Brooks England  Imperial B-17 Saddle - Men's

I’ve been riding Brooks saddles since the early 1970’s. I don’t see leather quality issues, it feels like nice thick leather. What I like is the ability to lace the saddle and keep the skirt from flaring. What I am not sure of is the cutaway. Still feels like a Brooks B 17, just for me a tad different. I will have to see how this breaks in. If I had all I wanted it would be longer rails and narrow nose.

I found the saddle to be rather comfortable, but after 11 months of daily use for commuting the saddle broke suddenly, stranding me with a 7-mile, bike-laden trek back home. I was really surprised because I had only heard good things about Brooks' saddles. When I contacted Brooks support they didn't really seem all that surprised that the saddle failed within the 2-year warranty period, which concerned me and makes me question the company's quality control and safety standards. I am a heavier rider (200lbs 6ft), but for the price I expected something much more reliable. I have ordered a touring saddle from Ergon with chromium-molybdenum steel rails that I hope will prove to be as comfortable and more durable. When looking for replacements I also considered Selle Anatomica, they too use chromium-molybdenum steel and make leather saddles like Brooks.

I bought this product after a charity ride because my previous saddle hurt on really long rides. Someone else had a Brooks he mentioned how little friction there was on the B-17 Imperial. I have to admit he was right! I have yet to have any trouble or pain using this saddle. You should purchase the Brooks Proofide stuff to help break it in and keep the saddle nice. I picked up a jar, that should last a long time. I also plan to purchase a Brooks cover for when it rains. The mounts for seat bag did not fit because the rails are very far apart, so make sure you have the right bag for this saddle.

Ahh, the holy grail of bicycle accessories. Finding a seat that fits you perfectly and one that doesn't feel like someone performed a cruel joke on you. Certainly, proper adjustment is very important, but this seat does a great job of keeping my bottom side comfortable and it's wide enough to properly support my sit-bones. Breaking in the leather is easy but takes a little while. I purchased an extra tin of the Proofide to make sure I had enough. So far so good. The only "concern" one might have with it is that it is heavier than typical racing saddles. But I don't race. And I certainly don't notice it when riding.

I should have realized it long ago. As a lifelong motorcyclist, I knew that firm seats were more comfortable than squishy soft ones for long rides, but on my bicycle I kept getting the soft ones to cushion the contact points. Finally, I went for the Brooks, which on “first sit” feels like a board, but after 15 minutes, was so much more comfortable than any of the soft seats I had been using. (The only complaint I can offer is that I would have preferred the classic looking honey brown color, but REI only offers black. But since I’m now always sitting on it, no one can see it anyway.)

Took forever to set up due to lacing until I undid it, re-mounted the saddle then replaced the lacing differently. I like my Brooks saddles level, unlike the recommended nose up. First ride was not great, second ride after doing the above and setting back as far as I could was much better. Mt first cutout saddle, I do not have sensitivity so not why I bought it. Great price. I wish Brooks had more setback but the rails do not allow it.

I've been coveting a Brooks saddle for years, and finally decided to pony up for this one during a recent REI sale. In short, everything you've heard is true. I'm cursing myself for sitting on uncomfortable bike saddles all these years. If you're going to buy one thing for your bike, make it this, you won't regret it. One note: If you're coming from a small, hard road bike saddle, this will feel pretty comfy even before it breaks in - the leather immediately starts to form to your sit bones, and the "leather stretched over rails" design means that you immediately get some nice shock and vibration absorption. It's not soft and cushy, but it is comfortable. And it will just get better from there.

I have been training for RAGBRAI, a 500 mile tour through Iowa which is coming up in three weeks. The saddles that I have been using, gel/soft, weren't cutting it and I was having a lot of problems at 30+ miles. I researched leather seats after my sister-in-law told me that she had switched to a Brooks saddle. The choice came down to the B-17 imperial and the selle anatomica, and after reading as much as I could about each, settled on the Brooks. 3 weeks before a long ride isn't exactly the optimal time to switch an important piece of equipment like this, but I'm glad I did. Just did 50+ on the new saddle and I am more than impressed. Comfortable from the get-go albeit a little slippery, by about 10 miles the slipperiness was gone and the rest of the ride was a breeze. I'm a Clydesdale going about 210, and there was no residual discomfort following the ride. I think that being more comfortable on the seat also reduced neck strain and tightness. I am looking forward to doing another 50 tomorrow and feeling even better as it breaks in.

i've had this saddle for almost six years now ans it is hands down the most comfortable ever. Once i got through the break-in period there was no looking back. I've used it on two different bikes a mountain and a touring. No pressure points no numbness just pure comfort. The longest ride was 25 mi and performed superbly. This was my first Brooks but won't be my last.

One week after getting this I used it in a century that I was undertrained for and I was comfortable the entire ride. The cutout is perfect. I don't think you break in a leather saddle, it breaks you in. You get used to the fact that it is a firm ride. It feels like a bike saddle, not like an easy chair and that is what makes it right. You get firm support at the sit bones, exactly where you should get the support. You do not get soft padding pressing into the soft tissues which eventually leads to compression and pain. Think of it this way. What would be more comfortable over the long haul, standing on your feet which were meant to bear weight wearing firm soled hiking boots or kneeling on your knees which were not meant to bear weight wearing soft knee pads? Actually I enjoy putting waterproofer/leather conditioner on it now and then. It feels good to take care of quality leather goods.