Which Brooks Saddle
 

Hi everyone, Im buying a Brooks saddle for my commuter. I've always wanted a B-17 but investigating I've seen that its mounted mainly on touring bikes which are not very popular here in Europe. I dont know if It'll be the most appropiate model for my bike:

[http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40...o/DSC06454.jpg

As you can see its mainly a city bike but with a more aggresive posture.

So should I go for the B.17 or something a bit more wider like the B-68?

Thanks from Spain

I'm hoping to buy a B-17 "Imperial" for my commuter very soon. It appears to be the best mix of sleekness and comfort, plus the "Imperial" line offers a perineal cutout, which is a must for me.
I'm also considering the B-17 narrow Imperal as an option. Hard to go wrong with either, IMO.

Whatever is confortable is what works for your bike.

A b17 is comfortable for some people, try it and see.

The B17 is sort of the "standard" Brooks saddle. I've heard it said that one should consider going with a wider model if their riding position is more upright and a narrower model if they ride in a more aero position. I have to believe that one's personal anatomy and preferences must come into play too though. FWIW, I run my saddle at about the same height as my bars and I find the B17 to be very comfortable.

If your present setup and seat style is tolerable, I would expect a B17 would work.

A B68 is for a more upright position, and it is suggested to install the B68 on a bike with suspension. The B66 is a two rail sprung style and the B67 is sprung with single rail. All three are more comfortable on positions in which the handle bars are above the saddle.

If your frame does not have suspension seat post instead of the B17 you may want to look at the Flyer (a B17 that is sprung.)

A narrow B17 maybe provide a better fit by the position of the handle bars, but I would measure your present saddle width and compare it with Brooks offerings.

The B17 is the standard, and found on many touring style setups, (bars and seat height are level or slightly different, +/- and inch.) The Imperial version is quite comfortable and is now offered in more styles per Brooks site.

I have 4 Brooks, a B68 fitted to my Hybrid styled with more upright position, a B17 Imperial on a tall fame tourer. The B17 is presently on another tourer setup, and a Professional that has been altered to resemble a Swallow on a ride that I call aggressive, (bars 2 inches lower), but this seat will likely find its way onto another touring style with downtube mounted shifters.

Your setup resemble many of the MTB bikes on this side of the pound, but more cool with the commuter fixings. I would think a B17 will work, just confirm the distance between your sit bone centers and make certain you geometry will rest onto the saddle. The Imperial is worth a look if numbness is experienced now in th elower areas. I can ride my Imperial all day and when done there is no issues or ghost saddle affect that I experienced on other saddles, including my B17 normal.

B.17 on that bike.
B.17's are meant for riding with a bit of forward lean.
They have other models made for more upright seating positions like on dutch style bikes.

B.17 is a great intro to brooks saddles at an affordable price and comes in different colors/styles/pricing. Pricepoint typical has good deals on their basic black/steel b.17 model.

I currently run their Champion Flyer which is a B.17 with springs.
It's not bouncy, it's just enough to take the edge off the potholes.

Yep, B-17 or Imperial should work fine. It doesn't look from that picture like you have a really agressive saddle-to-handlebar drop.

I put B17 on my commuter that looks pretty close to your bike and it's great - even if it's still not broken in.

I say go with the Brooks Flyer!:thumb::p

I think if it is comfortable on a 2000 mile tour it would be comfortable on a 10 mile commute

Some find B17's uncomfortable in aggressive positions. So, if your handlebars are more than an inch lower than your saddle you might think it's not the right saddle. I use a B17 on a bike with around 1.5 inches of drop from the saddle to the handlebars and I like it just fine. However, that bike doesn't have drops.

A swallow (I have one of these too) will be more comfortable in aggressive positions. But, in my opinion, it's less comfortable than a B17 in regular shorts/pants. I almost always wear cycling shorts when I ride my bike with a swallow.

There's a couple of other saddles that may be a pretty good in between deal. Swallow's are pretty expensive as well.

For your bike I would say that a B17 would be fine. If you put drops on it then it'd be a matter of personal preference.



Also, when I talk about drop from saddle to handlebars one should keep in mind that I'm 5'9" and I ride a 53-56cm frame.

A Team Pro will work too.

Flyer!!

I put a B.17 on my daily commuter and love it. I ride slightly leaned forward and it has been really comfortable, even after the first day. (I had to get used to the stiffness after riding the stock Bonty saddle that was gel padded for about a year.)

Just get it and try it. If you don't like it, put it on Craigslist and you'll probably sell it within two days at nearly what you paid.

*add-on* I used that reasoning to buy my first B17 Standard; now I've got a Champion Special and a Swift as well. ;)

I am crazy about my Flyer Special on my commuter.Watch the video how Brooks are made. After seeing the copper rivets are done by hand, I was sold on getting a special.

Thanks for your answers!!. A honey B17 is the chosen one.

Your current bike seat is sprung?
 

Your current bike seat is sprung? looks like it from the photo. If you like the feel of a sprung seat, then definitely get a Brooks sprung seat - B66.

I have a B17 on my bike and I love it, but my bike has a suspension so I think a sprung seat is less important.

Great choice, I have the same on my commuter/cross bike. Absolutely love it! Hope you do too.

#1 That is what I bought for my new bike. Hands down the most comfortable saddle I have ever had and it is no where near broken in. Unfortunately it really does scream STEAL ME