I've had a Brooks B-17 for about a year. It's broken in and comfortable on my butt but I find that my inner upper thigh still seems to rub on it a bit too much (insert joke here) particularly as I'm leaning over more. So I ordered a B-17 narrow from Nashbar and just took it out for a spin. The narrow though seems a bit too narrow in the butt region though the narrowness in the thigh is appreciated. But basically looking at where the indentations are on my older Brooks, they would be pretty close to the edges on the narrow, more over where the metal supports are so I wouldn't think it would really break in the way the wider one has.

So my question is, has anyone found a seat sorta like the B-17 in the back but that gets narrower quicker so it will clear your thighs? I've ridden one of those Rolls and didn't really like it as it was too cushy and I found the textured leather difficult to adjust on. I like the way smooth leather lets you make micro adjustments of your position as you ride. Maybe a Turbo?

can't you just cut the flaps shorter and/or sew them together under the seat? I don't see a reason to get a new seat for this problem.

chop and tie

This is an b-17 champino special which is the same width as the vanilla b-17. works great, no thigh rub.

Mine looks exactly like that. In fact it's a champion special as well which I trimmed though it's not tied.

It's not the (non existent) flaps that are causing the problem. It's more along the front edge of the metal supports just in front of that edge rivet. I can feel that underlying metal edge through the leather which just barely covers it if that makes sense. I guess I could try filing the front of the support down, but it sorta gives the seat it's shape. Might be worth a shot.

I guess I'd like a seat that becomes narrow more radically in front of that front rivet so it gets out of the way of my thigh when I'm leaning forward.

Are you talking about the curved metal support at the back of the seat? If so, it sounds like maybe you cut too much leather away, but more importantly sounds like maybe your seat is just a touch too far forward. If it's already slid back as far as your seatpost will allow, try a seatpost with a bit more setback, or barring that, maybe a longer stem.

isn't the team pro right between a B17 and B17 Narrow in width?

The metal piece extends forward of that side rivet if you look from below. Mine is covered with leather but I can still feel the piece as I'm leaning forward because I guess it's just the way my bones are. Seat is all the way back on the post. I've used longer stems and it doesn't make a difference. I think it's just the shape of the seat or the way that metal doesn't flex like something with a plastic or carbon shell might.

I'm thinking you want the seat farther back. B-17s have shorter rails than most modern saddles, so if you like your saddle way back like I do, it can be tricky. and yeah a longer stem usually doesn't help much, because it's more about where my ass wants to be in relation to the BB than it is about reach length.

Maybe I should re-phrase the question. Is there a seat like the B-17 with a plastic or carbon/composite shell, that might offer more flex on the edges?