Yep, got one in the garage right now collecting patina. I think I like to ride with too aggressive of a setup even with the touring/city bikes… or I’m just too big for it…or my seats too high? Either the hard bits in the front or the back would dig in somewhere unpleasant.
omcgoo on
Swear by them.
Just get a tescos bag and wrap it up. Stuffs nicely underneath, never been stolen in 12 years of leaving my bike on london streets.
eddjc on
One came with my touring bike but I switched it out recently – just wasn’t as comfortable as the one that came with my carbon fibre bike, so I got the same one. All comes down to preference
allgonetoshit on
This is going to be downvoted, but Brooks saddles are truly one of the most overrated bike gear there has ever been. Just get a saddle that fits you. They don’t belong on a road, endurance, mountain, or gravel bike. Maybe on some sort of upright city or beach cruiser bike, maybe.
Some people swear by them, but I’m guessing they would be more comfortable on something else if they did the work of finding a saddle that fits them.
Now, downvote all you want, but the truth is the truth. Sorry.
jonxblaze on
B17 are the most comfortable saddle I’ve ever sat in. No regrets.
Icy-Section-7421 on
My brother rode one for 40+ years. Looks like an old catcher mit. He loves it
Adventurous_Fact8418 on
Yes. I tried one and just couldn’t deal with the numbness it caused for me. I’d have become impotent if I made it through the infamous break in period. I think it’s down to one’s body geometry, but it just didn’t work for me. Shame because they sure do look nice.
Right0rightoh on
Everybody!
Bugmasta23 on
It’s what is on my daily commuter. I do at least 100mi/week and love it. It took about 1000miles to get it broken in but that’s only a few months. Was well worth the patience. Anyone complaining about it never put in the time to break it in.
M-R-buddha on
They never worked well for me, too wide. I did have a brooks swallow that I regret selling it fit well, I now ride a Gilles Berthoud and it’s been really nice.
threeespressos on
Mine was don’t-think-about-it comfortable. I took it off and it’s living in a box in my garage because 1) too wide when I’m standing on the pedals going down a steep hill, 2) heavy! (heh, pun not intended). Also, not impervious to wet & sweat.
Strapping_young_dad on
Had one on my Rivendell for 20 years and love it. That said it works well with a more upright position but not a more aggressive one. I did not opt to put one on my gravel bike which has a much more standard position.
tinfoil123 on
Bought a B17, regretted it. Bought a B17 imperial, loved it. Bought a second one after that was stolen, didn’t love that.
couldbeworse2 on
Worked for me. Wasn’t real difficult to break in, and it fits better over time, but it is a bit like preferring a hard mattress.
T04STED on
And they need to be angled up slightly. Install it level and it will never be comfortable. Having said that, I’m over 60 and I have my bars up a little higher than I used to, so that may be a factor.
Moof_the_cyclist on
I live in the PNW and got a couple Cambium ones, and quickly loathed them. I am on the heavier side (210) and they sag down enough that either I slide forward to the narrow portion, or if I raise the nose up so my sit bones are in the right spot the nose digs into my nads. For my semi-upright bikes ai like the WTB Koda in the wide option, but every butt is different.
ImperiumPopuliPopule on
I never ever thought I would be that guy but the moment I sat on a brooks I fell in love and haven’t ridden anything since. I rode plenty of other saddles but brooks are just right for me. I have one that’s a pain to break in though so there’s that.
Spinal_fluid_enema on
Chews holes threw yer pants
CodeMonkeyX on
Yup. I found it very uncomfortable. The quality seemed great, I just did not get along with it. I sold it on ebay after trying to get used it over several rides.
Po0rYorick on
I didn’t like it on my road bike but do like it on my single speed that is set up with a more upright position.
Like any saddle, it will depend on your riding position and personal anatomy. I find the b17 is best if bars are at least as high as your saddle.
