I've decided that I haven't spent much money on my Madison so I'm going to buy a Brooks B-17. I checked around and see that there is a classic that everyone raves about but also see a B-17 with a cut out that I haven't heard much about. I have a Terry Fly (with the cut out) on my Felt and find it comfortable. In deciding between the classic three hole and the cut out B-17, have any of you felt an appreciable difference?

A year or two ago I went from a Terry Butterfly to a Brooks B68s, and have now moved on to the B17. For what it's worth, I won't ride a regular saddle without the cutout, but I find I don't miss it on the Brooks.

Brooks with a cut out though, that is intriguing.
kari

I own a Brooks B-17 Narrow, and a B-17 Imperial (cut-out version of the B-17). The imperial helped to relieve some pressure concerns, but my Imperial also became lopsided because of the cut, and was rendered uneven and uncomfortable in the end.

For clarification, the B-17 Imperial was a prototype model from Brooks during their product test last year. They could well have fixed any potential problems, or perhaps mine was simply an anomaly to begin with.

The standard and narrow B-17's are quite fine as well, if you're not an individual who suffers from pressure discomfort to begin with, then these saddles will not cause you to suffer from it.

Check this out.

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...rooks+imperial

Thank you. This was quite informative. I think I'll try the B-17 narrow. It's still wider than the Selle San Marco it will replace although not by much and I don't want to play with laces, etc.

You're welcome. Glad you were able to make a decision.