Well after weeks of researching and reading several forums about Brooks saddles, I decided to at least try one out. So today as I passed a LBS, I popped in to see what selection they had. They had a Brooks B17 in antique brown that I liked on the internet. In person, just as pretty. I bought it and installed it on my raw lacquer Brompton H6L.

Despite being really hard to the touch (at this point I was still skeptical about the instant difference people talked about), I went for a quick test ride around the neighborhood.

Wow, quite a difference over the stock Brompton saddle! Everything people said is true. There is no more compression pain I felt with the stock saddle. I think I got my initial installation in the correct ballpark...future rides will help dial in the positioning.

Right now the only issue is the slipperiness of the new leather, but comfort wise, two thumbs up! I have 30 days to return the saddle, so we'll see what the next few weeks bring.

Excited to do another ride tomorrow!

This is mine







I decided to pay a little more for the one with copper rails and big rivets

I took a while deciding to get one as well but am so glad I did though. Was delivered by Santa and took about 2-300 miles to wear in. I have given it about three treatments of proofide, the first one included a good coating under the saddle. As stated they are lovely to ride once bedded in and I too found the stock saddle uncomfortable after a year or so. I am up to 3500miles on my Brompton from new in late 2009.

I now have a brand new M3L-X and plan to move this saddle across. I may then get a standard black B17 for this bike. There is a slight weight penalty over the Brompton one unless you want to get the Ti Brooks saddle!

Regards

Jerry

Nice! Ideally, I wanted a "Special" edition too because they look the best aesthetically, but I decided to go a little more demure with the seat look by going the antique brown and black rails way. My ultimate saddle would have been antique brown with copper rivets and black rails, but I don't think I saw any online. I already have lots of "bling" on my bike from all the brazing!

The Brooks saddle is amazing! I too was skeptical at first, but love it. Nothing beats quality!

B-spoke list offers them on new orders, but now you have done the same thing.

the Italian Buy-out of Brooks , got them fashionable again.
I have 3 older Brooks Pro's , a black-brown dye was all they did, then.

Yeah, my bike was an off the LBS floor purchase, not a b-spoke. But in hindsight, if I did a b-spoke order, I probably would have gone down the same route: order a Brompton with the stock seat and bought a Brooks after the fact. But if I ever buy another Brompton again, it will have a Brooks from the get-go.

I ordered a bike friday pocket rocket that should be in soon (which has me lurking here). I tried a bunch of different saddles at a biking event this morning b/c my new bike will need a saddle. I've been riding Brooks saddles on my bikes for a couple of years; I even have one on my carbon bike. I was kind of hoping I cold find something light weight and sleek for my little folding racer. But everything feels horrible now. I guess I'm addicted to Brooks... I can't find anything close to the comfort. +1 to brooks for making a great saddle but -1 for charging 300+$ for the lighter ones.

The Pro I got 30 years ago is still fine .. though I have a Fizik Vitesse
saddle on the bike I ride daily, and lock up, outside in the rain, to ride home on..

Well considering that my titanium wedding bands cost $85, $225 (but this has small diamonds, so doesn't count), and $180 for as much titanium that is in ~3cm worth of a Brooks titanium rail...the $200 premium seems quite reasonable.

Three wedding bands you say??? Well, I am a woman and you know the saying about women and jewelry...but have a geeky/techy side too...so why not mix the two? My latest titanium ring has a pattern cut through the titanium band. Quite cool!

Anyway...typing that rationale about the titanium Brooks pricing, makes me want the titanium saddle now too, LOL! I'm not sure my husband will be as accommodating about me getting a titanium saddle though.

I just replaced my saddle yesterday with Brooks B17 Imperial (black with chrome rails) and will test it this weekend. It really looks great like my B17 Special does on my Raleigh 20.

I recently installed Ergon GP1 grips (small grip shift version) and they really make a difference in hand comfort especially on longer rides.

If it feels that good to you this early in the game just wait until it breaks in!