metalchef87

Brooks B17 Standard in Black...I have seen literally hundreds of good review and maybe one bad one for the b17. I bought it off ebay for 70 dollars...Merry Christmas to me. The only thing I am hesitant about is the break in time, but I have had multiple people tell me they are comfortable straight out of the box.

Question though...Do you really have to adjust the tension once a year?

Can't wait for it to get here.

cb400bill

I recommend reading Sheldon's article on leather saddles. The paragraph about tension adjustment is near the bottom.

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/leather.html

well biked

No. Don't adjust the tension at all unless it's really necessary. Which, from my experience, is pretty much never. Some folks do have to adjust them, but there's certainly no set timetable. These are saddles that can last several decades.

luker

If you ride hard and long, and in all weathers, you'll have to worry about adjustment. Less than 4000 miles a year? Well Biked is right, never.

Of course it depends on the toughness of that particular cow that makes your leather. In general Brooks are very good.

metalchef87

Okay. So in your experiences are they comfortable right out of the box, or unbearably hard for longer rides?

Scooper

Comfortable right out of the box, even on 50 - 60 mile rides if you wear quality riding shorts with sewn-in crotch padding panels (which you should wear on longer rides regardless of the saddle you're using).

luker

and, use good chamois cream (which you should use no matter what saddle you ride). I rode a lot this summer and learned to appreciate it on longer rides, especially when I forgot to use it. I like Assos; there are several (read about 'em in the Road Forum).