I've been reading alot about the Brooks B-17 saddle as one of the best touring saddles available (after the notorious break-in period). Does it make any sense to put one on my road bike, when all of my riding is only between 1-3 hours at a time? I use my bike, CAAD8, for commuting (15 miles each way) and 30 mile group rides. Does anyone have experience with this saddle on their road bike? thanks

I have two, one on my commuter (a whopping 5 miles each way) and one on the roadie--15 to 100 miles at a time. They both started out feeling slippery but I got used to it. They work great for me, but not for everyone.

Lots of past discussions on this topic. Check here.

I ride the same type of miles as you... I like the brooks... just keep it dry

I used one for commuting with no problems. The saddlebag loops allow you to carry a commuting load without the extra weight of a luggage rack so weight is less of an issue than people think.
The breakin period is a week or so of small regular rides before the dimples appear then you stop slipping around.

the only thing i don't like about the b-17 is that the tiny rivets really dig in to my ass. i went to the team pro, just for those big hammered (more comfortable) rivets.

Well, it depends. Do you have wide sit bones? If so, a B17 would be optimal. And if you don't care about the minimal increased weight, even better. I have a B17 on my old 80s frame and it looks nice. It's wider and longer than most other "road" saddles, but not nearly as big as a woman's cruiser saddle. And I would think B17 for touring is an excellent matchup. Just be sure to get proofide and a plastic bag to aid in the breaking in process and preserve it.

And I don't sit on the rivets... I think you'd have to adjust it if you were sitting on the rivets like that. Unless your butt is that wide.

All I ride are B.17 saddles and to me it is the best roadbike saddle ever made and I have tried them all having been riding racing bicycles for over 30 years. If you want to try one...I will sell you a lightly used Honey colored B.17 Champion Special (large copper rivet) for one half what you will pay new off e-bay. This saddle is lightly broken in, and been sparingly Profided (correct procedure) never been tensioned and has never seen rain.
Send me a PM if anybody wants to try one at a fair price.
Good Luck.

I have a B17 on each of my road bikes. Bought them this year, and they are very comfortable. You wouldn't think that after taking it out of the box, but my first ride on it was 40 miles, and i felt no pain or numbness during or afterwards. And with the return policy of wallbike.com, you really can't go wrong by trying one.

Wallingford Bicycle Parts (www.WallBike.com). Six month no question asked return policy. I bought a 2007 S-Works Roubaix and used the Touple Gel saddle. Great saddle. I was going to return my 3 month old B-17 but my dogs chewed up the box it came in. I called Wallingford and they said "no problem, just send us the saddle". However, I liked my B-17 so much I decided to keep it and swapped out the Toupe. Try it. If you don't like it, send it back...

What's your handlebar to saddle height drop?

My saddle to handlebar drop is about 4-5 centimeters. I have no idea if I have wide sit bones, I never really compared them to anyone else's sitbones. What is the difference between the B17 and the other Brook saddle options. I'm definitely thinking about giving it a try.

With a 2" drop you might not be so comfortable on the Brooks, especially if you ride in the drops a lot. Many people who like Brooks have their bikes set up for touring, and so have a zero or even negative saddle to handlebar drop. But, you'll never really know until you try.

not true. maybe for people that like the b17, but they have some very aggressive saddles.

I got a B17 this year and I thought the break in period was easy. I never experienced any discomfort during it.

I never got used to the slippery feeling. I much prefer other types of saddles. These are over-rated.

Like this?



Sorry, couldn't resist. I suppose that relatively speaking a Team Pro is "aggressive," but to me it's just a jumbo shrimp.

My seat to bar drop is about 2" and the Team Pro works great. I have one on my fixed gear, and move it to my commuter/touring bike for long rides. I ride these bikes anywhere from 15 to 125+ miles at a time and have no issues with the seat. Regarding the break in, this was the most comfy saddle I've ever tried from day one. Break in was no problem, don't even worry about it.

It is a heavy saddle though, so I don't use one on my lightweight fast/climbing bike. I use a Selle SLR which is comfy for about 70 miles. I don't really ride that bike all that much, so there's no need for a Brooks on it.

If you've tried other saddles and can't get comfy, find somewhere you can buy it to try it. You have nothing to lose.

Az

+1
The B-17 does not work for me on bikes with significant bar-to-saddle drop. I use a Brooks Team Pro for the more aggressive position. It's not as comfortable as the B-17, but is still more comfy than any other narrow saddle I've used.

I think the B17 is a great saddle with or without a drop. I 'chopped' it mostly for the looks.

I ordered a Brooks B-17 Titanium Honey for a CF road bike (pic here: https://www.bikeforums.net/fifty-plus-50/369834-another-pre-aged-b-17-anyone-suggesting-new-favorite-brooks-saddle.html)

If you don't mind steel rails, I can recommend the pre-aged (preconditioned) Brooks B-17--it costs a little more but it gives you the equivalent of one-year of aging. I need a wider saddle but if you want a "racing" saddle (for more agressive riding), you may be considering the narrower models, e.g., Brook's "Swift" and "Team" saddles.