noteon 

I think they're both oddballs. The B17 has the idiosyncratic rail setup, but the Swift seatpost can't be swapped out with other seatposts that have different characteristics, the way you can do with a normal one.

I know you've done some modification to yours, but I'm not competent in that regard. It's pretty much stock or... stock.

mulleady

Since installing a Brooks on my Brompton I find it hard to use other saddles as it feels so comfortable. It never disagreed with me from the start and has simply got better with over the weeks I used it. It's an added bonus that it also looks fab on my Brompton too.

noteon 

Mulleady and I agree about something. Check your storm windows and lay in 40 days and nights worth of dry goods.

jur

OK, here's another option for you... but it'll cost money:

Buy a telescopic seatpost eg from Thor. The upper part is 27.2mm, a common standard. This will allow you to choose seatposts with huge setback. Eg you could use a 27.2mm Thudbuster, these end up having huge setback when seated. Mine with B17 has to be fairly forward on the rails to be just right.

noteon 

That's going at the top of the list of things to think about. Thank you.

tcs

I think the leather (water buffalo) is better, the fit/finish/appearance is better, the tension bolt is a better design, the frame rails are longer and it's about 60% of the cost of a comparable Brooks.

tcs

makingmark

I had a Titanium B17 which I rode for about 9 months on my Brompton.

I liked it, but
a) no way worth the price
b) the black dye would leach on my pants if I sweat while riding.

b) was the killer. This is my work commute bike, can't be getting black dye on my Brooks trousers.

It definitely was the saddle - I did not over-proofide it, if anything I probably under did it.

What I like about the VO saddle (caveat: don't own one) is that they offer a natural (i.e., no dye) option.

But to be honest with you, I went back to the Fi:zik saddle supplied with my Brompton and it's just fine.

I have a feeling saddles are one of those things it's tempting to fiddle with, but your butt can get used to most anything, and many people having saddle discomfort are really having I-haven't-ridden-a-bike-this-much-before discomfort that will go away.

tcs

Torelli offers a traditional tensioned leather saddle. Lepper has made leather saddles almost as long as Brooks, but I don't know where to get one in the USA.

tcs

iamstuffed

This thread seems to contradict your opinion on quality, although they may have improved it somewhat. I think it'd be nice to try though!
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/161924-persons-saddles-campy-gs-hubs.html

I went ahead and ordered the Velo Orange Model 6 saddle (2 actually) in natural and will report back after I try it for a bit. I didn't even know Velo Orange was based in Annapolis, MD, which is about 15 miles from me!
https://www.velo-orange.com/vosaddlemodel6.html

noteon 

I love you too, Mulleady.

noteon 

Thanks.

mulleady

Join the queue.

Scholasticny

Ok report...

It's been a couple of weeks since I received the Brooks Flyer...on my Mini it went, applied gently with some baseball glove oil.

First impression, hard as a rock, no way I will ever get used to it - this lasted 10 minutes. For the first time I understood all this talk about sit bones.

Went on a 44 miles ride on the cape cod rail trail the day after, minor discomfort for the 1st qtr of the trip, then all of the sudden it became a saddle that wasn't there.

It's comfortable in a way where it does not cause any discomfort. I don't think about the saddle at all anymore, just focus on the ride.

I highly recommend it...I know that some riders will prefer something else...but you owe yourself to try it out at least once.

neilfein

My B17 is pretty comfy. It has yet to be broken in, though. (I have a 150 mile ride coming up at the end of September, that should help.)

werewolf

I'll sell my almost new B17 for half price.

Cadd

I have the B17. My nose is up pretty high for some reason. It's the only way I can get comfortable. But it's pretty damn comfortable! I'm beginning to see some dimple marks. I have about 700 or so miles on it.