Originally Posted by taliesin

If your sit bones are on the rivets then you are essentially sitting on metal. The whole point of a Brooks is to sit on the suspended leather that will, over time, mold to your specific shape. The steel frame of a Brooks isn't going to mold to anything, and you may end up with back, joint or nerve problems as a result.

If you want a leather saddle but find the rails on a B-17 are too short you could try a Brooks Swift or Swallow, both of which have longer rails (and are considerably more expensive). Velo-Orange has a Brooks-like leather saddle with longer rails that is similar to a Brooks Swallow. Also, it looks like Wall Bike will soon be stocking a leather saddle from Berthoud that will have longer usable rail length than a Brooks.