I was given adrand new, never mounted, B 17 that is at least 35 years old and in perfect condition. My other Brooks I bought in '84 and am still riding on. That one has brass rivets that I keep polished with the "bottom of my bike shorts". I do not remember what the break-in period was like as that was a while ago. I am looking foreward to the experience, all the more after reading this post . Thanx for the topic.