Originally Posted by
globie
I'd rather not pay well over $100 for a saddle or worry about one getting stolen or drenched.
But I've ridden a Brooks Pro for five years and a B17 for three years, and nothing in my 50+ years of riding compares favorably.
Never had a creak from either of them. Almost never used Proofide after the first light treatment. I do tighten them up a tad after they sag noticeably.
As for the economics, buying a new saddle is always a crapshoot. If you pay less for a saddle but don't like it, you've lost that money. I'll stick with what works for me.
Most reputable LBS and that includes REI, expect that a saddle purchase is heavily trial and error so they take them back or have loaner programs. Your Brooks is a $100 saddle too so comparing it to a über cheapie saddle is really not much of a comparison and one could try a better saddle at no more risk than a Brooks (or any other saddle for that matter).
J.