Review of Brooks Heritage Saddles B17 Standard Saddle

Brooks Heritage Saddles B17 Standard Saddle - Men's
By: Brooks Average Rating: 4.5 Total Reviews: 3
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I loved

On: 2010-08-01

This review is for the B17 Agged

I received yesterday and I was astonished Beatiful design, it looks like jewelry that I dont want to use it.
The box, the instrcuctions, everythink is A+
Is not a regular, comercial saddle Is a piece of art

Edit: Ago 10, 2010
I used for the first time. No words to describe how confortable it is I cant belive how can a hard saddle can be so confortable, and it was the first ride....
Believe me, I tried several saddles (se my reviews), Extra GEL, Gel, Leather hand made , and nothing I repeat nothing compares to this Saddle
As I sayed its Ã¡ Jewelry

The Mercedes Benz, or Bently of the saddles

One tip: Never use gel shorts to ride long distances, the gel is the problem it smashes your but

It's great

On: 2010-04-17

I have ridden a Brooks years ago and they were heaven on the rear. Still the same. A leather saddle only gets better with age.

This is a good choice for long distance riding

On: 2010-03-08

I drank the Brooks cool-aid several years ago. I find the saddle (B17 Std) to be very comfortable and have been very pleased with it. I did not find it necessary to break in the saddle, it was fine on day one. Come to think of it, I have ridden on a lot of saddles with no problems, so I might not be a super good judge with it comes to this aspect of saddle selection. I can tell you it looks good and it carries some prestige that you dont get with the other saddle choices. I ride a full on touring bike with front/rear racks, barcon shifters, ATB gearing, the works. I really had no choice; I had to get a Brooks didnt I.

get this saddle and you will never look back

On: 2010-02-18

After being away for about 8 years, dont ask me why, I decided to get back into cycling again, and bought a Trek 520, mostly for commuting, but plan to do some longer trips later. The saddle that came with the bike was so hard I hurt for a week after using it a few days, and stopped riding it. I looked into other saddles, found Brooks, and decided on the aged since I didnt want to ride a marathon to break it in. I have just installed it and I have only ridden a dozen miles on this saddle so far, and decided to write this now. There is no break in period, it feels great right from the start. I had to actually make myself think about the saddle I was sitting on, it was so comfortable from the get-go, that I almost forgot about it, which was good, as it allowed me to enjoy my ride more. This is one great all leather saddle, and I know I am going to enjoy it for many years to come. If and when I get another bike, I will order a Brooks before I even ride it.

The saddle comes with some leather string tied into the underside, like a shoelace, which as time goes on, you tighten it up a bit, plus a wrench to tighten the rear linear adjustment. Youll know when you get yours, but this adjustment needs very little at a time, if at all?

I bought the Proofride saddle dressing, or wax as I call it. You put it on the underside of the saddle and leave it, put a small amount on the sides and polish it off, but put none on the top. I do not know if this works, but even the bike shop said it was a good idea, so I will use it. Expensive for a small tin, but probably worth it.

One other thing, the saddle comes with a cover for when it rains, I didnt know this so it was a nice surprise as I wanted to get one. Glad I didnt order it ahead of time.

Brooks Saddles are the best

On: 2010-02-07

I have used other saddles, but Brooks saddles are very comfortable. I know they dont look like it, but the leather conforms over time for a customized fit. If you have a tendency to be sore after riding, you should give Brooks a try.

The all purpose B-17

On: 2009-11-20

I simply love my Brooks B-17s. Currently I have two and a third is on the way. I use them on my daily commuter bike, an old mountain bike converted a single speed town bike and my Bike Friday New World Tourist which has been to Mexico, the Bay Area, and most recently, Las Vegas. The one Ive on order will grace the Rivendell Quickbeam being built even as I write.

Why the B-17?

Unfortunately the saddles supplied with most bikes are uncomfortable plastic shells with some padding thrown on them. The plastic shell has no give and the padding eventually bunches up and creases giving the saddle some very uncomfortable spots.

A leather saddle, the Brooks B-17, on the other hand will conform to the shape of the rider over time. And, because the leather is support in back and front, the saddle itself acts somewhat like a hammock to support the rider comfortably.

