Originally Posted by
Nyah
I'm 5'7" and ride drop-bar bicycles exclusively, with the bars a couple inches below the saddle. Neither the B17 nor C17 w/cutout worked for me. I'm happy with the C15 w/cutout and have one waiting for a bicycle that I'm still piecing together. I have no need for springs. This saddle has all the give that I need.
Based on what you said you would not be comfortable on a B17 with that bike set up that way, the B17 is for a more upright riding position, your bike is not set up that way. The B15, or the Swallow, was made for your bike set up, as was the Swift; the real difference between the Swallow and the Swift is that the Swallow is made of thinner leather and will need to be tensioned more often and thus will wear out faster; the Swallow is a true old school racing saddle; the Swift will be stiffer due to the thicker leather, take longer to break in, but will last longer.