Hibonite

I'm considering trimming the side skirts of my B17 to look more like a Swift. I'm not looking for a how-to guide, but I was wondering if anyone trimmed the side skirts of their Brooks and then regretted it. Either because the sides flaired out and they rubbed your thighs or some other issue.

pat5319

I know people who have regretted it, you might try lacing the bottom edges together see https://brookssaddles.com/en/Shop_Pro...rod=Flyer+Aged or call Steve Loveland 509-747-5220 https://stevesoncannonstreet.com for more advice

14R 

I know 4 people that trimmed their B-17, one of them an avid member of BF on Folding bikes (littlepixel). ALL regretted it.

hartsu

I trimmed my B-17 two years ago and I still am happy with it.
https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/...0f5c98bf_b.jpg

BCRider

A lot of the support for the seat part of the leather comes from the stiffness of the side skirts. If yours has flared out to a high degree I'd consider lacing it but cutting it will remove that support for the upper shape and risk it sagging like an old hammock.

If you do lace it to avoid chaffing you'd want to punch the holes and use a leather groover for the lacing to recess into so that the skirt edge is still smooth. For that reason I'd suggest the heavy guage waxed linen cord used for leather working over other options just because it'll sit down in the groove more neatly.

well biked

I've seen photos of B17's that have been cut down, some of them certainly have looked impressive.

I know folks who lace their standard B17's right out of the box, but I've never had to lace one and don't want to.

I love B17's on my bikes that have a saddle height either level with or slightly lower than the tops of the handlebars. I have zero confidence that I'd do anything other than ruin a B17 if I tried to alter one, but that's not to say that it can't be done if someone knows what they're doing.

For bikes with a more agressive riding position, I like the Swift a lot. And it's a very cool looking saddle IMO. I've used this one on a couple of different bikes:

fietsbob

+1, buy the Swift , or what other model you have sights on, B17 is a good product on its own, as is.

cbchess

I've laced my B-17s and was happy with it.