that is what we look for in furniture. That doesn't apply to riding a bike. You want to put all of the pressure on the sit bones so basically only a couple square inches of your body are touching the seat and the rest, including the important soft tissues are completely out in the free wide open air.
Get this saddle and you will likely hate it at first. It is sooooooooo different that you automatically hate it. In the end, it is sooooo different because it is so much better. It just takes several miles to figure that out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David P
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Great continental divide & oregon coast | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Strengths: | Once broken in, the only thing that stops you riding is when you get extremely tired! | | Weaknesses: | Other than it is slighty on the heavy side, none. | | Similar Products Used: | WTB SST X2 gel seat. | | Bike Setup: | Norco Alteres touring bike | | Bottom Line: | Well, the Brooks was something I had thought about buying to replace my old WTB saddle since I heard so many good things about it. However, it took awhile until my WTB saddle's plastic cover broke when I decided to give the B17 a try. Ordered it from a local bike store and took 4 weeks to get in. I also bought a bottle of Neatsfoot Oil on the recommendation of the bike shop and was warned that the break-in period could be painful.
I brought the saddle home, followed Sheldon Brown's advice to soak the saddle with the oil, left it overnight and then in the morning installed it onto my touring bike. After doing some saddle adjustments later, I took it out on the ride and the first thing I noticed was while there are some slight discomfort riding on it, my bum felt much more at home with it when compared to my old saddle. This is something I had never felt before! Oh well, 6000 km later, it now feels so good, I am much more inclined to be riding longer and harder now. I don't have the usual frightening experience just to get on the saddle anymore after riding a century. It's now a sexual experience -- felt that you just want to do more and more until you drop so to speak. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hammer Head
a Cross Country Rider
from Philadelphia, PA
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | uh .. who .. me.. ? | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | Wallingford, on line | | Strengths: | Timeless design that looks cool on the bike as well as feels good on the butts .. not too bad on the wallet either. | | Weaknesses: | None, really .. except I wouldn't recommend this saddle for off-road riding or riding in the rain | | Similar Products Used: | run of the mill standard hard ass saddles that make my ass hurt. | | Bike Setup: | Single speed, flip flop. This bike sees the road only. | | Bottom Line: | I have ridden about 600 road miles since I got this saddle. I don't want to get off the bike now. No matter how far or how long I go, the butts don't get sore. At all.
My only regret is that I didn't get the Professional saddle instead of the Touring model. When I wear this bike out and buy a new one in about 7000 miles from now, I am getting a Brooks Professional saddle on it. The longer I ride on this saddle the better it feels. The value rating gets 5 chilis for the superiority associated with the B17. Overall rating gets 5 chilis because I can sit. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ClayB
a Weekend Warrior
from The South
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$83.00 | | Purchased At: | Wallingford Bicycle Parts (Really Nice People in the Big Easy) | | Strengths: | Gorgeous!!!!!! Suprisingly comfortable!! Did I say it was GORGEOUS??? A must for the BIG guy! | | Weaknesses: | If you're going to get it wet, you must apply the leather conditioner provided often. | | Similar Products Used: | WTB and all those dang plastic BMX seats when I was a kid. | | Bike Setup: | Raleigh M80 | | Bottom Line: | It was comfortable from the beginning! It has a breaking-in period, so it only gets better. Back to basics!! If you're a big fella, it is a MUST. I'm 6'3-4" 300lbs and it's comfortable! No chaffing at all. The saddle breaths very well. I have the honey brown one and it's beautiful!! I'm putting together a Single Speed bike and this time I'm going with the British Racing Green with the copper colored rails. Check these saddles out if you're the weekend warrior who just wants to ride! It may not be the Ferrari, but it's the 500 series Mercedes!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Danny I
a
from Astoria
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | secret | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | wallbike | | Strengths: | QUALITY Product. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Champion Flyer, Older B-5N, B-17N, Professional | | Bike Setup: | Redline SS MonoCog, IRC Metro 1.5, 38x14/17 flip-flop. Bunch of Selle and other junk. | | Bottom Line: | I ride mostly in NYC. Great saddle for streets, commuting, curb-jumping, light trail stuff.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TruckeeLocal
