I can't comment on the Imperial but I ordered the B17 for my commuting road bike. It is great. I liked it so much I got one for my regular road bike and for my tandem ( my saddle and a womens specific B17 for my wifes saddle ). They may look out of place on my road bikes ( as much as saddles can really be seen while riding - taking a break, standing on a climb, at a stop light/sign ) and they are heavier but the pure comfort level made it an easy choice. For me , as Ping said, form follows function.