In the recent build of my super duper lightweight/speed/touring/commuter bike, I used the Specialized saddle that came with the frame. It was lightweight, gel, techie, custom measured, and supposed to be the best thing your butt has ever seen. So I kept it in the build. I rode it for a few hundred miles, always futzing with the adjustments, forward, backward, up, down, nose up, nose down etc etc etc. I could never seem to get it just right.

On a pre coffee whim this morning, I snatched my Brooks B-17 off of the old Cannondale T-700 commuter and put it onto the Fetish. Holy mother of God... what a difference! I'm pretty sure that in the first stab it's not even in the right place, but even at this point it's like a freakin' Barcolounger for the bike. I have to say that this morning I truly have happy ass.

Thank you Brooks, from the bottom of my ass! I'll never stray again.

Imho, I believe the B-17 was their best saddle. I too, shall not stray.....

I've been considering the switch to a Brooks, due to the praise they get here on BF and from the number of people I saw riding them on the TdC a couple weeks ago.
The only problem I think I might have is with weather exposure. It's Seattle, so there's quite a few days of steady, persistant drizzle. I don't leave my bike outside (I have the luxury of parking in my cube or locker-room.)
Does keeping the saddle Proofhided keep it from any water damage that would occur on a normal 7.5 mile commute in rainy weather? I have full fenders, so nothing would get up underneath it. I just don't want to ruin the saddle by overstressing it (I'm 250 pounds) when it's wet.

Good to know. Many members love them who've had them many years. It's good to see more RECENT converts, it adds yet another perspective.

Considering that these saddles come from England, I don't think it's that big of a deal. Only thing I've heard is try not to ride them after they have been drenched. It stretches them out. The fenders should be all you need. Plus, damn they aren't that expensive either.

Well, the B-17 isn't. It's just about what I'd spend on any other saddle.

I'm not exactly in a financial position to get one of their Ti rail $300+ saddles. (That's 1/3 of what I'm going to spend on my next complete bike. Yikes!)

I took the bait and switched myself about a year ago and I like them. I'm not a HUGE fan yet, but I do think they are as good as any saddle I've tried. Hoping that my opinion will improve when they break in a bit more.

I've got a Ti swift on my road bike (Ti bike also) and I picked it up from Nashbar's return bin for $120. Good price. You can find them also.

Ok just pulled the trigger (can I say that???) on mine after all the convincing on this board. Can't wait.

I purchased a Brooks B-67 after a lot of convincing. It came in the mail and I had to laugh. The tight leather just looks like a bike seat shaped drum. I have not ridden on it yet, but I sure hope looks are deceiving because this thing looks like a torture device.

I'm a big guy. About 310 right now and my B67 is the most comfortable saddle I could find.

That was my first impression. I kept checking the box and receipt thinking I got something different than what I ordered.

But I love the saddle now.

Brooks saddles are only appreciated when ridden. THey aren't soft, so they aren't nice to touch. But they are damned nice to ride.

Every @$$ is different...what one rider deems comfortable could well be a nightmare for another rider. I think what's most important, and is the ultimate gauge of comfort, is the width/separation of your sitbones and how that compares to your saddle.

That said, Brooks saddles do look purdy!

I ride in Seattle on a Brooks. It stays dry, for the most part. I mean, even on a rainy day when your butt is in the saddle most of the time, it only gets a little wet. This assumes that you have full fenders of course.

I wouldn't advise leaving out in the weather or riding on it when it's completely wet but it should be easy to avoid that situation.

I got my B17 in April. It's got maybe 1000 miles on it so far, so it should be pretty well broken in.

My first impression was that, despite it feeling really, really hard, it was as comfortable out of the box as the best of the other saddles I've tried. During the break-in it's only gotten better. I used to think a lot about whether a saddle was comfortable or not; with the Brooks I rarely even think about it since there's no pain in my backside to remind me.

And that is the point... you think about other things besides your saddle when it's not killin' your backside.

About the rain... I keep an extra grocery bag in my pack or wherever. If it has to sit outside in the rain, or If I have to ride it in the rain, I just pull it over the saddle and tie it on. Works like a chump.

Thick layer of Proofide underneath it, unbuffed. Plastic back on top for keeping it outside in the rain.

I'll let you know how that works out once monsoon season hits in Tucson!

Funny I had a similiar experience two days ago; although somewhat in reverse in terms of bike types.
I have an NOS 2002 Trek 520 which had a nice narrow little racing seat (On a touring bike..gimmie a break Trek). I gave it a shot a few times, & hadn't gotten 'round to getting something new yet...after a 6 miler not using bike shorts with my wife she determined she wanted to go do another longer shot which I was up for, but since we were passing home, I yanked the seatpost, brooks & all out of my Jamis, & did a quick switch. Even though the bikes have very different geometry the subsequent ride with the brooks being the only change was a slice of heavan, no soreness no nothing. I suspect Wallbike will be hearing from me shorly; although I'm considering a Selle Anatomica like my wife has.

I just installed my first brooks on my commuter. I use to have a Ti railed, gel insert saddle with a "comfort" channel in it and it hurt my butt on every ride and made me numb. I switch to my new Special Edition Green B-17 with copper rails/rivets and all I can say is WOW! Probably one of the most comfortable saddles I have owned.