Tandem Tom

On my Serotta road bike and my Long Haul Trucker I have the B-17. Tonight I started toying with the idea of a Brooks Flyer, the sprung saddle for my 610. I was wondering if anyone has both and what your thoughts are? Also how do you think a sprung saddle would look on my 610?
Thanks!

JohnDThompson 

Sprung saddles work best with a upright riding style. If you have dropped handlebars, I'd avoid the sprung saddle.

The Golden Boy 

C-17.

clasher

I just bought a C-17 for my Miyata 1000. It's pretty swank but I don't have much time on leather saddles to compare them to.

Kactus

I just put a C-17 on my CIOCC. I only have a few miles on it but it is fantastic; comfortable from the first mile.

Velognome 

But the Flyer is a sprung B-17, not to much of a perch if your sitting upright. I've used them successfully on bikes with short reaches.

AAZ

If the B-17 works for you, why change?

I have two B-17 that I like. I also use a Brooks Swallow, a SMP Glider and a SMP TRK (on a Miyata 1000). I'm happy with all of them.

Velocivixen

I was all for sprung saddles early on because I do more "urban" (supposed to make bumpy roads nicer feeling), and more semi upright. I found the sprung (B67 specifically) saddles to be heavy and it's difficult to thread the leather straps through the loops of the saddle with the springs in the way. I move my various Carradice bags to different bikes to carry my tool roll, tube, etc. I love my B-17's, but wouildn't mind trying out a Flyer too.

gioscinelli 

The Gilles Bertoud Saddle leather saddle works wonders either in the upright or aero position. Very comfortable for long endurance rides and looks sharp on any bike.

KonAaron Snake 

I put a flyer on my Koga miyata and didn't like it at all; went back to the b-17. I actually need to move that on now that I'm thinking about it.

Tandem Tom

Thanks for the replies! I think I will just go with the B-17 and do the cut-out. The Flyer is about 1 # heavier and I wonder if it might look a bit klunky on the 610.

Wileyone 

Is the C-17 Leather?

revcp 

Riding a B17 honey special on my 610. Perfect.

TugaDude

Rubber. It has been reviewed by several C&Vers, including Azorch. Search forum for it.

TugaDude

YMMV, but generally, the B-17 is for conditions where the seat height and stem are roughly equal. If the stem is lower, or if you spend a lot of time in the drops, you have choices. Some like the B-17 N, a narrower B-17. Brooks offers the Team Professional, Swift and Swallow, all better for aggressive riding posture.

The other end of the spectrum is the sprung saddles. They work best on bikes set up with a more upright style, dirt drop stems, riser bars, etc.

However, the key to getting proper fit and hence comfort is to find the correct fit. That involves the whole shebang. Seat height, fore/aft adjustment and angle along with bar height (stem length and rise). Choice of bars also figures in of course.

It is frustrating to see folks try a Brooks and decide "It's not for me" when they have no clue how to set their bike up properly. It varies depending upon type of saddle as described above. Many riders find they have to actually tilt their saddle nose up in order to find the right sweet spot where the weight of the sit bones ride on the proper portion of the saddle. Nose down and too much weight is placed upon the prostate, causing numbness and unfortunate consequences.

Look at Craigslist. How many bikes do you see with noses point downwards? A bunch. No wonder they never got ridden.

Sorry to get so longwinded, but it amazes me that there is so much discomfort being reported. Sure, everyone has a different butt, but I think that with a few adjustments most any saddle can be made rideable.

I could have replied "Whichever one fits your butt!", but then that wouldn't have been helpful.

Next up, color choice!

daf1009

OK, I will say it...

Whichever one fits your butt!!! That seems like the logical choice...

arex

Fabric-covered rubber, no break-in period. Good reviews, though purists may sneer.

echo victor 

I have a Velo Orange sprung Model 5, which is very similar to the Brooks Flyer (i.e., essentially a sprung B17), and I also have a B17. The Flyer or Model 5 are certainly heavier (which may or may not matter depending on how much gear you've got on your 610), but the issue I found with the Model 5 is that it squeaks. The squeak seems to come from the nose rather than from the springs because 2 parts of the metal frame there can be pressed against each other and rub during riding. It looks like the Model 5 basically copies the Flyer in that location, so I could imagine squeaking from the Flyer being an issue, too.

I generally find the B17 to be just as comfortable in most situations as the sprung saddles. And I would second the idea that saddle choice is obviously very personal, but that often a slightly narrower saddle might work better if you use a lower bar position.

tarwheel 

Get a C-17 Cambium or a B-17 Champion Special. If your other B-17s are not Champion Specials, you will notice a distinct improvement in quality. They are made with thicker leather and use large copper rivets.

If you want to think outside the box, try a Fizik Vitesse, which is similar in size and shape to a B-17 but weighs half as much in the ti version. You can buy used ones on eBay for a bargain.

Cougrrcj

My old Fuji still has it's original Fujita Belt saddle (Brooks B-17 clone), but in deference to my older age, I had mounted it on a suspension seatpost. That takes the jarring out of the ride, and still allows the comfort of my old friend... (saddle, that is). Just something you might want to consider.

My suspension seatpost was something I got from Bike Nashbar 25+ years ago. It uses an elastomeric 'puck' instead of the springy things I see these days. The only problem is that I doubt I can find a replacement puck now. Maybe a urethane suspension bushing from a car... Hmmmm......

Velognome 

While singing the praises of the Flyer, a B17 would be a better choice for you M.610. Havig said that....everyone needs a Flyer for that special ride

Kactus

I have a B-17 N Imperial on my Sekai and is very comfortable.

SoreFeet

I'd buy a vintage Brooks Professional in mint condition at a premium before I'd buy any new brooks saddles. The Brooks saddles today aren't as nice the older ones.

non-fixie 

I like Brooks' saddles and have various B17s and Professionals on my bikes. My only drop bar bike with a sprung Brooks is this Van Tuyl, which has a Brooks Conqueror. It feels much like a B17.

gioscinelli 

I just picked up this Peugeot Mixte today with Brooks B72 saddle about a 73 to 74 age. It's looks comfy, have to try it out.