Originally Posted by
Lionheart
I rode today on my new Brooks B-17 Special saddle, and thought I'd share my first impressions. This was my regular commute, but I ride my touring bike to work so I figured I'd post here...
I applied "Proofide" twice to the underside. The saddle felt great. It seems a bit smooth, shiny and slick on the business side as I did a fair amount of fore/aft sliding. I think this will subside as the saddle breaks in and the shiny surface de-glazes a bit. I was expecting a real torture session as that seems to be the rap on Brooks (until they're broken in). I'm pleasantly surprised there was none of that. I think it'll only get better from here.
Glad you liked it; I bought a B-17 Select & it was quite comfy except for the "apron" that angles out which caused some chafing (upper part fine). So I'm thinking about tying the aprons narrower or doing radical trimming surgery (both not unheard of) or else selling the B-17 & plunking down big $$ for a B15 Swallow steel ($200) or the awesome B15 Ti Select ($250)! Wow, they ain't giving these things away. Brooks seems wedded to the aprons for majority of their saddles while almost all the synthetic saddles are the "swallow" style for much cheaper. Currently ride a Fizik white saddle which looks cool & is comfy up to 40 mile mark. For my first racing bike (70's) I replaced the cheapo uncovered plastic saddle with a Brooks Pro--turns out the shop cheated me & the Pro was used & middle part was depressed causing one to sit on the narrow nose part, very uncomfy. Bought a fairly cheap Unicanitor replacement that was far more comfortable.