I have B17s on all three of my bikes, and all three saddles were comfortable right out of the box. The appeal is multifold---they are comfortable and become moreso over time, they look great, they last a LONG time, and they harken back to a time where craftsmanship meant something. I like Brooks saddles and Carradice bags. Are they on the bleeding edge of tech? No. But by purchasing them, I know I'm keeping talented craftsmen employed, and that's important to me.