B17 for a commuter?
 

I am looking for a new saddle for my 2011 Jamis Bosanova. I commute on it 8 miles each way in the Washington DC area year round. We can get rain any time of the year, and can expect some snow in the winter. I hear so much about how comfortable the B17 is that I'd like to give it a try. But, I'm concerned about using it on a commuter in wet conditions. Any thoughts?


Here's a photo of a 2011 Bosanova. I have black fenders on mine. Any suggestions for a color for the B17 in the event I get one?

I have had no problems using them in the rain; my butt kept the top dry, the plastic bag I leave on it when I park I jam into the rails keeps the bottom dry.

I have given up on them though. They look great but for my purposes didn't add much more than that. Didn't detract any. Saddle bag loops on the B17 are nice. Actually, I didn't give up per se on the champion, I handed that bike on to my son (now 16) and he both didn't care for it and I didn't trust him not to scuff the bejeezus out of it. But I didn't love/require it enough to displace the saddle on the other bikes I ride.

I still keep a 'conquest' (sprung mtb saddle) on my pugsley.

I would put a black one with silver/chrome rivets on yours.

B-17 works well on a commuter with a couple of caveats. Fenders really, really help, and this is after you've Proofide'd both top and bottom of the saddle. Saddle cover (or bike cover) is a good idea, too. If your work is near a window and you can run outside, you can run out and cover it when rain is imminent; otherwise, check the weather forecast and cover it in the morning if it doesn't say "Clear." (And sometimes when it does!)


Color? Black would match...

now that they're popular and expensive, people steal Brooks saddles..

as far as the weather, cover it with a heavy plastic bag.. it may not be recognized and taken so quickly.


NB: , don't wear Khaki slacks .. dark colors best..






....

Thanks for the input so far. I should note that I can lock up my bike in my office parking garage, which is indoors. So the only time weather will be an issue is when I'm actually riding.

I have the B17 and I like it, however finding the right saddle is a personal thing. I ride in dress pants and find my 5 mile commute comfortable. I would lock the saddle or at least cover it with a shopping bag if you are leaving your bike unattended. I once had my Brooks Flyer pre-aged stolen and I am uncertain if whoever stole it wanted the actual saddle or seatpost since I noticed other bikes next to mine had theirs messed with.

I used to ride a B17 and protected it with a cheap generic stretch cover that I got at the LBS. These days I ride on a C17 Carved saddle - its waterproof and I can shove a locking cable through the slot to secure it from theft.

I've been using Brooks saddles for 45 years. Every one I have owned has been soaking wet multiple times. No problem. I don't go out trying to get it wet and do use fenders and a helmet cover over it when it rains, but it does happen and won't hurt it. I rub a little Kiwi Mink Oil Paste on them a couple of times a year and that's about it.
One simple theft deterrent is to put a glob of silicone glue into the bolt head. It will dry, make it impossible to insert a wrench and frustrate the usual snatch and grab thief. It's easily removable with a knife point but only if you know it's there. I also recently found out about these simple security bolts.

Marc

Hot pink. Neon Green. Built-in LEDs that can change color on demand.

Srsly though, if I were getting a Brooks I'd be looking at Cambium, especially for wet weather.

Bear in mind the B.17 comes in a standard width and a narrow width, and the narrow, on account of its width, is a lot harder. It feels like heavier leather (they are made of the same leather). A lot of the time people talk about the B.17 without mentioning which one they're using. I, personally, prefer the narrow. Can't stand the standard; too soft.

Maybe consider the Cambium model as well.
I'm lucky a local dealer had demo models:
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5586/...d97532be_z.jpgBROOKS C17 LOANER FROM BFOLD by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

Go for the B17. Cover it with a plastic bag when you park it in the rain or snow. It will be fine and you will love it.

Did you like the Cambium?

I hate mine. I have a B15 and a C13 in the same size (~145mm). I get more chafing and rubbing on the cambium (due to rough surface and stiffer material? I dunno). My cambium is not as forgiving and contouring as the leather saddle. Really, a good Fizik is more comfortable (no matter how much I want to like it).

A new B17 is about as comfortable as my cambium, but with the advantage that it conformed to my bones as "I broke it in"

My B15 is about 10 years old. Never had any problems with it (I do have a seatpost fender for commuting). The only thing I do to baby it is to not leave the bike out in pouring rain...

I'm ok with most saddles for commuting/shopping distances. It's really on long(er) rides(60-100 miles)
I'm having trouble finding a comfy seat. I've tried the some Cambium models(C17 & C15) as well as some
B17 models(standard & professional). C17 is more comfy for me than the B17 Team Pro; I own both. Not
sure how long a Team Pro takes to break-in; I gave up after a few months.
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5552/...e1ecf7b1_z.jpg100 Miles(160 Km.) on a Brompton by 1nterceptor, on Flickr
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/735/2...34a5f0e0_z.jpg2015 New York City Century by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

A shower cap is a good cover for a saddle.

I just recently purchased a B17 Imperial for my commuter, and after ~200 miles, I'm really starting to take it in stride. I even rode today without chamois shorts and it felt comfortable even still. Having the type of setup that makes you actually look forward to riding again, whether it be commuting, racing, touring, etc. is probably what makes the difference between cyclists who become lifers and cyclists who end up having their bikes collect dust in the garage after a few months.

Anyways, the B17 has become my favorite saddle so far, and on my commuter bike no less. While on my road to finding the right commuter saddle, I've had a couple standard Performance Bike Forte saddles, a Selle Italia Superflow Gel, a Specialized BG Romin and Power, a Brooks Cambium C15 Carved, and a Fizik Kurve Chameleon. The Chameleon is on my race bike, while this B17 Imperial is here to stay. Take that how you will.

I would also consider why you actually want a Brooks saddle. If you're looking for a leather saddle that has the same dimensions roughly, I heard some of the Selle saddles are in the same class, in addition to it being waterproof. Oh... and cheaper. I never ended up checking any of those out, but they would've been next on the list if the B17 Imperial didn't work out for me.

Best of luck.

I do most of my rides in cargo shorts. It doesn't matter as much what you wear with a B17.

Bladder from 5L box of Vin Ordinare, is double layer, and free when you finish imbibing the contents..




;)

Try a Brooks before you buy it. I just can't make them work....and I'm not the only one. They're very polarizing. I WANT to like them too :(

If it fits you go for it. It doesn't matter if it's a commuter or a touring bike. If the saddle fits---perch upon it.

I tried one. It just sold it on eBarf this week.

You ride the saddle, not the hype.