a Cross Country Rider
from Truckee, CA
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | The 06 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Strengths: | Comfort, comfort, comfort
Matches my bike | | Weaknesses: | A bit too wide for a MTB saddle
Saddlebag tabs can catch baggy shorts
Weight
A bit of maintenance | | Similar Products Used: | Standard saddles supplied with new bikes
Brooks Team Professional | | Bike Setup: | Bontrager Ti-Lite hardtail, XT group. | | Bottom Line: | I've got a grey B17-Ti to match, sort-of, my Ti frame. It's lighter than a standard B17 but much more expensive (clearly it's not a 5 chili value 'cause it's so darned expensive). It's a unique color, and the color is getting darker. But it works. While punishing yourself up the climbs (and back down again) you can be sure it's not the saddle that's causing an issue. And it won't for decades. I don't have a tensioner and doubt if I'd need it for a few more years yet, if ever. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Cruz
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Wilder Ranch cruising | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | Wall bike | | Strengths: | Classic design and strength | | Bike Setup: | Trek 6700 | | Bottom Line: | Not the lightest thing around but, oh is it comfortable. My stock saddle was a pain in the a**. Bite the bullet and get this one. I've not had too much trouble on either up/down hill, you just get used to it. It really does look cool and industrial and it only took 2 months to get broken in. Make sure and get the balm, makes a big difference. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Roy Duhamel
a Weekend Warrior
from Jefferson City, MO
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Katy Trail, Missouri | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | Wallingford | | Strengths: | Comfort, looks, durability | | Weaknesses: | ? ? | | Similar Products Used: | original Specialized, Cannondale, gel seat | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Road Warrior 1000 | | Bottom Line: | A B-17 Special (big rivets, honey brown). Bought it in Sep 1997. On my second bike, the Cannondale, and it has over 4200 "in the saddle" miles on it.
Would not trade it for any other. I apply proofide every few rides, with my fingertips to rub it in. The saddle is still as firm as when new, and I do not even own the tool that you can get when you buy one.I sometimes get caught in the rain riding - no problem, you cover the saddle when riding. For transport (when raining) I carry a plastic store grocery sack and just tie the ends around the seatpost. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Quill
a Weekend Warrior
from Cheshire, CT
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Aesthetics
Comfort | | Weaknesses: | Too nice to thrash
Weight
Price
Lack of alternate positions - see below | | Bottom Line: | This is more of a touring saddle than a mountain biking saddle, because it is effectively designed to keep your butt in one position. It is too wide to get behind it easily on the downhills (if you do, don't snag your shorts on the rear tabs) and the front of this saddle will punish you severely if you try to scooch forward on the uphills. I do find that I can comfortably slide back an inch or so from my "natural" position if I just want to redistribute my pressure points for a bit. My break-in time was not excessive. I will put it back on my bike when I re-install the semi-slicks, because it IS the most comfortable saddle I've ridden on the flats. Minus one chili because this is a mountain bike site, and to me "mountain" includes uphills and downhills. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mika Hakkinen
a Racer
from Halsinki, Finland
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Just outside Monaco | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | 70.00 | | Strengths: | Durability, Comfort | | Weaknesses: | Weight, You have to cover it up in the rain and take care of the leather | | Similar Products Used: | wtb sst, sella italia pro link, Flite, Ventura Vetta comp Ti, Giro pave | | Bike Setup: | Early Eighties GT mountain bike set up with drop bars, racks and panniers as a touring bike. | | Bottom Line: | Comfort, that's the bottom line, no pun intended. This saddle is so comfortable I could ride it every day on transcontinental tours or just getting to work and back. You can't just slap it on and forget about it, but If comfort for long rides is what you want this is it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a Weekend Warrior
from New York
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | SJS cycles in the UK. You can save over 50% by buying it overseas. | | Strengths: | The most comfortable saddle. Period. That is, once you get past the break-in period. Honey color is classic. Has bag loops for those weekend tours. | | Weaknesses: | - Heavy as a grand piano.
