so brooks saddles, are they cracked up to what a some people say they are. Just by looking and feeling one they seem like they would restrict blood flow, and that even when broken in it would be no more comfortable than any other saddle. Yet i hear so many good things about them, that there they best saddles on the face of the planet. Before i make purchase one i just want to hear what everyone here has to say.

A quality leather saddle can be marvelous... there is a reason they are the number one choice for long distance riders.

basically you have to try one for yoursself. everyone's different. I tried two and never did like them. but a lot of people love them.

I've got 3 Brooks saddles and I love them. I also agree totally with rando. If your tushie matches a Brooks, they're wonderful. If it doesn't, and lots of people's don't, you'll probably be able to find something that you'll like better.

I definitely fall into that category! I found them to be a veritable ass-hatchet personally, and I prefer a hard saddle.

I have 2 Brook's saddles - a B66 on my 3-spd. And a B17 on my vintage PUCH racing-bike. Both were extraordinary in their comfort right out-of-the-box. I applied Proofide as recommended by Brook's. And the B17, which claims to need to be broken-in, didn't need it. It was , and remains, perfectly comfortable. That's me.

I've got 50,000 km on mine and, after the first 800 km, it has been extremely comfortable. I'm in the process of breaking in a second one.

Your best bet is to see for yourself. But it is a better bet to not even go there in these forums. Better to talk about politics.

Many brooks saddles on sale at Nashbar + 20% extra off thru tomorrow

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Catalog...egoryId=200413

I bought a Team Professional for my bike, and have to admit it was DAMN hard and uncomfortable at first. I remember on my first ride after installing it, I said "Oh, my God, what have I done?"

Took about 1000 miles and lots of Proofide, but it did get VERY comfortable. Over 5000 miles on it now, and I like it more every day.

If I were to buy another, though, I think I'd look at the pre-aged B-17.

Good luck.

Just installed a B17 on a bike with similar bar-seat drop/distance as a surly LHT. Nothing excellent right from the start - I get MUCH less friction/rubbing than all my other saddles, but I do experience more intense pressure directly on my actual sit bones. However, I can easily see how this will lessen after it breaks in more and more and am waiting until a few hundred miles to make my judgement.

I applied a thin layer of leather lotion (protectant, not softener) and a bit of vegetable oil....nothing more.

It took my B17 about 500 miles to break in my taint, after that it became extremely comfortable and continues to be so.

I bought a B17 knowing that I could resell it on Craigslist for at least 90% of what I paid for it.

Now I've got four Brooks saddles (two B17s, two Swifts) on four bikes.