I own one Brooks saddle, the B17 Imperial with cutout and it worked well from the beginning. The regular B17 was a torture device. But I honestly can't say that my current Brooks is that much more comfortable than my WTB saddles. I have a top of the line WTB saddle on my mtb, nice shape, leather top, cutout, some suspension. Yeah, it was more expensive that the B17 Imperial, but I used it for touring a couple of years ago and it worked fine for 50-70 miles per day for two weeks. I think Brooks saddles are overrated. They will certainly outlast any other saddle though.