- You either get laughed at or complimented on your choice of saddle. | | Similar Products Used: | Useless gel saddles - name 'em, they all suck. | | Bike Setup: | Tommasini Sintesi with Chorus. | | Bottom Line: | I'm all for the latest, greatest bike stuff. But there are two components I'll never replace: XT Thumbshifters and a Brooks saddle. Both items have yet to be surpassed in their simplicity and function. I don't know why I'm writing this review - I'm already preaching to the converted masses. You either like the Brooks or you don't.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
todd
a
from san francisco
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | any busy street | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Strengths: | incomparably comfortable, tough, stylish. breathes, cool. no friction on pants to chafe. molds to _your_ ass. perfect width for the moderate pelvis angles typical of dedicated but noncompetitive cyclists. | | Weaknesses: | don't ride it soaking wet; not for weight-obsessives. you cry when they get stolen. too wide for horizontal-torso riding - there are other brooks' for that | | Similar Products Used: | several products by avocet, specialized, vetta, selle, lepper, marin. some others are pretty comfortable, but none as much as a b17, and none nearly as handsome and tough - thin covers rip when you crash - brooks' heal with proofide or snoseal. | | Bike Setup: | seven bikes of all types, no motor vehicles, all with brooks saddles. ride ~7K miles/year. | | Bottom Line: | priceless. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris B
a Cross Country Rider
from Richmond,VA
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Powhite | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | in England on a trip | | Strengths: | The most comfortable saddle bar none. Leather is the best for saddle comfort. A personal fit better than the best pair of shoes.
| | Weaknesses: | Urban legends about long break in peroid. Just a tad heavy, weight weenies look at the Brooks swift. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Body Geometry (good) , Vetta Gel (bad and ugly) | | Bike Setup: | a nice full suspension rig with all the trimmings -Chris King,Thomson, XTR hubs, SRAM 9.0, XT brakes, Marzocchi Z2, Cane Creek AD -12, etc. | | Bottom Line: | I was a little hesitant at first after hearing all the horror stories about how hard theses saddles are. And the extremely long break in time.
They are just stories - I would highly recommend these saddles to anyone who appreciates quality of the likes of Chris King, Thomson, XTR. These saddles are top shelf. I am extremely pleased with the comfort and fit of this saddle. I followed the advice of master bike guru, Sheldon "leather" Brown and my saddle broke in on the first few rides.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/leather.html
Oil it up like he says and it feels great the first time out.
This saddle was the final piece to my ultimate ride: When I put it on everything on my bike fell into place. I no longer ever hurt after a ride- EVER! Wow !
Master Craftsmanship, super cool looks and one hell of a sweet ride. It’s been about 2 months now and the saddle gets sweeter every ride.
I can't say enough good things about this saddle: the Brooks B-17 is one of the best things about biking. If you are thinking about this run and get one you will never look back!
Five flaming plastic saddles!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jack Loganbill
a Weekend Warrior
from Woodridge, Ill, USA
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Illinois Prairie Path | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Wallingford | | Strengths: | Most Comfortable saddle I have ever used
Great look and feel of real leather
Stays cool in the summer heat | | Weaknesses: | Shouldn't ride it in the rain | | Similar Products Used: | Avocet, Selle, Specialized Body Geo, you name it | | Bike Setup: | I have three Brooks Saddles on each of the following bikes: Cannondale Tandem, Trek Road Bike, Giant ATB | | Bottom Line: | Absolutely the best saddle I have ever ridden. I tend to chaf with typical saddles and get numb after an hour ride. The Brooks saddle feels hard as a rock until you actually ride on it and then it kinda just disappears! I purchased and rode the first saddle for a couple of weeks and soon purchase two more for the other bikes.
