I've decided to get a B17 for Christmas. Can't stand my stock Fuji seat and I really like the idea of a hand-made leather seat from England (lived there in the 80's) that has been unchanged for 100 years. I'm in to that kind of stuff, and anything hand made of leather is cool in my book. Heavy seats, I know...but I'm looking for comfort (and a little old-school style).

So which should I get, narrow or regular? I'm not a racer (yet), but I like to push myself and go as fast as possible. From what I've read on other sites, the narrow seat is more suited for "spirited" rides. Just looking for some input from folks who know these saddles.

Me, I'm 5'8", 175lbs with a pretty big butt. Not fat, I just have stocky legs and a bubble butt. I have my bike set up with about a 2-3 inch drop.

B17s are not designed for so much drop I think. More for a kind of bar and saddle being level.

B-17's will do fine with a little drop, but not more than a few inches, has to do with the angle of the nose in making the proper 'hammock' for the boys. I ride in the drops quite a bit and never have an issue with comfort. You should do fine with a regular B-17, that's the most popular model for a reason. The Narrow is just a bit smaller and (for me anyway) not as comfortable on the sit bones, but everyone is different. Also consider the B-17 Champion Special. Same basic saddle, but nice oversize copper rivets - very classic look. If you do want more of a saddle for racing, check out the Swift. This was one of the first I tried, but too narrow for me.

I own 3 B-17 Specials - one steel and 2 Ti, combined over 50,000 miles on them. Couldn't be happier and would never ride anything else.

I'm riding a regular B17 on this setup. It's very comfy and has worked well for rides up to 75 miles just fine. I do get some pressure on the boys in the drops but I hardly ride there on this bike.



On this setup I put a B17 Imperial which has a cutout in the center, no pressure at all.



My drop is more than 2-3 inches on both bikes.

I have a B17 regular, and drop is about 3.5". Very comfortable.

My main concern is my large butt on a narrow seat or my thigs rubbing on the wider seat. I also like the idea of the Imperial with the middle cut out (that's where all my pain is in the tain area), but something about it to me looks like it would pinch once the seat is broken in.

I love the look of the reddish-brown on that black Schwinn. If Indiana Jones rode a bike, that's what his saddle would look like.

Might want to look at the Team Pro as well. Width wise it is between the B17 and B17 narrow. I ride one on my Specialized Roubaix and it is probably my favorite saddle.

Couldn't agree more. If set up properly they are one of the most comfortable saddles ever.

I use the B17 Imperial on my 2 road bikes. Both with 1.5-2 in drop. No issues riding on the hoods or drops.

I was looking at a swallow originally, and then demo'd a swift due to my large clydesdaleness. The Swift felt slippery (which I was told they all do at first) but pretty comfy sitbones-wise. I have had pretty good luck with my San Marco Regal's and they are 148 width. I could probably use a little more width and that's why I've been still contemplating that Swift, and the Team Pro. Either way, I have heard more compliments than complaints about Brooks saddles. Just remember the break in period.

You looking to buy a new Brooks, or used?

I put a B-17, regular width, on my Cannondale R500T to replace the really narrow Coda seat that came stock. I rode Brooks Pro on all my bikes in the late 70's and early 80's so going with a Brooks was an easy decision. I am a Clyde (6'-1" and 230#) so the regular width is well used up but the comfort is beautiful for me. My wife's 1978 Brooks B-17 is still in use on her old Schwinn Mixte by her sister and is holding up great. I keep Proof hide in the shop and don't over do the use but keep it supple and clean.

Bill

Right now I'm looking new, but I'd consider a gently used one at the right price.

PM sent

If you haven't done so, check out Wallingford bikes for Brooks saddles. They lowered their prices in October, I think. and They have a 6 month money back guarantee. So it's a great way to make sure a you get the brooks saddle that fits you.

Semper Fi
If in doubt buy the regular B17. I recently purchased one after 30 years of Turbos then Turbomatics. Most comfortable saddle I have ever owned and feel no break in of any sort.
I was at Pendleton in the late 70's and mid-80's. The riding down the coast highway was very different then from now where its jam packed with houses and cars.

Keep in mind Brooks saddles have about 2cm less usable space than their width spec. You don't want your bones to end up on the metal frame.

I've used swallow, team pro, and B17. I also ordered B17N at one point, but returned it for the reason stated above. I am 155lb with 30in waist. Swallow was too flexible. B17 provides ultimate comfort for moderate effort rides. Team pro feels a bit better during high effort, when legs carry more weight. Both are fine with couple inches of saddle to bar drop.

Be prepared for Brooks saddles to eat seams on your shorts twice as fast as other saddles. All of mine do this, but it is worth it.

also am very happy with my B17 and a seat/bar drop of about 2-2 1/2 inches, fine all around.
I would go with the regular, not the narrow.
I would suggest doing some forum searches on stuff people have written of their Brooks experiences. I second the point on being careful and observant of seat positional changes and how they change how it will feel. As with any seat adjustments, do small ones and really pay attention to the feeling. One issue is that they do not have marks on the rails, so a piece of tape will help in seeing fore and aft adjustments better.
Also on breaking in period (mine, not much more than 6 or 7 one hour long rides) and also how to take care of it. Planning a whole bunch of short rides is the best in my opinion for breaking it in.

You will see that right off the bat, it will have a feeling unlike any other seat youve been on, and despite horror stories of breakin and broken butts, in my case the break-in period really wasnt too bad, hot humid weather perhaps helped, but as a 140lb er, it worked well enough for me.

The best thing about Pendleton is that I can get on my bike at my office and within 7 miles be riding along the beach. Lots of nice, low-traffic country roads on base as well.

If your heart is set on the B-17 get the Narrow. But strongly consider the Swallow. I have both. B17N is a much more upright saddle. The Swallow is perfect for a roadbike.

https://www.wallbike.com/brooks/unspr...wallow-classic