67tony 

I'm buying a Christmas present for myself, and cannot decide between a Brooks B17 Narrow, or the B17 Narrow Imperial. This will be my first Brooks, and after researching and measuring my "sit-bones" I think the narrow is a good choice for me...even though I am not a low-profile racer or rider. I imagine my saddle to be about even with my bars.

I like the looks and possible function of the lacing on the Imperial, but the cutout does not do much for me aesthetically. The B17 regular is a bit cheaper and looks good to my eyes. But, I'd spring for the Imperial if the cutout provides a comfort advantage.

Anybody have experience with either, and could offer up their thoughts?

As usual, thanks a bunch!

rhm

I have no experience with the Imperial, but have a strong prejudice against them because the design must weaken the saddle considerably. I really doubt one would hold up to a lot of serious riding. The few I have seen, that had been ridden for the last couple years, seem to confirm my suspicions. So unless you are having prostate problems I don't see the point.

If you are having prostate problems, the Imperial may make sense; but even so, I'm not at all convinced the Imperial is the answer. I asked my urologist if such a saddle would significantly reduce pressure in that area, and he told me he did not think so. On the other hand, my father's urologist seems to think it a good idea. I guess we need to interview five urologists so we can say four out of five doctors recommend...

Flog00

I have a B-17 Special and love it.... I think the B-17 offers better support for a rider with bars and saddle even (like mine).

67tony 

That's the way I'm leaning. There's a lightly used B17 Champion Special, an older model with bigger copper rivets, currently on the auction site. In the honey color, it looks pretty sweet.

fender1

I have both. Thousands of miles on them. They both work fine. The Imperial is has a bit more give. You can't go wrong with either.

67tony 

In searching some old posts, I read about a guy who soaked his new Brooks in warm water overnight. The next day he rode it for several hours, and claimed it was a perfect fit from then on!

Interestingly, I used this method with my Wilson A2000 ball glove, about 35 years ago. After soaking I put a softball above a baseball in the pocket, wrapped it closed with rope, let it dry for a week, then drenched it in neatsfoot oil. To this day that glove looks pristine...with only very infrequent neatsfoot oil maintenance.

I've also done this with Sperry Topsiders. Soak 'em good, wear 'em while they dry, then lather with bear grease or mink oil. Form fitting, and broken in perfectly.

Would I be crazy to do this with a brandy new Brooks?

fender1

Yes. Just put a bit of Proofide (Brooks specific) sealer on it and ride it. It will break in fine. The internet is awash with stupid ideas regarding Brooks saddles break in & up keep. Just ride it and you will be fine. If it gets really soaking wet, let it dry naturally and before riding it. Don't over think it.

Road Fan

I have a 17N Imperial and can't say it is extremely effective, but I also have a Pro and can say the Imp is a lot more comfortable than the Pro as far as pain in the middle goes. I mainly use Selle Anatomica (with cutout) now, and that is a LOT nicer than the 17N Imp. My wife uses a B17 Imperial, and likes it quite a bit. She had a B17S Imperial, and that did not last very long. Surprising, since she is not heavy.

I wonder if S-A has replacement skins for the short-frame B17?

Back when the B17 Imperial was being tested by a number of us here, we were generally quite positive.

jim hughes

I think the thick hard leather in Brooks models like the Pro never softens up no matter what you do - and the thinner B17 leather is comfortable almost from Day 1, and needs no special treatment. I think a lot of the mythology arose because people kept wishing a Pro could feel like a B17.

Road Fan

I agree, yes. Brooks tells you how to break it in. Few people have damaged Brooks saddles doing that. For as many tales of alternative treatments that were successful, there have been horror stories of damaged or destroyed saddles, in the 8 or so years I've been here.

It's your saddle, do what you like, but it's a lot of money to be randomly trying experiments on. But, it's yours.

Road Fan

I tried my 17N without lacing and it was flexy and supple, so different taht I felt it was gonna stretch out. I added the lacing back in and it's stiffer, sometimes too stiff - a little more tuning. But I don't see that it's not going to last.

lubers

I have had the Imperial (was a beta tester) and traded it to a member for the Flyer. I still hae the Flyer on my Bike and have put thousands of comfortable miles on it. I had the Imperial for almost a year and it did preform nice, I'm just a big Clyde who needs a little more spring action.

67tony 

Great feedback, especially that which discouraged my alternative break-in method!
I'm sure I'll be following the recommended Brooks care and maintenance tips...

(Road Fan - I'm west of Lansing, in a little burg called Portland, but I have a brother who lives in Chelsea and participates in some of your area's group rides. He's also done quite a few DALMACs.)

Road Fan

Neat, we'll have to chat.

canyoneagle

I "pre"-broke-in my B-17N and my Swift saddles by laying a very damp towel on the saddle overnight AFTER having applied proofide top and bottom. Worked for me.
I think you'll like either saddle - I have no experience with the Imperial, but found the B-17N to be one of the most comfortable saddles I've ever owned. It took some time to fully break in, but my "jump start" seemed to take the initial edge off a bit.