Brooks Saddles

tuniwes

Pedelecer
Aug 16, 2020
53
46
In my opinion the Brooks B17 little changed since its patent in 1888, after the first 100 miles it is still the finest thing you can put your cycling bum on....there is no dividing line between rider and bike, they become "As one"

I love iconic inspirational designs like this......another example would be the Fender Stratocaster, to add balance The Gibson Les Paul......Poached eggs on toast!
 

sjpt

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 8, 2018
3,837
2,759
Winchester
In my opinion the Brooks B17 little changed since its patent in 1888, after the first 100 miles it is still the finest thing you can put your cycling bum on....there is no dividing line between rider and bike, they become "As one"

I love iconic inspirational designs like this......another example would be the Fender Stratocaster, to add balance The Gibson Les Paul......Poached eggs on toast!
I like my B17 too. I guess the saddle's the toast, and my bum is the poached eggs.
 

Stanebike

Pedelecer
Jan 5, 2020
82
49
I bought a Raleigh Motus ebike in January and couldn’t get on with the Selle Royal saddle. My rides were getting shorter due to the increasing pain in the rear the further I rode. I changed to a Brooks B67. It was the exact opposite, it started painfully but got more comfortable the further I rode. It’s moulded to fit me and now it’s comfortable and pain free for all my rides. A great saddle it just keep getting better.
 

Bikes4two

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 21, 2020
1,009
433
Havant
Brooks saddles don't break in - your backside simply gets used to it. ..............
I'm going to disagree with you on that point - I have three different B17 on separate bikes and all, repeat all of them, have adjusted their shape over time as my weight and perspiration have moulded them to my particular shape.

What I would say is though, that they are all slightly different in subtle ways in that some of them are more comfortable than others and I can fully understand why some folks never get comfortable - some butts are more forgiving than others.

My most comfortable one is on my Dawes Galaxy tourer - it's has travelled with me for many thousands of miles - LeJog, Spain, Portugal, Germany, France, EV5 and so on. It is now starting to show early signs of coming to a graceful end with the rivets starting to pull through the leather - I might well shed a tear or two when it has to go :confused: .
 

Old Fart At Play

Pedelecer
Jun 11, 2020
106
48
Different strokes for different folks. But I've ridden many miles on my B17 and I wouldn't go back. My wife tried many, many saddles before setting on a brooks flyer, and again wouldnt go back. But some people just don't get on with them.
 
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Edward Elizabeth

Pedelecer
Aug 10, 2020
136
191
Buckinghamshire
I'm going to disagree with you on that point - I have three different B17 on separate bikes and all, repeat all of them, have adjusted their shape over time as my weight and perspiration have moulded them to my particular shape.

What I would say is though, that they are all slightly different in subtle ways in that some of them are more comfortable than others and I can fully understand why some folks never get comfortable - some butts are more forgiving than others.

My most comfortable one is on my Dawes Galaxy tourer - it's has travelled with me for many thousands of miles - LeJog, Spain, Portugal, Germany, France, EV5 and so on. It is now starting to show early signs of coming to a graceful end with the rivets starting to pull through the leather - I might well shed a tear or two when it has to go :confused: .
Fair enough...but what about some that never seem to break in? What about used saddles that are comfy right from the start - if they're broken in and moulded to someone else's shape, then how could this be?

I'm a very big, heavy lad, and my B17 is dimensionally identical to that which it was 37 years ago. It has not changed shape as a result of my sweaty fat behind battering it into submission. Just the opposite - on those occasions when I have to work away for a few months, it hurts my backside again just as any other saddle would when I get home and cock a leg over it.
 
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egroover

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 12, 2016
1,038
622
57
UK
The problem I found with my b17 was that the rails don't allow the saddle to be set far enough back for my liking even with a seat post with a long setback such as the Velo Orange. Every couple of years I try again with it, sadly no joy
 

Bobajob

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 1, 2019
313
140
Cornwall
I’ve tried two selle saddles and one cheapy off eBay all hurt my arse.
the last one I bought is huge (300x270w) but still not comfortable.
I toyed with a recumbent as I rack up the miles when I can so possibly a better position one of those?