http://pages.prodigy.net/jack.loganbill/bikes1.htm | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
The Right Reverend Dick
a Cross Country Rider
from currently lurking in norcal
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Rainbow Crest | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Aquarian Bicycles in Monterey | | Strengths: | COMFORT FO YO ASS.Durability fo yo ass.Longevity fo yo ass. Stylabilty fo yo ass. | | Weaknesses: | Are you a weight weenie? Wellll, okay, it is a tad wide for "Xtreme" sliding oof the back(exacerbated by baggies). | | Similar Products Used: | WTB,etc. Even the (wack) Specialized and Terry models... | | Bike Setup: | Nice. Like I like. | | Bottom Line: | Don't smoke crack about yer saddle. Where else do you have so much contact with yer bike? Ride a Brooks. AND, leather is a natural, renewable resource. AND, leather won't tear/fade/go out of style for a loooooong time. It just can't get any clearer. Forget all the hype about break-in, too. I rode 164 miles on this saddle after only using it twice before that for short rides. My ass experienced NO DISCOMFORT. Let's face it: no saddle is going to be "comfortable" like yer couch. Get over this and get on a Brooks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a Cross Country Rider
from Carlstadt, NJ, USA
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Frenchtown to Washinton crossing | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | Wallingford | | Strengths: | Comfort, on the first ride it felt great, gets better on every ride. | | Weaknesses: | None!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Brooks Pro, Conquest and Swift. | | Bike Setup: | Trek 6000, no shocks except for a suspension seat post. Grip shift with Shimano XT deraileurs. | | Bottom Line: | Most comfortable seat I have ever owned, too bad I kept it in the box for 1 year before I installed it on my bike. Since it's on my mountain bike, I've been riding it more and enjoying the trails more than ever. This seat really makes a different, the rest of the seats that exist today are all bogus, only made for riders who weighs only 90 lbs. This seat is meant to hold, and support the rider and I hope it last forever. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from the North
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Strengths: | Uncomparable, in my experience. | | Weaknesses: | Company went out of business | | Similar Products Used: | Morphine | | Bike Setup: | Touring | | Bottom Line: | Get two if you can find them - especially if you're in your twenties - two should last you until you're sixty. Then, you'll have to steal one. Be patient. It really takes awhile before they fit right. Mine only took three days of riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TC
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Back roads up and down the Niagara Escarpment | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | A classic! Lasts almost forever with a minimal amt. of care, really does get better with age. I've had mine for 30 years (!), it only now needs a graceful retirement after untold thousands of miles. I wouldn't buy anything else. | | Weaknesses: | Easy to scuff & scratch with hard use (mine is very beat up looking but worked just fine until recently). You must let it dry after leaving it in the rain for any length of time (no problem riding in the rain, though). Use the Brooks "proofide" on it, not saddle soap or anything else. Takes a long time to "break in" (but worth the trouble). | | Similar Products Used: | I've tried some "modern" gel saddles (Norco, Specialized) for short periods, always went back to my old Brooks... no comparison. | | Bike Setup: | Raleigh Record (purchased new in 1971), Campagnolo rear derailleur, SunTour SVX front (original Huret components wore out years ago), Altenberger "Synchron" brakes (original, still work great!), Huret cranks. Long live the old Raleigh 10 speed "lightweights"!! | | Bottom Line: | I bought my Raleigh road bike brand new in 1971, used it for commuting for years and recreational riding since. It just keeps going, I replace parts as they wear out but the main components are still original and still going strong. The Brooks saddle came on the bike when new & was one of the reasons I chose this bike over some others at the time. I remember thinking I'd made a mistake after the first few rides because it seemed so stiff and painful. 30 years later... I guess you could say I've changed my mind. At first, some "tinkering" is necessary with the tension and the seat angle (tipped forward a bit more than normal works best for me). Once set up and broken in, it's fantastic. I recently noticed that the leather is torn at one of the side rivets (a result of years of careless use, bumps and scrapes). I'm shopping now for a new Brooks B-17, I can't think of a reason to buy anything else.
