My Brooks Flyer is still going strong and is so comfortable. However, I'm not sure how much longer it will last. Like you said all are a little different in stiffness. I weigh around 185 lbs. and occasionally mine will sag enough to contact the rails below. I'll turn the tensioning nut a bit and it's good again. I guess when I run out of bolt it's done. That could well be at around 12,000 to 13,000 mile range and that's pretty dang awesome. Great saddle for sure.

What IS your opinión between flyer.B67 or b17 for long travels. B67 is ok? B17 is ok ?

Thank you.

was it a noticeable difference with the springs in the flyer vs the b17? I am contemplating getting one. I ride mostly gravel and roads (but quite bumpy)

@@kfernandes86 I'm still using the flyer so I can't answer that yet.

@@yooperventures2830 Any updates if the springs on the B17 flyer make a difference?

@@Wasabi_Master I guess I will find out. I recently purchased a B17 to replace my Flyer. It was no longer able to be tensioned.

@@kfernandes86 Sorry to be late getting back to you. The difference is massive. For most bumps you can feel the saddle moving. This works well you have a less forward position. For a very forward position, then you can hit still the prostate area at the front a bit if you do not fit it properly, so remember that it should have a slight slope as opposed to the B17, which is fitted fairly straight; and as you loose weight or gain it, you adjust the slope a bit. For 99% of touring, they are ideal. The B145, 135, 190 and 33 models are double sprung, so you get additional suspension at the prostate end, and indeed if you have a very dropped position on harsh wilderness treks, then these would be the models to look into. Not very common, but well worth trying out. I don't really notice any prostate hits on the Flyer. I reckon you need some stiffness at the prostate end anyway to help you track the bicycle on corners, so the me I prefer the rear sprung saddles for now. When I hit the mountainous regions and rock-scapes in Africa and the middle east, then I'll let you know. But I think for most distance expeditions, then the Flyer is probably the ultimate saddle. You need to remember to bring a few spare nuts and bolts if you are racking up serous distances, but I think they are generic thread gauges, so again, very little can go wrong. That is what I would fear about seat post suspension - that I could not fix it if it broke somewhere remote. For 99% of bumps, the Flyer simply avoids the hideous banging and bashing that you sometimes get with a B17. The B17 is sill a wonderful saddle, but you notice it a lot on rough roads compared to the Flyer, which is simply luxurious. And you get the benefits of the leather flexing, which comes with all Brooks models. I think it is the ultimate saddle, but I have high hopes for the B135 when my touring saddle eventually wears through, which should be a few decades yet. The question is, which one to get. Obviously, sprung seat posts are more common now, but I never felt they really did what I wanted, which is to adjust to my bottom, as opposed to just taking out a sharp shock. So when I roll back on my coccyx, or forwards towards my nuts, the Flyer does the job far better. It's a bit like being able to shuffle a bit of a seat as opposed to being locked into a comfortable position. If you have cushions on your computer seat, then you will know what I mean. Great comfort, but not much flex. That is why these Brooks sprung saddles are so much better than seat post suspension. So again to your question, what to get. I would say that the slight increase in weight is well worth it. I live in a very hilly area of GB and to me, this saddle is the single biggest factor in my enjoyment. It gets me out the door. Tyres and suspension are great, but a good saddle is - the filling in your sandwich, the icing on the cake, the elite vanguard of your army. I still have to put up with a few extra grams, but I build muscle because I want to use the bike, and never get sore or bruised so I can go all day, and the next, and the next. The B17 was great for many years, but it was sore sometimes and occasionally bruised me. It is nowhere near as good as the Flyer on most average roads and tracks. The Flyer is ideal too if you have an action camera on your head or chest and cannot be bothered with a gimbal, especially recharging it. There is no real back-bounce, so most of it is on the down-bounce, and it works for my 15 stone weight. Bear in mind too that un-sprung saddles can cause men to become sterile. The other thing worth mentioning is that the whole padded trousers/shorts, and gel cushion debate simply goes out of the window. You could have a B190, seatpost suspension, padded gel cushion and padded trousers, but I think the Flyer eliminates almost every problem that you could encounter. For rough footpaths and tracks, then perhaps a B135 is your answer. These are also very popular like the flyer, but less common, and rather more heavy and expensive. The Flyer is a luxury saddle that should be ideal in all but the most extreme circumstances. I bet if you get one that you will give up on padded clothing. I think that you have to decide between the B135 and the Flyer. The B17 is simply slightly poor at bumps, but still leagues better that non-Brooks saddles. If you get a second-hand one, then look at which leg is the primary (I am right-footed), otherwise, it can be nice to get one that is already broken in, contrary to what many people say. I think the Flyer is an excellent choice for you and 100% recommend it over the B17. It's a no-brainer. Just get it. You will not look back. Edit: forgot to add that the Flyer is ideal for multi-position riding.

