16 Reviews
|
5 star:
|
|
(15) |
|
4 star:
|
|
(1) |
|
3 star:
|
|
(0) |
|
2 star:
|
|
(0) |
|
1 star:
|
|
(0) |
| | | |
|
|
Average Customer Review
Share your thoughts with other customers
|
|
|
|
|
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
Good, but not for everyone, or every purpose., March 24, 2008
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. I'm 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. It's a day after my ride and I still feel something a urologist could explain better than I. I've 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? It's 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.
It's 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 you're a serious tourer. The saddle holds it's value very well, and even if you don't like it after-all, I doubt you'd sell it. I'm not selling it!
Happy trails.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
 
|
|
|
|
|
|
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
ALWAYS THE BEST, February 28, 2008
I have a variation on the classic B-17. Mine has springs, since I'm 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.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
The all purpose B-17, November 20, 2009
This review is from: Brooks Heritage Saddles B17 Standard Saddle - Men's (Sports)
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 I've 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.
I've 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, I've never experienced problems.
Some folks have say that during the break-in period these saddles can be uncomfortable. Personally I've 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. I've 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. I'd 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. I'm a clydesdale (230lb right now) so your mileage may vary on break-in.
I haven't used Brooks Proofide on my saddles to season them, preferring a product called Obenauf's LP as recommended by Rivendell Bicycle Works.
Brooks Saddles have been around for a long time. There's a reason for that. They are simply excellent.
Aloha!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Excellent choice for a bicycle seat, January 17, 2009
This review is from: Brooks Heritage Saddles B17 Standard Saddle - Men's (Sports)
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.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Brooks Saddles are the best, February 6, 2010
This review is from: Brooks Heritage Saddles B17 Standard Saddle - Men's (Sports)
I have used other saddles, but Brooks saddles are very comfortable. I know they don't 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.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
my butt is so happpy, September 3, 2009
This review is from: Brooks Heritage Saddles B17 Standard Saddle - Men's (Sports)
this saddle rules. there is nothing like it, by butt feels amazing when i ride. you can't beat a company thats been making bike saddles for almost 100 years. get one.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
B17 from Niagra Cycle - the bomb!!!, May 20, 2009
This review is from: Brooks Heritage Saddles B17 Standard Saddle - Men's (Sports)
Arrived 2 days earlier than promised - what does that tell you about the seller. First rate business-people, that's 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 that's shoved up your crack?
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Best saddle I have ever had, July 27, 2010
This review is from: Brooks Heritage Saddles B17 Standard Saddle - Men's (Sports)
There's a reason Brooks has been making the B-17 for more than 100 years. I have used several different saddles in my 15 years of serious road biking, but none has been as comfortable as the Brooks B17. It was comfortable right out of the box and has gotten more so with each ride. The leather conforms to your shape, and the tension gives it the slightest trampoline effect, which translates into comfort. The retro look is pretty cool, too.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Great saddle, July 27, 2010
This review is from: Brooks Heritage Saddles B17 Standard Saddle - Men's (Sports)
This by far the most comfortable saddle I have ever had the pleasure of riding. It is comfortable out of the box and with a few minor tweaks it gets even better.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Damn Comfortable, takes some time to get it perfect..., June 9, 2010
This review is from: Brooks Heritage Saddles B17 Standard Saddle - Men's (Sports)
Brooks B-17 Standard Saddle:
My first leather saddle, and quite comfortable I must say. The craftsmanship is impeccable, and you can tell that the folks at Brooks have looked over every aspect of the design with a careful eye.
I've put about 150 miles onto it so far, and no signs of any change in the leather... but I don't expect this "break in" to really happen until I reach at least 300 to 400 miles.
So I bought this saddle to accompany my Surly Longhaultrucker as I bike across America this summer with a friend. On some of the two to three hour training rides I've been doing I have been very pleased with the level of comfort provided by this saddle.
As I mentioned in my title, it can be somewhat difficult to find the "sweet" spot where the saddle works best. For me this was simply a matter of trial and error... and don't worry about breaking in your Brooks in the wrong position because you have to put in at least 300 miles before you will see results...
Spend the 100 bucks for a saddle that will last you for the next 30 years and will also make long distance rides enjoyable
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
|
|
| |
|
|
|