Bottom line: If you plan on keeping your bike for decades (as I have), buy this saddle. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob VonMoss
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago, IL, USA
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | 20+ mile one way commute to work | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | Wallingford Bike http://www.wallbike.com | | Strengths: | Many non-cyclists think leather doesn't look soft. Leather will form and give under shock. Unique saddle. wide in the back. Gets better over time. classic. Saddle soreness is virtually non-existent. Plan to use for years, decades... Hope Brooks never goes out of business.
| | Weaknesses: | break-in period can be difficult. Initially butt at contact points was a bit inflamed. Butt adjusted to seat. Seat adjusted to butt, especially when wet. heavy and probably not suitable for elite-level racing. People have varying experiences--personal preference.
| | Similar Products Used: | Trek Multitrack hybrid stock spring seat | | Bike Setup: | Gunnar Crosshairs, TTT drop bars, Ultegra, fenders | | Bottom Line: | A classic seat used for decades. Not every one likes it. Usually most people either love it or hate it. Tons of folklore stories of how to break it in making biking legends. Most bike parts are best new then get old and break, but this grows with you becoming better over time.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pat Miller
a Cross Country Rider
from Yakima, WA
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Any long road | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Heritage. Firm Support | | Weaknesses: | Rock hard. Rubs me raw on long rides | | Similar Products Used: | Brooks Swift, Pro. Terry Liberator | | Bike Setup: | Strong Racing custom Softride beam touring rig. | | Bottom Line: | I just returned from a 360 mile, 6 day bicycle tour (my first) and felt a need to tell someone what an absolute disappointment the Brooks B17 turned out to be. I had the saddle set up as properly as could be done and was sufficiently broke in (700 miles) or so I thought. By the end of the second day I had two of the gnarliest, bleeding blisters on my butt that I have ever experienced. This put a considerable dampening on my trip. Could I have found a bicycle shop on the route I would have gladly donated this instrument of torture to the local landfill. I have spent a considerable amount of time on a bicycle, commuting, century riding and on supported tours. This was my first long distance experience on a Brooks saddle and will certainly be my last. Apparently the dismal weather in England acclimates the populace to pain and suffering. This saddle certainly fits with a masochistic disposition. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Roy Duhamel
a Weekend Warrior
from Jefferson City, MO
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Katy Trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Comfort | | Weaknesses: | ??????????????? | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized (orig) seat, gel saddle | | Bike Setup: | Rockhopper, Indy fork, thudbuster seatpost | | Bottom Line: |
I have the Brooks special B17. Also a can of Proofide. Got both in May 1998, which was 3,395 miles ago.
I ride mainly on the Katy Trail here in mid-Missouri, and on weekends usually. A rails to trails, longest in the US at 220 miles, non-stop. As you can imagine, it is flat with grades of only 2 to 5% along the way. I get to sit in the saddle a lot!
I would not trade my Brooks for any other saddle, and it is the third saddle I have used in the three years I have been riding. I use the Proofide regularly - like every two or three rides (in the hot summer when I sweat a lot). I apply it with my fingertips from the can to the saddle - top surface only - and let it set for a day or so, then rub it down with a soft cloth and apply another coat.
