Originally Posted by TheOtherGuy
Pretty sure, but not positive... The "pre-softened" version was available for a few years though; I'm thinking through the '90s. I believe the big rivet one was first called the Team Pro, when they appeared as production items on the Raleigh Team Pros in the mid '70s. Before then, I think all big rivet Pros were custom butchered. I've got a couple of NOS big rivet "Team Pro" saddles that aren't pre-softened, and date stamped from around '78. There was a time when I really loved the big rivet pro over all others, but the small rivet version rides as well. Now that I'm older, fatter and slower, the B17 is becoming more of the favorite.
I believe my Pre-Softened version dates to the mid-late 1980's - the rails on it sit a bit closer to the leather, effectively bringing the saddle position about a millimeter farther down then a '70s Pro. I gather the lowering of the rails was probably due to the rapid standardization of micro-adjust seatposts through the '80s. Incedentally, the badge on this Pro is the cheapest thing of the whole saddle, featuring the BROOKS lettering in unmodified Arial lettering - although the overlapping "O"s were not overlooked.
My large-rivet, non Pre-Softened model is dated '75. The rails sit lower, just peeping out from under the lowest edge of the leather.
Must say that the Pro is my favorite, over the B.17 and B.15. I find the leather on the two B-series saddles a literal 'pain in the @$$' to sufficently break-in, and the absence of chamfered sides on the B.15 drives me nuts when I ride in my usual getup - dress pants.
This is also one of the few things I deplore about the B.72 - you'd think they could have come up with a chamfered-side model - after all, it is the type of saddle a buisnessman in such clothing may ride. The rough edged side always gives the sensation that you've just torn your pants...
Take care,
-Kurt