Anteater-Inner on
I have the B17 with pressure relief cutout. It looks sexy af on my bike, and my butt loves it. Mine did have a bit of a break-in period of about 200 miles, but even that was more comfortable than I expected. I recently changed to a more upright riding position, and it’s still super comfortable.
DarknessFollower79 on
I think mine is a 17 – I bought it in 1981 and it’s been on every bike I owned. Perfect saddle. I bought a second one NOS 1970 for my 1970 Swiss Mondia and it is also very comfortable.
retroawesomeness on
I’ve ridden a century with no chamois on a well broken in Brooks B17. No complaints and no issues.
All my road bikes and my e-bike have Brooks saddles. B17, B17 Special, Team Pro, C17, and C15 carved.
My bike fitter told me that a sign you’ve made it in life is when all your bikes have Brooks saddles. lol.
BWWFC on
best saddle i ever had and the break in everyone talks about… it’ just got more comfortable. IDK great purchase.
Bonus… it just looks sexy and fall in love with my bike again every time i turn the corner to get her.
brillodelsol02 on
Yes. I tried it and didn’t care for it. Now, their C-17 Cambria I lOVE!
lingueenee on
Well, I regret that the B17 didn’t work for me and so ended up selling it but there were a few other saddles that I can say the same about. Ended up settling–and sitting–on a WTB Speed V.
helmut_spargle on
I regretted it when it was stolen from my bike once out the front of the pub, then my wallet regretted it when I immediately bought another one.
internetmaniac on
My gravel bike with my Brooks is in the shop so I’m only riding my road bike with a stock Cannondale saddle and there’s a home in my heart in my butt
bboscillator on
I try not to fetishize bike parts, though I do appreciate the look of a Brooks saddle. That said, I regretted buying a B-17 because it didn’t fit me well. I’m also not of the opinion that I need to suffer through several hundred kilometres of “break in” period to have a comfortable ride. I just want to ride. Switched back to the stock saddle that came with my All City and have been fine since.
LEE_FORDHAM46 on
Yes, wasn’t comfortable
xizrtilhh on
I sold my old B17 on a bike and almost instantly regretted it. I bought a new B17, put a few hundred km’s on it, and still don’t like it.
MichaelMcLaughlin123 on
I love mine. But you have to be sure your bike/position is suited for it. Mine is a rather upright flat bar commuter e-bike (specialized Vado sl). That position is well suited for it.
36 Comments
Yes
Yes.
No, I like my B17. But I like my C15 much more.
Should have said ‘and why?’ In the post 😂
Yep, got one in the garage right now collecting patina. I think I like to ride with too aggressive of a setup even with the touring/city bikes… or I’m just too big for it…or my seats too high? Either the hard bits in the front or the back would dig in somewhere unpleasant.
Swear by them.
Just get a tescos bag and wrap it up. Stuffs nicely underneath, never been stolen in 12 years of leaving my bike on london streets.
One came with my touring bike but I switched it out recently – just wasn’t as comfortable as the one that came with my carbon fibre bike, so I got the same one. All comes down to preference
This is going to be downvoted, but Brooks saddles are truly one of the most overrated bike gear there has ever been. Just get a saddle that fits you. They don’t belong on a road, endurance, mountain, or gravel bike. Maybe on some sort of upright city or beach cruiser bike, maybe.
Some people swear by them, but I’m guessing they would be more comfortable on something else if they did the work of finding a saddle that fits them.
Now, downvote all you want, but the truth is the truth. Sorry.
B17 are the most comfortable saddle I’ve ever sat in. No regrets.
My brother rode one for 40+ years. Looks like an old catcher mit. He loves it
Yes. I tried one and just couldn’t deal with the numbness it caused for me. I’d have become impotent if I made it through the infamous break in period. I think it’s down to one’s body geometry, but it just didn’t work for me. Shame because they sure do look nice.
Everybody!
It’s what is on my daily commuter. I do at least 100mi/week and love it. It took about 1000miles to get it broken in but that’s only a few months. Was well worth the patience. Anyone complaining about it never put in the time to break it in.
