⚡️👞Alright Brooks buddies, tell me the story of your Brooks saddles!

I've had a lot of saddle pain in recent years. tried the most expensive pants and saddles. nothing helped. Based on this review I bought the Brooks B17. and what a revelation. a happy feeling all week and has given my hobby a new impulse. thank you very much. greeting leo

I’m on my 46th year of riding and I’ve tried many different saddles and I always came back to the Brooks B17. I own 3 bikes and all 3 have a B17 fitted on them. I totally agree with your review. It’s a great saddle!

Excellent Ryan Great review

Awesome review appreciate the info

Just bought a Brooks B17. Rode with it 1000KM. Within the first 10 hours, a center longitudinal ridge started to develop. Very painful as you sit on a spine. I contacted the company and they did everything possible to blame me, making assumptions about mishandling the saddle. I just rode it! Maybe it's a good saddle when not defective but if it is defective as mine was, the company will do everything they can to blame you and not take any responsibility, not even offering an exchange. Buy from better companies!

Great review, thanks.

Y'all got me to dig out my brooks b17 about a month ago when I discovered your channel. Now since riding it again I love it. I thought I always needed a cut out after having surgery but that wasn't true. More of what it needed was some care, tensioning it and the proofide really did fix it. Now I swear by the brooks too and hate my other saddles lol.

Thanks for the advice, very much appreciated 🙏 😊🚴‍♂️💨

Great saddle , I have been riding Brooks since 1976 they are on all my bikes.

I bought a Brooks last year in Dec because of your reviews. Mine is still going strong. Great info! Thanks!

Thanks for this review. Now I want one of those asap:D

Great review! I have a standard B17 with only about 150 miles on it, but it's very comfortable already.

Got the B17… love it!

I was reluctant to get a Brooks saddle because I’d heard all sorts of different opinions about them. But I ended up buying a used bike that came with a Brooks Professional - and I instantly fell in love! It’s such a great saddle. I’ve toured on it with no problems and I bought one for my commuter bike. Can’t recommend them highly enough :-)

If anyone is interested in my experience: My b17 standard: 3000 miles riding on a front loader cargo bike, well taken care of, proof hide, never really found it super comfortable. Have adjusted the tension up and down, comfort is ok. Looks amazing, still going to ride it. My wife's b17 standard: 5000 miles on a gravel bike/commuter, she loved it the second she tried it, says it's the most comfortable saddle she's ever ridden.

I love my brooks. I have the B17 on my commuter and my hard tail. I was starting to worry that it was sagging a bit too much, but it looks like yours. Appreciate knowing its my arse and not the saddle! :)

Thanks for the review. Just putting together a commuter using a vintage Claud Butler frame. The Brooks sounds comfortable enough and looks very cool 👍

Several thousand miles on my B17 and love it. It’s gotten wet a couple times and once air dried it’s good as new. Some discoloration very early on (I have the same color you’re reviewing) but doesn’t detract from the look. I also have same color Brooks handlebar tape (not leather), the look is cool and I get occasional compliments.

This is the best Brooks B17 saddle review that I've seen. Genuine, smart, and original feedback on the rivets. The caretaking (saddle cream, etc.) part is important but you refer to that in another video. Thanks for this great review. I was also hesitant on the investment but it was worth it.

I got my Brooks Team Pro in 1992. It was originally on our tandem, then on my commuter/road bike. I've done zero maintenance and thousands of miles It's been left out in the rain, ridden wet, I've even done a few triathlons on it. its still going strong. Since then I've bought a couple more B17's and got my wife on one on the tandem. I've also tried the Spa Cycles Nidd, which I think is somewhere between a B17 and a Team Pro, and I really like it, a bit more robust than the B17, but consequently a bit longer break in period. If you are tempted by the Team Pro, be aware that some models don't have the saddle bag loops, if that is important to you (it is to me, I am old and British!).

