Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,860
Likes: 821
From: SE Wisconsin
Bikes: Lemond '01 Maillot Jaune, Lemond '02 Victoire, Lemond '03 Poprad, Lemond '03 Wayzata DB conv(Poprad), '79 AcerMex Windsor Carrera Professional(pur new), '88 GT Tequesta(pur new), '01 Bianchi Grizzly, 1993 Trek 970 DB conv, Trek 8900 DB conv
I've ridden the std C17, C17s with the cutout, B17s, and B17 Imperial(cutout B17).
The C17..no go for me. I've tried lots of adjusting on 25-50 mile rides..just can't get it comfortable.
C17 with a cutout..much better than the std C17. Again..lots of adjusting on 25-50 mile rides. Not bad-ish, but not a keeper for me. On any given day it can be pretty darn good..I just never know when that day will be. Couldn't live with it day after day.
B17 much better than the C17 cutout..much better. I can get comfortable on a B17. I have a B17 Flyer on my touring bike.
B17 Imperial..better than the B17. I have several B17 Imperials. If I had just one Brooks to ride..it would be a B17 Imperial. I did 40 miles a couple days ago on a newly rebuilt/refurbished/repainted CX bike with a used/like new B17 Imperial on it. Must have got it tweaked in just right..super comfortable ride.
I really wanted the C17 cutout to work as it's (can be) comfortable and weather-proof, mostly. But it's not to be.
My GF rode a C15 cutout for a year. Liked it alot. Then I got her a B17-narrow..she liked that better. Now she has a B17-narrow Imperial on one of her bikes..she's liking that even better. We're headed out on a tour in a month..she's still deciding whether the B17-narrow or the narrow Imperial will be making the trip. One of them for sure.
All of our Brooks leather saddles (6 or 7 of them on various bikes) are in various stages of being "broken in" ..some new-ish and some with many miles on them. They are all comfortable. Those with more miles are more comfortable.