Brooks B17

[ironspoke]

OK, so I put a Terry Fly on my recently fixed up Panasonic and its OK, but the bike really should have a Brooks.


Is the B17 the saddle I want?

[davkatreb]

Is the B17 the saddle I want?
Maybe.

hopethishelps

[Rock Star]

Hmm....I love my Terry Fly Tri Gel saddle.

Sheldon Brown has a listing of Brooks models with photos and descriptions. I guess the B 17 is the basic model.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/saddles.html

I like the perforated leather cover on my tri gel. Never qiuite convinced myself to try a brooks.

[2dumb4gears]

I use the b-17 on my fixie, and swap it onto my 'cross bike for longer tours. Thing is super-comfy, looks nice, is comfortable, but comes at a SUBSTANTIAL weight penalty--it would keep your yacht from drifting. If you want something a little sportier, a professional or a swift might be a better choice. The swallow is a little too hard and minimal (might as well go for a regular saddle in that size range).

[ironspoke]

Hmm....I love my Terry Fly Tri Gel saddle.

Sheldon Brown has a listing of Brooks models with photos and descriptions. I guess the B 17 is the basic model.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/saddles.html

I like the perforated leather cover on my tri gel. Never qiuite convinced myself to try a brooks.

Oh, the Fly is comfy indeed and one of the reasons I opted for it were some of the reviews I saw touting the technology that aid the all important blood vessels running through my crotchal area.

Its a crazy thing about just wanting to get this bike of mine just right. I have a 20 year old steel touring bike...it is just the kind of bike that should have a Brooks on it compared to the Fly. Believe me I aint all about style over function but in this case I think I could get both with the Brooks.

Just curious of some of your thoughts as I know many of you ride the Brooks on your retro cycles.

[ironspoke]

Maybe.

hopethishelps


Tremendous insight....thank you!!!!
:D

[phlatlander]

Pics!?! :)....

[RepublicanSS]

spoke i have a friend that has a brooks on every one of his bikes, from his new hi-tech road and mountain bike to his older bikes, ss and fixie. swears by them, claims the weight is worth it. i like the selle italia team edition myself.




Oh, the Fly is comfy indeed and one of the reasons I opted for it were some of the reviews I saw touting the technology that aid the all important blood vessels running through my crotchal area.

Its a crazy thing about just wanting to get this bike of mine just right. I have a 20 year old steel touring bike...it is just the kind of bike that should have a Brooks on it compared to the Fly. Believe me I aint all about style over function but in this case I think I could get both with the Brooks.

Just curious of some of your thoughts as I know many of you ride the Brooks on your retro cycles.

[ironspoke]

I'm not concerned about the weight factor of the Brooks compared to the Terry. In fact I could probably unload this Terry on ebay and have enough left over to basically swap out for the Brooks.

[ironspoke]

SS,

Which Brooks does the guy use? Is it that regular B17? I aint all about spending over $100 on a seat when there are plenty of comfy ones out there for half that amount.

[vladamir]

Mr Spoke, That is one ugly bike!:eek: What have you done?!!:p;)

I use a B17 on my steel lugged commuter/touring and a Colt on the MTB. The B17 is the more comfortable of the two.

[phlatlander]

I bought a gently used honey Brooks® Professional™ here on the classies forum for about $70. Mounted on my 29 mtb for much of last year until I laid the bike down one too many times so the seat's getting knicks. Comfy stuff, they are — and it's going on my Katy Trail Custom Concord Cruiser here shortly...

FYI — Took about half dozen rides to break in. Riding on hot, humid days will likely speed this process. ;)

[ironspoke]

Mr Spoke, That is one ugly bike!:eek: What have you done?!!:p;)

I use a B17 on my steel lugged commuter/touring and a Colt on the MTB. The B17 is the more comfortable of the two.


Beauty is in the eye of the beholder my black flagged friend! I did swap out the white zip tie on my skull for a black one since that pic was taken.

I especially like how the gold Jagwire cables kinda match the gold flecks in the powdercoat.

[RepublicanSS]

i'm seeing him this weekend, i'll ask him. i think it's the classic one. it looks big compared to todays saddles.


SS,

Which Brooks does the guy use? Is it that regular B17? I aint all about spending over $100 on a seat when there are plenty of comfy ones out there for half that amount.

[smokey422]

I've got two Brooks saddles, a B-17 on my road bike and a Champion Flyer (B-17 with springs) on our tandem. They are the most comfortable saddles I've ever used. I've had Koobis, Flites, Terrys, and several others and the Brooks beats them all. Sure, they're heavy but how much is a few extra ounces really going to slow you down? Especially when you'll probably ride more because you're more comfortable.

Smokey

[davkatreb]

My old Raleigh came with a Brooks Champion Narrow B17. Never used it, but just for shits and giggles I threw it on the Crosscheck. Worst ass hatchet I ever rode.

Of course it was the narrow version. and thirty years old to boot. I'm thinking a regular B17, bought new and properly broken in might be in my future.

[cMc]

In the words of George Harrison...
"My sweet lord..."

:eek::eek::eek:

[Huckabee]

If you have the nerve to take a knife to your $100 saddle, here are some B17 hacks to reduce weight and add style!

http://www.wallbike.com/content/butchering.html

[S. cerevisiae]

ass hatchet

See, that's nice! Great use of proper English.

