Should i buy a brooks saddle

Which is the best Brooks saddle for touring? I took the basic option, which is the Brooks B17 standard saddle. I daresay there are subtle differences, and that the best Brooks saddle for touring differs between people.

For example, the Imperial range features a cut-out which some guys find more comfortable. The standard B17 leather saddle seemed good enough for me, and comes in 6 different colours.

I actually now own two Brooks saddles, and have one honey coloured, and one plain black. The honey coloured leather bike touring saddle is probably my favourite. I know. In an age where modern materials are being developed on a regular basis to increase efficiency, cut down weight, and improve comfort, a leather saddle for bicycle touring seems a bit of an anachronism.

Take my word for it though, the B is super-comfortable once you have gone past the break-in-period! Quite simply, they are the best touring bike saddle around. Note: If you are looking for a non-leather seat, check out the Brooks C17 from their Cambium range.

During that time, the saddle isn't painful to sit on or anything. It's just not as comfortable as it will be later on. What happens during this period, is the seat starts to mould itself to the shape of your butt. As it does so, it becomes more and more comfortable. Funny story here — My two Brooks B17 saddles look totally different where they have shaped themselves to my backside, but they are equally comfortable! The break-in time seems to vary from person to person. Other people have mentioned it might take several hundred miles for the B17 saddle to get truly comfortable.

Observation: You'll find instructions on how to break in the Brooks leather saddle when you buy one. Don't listen to the weird and wonderful methods some people describe online — follow the Brooks England advice! Leather does need taking care of, and the Brooks saddle is no different. Applying some Brooks Proofide from time to time is hardly a problem.

I use the Kiwi about once a month. Just follow the directions to the letter, and you can watch Youtube videos as well. Breaking in a leather saddle does take time, but a huge world of caution, follow ONLY the directions given by Brooks for breaking in your saddle, do not listen to anyone on the internet or some friend claiming they have a better way.

The saddle will sag a bit, this is natural, they are designed like a hammock and hammocks sag, if you keep adjusting your saddle a half a turn every year you will eventually run out of bolt, over tightening can also pull the leather cover away from the rivets…not a good thing. I weigh pounds so a heavier person may need to turn it more often, not more turns. I test my bolt every year for resistance, or lack thereof, and when it lacks resistance is the only time I adjust the bolt.

As Paulie says, they do tend to sit forward even with an offset post. As someone else mentioned, Sno Seal and a hair dryer is the way to start this saddle toward having a long foolproof life, fender or not. Older guys need good saddles on their race bikes! I put a new B on and went out for a 25 mile first of the season ride and it felt perfect right out of the box.

Not true. The saddle was a Pro and that one did take 10 years to break in. The B supports me perfectly. Only thing more personal than saddles is chain lube. Hated my B17 which never felt quite right, but love my C17… and it is maintenance free no worry about rain, etc. First of all I want to thank you for a well written review. I do have a few questions though to make sure it is a good fit since it will stretch me quite a bit financially to buy this saddle.

I want to give some info about myself first. I have certain health problems with a herniated disc on lower back and neck being the worst ones. After all that I only have question. Is b17 a really good choice or should I consider a good jel saddle?

What you probably need to look into is a suspension stem and seat post to get the shock from traveling up into your bad areas. Also Redshift makes a suspension seatpost called the ShockStop, yes they named them both the same, anyway this seatpost will help take the shock off your spine.

Just got a new B17 for my Torelli. Being a messenger for 23 years, riding 8- 10 hours a day 5 days a week, I highly recommend. The only downside aside from having to bag it in the rain is the tweaker bike thieves who now target them. Your email address will not be published. Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

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Heavy Needs lengthy break-in period Leather requires special care Looks wrong on hot bikes www. A Hard Lesson Then I made a big mistake. Saddle Maintenance Unlike with plastic-shell seats having synthetic covers, leather saddles need special care for a long, happy life. Comments Like many people it took me a while to switch to a Brooks saddle. Wish I could send you a pic of the Brooks on my Waterford Touring bike!

There are plenty of different styles and colours to choose from, but this construction style is consistent. Unlike other bike saddles, this means that the leather of Brooks saddles move with the bike, cushioning the blow from any bumps or rough surfaces you might meet. Comfort This sounds great, but one of the first things you notice about a Brooks saddle is that the leather feels pretty hard.

Well, the magic of using leather is that it softens over time, gradually forming to your shape as you ride. Aesthetics Leather, being a natural material, will develop a lovely patina over time. Imagine my surprise when the steel rails of the Brooks B17 saddle slotted smoothly between the opposing halves of the Genesis seat clamp.

A 5mm hex key had the seat fitted and set up in less than the time it took for an ad break during a particularly engrossing instalment of Homes Under the Hammer if you've only recently started working from home as the world goes into lockdown , you'll come to love Homes Under the Hammer! Image 7 of 8. Everyone is different, but if you can get to a dealer, the B17 is available in varying widths not to mention colours.