Posted this on the Clydesdale Forum also...

Originally was a question about the neckless Hobson Easy Seat, but now it's about the Brooks.

So, question becomes:

6'4", 285 on a 64cm Schwinn Letour III. Daily commute is 16 miles each way, mostly flat, on bike trails or in a Park, with a killer hill on each end. (I ride on the river trail and Burns' park in Little Rock, AR)

Do I go with the Brooks B17, Flyer (B17 with Springs), or the B66 / 67?

That really depends.... for starters, how high or low are your handlebars in relation to your seat?

Does your normal riding position place your hands higher than your saddle? If so this usually means that you have more weight shifted back onto the saddle and you may find the Flyer or the 66/67 to be a good choice. Picking between the two can be tougher, the major difference being width. The 66/67 will have a good amount of cushion due to it's width (sprung or unsprung), and the Flyer will give you a little narrower saddle (it's still wider than most "modern" saddles) with the added benefit of springs to absorb harsh bumps.

The 66/67 is probably best suited for traditional "upright" riding when your handlebars are a few inches higher than the saddle and a majority of your weight is pushed back on the seat. You'll find these more often on upright bikes like classic three speeds, cruisers, and commuter specific bikes like Breezers, ect. It's wide, and well suited to folks that have wider sit bones.

The standard b17 is recommended for folks that have their handlebars about even with their saddle, and it realistically is pretty much the same thing as the Flyer, but with the springs the Flyer is nice for bumpier terrain (ie most urban roads)

FWIW, I have a Flyer on my Breezer and I love it.

As far as I understand, the Brooks saddles with springs are best if your handlebars are higher than your seat. The B17, on the other hand, is meant to be used with bars approximately level to the seat. What is your setup like?

Edit: Too slow to post... go with what that guy said ^^^

Ohh, and something quick to add... If you're not entirely sure about which Brooks, consider purchasing one from Wallbike (wallbike.com). They have a great return/exchange policy that allows you to return a used saddle for up to six months for a full refund or exchange. Their prices are a tad higher than others, but it's probably worth it for that kind of insurance. Maybe your LBS will offer the same type of warranty if you speak to them. I don't have any affiliation with Wallbike, just been a happy customer... six brooks saddles... none have had to go back!

The sprung 67, and now the unsprung 68, are very suitable for use with the bars even with the saddle. But, yes, usually they are associated with a more upright posture. Mine are level with the bars, which are North Road type. A very nice saddle for the bumps and generally poor roads on the commute. The springs, plus the additional leather makes for a very nice ride. I also use this bike for many long rides out into the hinterlands. In fact, I have a hard time deciding whether to take the 520 (B17) or this one on some days. See the pics for a look at the profile. It's not a road bike, but an old roadified MTB.
https://i9.tinypic.com/6hds0mr.jpg

I am about to order the flyer.
Is it NOT recommended to use this seat level with the bars?
I want it for the upright riding position, and for the bumpy urban roads.
I would like to have the option of riding with my bars level with my seat and above the seat.
I cannot see there being too much of a difference between the two saddles in comparison to where the handlebar height is, except that the flyer would absorb the bumps a little better.
The two saddles are essentially exactly the same except for the springs on the Flyer model.
Any thoughts?

For upright riding where nearly all your weight is on the seat the B-67 is an excellent saddle. For an upright but balanced position the Flyer is good. B-17 is an excellent touring saddle for moderately aggressive to relaxed riding positions. Obviously there is some variation depending on the person. I use a B-17 for commuting but have a fairly low bar position and ride hard. For a more upright rider the springs would be nice. For the OP I think the B-67/B66 maybe even better.
Craig