I had a Swift on my Colnago racing rig back in '77 & '78. Young "structures" made it's break-in easier. Wouldn't try that again now.

I could take/leave the WTB I have now, if that helps.

Never ridden the B17. They are about as heavy as the Flying Fortress.

[AM Radio]

Make sure you buy a Brooks tensioning tool so you can eliminate the squeeks while you are wearing in you saddle

[lensmire]

If your interested in Brooks, you need to ck out Selle An-Atomica. Leather saddle, brass rivots and super comfy, in my opinion. Made here in the US to boot. Probably wouldn't put it on my mtb, too long, but on a road, tourer, cafe/commuter, no question. Ck out the web site: http://mcmwin.com

[rockhound]

If your interested in Brooks, you need to ck out Selle An-Atomica. Leather saddle, brass rivots and super comfy, in my opinion. Made here in the US to boot. Probably wouldn't put it on my mtb, too long, but on a road, tourer, cafe/commuter, no question. Ck out the web site: http://mcmwin.com

What, no pink?

[blackdog]

If you have the nerve to take a knife to your $100 saddle, here are some B17 hacks to reduce weight and add style!

http://www.wallbike.com/content/butchering.html


I do and have, made my B17 a poor man's Swallow. Very happy with the results.

[2dumb4gears]

My old Raleigh came with a Brooks Champion Narrow B17. Never used it, but just for shits and giggles I threw it on the Crosscheck. Worst ass hatchet I ever rode.

Of course it was the narrow version. and thirty years old to boot. I'm thinking a regular B17, bought new and properly broken in might be in my future.

Ass Hatchet! That's hilarious--I've got a new nickname for my riding buddy, who I usually just call "princess".

I think if you got a new one (where the leather didn't have 30 years to get hard) in the right width you'd probably dig it.

[2dumb4gears]

I do and have, made my B17 a poor man's Swallow. Very happy with the results.

I've been thinking of doing the same thing. Dremmel tool or exacto-knives? Did you do anything to finish the edges, or just cut really carefully?

[ironspoke]

I dont know for certain but I imagine a standard x-acto knife would fail miserably on thick leather.

That split tail flyer is really wild to look at. Some care certainly went in to that effort. The fly tier in me totally appreciates the work that these guys are doing on these saddles.

One thing that concerns me is the rider weight limits. The caption said something to the effect that it was fine for the riders 160 pound weight. Well what about for someone with another 80-90 pounds?!!!

My Terry is steadily getting more comfortable and I do appreciate the love canal for my private parts. I mean that is why I bought it in the first place.

Dumb, please post some pics of your progress and efforts. Good luck with it!!

For the record...Dremmel tools are the best invention, ever!

[Spatafore]

I have had a Brooks B17 ti for about a year now. I thought, "Oh, Brooks are heavy but this ti should be kinda light." Wrong!

Still an awesome saddle and I haven't experience the true advantage of a Brooks which is a saddle that can last a lifetime.

I currently have it on a 16lb fix. (Yeah, it's half the weight.) I told myself I was getting a Selle Italia SLR for the fix and moving the Brooks over to a 72 Sports Tourer all year but I never say this right after I remove my ass from that saddle cause it is... a nice f'kin saddle.

[NiceItalianBoy]

The B17 saddle is very nice, but I like the Flyer. I have one on my single speed dirt jumper and it is a very comfortable saddle. I also like the retro look of the springs. Nashbar has them for $119.00.

[davkatreb]

Ass Hatchet! That's hilarious--I've got a new nickname for my riding buddy, who I usually just call "princess".

I think if you got a new one (where the leather didn't have 30 years to get hard) in the right width you'd probably dig it.
Right now the Crosscheck has this sprung gel saddle. It's not wide like a cruiser seat, but the spring action takes alot of the sting away, and more important, it fits me bum. Believe it or not, that and changing my underwear have solved all my crochtal complaints.

So now I'm thinking that a sprung Brooks on the fixie just might be the missing ingredient.

[davkatreb]

The B17 saddle is very nice, but I like the Flyer. I have one on my single speed dirt jumper and it is a very comfortable saddle. I also like the retro look of the springs. Nashbar has them for $119.00.
Yeah, that's the one.

[CORC Drew]

Amazes me that folks who will swear black and blue that steel is real and they ride a steel frame for it's comfort, even if it is a bit heavier, will whinge and moan about an extra half pound of a Brooks B17.

Yes, it's a 500 - 550g saddle. You've read the number, now move on with the rest of your life.

In the past I've tried 200g hollow titanium weight weenie kevlar, carbon, foam creations and tolerably light mainstream saddle like SDG Bel Air.

Neither came within a country mile of the comfort of my B17. Maybe I naturally have a Brooks shaped butt? I dunno, but for me, there's nothing I've ever ridden that is better.

[real_ss_budgie]

not sure what the KHS fleetwood was sporting...brookes professional???? yes it was comfy and a wee bit chunky but i fugged it up by tightening the leather too much and had the rivets pop on the rear....would i ever get another???

selle italia flite..scrummy

[MrTB]

I've got a B-17 on my mountain bike and a Swift on my crosscheck.........the only noteable issue for me was the huge ass mistake of using the B-17 in a 24hr race.....I shall not soon forget the feel of those rivets pounding through the cheeks of my ass.

[real_ss_budgie]

step back wacky mericans......