I just stop riding when I need to pee so I’d skip the drain hole.
mattroch on
Do you have a vagina?
imno1337 on
careful, the cambium saddles tend to wear down your pants…
RooibosContactHigh on
The channel is if you find regular (flat) saddles cause numbness down there. Some people do, some don’t, but only you will know.
Elchimpy1 on
Where else are you going to put your stem and berries?
eddierhys on
This is my favorite saddle. I like the cutout, it gives just a bit more flex. And the cambiums have none of the issues that the og leather ones have with moisture. I’d also note that the abrasive issue that the original series had has been fixed. I had a first generation one and it did tear up my pants, but the new ones are softer and don’t.
DF7 on
I have the C17 Carved on multiple bikes and I love it. It’s just something I never think about, in a good way.
Itchy-Opportunity288 on
I like the hole in the middle. I use it for trail riding and find the flex much more comfortable. I don’t suffer from numbness without the hole though, just prefer the feel with it.
ActuallyAHamster on
I was wondering why there weren’t any weight weenies chiming in, but this is xbiking where steel frames are welcome with open arms.
On a more serious note, I’ve heard the cambium material wears out pants more than other saddles, and the cambium itself can wear quickly for some people. Does anyone know if the stitching around the hole presents an edge that could cause added wear?
Clock_Roach on
I’ve got C17s on two different bikes: drop bar gravel bike and flat bar commuter/atb/mtb.
The regular works fine for the flat bar bike, and I’m perfectly comfortable on longish rides. I started with the regular on my drop bar bike, but started to have some discomfort on longer (30+ miles) rides. I switched to the cutout and it’s much better.
I’ll warn you that the cutout doesn’t play super well with casual clothes. Loose pants can get a little bit caught when you’re sliding off at a stop. No trouble with bib shorts, though.
TheGreatManitou on
I think the one with the hole is comfier, it is also more flexy. But I do not have enough ridden on the one without hole yet…
aerodeck on
I need a hole for my penis
Jeffrey_C_Wheaties on
I like the cutout, gives the saddle more “give” and flex. I have both and a b17 also.
GuiroDon on
My impression is that the uncarved version is very noticeably stiffer than the carved version. I found it uncomfortable and have returned the tester saddle. I have C15, C17 and C19, all carved on different bikes.
No-Produce7606 on
I always select the option with a cut-out.
Sitting on a saddle long term causes real, appreciable damage to your taint.
Swaynyy on
I had the wiener hole version and it was comfy but my heavy ass made it flex too much so it squeaked a lot. Ended up swapping it out with something else.
morebikesplease69 on
I have ridden all different types of Brooks saddles for all types of rides. This one is on my daily commuter bike. It is not as supple as my leather one but it absorbs the road really well. I would highly recommend.
East-Tooth-4008 on
I have C17’s on all my bikes. The carved version is a lot more comfortable than the standard, offering about an inch of ‘suspension’, though I find the standard more than comfortable enough.
Def recommend.
rcyclingisdawae on
If you’re gonna use it a lot with regular clothes, I gotta warn you Brooks cambium saddles eat jeans for breakfast.. I found mine very comfortable but I had to replace it because I was wearing through jeans at an alarming rate, like 2 or 3 pairs a year by commuting with it.
first-alt-account on
I have both. Both are comfortable for hours of riding. Ridden centuries with both.
Can’t tell the difference, actually.
ziptiefighter on
The pathways down there get compressed with no-hole saddles.