I have ridden a bike with a B17 on flat roads and it was fine but I use a Flyer now where the roads can often be bumpy and it makes a big difference. In fact I like riding on bumpy gravelly tracks just so that I can feel how good the Flyer saddle really is. I think Mr Brooks gave it the name because you can fly along bumpy roads.

No reason not to. I would recommend checking the nuts holding the springs quite regularly if you are doing a lot of gravel. But most gravel bicycles tend to have quite fat tyres so you really will be in luxury if you get the Flyer. Touring - you will be very surprised on a road bike, how much better this is than the B17.

Thanks. It's a Bontrager back rack deluxe. I really like it.

I wear padded shorts most of the time, but have ridden without and it's fine. Your sit bones will adjust to this saddle as you ride it more often.

I've used a sprung and unsprung saddle for long distance rides and I really couldn't tell the difference. I'll probably go with the B17 next time.

Thank you so much for the quick reply I’m having a lot of trouble picking but that helps a lot.

I have a B17 imperial saddle and it’s comfy for me right out of the box. It still feels hard when you knock or touch it lol. But my butt is not aching even if it’s hard 😂. Maybe my butt is just that insensitive🤣

In my experience the springs help. Depends on the terrain you ride on and your weight. Mine is on my Dawes galaxy touring bike. I have 28mm Swalbes as my tyres. Sometimes it's like riding on a cloud.

I have ridden a bike with a B17 on flat roads and it was fine but I use a Flyer now where the roads can often be bumpy and it makes a big difference. In fact I like riding on bumpy gravelly tracks just so that I can feel how good the Flyer saddle really is. I think Mr Brooks gave it the name because you can fly along bumpy roads.

I went with a B17 when I replaced the flyer. I'm very happy with it and don't miss the springs. One thing I didn't like about the flyer was the extra railing for the springs. If the leather sagged too much it would actually bottom out on the rail. It would also squeak at times. None of these issues with the B17.

@@yooperventures2830 yup, I have those issues. What I hate is the front metal shim would end up like hitting my genitals. But I don’t think I’ll be spending any more money to buy a new saddle lol. I saw that the metal b17 rails are $20 plus $12 for new rivets so I’m going to diy it

Yes they will squeak occasionally with the flyer. I'm riding on a Brooks b17 now and honestly don't miss the springs.

I've tensioned it since. Still a comfy ride.

From Gwinn so most of my rides originate from there. I've ridden all over the UP, lower MI and WI too.

@@yooperventures2830 so you endorse the flyer

@@scottroder5516 I'm actually using a Brooks B17 currently, but the Flyer was a great saddle too.

@@yooperventures2830 thanks. Keep rolling

As far as I can tell the B17 and Flyer have similar dimensions. The major difference being the Flyer has springs. Not sure about the Champion Flyer. It's no longer offered on the Brooks website. I noticed some being sold on eBay and based on the photo I can't tell the difference with the standard Flyer. Maybe someone else can chime in.

But isn't that the correct cycling position? Sitting straight up puts all the pressure on your spine and weight on your butt. Not a comfortable position for long distances for me. I see many older cyclist riding upright with their spine at a 90 degree to the ground. I realize that might seem like a good idea, but my experience is the opposite. I have back issues and riding slightly bent forward stretches and relaxes my spine. I ride a touring bike with a higher headset so I'm not hunched over as much as typical road bike riders. As the springs go. I think I probably get some benefit, but just don't notice it. I'm still riding on it and it's comfortable as can be. Thanks for the comments.

@@yooperventures2830 absolutely you are right. What I meant is that a road bike with 45 angle (yes would relax your back etc...) but you would benefit little from a saddle with springs at the back. I wouldn't ride long distance with upright for sure. Brooks saddles are great. We used to see them in the old days with the milkman bicycles. I am considering one of those with springs. They also have some with added suspensions and a loop at the front (not sure why) Thanks again

The springs never squeaked when I used it. I had a suspension seat post on another bike I previously had and did not like it. I am currently using a Brooks B17 saddle and I find it just fine. I don't really need springs or suspension on my touring bike.

A suspension post with a b17 would probably be more effective in eliminating bumps on this particular bike.

Sorry my Spanish is not very good. It sells for around $125 USD.