Ive never needed to use specialized riding shorts on my Brooks, even for long 50+ mile rides. I routinely do a 60 mile ride from Honolulu to Kailua and back and never experience problems. In addition, my daily commuting, 10-15 miles a day depending on errands, is done in work clothes for the most part and again, Ive never experienced problems.

Some folks have say that during the break-in period these saddles can be uncomfortable. Personally Ive never found that to be true. Yes, they are more comfortable when they are broken-in, but I think they are better to beging with than most of the stock saddles that have come with my various bikes of the years.

That break-in period will vary of course, depending on the rider. Ive found that my Brooks become quite comfortable after just a couple of weeks which would be somewhere between 200-350 miles depending on my enthusiasm. Again, they are comfortable for me to begin with though. Id not hestitate to do a longer ride on a new one. However, to be on the safe side, I generally put new saddles on my commuter to break them in more easily. Im a clydesdale (230lb right now) so your mileage may vary on break-in.

I havent used Brooks Proofide on my saddles to season them, preferring a product called Obenaufs LP as recommended by Rivendell Bicycle Works.

Brooks Saddles have been around for a long time. Theres a reason for that. They are simply excellent.

Aloha!

my butt is so happpy

On: 2009-09-03

this saddle rules. there is nothing like it, by butt feels amazing when i ride. you cant beat a company thats been making bike saddles for almost 100 years. get one.

B17 from Niagra Cycle - the bomb!!!

On: 2009-05-20

Arrived 2 days earlier than promised - what does that tell you about the seller. First rate business-people, thats what! Unless things have changed at the Brooks factory, Niagra Cycle also included the seat adjustment wrench just because. My first Brooks (they are on all my bikes) did not come with the wrench.
Brooks saddles - the name says it all. Quality worksmanship, second to none. Comfort. Period. Who wants to sit on a 2 inch wide piece of cloth covered metal thats shoved up your crack?

Excellent choice for a bicycle seat

On: 2009-01-17

For an avid or even a part time biker this is an excellent seat. Had no trouble installing or adjusting the seat. There was no need to buy any tools, it came with a wrench. Would highly recommend it.

Good, but not for everyone, or every purpose.

On: 2008-03-24

The Classic Brooks B17 has a lot going for it. Mine is a Honey colored classic. It took me about 500 miles to break it in. I sped the process up with inundating in a substance I will not describe. I risked ruining the saddle, but the treatment seemed to set it in nicely. Be careful with advice to speed the break-in. You can ruin it. Im a 165# male, FWIW.

The saddle for me, is very comfortable on the sit bones once it settles in. However, I recently changed my riding position, lowering my handlebar to a more aggressive stance, and I can no longer use it. I was recently fitted by a professional to address other issues I was having on my bike.

Especially on the drops the Brooks caused problems. One one-hour ride and my taint, as they say, was screaming. Its a day after my ride and I still feel something a urologist could explain better than I. Ive also had urological issues towards the ends of very long rides (60 miles and up) when your form and technique start to degrade.

I gave the saddle 4 stars since it is a classic and is still the last word for long distance riders whose handlebars are pretty much level with the top of the saddle, and who rarely need to use the drop position on their bike.

That said, using heavily padded shorts and bibs may exacerbate the soft tissue problems while improving sit-bone comfort.

Where is my saddle now? Its on my hybrid commuter where I "SIT" on the Brooks in a more upright position. If I had a Trek 520 or LHT, it would still be on my road bike.

Its not for everyone, but if it is for you, you will be one of the many many true believers. Just watch out for the taint!

Saddle selection is famously anecdotal. But the Brooks B-17 is certainly worth your time if youre a serious tourer. The saddle holds its value very well, and even if you dont like it after-all, I doubt youd sell it. Im not selling it!

Happy trails.

ALWAYS THE BEST

On: 2008-02-29

I have a variation on the classic B-17. Mine has springs, since Im over-the-hill and need the extra cushioning for my tushe. Brooks, hands down, makes the best saddles, and always has. This sort of quality is very had to find these days. Not as "svelte" as the racing saddles that are out there, but very comfortable.