The analogy I heard years ago likened to pressing a drinking straw flat, then releasing. Does it fully spring back? Yes. However, after compressing many times, eventually it does not spring back fully. Performance eventually (or lack there of) presents itself in the bathroom and bedroom. 😳
Threeandtwoand on
I have one with the hole and I like it. Mine acts like a small spring with the thin fabrics the cutout creates.
blumenshine on
I’ve ridden with brooks saddles for a bit now, and have found the cut saddle either leather or cambium to be more comfortable on longer rides. My older, broken in brooks are fine for shorter rides, commuting etc., but when it’s time to replace them they will be replaced with cut saddles.
letstourthemaritimes on
I’ve got the carved one and it’s amazing.
hawkhandler on
If you have testicles then you want the hole.
jgsdtvk on
For what it’s worth… I just swapped out my C17 Carved for a C15 not carved. Two things I noticed… the carved C17 is way more flexible. meaning it came in contact with my seat post guts making an insanely annoying squeak. And it was doing the exact opposite of easing pressure on the giblets. I had my *area* go numb on numerous occasions (usually in the worst times possible on multi day bikepacking trips). I tried everything to remedy the issue. Height, forward, backward, nose up, nose down… etc. finally after wracking my brain I came to the conclusion that it (the saddle) was just not right for me. Which really sucks since I’m a big Brooks fan boy (I’ve got a C13 Carbon on my gravel bike that I LOVE, and I’ve got a Swift on a classic track frame, a Swallow on another and a B17 on a cruiser from the 70’s). Since swapping the saddle to a C15 I have had zero issues. As a side note… I stopped wearing chamois like 6-7 (😑) years ago. So to say my sit bones like Brooks Saddles is an understatement. Just my .2¢
YoSupWeirdos on
I’d get the one with the hole, it’s probably better to use one with a hole even if you don’t need it, than one without a hole when you would need one
Mightymaax on
Cut!
tteoma on
Bonus of the carved is that you can easily attach your chain and lock to it.
Bicycle_Bum on
With the hole if you enjoy having sex.
TruckCAN-Bus on
B17.
With cut out
AbstractFigures909 on
Hole makes you KOM faster I guess.
Alarming_Taste3730 on
With. I’ve put approximately 20,000km on my carved Cambium C17 so far. It’s the comfiest saddle I’ve ever owned.
clemisan on
Carved if you like it softer, non-carved if you like it hard.
Onkel_Lunke on
Check the Ergons. They look pretty boring but are very comfortable. Especially for touring.
HamF1st on
I pull my dick through the hole the wind feels nice
djolk on
I love the solid. Didn’t get on with the carved one at all.
nohxpolitan on
Air increases ventilation which lowers the likelihood of developing an abscess which can kill you if not treated properly. Therefore, hole saddle is less likely to kill you.
38 Comments
I just stop riding when I need to pee so I’d skip the drain hole.
Do you have a vagina?
careful, the cambium saddles tend to wear down your pants…
The channel is if you find regular (flat) saddles cause numbness down there. Some people do, some don’t, but only you will know.
Where else are you going to put your stem and berries?
This is my favorite saddle. I like the cutout, it gives just a bit more flex. And the cambiums have none of the issues that the og leather ones have with moisture. I’d also note that the abrasive issue that the original series had has been fixed. I had a first generation one and it did tear up my pants, but the new ones are softer and don’t.
I have the C17 Carved on multiple bikes and I love it. It’s just something I never think about, in a good way.
I like the hole in the middle. I use it for trail riding and find the flex much more comfortable. I don’t suffer from numbness without the hole though, just prefer the feel with it.
I was wondering why there weren’t any weight weenies chiming in, but this is xbiking where steel frames are welcome with open arms.
On a more serious note, I’ve heard the cambium material wears out pants more than other saddles, and the cambium itself can wear quickly for some people. Does anyone know if the stitching around the hole presents an edge that could cause added wear?
I’ve got C17s on two different bikes: drop bar gravel bike and flat bar commuter/atb/mtb.
The regular works fine for the flat bar bike, and I’m perfectly comfortable on longish rides. I started with the regular on my drop bar bike, but started to have some discomfort on longer (30+ miles) rides. I switched to the cutout and it’s much better.
