If I ever wanted to add the weight of a leather saddle the Brooks Imperial might interest me. There is a reason saddles are about as individual a choice as any one we as cyclists make. The old Brooks did not solve my saddle issues and so I looked elsewhere. After I found the Cutout saddle than worked for me it took no break in time and will more than likely be my future saddle of choice. If I were to consider a touring saddle however an Imperial or whatever that company that has made a Brooks like cutout saddle for years. Depending on your natural pelvic tilt the nose up or down even on a Brooks will differ between you and any number of other riders. Also depending on your fitness level and core strength depends on you pelvic tilt to some degree. So I would suggest that once you satisfy your sit bones with a break in then play wit the tilt till you get it where you want. ( If that never happnes look into an Imperial. )

That would be John Marston of Wolverhamton, yes?

Good one, John.

One of the first things I did after installing a Brooks on my Diamondback was to remove the QR cam lever and cap from the seatpost clamp. Just use a washer to give the bolt a good surface to bear against, and then your saddle will be a little harder to steal.

Mudguards help..

Proofide goes on the bottom side of the leather , keep a plastic bag or 2 on hand
to keep it dry from Condensation-Dew and Rain from above ..

My B17 is tilted up even more. Finding the correct tilt seems to be critical for comfort with a B17.

I've got fenders and a rear rack. I've applied Proofide to both sides of the leather.

You're going to be good.

Honestly, I think that many of the stories about "breaking in" Brooks saddles are overstated. Don't ride on it if it's sopping wet and give it a shot of Profide once or twice a year and you'll be fine.

I've been thinking for a while about switching to a Brooks on my commuter. Right now I'm using an Adamo Race, not bad, but I get sore spots by the end of the week (I'm 5'10", 175lbs, not much fat).

Anyway, I was considering the B17, but I read that if there's a significant saddle top bar drop, one should consider the B-17 Narrow instead. Thought I'd snap a picture and get some opinions.

I had mine for a while now... maybe theres is 300-400 km on it. It was a New Old Stock from ebay. Made in 1977 with the nose slightly bending left. It took >200 km before the saddle comform to by bum. I had experimented on the tilt a couple of times. When using drop bar, it is almost level. But now I am using straight bar and raise the height on the stem, I had to tilt the nose up slightly, to avoid feeling cramped between the saddle and the cockpit.
The best thing for me in using the B17 is how my gonad does not feel hot nor numb after riding in the saddle even for long rides. This is the biggest difference I felt after changing from myriads of saddles before, and I notice the difference even before the B17 was broken in.

Love Brooks. I wouldn't use anything else.

I went for a couple of rides on my MTB (with the old gel Serfas RX saddle) - totaling about 3 hours of saddle-time yesterday. I'm convinced that I need to get a leather saddle for that bike, too. Just 35 minutes into the first ride, and I started getting uncomfortable, and had to stand & pedal for a while, shift positions, etc.

Got back on the Brooks this morning for my commute, and it felt great. Went for a quick ride at lunch to pick up some food...I found out wearing jeans isn't ideal for this type of saddle, but it was bearable.

Not sure if I'll get the same saddle (B17), or try a different make/model. I've been wanting to try out the Selle An-Atomica Titanico - but the price is pretty steep at $180. They had them on sale for $50 off a couple months ago...I should have pulled the trigger.

I decided to try out the B17N, I'll have it tomorrow, can't wait to try it out on Thursday's commute to work.

Great! Let us know what you think.

I'm going to have to put some lock-tite on the seatpost bolts. I found out one of them was a bit loose on my commute home yesterday, and threw off the angle of the seat when I hit a pothole (nose down). I stopped a couple miles later to adjust it, but I over-adjusted, and put the nose too far up. The commute home wasn't very comfortable, but it was OK. Gotta re-adjust it before my next ride.

At least I know the angle that works good for me - nose 1" higher than the rear. I place a screwdriver handle (about 1" thick) on the rear of the saddle, and a level from the nose to the screwdriver handle. Bubble should be centered.