undisputed83

Where is the cheapest place online to find one? Nashbar has the chpeaest I've seen at 99 bucks..

lverhagen

I've seen used for less. The thing with Brooks saddle is that there is definitely a long, slow break-in involved, something that some buyers don't seem to understand or anticipate. Luckily for you, they often sell there slightly/barely used saddles for a "get rid of it quick" price on both ebay and craigslist. If you prefer to buy new a simple search on google shopping turns up a honey Brooks B-17 for $66.25 from Manitou Bikes.

Unless you are set on Brooks (I wouldn't blame you), Persons saddles are another option: Permaco (you have to scroll to the bottom of the side bar). Good luck!

Cheers
lverhagen

martianone

Often SJS cycle in the UK has a good pricing - about 45 pounds for the saddle, with tax off and shipping in - total works out to around $85.

Cyclist0383

Wow, when did Brooks get so expensive in the States? Even with around 20% VAT the B-17 is still about USD80 in Europe. Five or six years ago I bought one in the States for $55. Does anyone know why they've almost doubled in price?

TurbineBlade

I think I paid around 70 on ebay for a NEW brooks b-17.

grimslade

Velo-Orange makes its own Brooks-style saddles too. Cheaper. No first-hand experience with them tho. Own two brooks, second I got from SJS, but I live in the UK.

HardyWeinberg

I got my last Brooks from chainreactioncycles.com in Britain, I bought enough other stuff that I hit their free shipping limit, and after subtracting out the VAT the Brooks was a very reasonable price (that escapes me at the moment). A lot of their stuff was cheaper than over here after taking out the VAT.

The previous Brooks I got from AEBikes' 'deal of the day', total fluke that I saw it when it was up.

lostarchitect 

They don't actually make their own, they are rebranded saddles from an Asian brand whose name I can't recall now.

Anyway, Outside Outfitters has great prices on Brooks saddles. https://www.outsideoutfitters.com/s-8...s.aspx?mid=361

Limey1212

If you have a Amazon Prime account this is a good deal

lostarchitect 

here's a better one, $18 better:

https://www.outsideoutfitters.com/ps-...d-saddles.aspx (edit: sale is over, price is back to $99 now)

Their prices generally include shipping, too. I ordered one from them and got it in less than a week with free shipping.

knobd

I recently received a Brooks Aged B17 saddle from Manitou Bikes. I believe that this company is just starting up their online operation. Right after I ordered I did not see any progress on my order. However, after about a week they sent out a mass emailing to announce that their website was having major problems. In the end it took over 3 weeks to get the saddle but they did stick to their word. Because of the delay they gave a coupon code for a 10% discount to all customers for their next order. The shipping is a tad pricey but I ended up getting the B17 aged and a tin of Proofhide delivered for 109.29 and at the end they knocked 5% off of that order so I did very well for a B17 aged. The price for the saddle was $80 which is an outstanding price. I still did not get it on my bike but am looking forward to it. I'll use Manitou again as many of their products are priced nicely (even if I have to wait).

enigmaT120

How do you protect them from our constant rain? It seems like I would need to have a cover on it 9 months of the year. Would that work? My bike goes on the bus, too, but I could still leave the rain cover on it then.

My bike is under cover at home but not at work.

lverhagen

I personally have used a quick release seatpost and taken the saddle indoors with me to prevent thievery and exposure to inclement weather. At other times and on other bikes I have just used a simple plastic shopping bag from the supermarket as a saddle cover. I take it off when I get on the bike since my rear covers the saddle then. You can always get one of those official Brooks saddle covers, but I would never ride with it. Good luck!

Cheers
lverhagen

Cyclist0383

I live in a very wet climate, and I simply put a plastic bag over mine when I lock up outside. It works just fine.

Epicus07

I use one of these :
https://www.amazon.com/Serfas-Bicycle.../dp/B001U64162

They do a great job of camouflaging your brooks as a crappy serfas saddle too

sonatageek

I have always thought Wallbike.com, which gives you a 6 month money back guarantee on Brooks was the best place to buy. Especially if you are not 100% sure that a Brooks is the right saddle for you. Right now $88 for a B-17 standard or $118 for many others (including my favorite B-17 Imperial). As to why they are so expensive (compared to a few years ago) -- part of it has to be the weak dollar. When the pound was suffering a few years ago there just incredible bargains that could be had from the UK, but that ship has sailed.

https://www.wallbike.com/catalog/sadd...sprung-saddles

irclean

Dollar store showercaps seem almost tailor-made for this application, and look much less ghetto than shopping bags.

HardyWeinberg

Just a plastic grocery bag w/ a rubber band through the handle loops

HardyWeinberg

I use a hundred-dollar store shower cap, it's far classier

grimslade

Don't the ears chafe?

DrJim

I do have experience with VO saddles and, while I am a big fan of VO in general and have bought many of their products, I would not recommend buying one of their saddles. I have a Model 3 (similar to a B17) and a sprung Model 8. Since buying these two saddles I have purchased four Brooks B17's. Needless to say I prefer the Brooks.

https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...3-touring.html

https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...e-model-8.html

The biggest problem I have had with the Model 3 is that the frame broke. The failure occurred at the point where the rail attaches to the rear support. This is a simple butt weld on the Model 3. On a Brooks B17 this joint is a mechanical connection, not a weld. While I was successful in getting the failed weld re-welded I regard the design as deficient. I might add that I am not very large at about 160 lbs.

Neither the Model 3 nor the Model 8 is particularly comfortable. I have ridden the Model 3 many miles and it is not much better now than a new B17 right out of the box. I surmise that the reason for this is the layer of material that is bonded to the underside of the leather. I'm not sure the purpose of this material. Perhaps it is there to help maintain shape. In any case a B17 is, for me, more comfortable.

The VO saddles also have a surface texture that the Brooks B17 does not have. I prefer the smooth slick B17.

I'm not saying that the VO saddles are really bad. I just would not buy one to save a few bucks or for style.

Regarding the Brooks B17 in particular, I find that they are generally comfortable right out of the box and then improve with time and miles. For my first one I used mineral oil to help break in but the other three I have done nothing. I find them to be fine without any treatment. I should say it doesn't rain much here in Texas, especially lately.

I buy my B17's from Amazon.com, $90 with free shipping.

One other aside, the VO Model 3 seems to be the same as the Cardiff Cornwall. At least they are very similar.

https://www.cardiffltd.com/cornwall.html

lostarchitect 

Folks, Brooks saddles come with a rain cover now. You don't need to use a shopping bag.

Also, I remembered who makes the VO saddles. Gyes. Find a Gyes saddle and you can get what is more or less the same as a VO saddle for significantly less.

rumrunn6

buy it from brooks, no?

jollyGreenGiant

I've got one I keep meaning to put up on Craigslist ( Black B17 ), bought a couple years ago, put the requisite 500 miles on it and gave up, I'm riding an Fizik Alliante now and am happy. I think it was just too wide for me, I can see how it would be awesome for some folks but just didn't do it for me, I tried. Email me if you are interested...

EKW in DC

When I ordered my B17 online earlier this summer, I found the cheapest price at the time was Tree Fort Bikes. Saddle, Proofide and shipping < $90 IIRC.