I’ll warn you that the cutout doesn’t play super well with casual clothes. Loose pants can get a little bit caught when you’re sliding off at a stop. No trouble with bib shorts, though.
I think the one with the hole is comfier, it is also more flexy. But I do not have enough ridden on the one without hole yet…
I need a hole for my penis
I like the cutout, gives the saddle more “give” and flex. I have both and a b17 also.
My impression is that the uncarved version is very noticeably stiffer than the carved version. I found it uncomfortable and have returned the tester saddle. I have C15, C17 and C19, all carved on different bikes.
I always select the option with a cut-out.
Sitting on a saddle long term causes real, appreciable damage to your taint.
I had the wiener hole version and it was comfy but my heavy ass made it flex too much so it squeaked a lot. Ended up swapping it out with something else.
I have ridden all different types of Brooks saddles for all types of rides. This one is on my daily commuter bike. It is not as supple as my leather one but it absorbs the road really well. I would highly recommend.
I have C17’s on all my bikes. The carved version is a lot more comfortable than the standard, offering about an inch of ‘suspension’, though I find the standard more than comfortable enough.
Def recommend.
If you’re gonna use it a lot with regular clothes, I gotta warn you Brooks cambium saddles eat jeans for breakfast.. I found mine very comfortable but I had to replace it because I was wearing through jeans at an alarming rate, like 2 or 3 pairs a year by commuting with it.
I have both. Both are comfortable for hours of riding. Ridden centuries with both.
Can’t tell the difference, actually.
The pathways down there get compressed with no-hole saddles.
The analogy I heard years ago likened to pressing a drinking straw flat, then releasing. Does it fully spring back? Yes. However, after compressing many times, eventually it does not spring back fully. Performance eventually (or lack there of) presents itself in the bathroom and bedroom. 😳
I have one with the hole and I like it. Mine acts like a small spring with the thin fabrics the cutout creates.
I’ve ridden with brooks saddles for a bit now, and have found the cut saddle either leather or cambium to be more comfortable on longer rides. My older, broken in brooks are fine for shorter rides, commuting etc., but when it’s time to replace them they will be replaced with cut saddles.
I’ve got the carved one and it’s amazing.
If you have testicles then you want the hole.
For what it’s worth… I just swapped out my C17 Carved for a C15 not carved. Two things I noticed… the carved C17 is way more flexible. meaning it came in contact with my seat post guts making an insanely annoying squeak. And it was doing the exact opposite of easing pressure on the giblets. I had my *area* go numb on numerous occasions (usually in the worst times possible on multi day bikepacking trips). I tried everything to remedy the issue. Height, forward, backward, nose up, nose down… etc. finally after wracking my brain I came to the conclusion that it (the saddle) was just not right for me. Which really sucks since I’m a big Brooks fan boy (I’ve got a C13 Carbon on my gravel bike that I LOVE, and I’ve got a Swift on a classic track frame, a Swallow on another and a B17 on a cruiser from the 70’s). Since swapping the saddle to a C15 I have had zero issues. As a side note… I stopped wearing chamois like 6-7 (😑) years ago. So to say my sit bones like Brooks Saddles is an understatement. Just my .2¢
I’d get the one with the hole, it’s probably better to use one with a hole even if you don’t need it, than one without a hole when you would need one
Cut!
Bonus of the carved is that you can easily attach your chain and lock to it.
With the hole if you enjoy having sex.
B17.
With cut out
Hole makes you KOM faster I guess.
With. I’ve put approximately 20,000km on my carved Cambium C17 so far. It’s the comfiest saddle I’ve ever owned.
Carved if you like it softer, non-carved if you like it hard.
Check the Ergons. They look pretty boring but are very comfortable. Especially for touring.
I pull my dick through the hole the wind feels nice
I love the solid. Didn’t get on with the carved one at all.
Air increases ventilation which lowers the likelihood of developing an abscess which can kill you if not treated properly. Therefore, hole saddle is less likely to kill you.