crank_addict

I never went to Brooks School but 'probably' incorrect using the term hammock in relation to Brooks saddles.

As for breaking one in, none are exactly alike. Starting with riders weight and arse shape differences. Then the environment where used, how often, etc. Even if it sits, the properties are still changing.

Chombi

I have to admit I dreaded trying out Brooks saddles for a long time but after I did for the first time about three years ago I was surprised how comfortable they were, Same goes for my Gilles Berthoud leather saddle. I liken it to how comfortable a very firm bed can be for some people. Maybe I shouldn't have been so afraid of them knowing that I cold ride well know ass hatchet padded leather saddles like the Concor Supercorsa. It must be all because of my years in (Architecture) college constantly sitting on cold, hard Mayline drafting stools (steel with phenolic tops) for years had hardened up my butt so even the hardest saddle is no problem for me to ride on many miles.....
As for prefeence between hammock and non-hammock condition, I think I prefer the non-hammock condition better.

Lascauxcaveman 

^This.

If you're doing a lot of miles on a fast bike and most of your weight isn't on your feet most of the time, I think you're doing it wrong. OTOH, If you're tooling around very slowly on an upright bike, then maybe a hammock or mattress is a better choice.

Velognome 

less thought...more application

3alarmer 

.
...#42

Trick fall

I liked my Brooks from the moment I first put it on, but I also have an old wooden office chair that is the most comfortable chair I've ever sat in so maybe I just like firm seats.

badger_biker 

My B17 and B17N were fine out of the box but as the B17 has started to sag it is more comfortable on shorter rides. I think for long distance I like the support better. Casual around town riding is better on a hammock like an old beat up one I have.

dddd

I agree with others who say the saddle should retain shape, while yielding locally.

However, for handling heavier jolts, the entire Brooks saddle increasingly begins to yield and support more like a hammock, which is a good thing for preventing two or three bruises (that third bruise would likely get your attention).

Shown below is a true full-hammock saddle that simply has it's front mounting point suspended (in tension) by a horizontal strap. A hidden center panel of thick leather underneath the folded-in top helps support the tension and maintains a nice flat top surface, with most weight then supported towards the rear.
If this saddle were allowed to sag at all (as most of these Pedersen bikes sadly are seen set up), then a wedgie condition would occur, and some parts of the body (that one wouldn't want supporting weight) might then get squeezed. On a Brooks, sudden hard contact at the front might tend to occur when hitting unexpected bumps if the saddle top were too soft.

The advantages over a Brooks are A) that the nose "rivet" portion is flatter, longer and not unyielding as on a Brooks, and B) that the saddle is supported at the rear by four tension springs, allowing bottomless suspension in response to rough riding surfaces.

That one can't fall onto a rigid top tube has also saved this rider from possible injury and/or possible crash, when a gear slip while sprinting had my foot come unclipped from the pedal, though dismounting with one of these saddles must be done more in the fashion of dismounting a horse, and height adjustments are far more involved.

Behold the under-fed horse:

USAZorro

I'll stick with convention, tyvm.

southpawboston

Or an ass, for that matter.

dddd

I'll have to admit that I didn't consider either of these possibilities.

Sir_Name 

Assumptions matter.