My saddle is still as 'hard' to the touch as when new. It has darkened up a lot (from sweat) but still has the nice comfortable (firm) support I am used to. I had my original Specialized seat on the bike last time I put it in the shop (didn't want any scratches on the Brooks) and left it on for one ride. I'll not do that again! It reaffirmed my thoughts that there is no comparison to the comfort provided by the Brooks.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cory Farley
a Cross Country Rider
from Reno, Nevada
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Comfort, durability, cool retro look with the copper rivets. I haven't had any problems with staining my shorts, but I use Brooks Proofide rather than oil on it. | | Weaknesses: | It's a little heavy, though I can't feel the difference when I ride. Comfort makes up for it easily. It was expensive when I bought it ($70), but others have caught up. | | Similar Products Used: | Brooks Pro leather saddle (a narrower racing version of the same thing); also many other saddles including Body Geo and TPI Men's models. | | Bike Setup: | Road is a Specialized Allez with mustache bars from Rivendell and bar-end shifters. Mountain is a Cannondale hardtail w/Rock Shox. B-17 works on both. | | Bottom Line: | If I have a choice, I'll never ride anything else. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steven
a
from Canada
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Ages like a fine wine | | Weaknesses: | heavy. Oil residue. Butt ugly (pun intended) | | Similar Products Used: | brooks profesional, Brooks swift | | Bike Setup: | loaded touring | | Bottom Line: | I did 320 road miles on this saddle in 4 days and at the end of those days it was good not to be thinking about my butt. It takes about 500 miles to break it in to where it conforms to the ass bones but the reward is there.
There are lighter brooks models out there. The Professional is lighter and smaller and the titanium Swift {$$$$$) has even less material. Oil this saddle and it will last forever. Quit worrying about scratches or scuffs. It is made with saddle leather. Wear your black cycling shorts though, as the oil will stain light coloured clothing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SteveS
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, Texas
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Comfort when set up properly, good looks | | Weaknesses: | Its a bit heavy and not good to get wet | | Similar Products Used: | Ideale saddles | | Bike Setup: | 1999 Airborne Zeppelin/Dura Ace and Ultegra mix | | Bottom Line: | In a way, I am almost embarrased reviewing this saddle and liking it. Having tried at least 3 other leather saddles over the years and hating them, I was surprised how good this saddle feels, even though it is not broken in at all. The difference is that I read Grant Peterson's (Rivendell) explanation of how to set this saddle up, with the rear slightly higher than the nose. After some tinkering, I got it dialed in an have been amazed how good it feels. Too bad no one ever told us that a long time ago. This saddle is an excellent alternative if you want a saddle a little wider than usual and don't mind the weight penalty for the comfort gain. Quite a suprise. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy
a Racer
from La Crosse, WI, USA
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Granddad Bluff | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | The most comfortable saddle ever made; great retro looks; theftproof (most people think it'll hurt!). | | Weaknesses: | Only one is that you need to take care of it, using Proofide every few months. | | Similar Products Used: | Sella Italia; Nashbar "No Hole" saddle. WTB. | | Bike Setup: | Bianchi CDI | | Bottom Line: | This is the most comfortable and surprising saddle you can buy. It's not light, and it's not soft, but you can do centuries and never feel a thing.
I actually made the mistake of selling my Brooks saddle once when I was low on cash. As soon as I had some money, I BOUGHT IT BACK! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Roy Duhamel
a Cross-Country Rider
from Jefferson City, MO
Date Reviewed: September 4, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Katy Trail - MO | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
This saddle is exactly what you want if you are sitting most all of the time while riding. | | Weaknesses: |
I see none | | Similar Products Used: |
Original Specialized saddle and one gel with springs I rode for 2 months and then got rid of it. | | Bike Setup: |
Specialized Rockhopper, Indy C shock and Thudbuster seat shock | | Bottom Line: | I read a lot of reviews before I bought this saddle. I now have 2251 miles on it, and I do mean on it, in the year and 5 months it has been on my bike. Last month I rode for the first ime in a month (of non-riding) 23 miles the first day and 28 miles the second day, while visiting my daughter in Zionsville, IN. All blacktop back roads out in the country. I had no problem with my sitter using the Performance standard padded undershorts. Although the saddle feels 'hard' to the touch, it is very comfortable. I guess it does just what they say - it conforms to your sit bones and does provide comfort! I would not trade mine for a $200 saddle by any other name! | | Overall Rating: |
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