They never worked well for me, too wide. I did have a brooks swallow that I regret selling it fit well, I now ride a Gilles Berthoud and it’s been really nice.
Mine was don’t-think-about-it comfortable. I took it off and it’s living in a box in my garage because 1) too wide when I’m standing on the pedals going down a steep hill, 2) heavy! (heh, pun not intended). Also, not impervious to wet & sweat.
Had one on my Rivendell for 20 years and love it. That said it works well with a more upright position but not a more aggressive one. I did not opt to put one on my gravel bike which has a much more standard position.
Bought a B17, regretted it. Bought a B17 imperial, loved it. Bought a second one after that was stolen, didn’t love that.
Worked for me. Wasn’t real difficult to break in, and it fits better over time, but it is a bit like preferring a hard mattress.
And they need to be angled up slightly. Install it level and it will never be comfortable. Having said that, I’m over 60 and I have my bars up a little higher than I used to, so that may be a factor.
I live in the PNW and got a couple Cambium ones, and quickly loathed them. I am on the heavier side (210) and they sag down enough that either I slide forward to the narrow portion, or if I raise the nose up so my sit bones are in the right spot the nose digs into my nads. For my semi-upright bikes ai like the WTB Koda in the wide option, but every butt is different.
I never ever thought I would be that guy but the moment I sat on a brooks I fell in love and haven’t ridden anything since. I rode plenty of other saddles but brooks are just right for me. I have one that’s a pain to break in though so there’s that.
Chews holes threw yer pants
Yup. I found it very uncomfortable. The quality seemed great, I just did not get along with it. I sold it on ebay after trying to get used it over several rides.
I didn’t like it on my road bike but do like it on my single speed that is set up with a more upright position.
Like any saddle, it will depend on your riding position and personal anatomy. I find the b17 is best if bars are at least as high as your saddle.
I have the B17 with pressure relief cutout. It looks sexy af on my bike, and my butt loves it. Mine did have a bit of a break-in period of about 200 miles, but even that was more comfortable than I expected. I recently changed to a more upright riding position, and it’s still super comfortable.
I think mine is a 17 – I bought it in 1981 and it’s been on every bike I owned. Perfect saddle. I bought a second one NOS 1970 for my 1970 Swiss Mondia and it is also very comfortable.
I’ve ridden a century with no chamois on a well broken in Brooks B17. No complaints and no issues.
All my road bikes and my e-bike have Brooks saddles. B17, B17 Special, Team Pro, C17, and C15 carved.
My bike fitter told me that a sign you’ve made it in life is when all your bikes have Brooks saddles. lol.
best saddle i ever had and the break in everyone talks about… it’ just got more comfortable. IDK great purchase.
Bonus… it just looks sexy and fall in love with my bike again every time i turn the corner to get her.
Yes. I tried it and didn’t care for it. Now, their C-17 Cambria I lOVE!
Well, I regret that the B17 didn’t work for me and so ended up selling it but there were a few other saddles that I can say the same about. Ended up settling–and sitting–on a WTB Speed V.
I regretted it when it was stolen from my bike once out the front of the pub, then my wallet regretted it when I immediately bought another one.
My gravel bike with my Brooks is in the shop so I’m only riding my road bike with a stock Cannondale saddle and there’s a home in my heart in my butt
I try not to fetishize bike parts, though I do appreciate the look of a Brooks saddle. That said, I regretted buying a B-17 because it didn’t fit me well. I’m also not of the opinion that I need to suffer through several hundred kilometres of “break in” period to have a comfortable ride. I just want to ride. Switched back to the stock saddle that came with my All City and have been fine since.
Yes, wasn’t comfortable
I sold my old B17 on a bike and almost instantly regretted it. I bought a new B17, put a few hundred km’s on it, and still don’t like it.
I love mine. But you have to be sure your bike/position is suited for it. Mine is a rather upright flat bar commuter e-bike (specialized Vado sl). That position is well suited for it.