Capecodder

I'm looking for a new Brooks saddle and I'm not sure as to which one to go with. I had my B17 for about a year, and really liked it other than I found it too wide. I got too much thigh rub with it so I think a more narrow Brooks is in order.

How much difference is there in the B17 vs B17 Narrow? I'm thinking of either the B17 Narrow or the Professional....... Who has had all three or two of the three, and can compare them as far as width?

Cyclist0383

https://www.wallbike.com/brooks/unspr...les/b17-narrow

mkeller234

I have a few professionals and a B17. I don't have all in front of me at the moment but I can say there is a fairly big difference. I like the wide B17 the best, I'm not sure you will know which you like until you try one yourself.

I do have a old Wrights W3N... which I think might be similar to a B17 Narrow. I definitely like the B17 the most.

brockd15 

I have all three but haven't ridden the Pro yet. I like both the B17 and the B17 Narrow, but between the two I prefer the Narrow, and I could tell a difference. I generally find narrower saddles to be more comfortable. We'll see about the Pro, but it's still pretty wide. I also have a Swallow that's ok, but I still prefer the B17 Narrow so far, probably because it's the narrowest of the bunch. That said, I like all of them.

B17 - 175mm wide
Team Pro - 160mm
Swallow - 153mm
B17 Narrow - 151mm

rootboy 

Go with the Pro. And find an old one if you can.

mparker326

Pro is hard as a rock compared to the B17.

FrenchFit 

I have bikes with the Narrow and B17 Standard, about to install a Pro. The Narrow's difference is pretty dramatic for me, I can't use it for long rides.

illwafer

you should try punching holes and tying in your skirts on your b17 before you buy something else imo.

you can take a drill and make 2 holes in each side of the skirt just big enough for a strong string, zip tie, etc (zip tie is easiest). cinch in the side and see if that helps. if not, you can take after it with a knife

Capecodder

I used to do a fair amount of leatherwork and did exactly that (punch holes) but it just didn't do it for me. I just could not justify taking a knife or razor to a expensive saddle, and have it's value go down the drain.

rootboy 

True. Unless, as I suggested, you buy an old one already broken in. Then they are very comfortable, IMO.

lostarchitect 

I disagree about the pro being uncomfortable. I found a new one, right out of the box, to be the most comfortable saddle I've ever been on. But not everyone has the same butt, so post a photo of yours and I'll tell you how it will fit you.

Capecodder

Are you asking to see my arse?

lostarchitect 

Wait, am I on the wrong website again!?

rootboy 

I agree. I've never felt them to be all that uncomfortable, even my hard as a rock 73 Pro. But they are probably not to everyone's liking.
But, it depends on your butt I suppose.
Yeah Mike , take some pics of your saddle and your butt and post 'em here ! The good doctors among us can probably not diagnose your problem, but we may get a good laugh.

rootboy 

Oh. BTW Mike. I too had an inner thigh rub problem once with a B 17. Turned out to be a problem with that particular saddle. It was not symmetrical side to side. A manufacturing flaw. FWIW.

Doohickie

Same here, and I agree with mkeller.

jstewse

Here's a comparison shot of all three.


Brooks comparison by jstewse, on Flickr

I have the b17 Standard on my bike with a Nitto Technomic, and I think that's the best combination. It's a much better saddle for a more upright position, I wouldn't put it on a bike with bar to saddle drop. For that type of bicycle the b17 is the most comfortable.

As for the other two, I've ridden the Pro on the bike I mentioned above, and it was okay but the wider rear platform of the b17 is just so much better. On a more hunched over sort of bike, I think I like the b17 Narrow better. It's a bit softer than the Pro, and despite it being considerably narrower, I find it more enjoyable. Of course though, as we like to say YMMV.



@Rootboy, did you happen contact Brooks about it? Care to share the details?

qcpmsame 

I've ridden both the Pro and the b 17 (my current saddle) and cannot tell any difference in the pressure points or one being harder than the other. If I had to buy a saddle today I would by a Pro without flinching. The Brooks saddles just work well for my butt's dimensions.

Bill

pastorbobnlnh 

Another alternative to the Professional or B17N would be the Colt, which comes in a multitude of colors. Here's my violet one next to an old Professional for comparison.




And this is sort of a good picture to show the differences in their profiles.

sdold

Capecodder: If the B-17 is the right width for your sit bones, going narrower to stop thigh-rub might introduce discomfort of a different kind. You might try taking a few wraps of electrical around the horn to see if lacing would help. I've never tried it but it would be an interesting experiment.

blaise_f

I've seen lots of good outcomes from people with zero leatherworking experience when trimming down B-17s. It's certainly cheaper than grabbing a Swallow or the likes. Unless you're going to sell your B17 and buy something else, why not!

This...minus that last part? The Pros are made of double shoulders, so they are thicker/harder typically.

clubman 

I've ridden all three extensively and find the Pro to feel narrower but prefer the B17 Narrow. If you want narrow saddle, the Swift may be best.

septacycles

I feel partially responsible for capecodders's dillema since I offered him a few different option of Brooks saddle I have for sale...

Here are pictures of the B17 Standard, Team Professional, and Swift... saddles are such a personal thing its hard to make recommendations. The swift is the most narrow saddle I have in stock... but the b17 narrow is also a good option if thigh rub is the concern but I've also never had issued with the Team pro's either. Again comes down to person preference and differences in body structure.

Evoracer

Currently have a Pro, and very happy with it once broken in. I tried, and tried to come to terms with the std B17 over many miles, just didn't work for me.

Capecodder

Hi septacycles,

Is the bottom photo the B17 Narrow?