Wow, the conclusion of the test was something that's been common knowledge in cycling for 125 years.

I hope you didn't pay for that issue.

tcs

+1

So - do you think you might be interested in tradeing it for something that I have?

This post has been identified as having needless snark and has been reported to the appropriate Federal authorities as a violation of the Snark Provisions.

"Snark"

That is just such a great word.

Say it out loud. Repeatedly. Try not to smile.

Snark Snark Snark Snark

It depends.... what do you have?

There are stories here on BF of people overtreating Brooks leather with various types of stuff, and not having it work out, as it huge amounts of premature stretching. I'd suggest get a Brooks to try, give it 200 miles, read the notes that Brooks includes in the box and try adjusting per those notes, and if it doesn't work, sell it. In 200 miles you dont' even really need Proofide or any tightening.

I use Proofide on my Pro and 17N Imperial, and it has a very minor effect on break-in, really.

So I just got off Ebay to check out Brooks saddles. Questions:
--Would you ever buy a used saddle, or is the butt-specific break-in critical?
--Which of the many types of Brooks is the most old coot friendly?

Used Brooks? Maybe, depends on what it's been treated with and how old. If relatively new (say <5,000 miles) then yes.

The B17 Standard Imperial would be the most friendly assuming by "old coot" you mean someone that rides more upright. I said it before and I'll say it again, anyone who rides more aero really would benefit from a saddle that has some perineal relief. Of the Brooks, only the Imperial provides this. The rest are a recipe for ED. As always with leather saddles, YMMV.
Good luck

Tough to say... the point of the Brooks is to match up with your ischial tuberosities... you want the leather to develop that little "sag" where your sit bones go. I guess there's nothing to say that, over time, it could reform itself to your anatomy as opposed to its previous owner's. I'd agree that a "lower mileage" saddle would be the way to go.

I have a B-17N... I don't have a lot of -um- problems with it but then I have it on my OCR C2 which has a more relaxed geometry. Not super upright but more than, say, the race oriented TCR (or whatever they're called now). I do get into the drops but not for a majority of the time. It seems to work fine.

By it new from Wallingford; they have a pretty liberal return policy.

Ah, B17N now up to a solid 8.5 out of 10. Has about 400 miles on it. Getting better every ride. I was almost ready to dump it.

I've got a motley collection of "stuff"

105 areo brake levers.
Shimano 7-speed bar cons
Various derailleurs including a couple of bottom pull XTR's new in the box.
Welgo pedal and toe clip/strap set new in the box
Lots of other assorted small stuff.
I might even be willing to trade for a back up wheelset hand built by me. New Tiagra 9-speed hubs, CXP 21 rims, DT competition spokes, 32 hole 3X.

Let's stoke it up a bit! Recently installed a B17 on a new Cannondale Quick. I've only got aroung 200 total miles on the bike. Proofide has been applied twice. I was looking at the saddle today and noticed that sit bone impressions are alredy visible. For me, the saddle was comfortable out of the box. Only adjustments made have been to raise the tip of the saddle to cure some minor chafing.
Lucky me!

A Brooks Professional is the only saddle I have ever ridden that has removed skin. It resides on my 78 Paramount that I ride infrequently. Looks good on it.