Hi guys Bought a b17 sprung flyer in Lander when riding the trans am in 2019. And used it for new Zealand TA in 2020. Incredibly comfortable Cheers

Thank you, I have a Swift and on/off I could not get it get it to break in like my Terry saddles. But I will give the B17 a try, thank you for the video, I really enjoyed it thoroughly. EDIT: Just got my B17 Special and have put on about 70+ mile. So far, I'm loving it. I now understand all the rave about B17. First, it was rock hard. But I noticed my nerves are no longer pinched and numbs out my male anatomy after a ride. Second, I find that I get up less when anticipating a small imperfection and debris on the road. Actually I find it fun to feel them under the seat. Third, I thought it was slippery when first starting a run. But after I have been riding for about 40 minutes, it stays put. Forth, when I near the end of a run, I am tired and just want to get home. With B17, I am so looking forward to that last few mile stretch of my run just to appreciate how comfortable it is. Lastly, the bike feels like a completely different bike. I have it on a Bike Friday Pocket Rocket. Before putting on the B17, it was very harsh with Fizik seats. Now, it feels like a full sized Bianchi Campione De Italia road bike with Columbus CrMo frame; seriously. I just ordered another one, the Imperial with springs. But, here's what finally did the magic. Obenauf's Leather Conditioner - Leather Oil: applied this under the Brooks B17 using a small paint brush and less than half hour, the B17 became so soft and flexible. I never knew this before! I understand now why they were so hard when I received them. They dried out since it was first made. So once you condition it, it becomes what a leather saddle should be.

Well im looking into it, yep good idea with a bike fitting. hugs to all ! nice to get a video. :D

I love my brooks! I have a few on different bikes and I really like them. For non brooks saddles I need a cut out but with the brooks I prefer the regular ones. I have one brooks with a cut out but it’s a little too squishy for me.

Nice review bud

loved the B17 carved from the first moment on. I never wear bibb shorts AKA pampers (8000 miles in two years)

Finally 😄 we come back 😂😂😂😂

My wife complained of saddle discomfort over twenty odd years of touring and when she bought a Brooks I was convinced it would be in the bin within a week - she bought the “softened” version which doesn’t need breaking in. She was perfectly comfortable from day one and I bought mine the next week. My wife got the version with coil springs at the back which may be even more comfortable.

My fav is the Selle SMP TRK with a cut out, best i've found for me !

Awesome review! Love my Brooks saddles ♥️ I also have a black and a brown, both about 15 years old and so comfy! Truly a hammock for your butt 😂

I’ve had multiple B17 and Swallow saddles and love them. I’m a big rider and have found the rivets bite a bit. I’m interested in trying the synthetic c17(?) and see how they compare. I did buy a Gille Bertough Aspen which has the rivets on the side and have been very happy with it too. Thanks for the great, relevant videos Ryan.

Brooks Professional on both racing bike and randonneur. Racing bike build in 1991 got a rebuild (paint & new Campa group) but still has the old Brooks. Just cleaned the Brooks, hammered the copper nails in shape and polished them a bit. Saddle sits like a sofa although it shows its age. The randonneur (build 2005) inherited its Brooks Professional from its predecessor (1990). But that saddle had to be replaced during my 2006 Adventure Cycling Northern Tier as the leather got torn apart between two rivets. Replaced by a new Brooks Professional of course. At original purchase I got the advice to sparcely grease the saddle; and only on the back site. Over the years that resulted in tears in the leather, so nowadays I grease both sides more regular. So it is grease, stretch the saddle when needed, ride the bike a lot and grease/stretch the saddle... Also have a Brooks B66 (with the springs) but unfortunately that does not fit on my city bike with the modern seatpost :( . Once went to a bikeshop to replace it as one of the springs was broken. Find out that you can buy new springs for the saddle so I went for that option. Costs were lower than EUR 10.

Ho provato tante delle per la bici ma adesso volevo ritornare a provare Brooks B17 mi sembra una delle migliori 👍🏽

I just put one on my Trek Roscoe, as goofy as it looks I love it for that. I'm used to breaking in boots so I understand what I've signed up for 😅

Another huge thing I’ve noticed is that when your cranks are too long, that can cause your hips to gyrate excessively around the seat, which then causes discomfort on the sits bones. Historically, I had bought squishier and squishier seats to try to account for that, but I finally got the right size (shorter) cranks, and picked out a seat that just felt the most natural - and it’s the B17.

4 B17s and one C17 in garage now. I retired a B17 a couple of years ago after 35 years.

The B17 is a *saddle*… all others are seats. I bought one when I got my Trek 520 (about 10 years ago). I’ve loved since my very first ride, in blue jeans (no chamois). Straight out of the box, for me, comfortable from the first sit - I didn’t need to break into it, though as the mileage added, it just got more comfortable.

I have the B17 Special (honey brown)50 miles boom so nice happy days ,I also have black B17 ridden 2000 + miles and its hard as rock so am going to sell it.

I've used Brooks. They're OK. My go-to saddles are WTB Volt or my Selle Anatomica, depending on which bike and what I'm doing.

I think the shorter rails might be considered a con for some people. I've been thinking I need my seat positioned a little farther back than my brooks will go. I quite like it otherwise. A Brooks related tangent- I met someone going the opposite way on the C&O last year who had gotten their saddle saturated with water somehow, and the leather at the nose had ripped clean off the rest of it. Poor thing had to ride most of the day to the closest shop sitting on the rails. I don't know how it got so wet, but it was a sobering reminder to take good care of my own saddle. I double up on my seat covers now just in case.

I just purchased a new flyer (the one with springs) because my old flyer broke at one of the front rivets. You can’t repair broken leather… i had it for around 12 years. I’m gonna take better care for the new one with a cover (that can easily be stored when you ride underneath the saddle!).

Der beste Fahrradsattel überhaupt 👍👍👍👍👍

I don't remember what it was like breaking mine in. I was told 1k miles but I know it didn't take that many. I think, in it's new state, was already better than the saddle that came with my bike.

If you are referring to a flat rivets as copper rivets on a B17 Special, believe me they are not flat. I have the Special and the copper rivets are actually a little bumps on the leather surface of the saddle that just push to your posterior. If a person has a bit wider sit bones (mine are 155 mm), then the rivets push directly on sit bones. And you can imagine that ride 🙂. So, if this is the matter, go for standard and not the special b17.

They are the best of the best. Had this saddle on a tourer and gave it away when the tourer died. Yes it outlasted the bike it came with. I ride Brooks Pros on all my bikes, Mind you just ordered a new bike with a Brooks Swift, taking a real risk here.

first ride OMG this is a rock what the heck did i do, month later would never buy another saddle and seeing how well they last may never have to

Just back from the morning's ride and the Brooks is my friend as always. I'm fortunate to have one on each of my bikes: a 10-year old honey B17, an 8-year old black B17, and a two year old honey B67 in all it's coil spring plushness (plus a brown C17 Cambium that's swapped in on rainy rides). Many many miles all tolled and many more to come. Ryan's absolutely right, a little Proofide love and your Brooks will go on & on. Great review! 🤘🏻

Honestly if u can use the saddle for 50 miles, it is somewhat a good saddle to you. I just got my new bike that comes with fizik saddle and just 10 miles I decided to change.

Great Video! You can lock both bike wheels to the frame to a steel pole. Do you remove the Brooks saddle (Allen wrench and it comes off) when locking up your bike in the street?

You've heard me before, riding Brooks since the early '60's. Have several on road and mountain bikes. One B-17 since 1964. I also have (had) many other designs but tossed them out over these years. I still ride 8,500-12000 miles per year recreationally and a few two week treks. Minus a couple of years with destroyed nerves, removed by surgery caused by "clipless pedal systems and narrow toe shoes. please use flat wide pedals and comfortable wide toe box shoes. Regardless of who you are, these injuries will occur over time. No one really gains real efficiencies unless three seconds per 125 miles will get you a few hundred thousand dollars. come on.... Anyway, break in a Brooks and be comfortable! Thanks!

I’ve had a brooks c17 on my roadie for 2 years because that’s my commuter in all weather, which is an awesome saddle, I just got a Kona gravel bike that is my new commuter so I put the c17 on it and just ordered a b17 for my jamis roadie because it won’t be exposed to all weather anymore, just long rides on good days, can’t wait to get it 😊

I've tried lots of different saddles. For my hard tail and full suspension mountain bike I now ride Brooks 17 in the titanium version to spare some weight. I will never use anything else, I find them super comfortable for this type of bikes. I believe it's the best for bikes with a less aggressive cycling position. For my road bike they are really bad, I've tried the slimmer Brooks swallow saddle also on my road bike, not impressed. I use a selle SMP well gel saddle for my road bike now, just as comfortable feeling as the B17 on my mountain bikes. Different horses for different courses.

I'm keen on my b-17!!🤣👌💯

Ryan looks nice with that apron. Bike tech support outfit version of him.

My black B17 dates back to 2010. I’ll never use anything different, the natural shock absorbing leather a charm. Adding the small ‘Challenge’ tool bagwith Brook’s multi- tool, my bike looks distinguished!

I have a ton of experience with leather boots. So I'm wondering if maybe just using a good leather conditioner with this saddle would help break it in quicker. I know Brooks has their own "Proofide" conditioner but I'm willing to bet a good Saphir leather conditioner would probably work better.

Hey Ryan - could you give some advice on figuring out the correct seat angle for using the B17 while touring? Thanks!

How do you center the tensioner bolt?

hello 我看到朱之文的视频 来到你这里 祝你玩的开心

Somehow mine just wont wear in even a little. Not even after 1000km its just hard as a rock and hurts my ass. Can it be i have the tention too tight ?

I've got wide hips so I've been really hesitant about Brooks, but who knows how long the foam Selle Royal one I've been using is going to last. I think I would feel more confident if they had a greater size range?

So TLDW - you liked it?

why does her saddle tilted down. is it her preference to ride with the saddle tilted down??

I’m sure you have been caught in the rain. How do you protect your saddle inn that situation as you ride?

I feel like the Brooks saddle is requisite if you have a handlebar moustache and/or ironic tattoos.

It feels as comfortable as a brick wall. I’ve never gotten through the “200 mile” break-in period.

Would you consider buying it second hand one like from eBay?

I love mine. It's been a few years. A con you can add is, being made from hide, vegans don't like it. For them the Cambium is there, though it may not be as durable.

How do you level the saddle? Is it nose up by 2 degrees or flat?

Boot lace is the word you are looking for, not string. 8000 plus km on the speedometer of my E bike using a Brooks.

E' un'ottima sella italiana

May I ask how tall you are? :) Thinking about getting the B17 or the B17 Short an I am 1,65cm tall

It went together easily in less than an hour. kzfaq.infoUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L Make sure the front fork is forward or the pedals will hit the front tire. Tires are both a little soft so it needs air before I ride it. The rear wheel didn't come with a clamp regular bolts hold it on. The front had the clamp. No scratches out of box. Rims are a little off with a slight wobble. They could have spent more time with the spoke tool fixing the run out. So far out of the box I'm happy with it. I did replace the pedals with a nice aftermarket set. After riding it a bit my A$$ is a bit sore so I ordered another seat. Overall I'm nearly 60 and didn't ride a bike in 30 years. I like my new 29" Schwinn. It will be used for casual rides with my friend.

Well it sure is not better than good modern saddles, specially ergonomic ones. I have them on my own bikes as well. Yeah they need to break in like leather shoes do as well. They also need protection from rain, and maintenance. But to me it is...more about the looks why I bought it. But that they are better or more comfortable, is an absolute myth if you ask me. I mean let's face it, it is going back to stone age, not all new is better, but in this case...in 2024+ I mean...we by now have saddles that are seriously better and better performing, easier to maintain, or maintenance proof. Buying and having a Brooks saddle, or nice leather ones, is all about the looks, and definitely not about expecting comfort. LOL

I thought the cut-out was for males who are well-endowed, or who like to pretend they are. However, perhaps it would also be an advantage in hotter climes. I have an upright with a B67 which I find wonderful. 100 miles in padded shorts is no hardship and now I can ride comfortably in normal colonial khaki shorts or unpadded longs.

I'm so tempted to slap that sweet saddle on my electric hardtail (totally a vanity move). But (no pun intended) my butt and wallet may have a different opinion. Oh, well I can dream. 😉

You like her saddle and she likes yours, why don't you just swap?

There is a reason why a horse rider is using a leather and not a plastic saddle. Why should I sit on plastic? Riding the B17 flyer since I can think. There is no alternative.

OK. Before I watch the video… I’m guessing the bottom line will be, “it’s good.”

And it's leather...any vegetarians/vegans have a problem with that?

Are you a lady?

Hi ! Thanks a lot for the review ! I am considering both the b17 short and the b17 short carved. Any chance you've tried the carved as well, and could share "comparison" feelings/thoughts ? Cheers ! 🌞🏔🚲

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