Brooks B17 ($99) or Brooks B17 imperial ($139)? I rode my brothers surly last night and I think he had an imperial, and it was amazing. Just wondering if there is that much difference, if any between the two, to justify the price difference.

Brooks Colt.

At $189, I think it's a little rich for my blood. The $99-$139 for the B17 series is rich enough, but I'm willing to pay that.

I appreciate the imput.

I got the imperial and think its great, ive never tried the other one.

I have a regular B17 that I cut up to look more like a Swollow and its really comfortable.

You might consider not getting a Brooks, here's why:

I had a B17 Narrow, thought was great because of how supportive it was. But it was like 600g.
I got a "Merek" carbon fiber saddle from eBay for $100 with a width that suited me.
I find it just as comfortable as the Brooks.

Brooks are very nice, but they are just unreasonably heavy IMO

The difference between 100g and 600g is over a pound, and you will notice that.

It will be going on a touring style bike, so comfort will be much more important than weight.

Plus Brooks' look way cooler.

I'm not overly concered about the looks. I'm planning on doing a century ride in 2011, and I know I'm not going to enjoy doing it on the seat I currently have.

Ignore any weight issues. A comfortable rear end will allow you to produce much more power then you would lose over a couple hundred grams.

If you tried your brother's Imperial and liked the feel, I say go with that. At least you will be getting something you know fits you well. Conversely if you went for the B-17 Narrow and didn't like the feel as much you would always regret it. You had a great opportunity to try one of these saddles thanks to your bro - you know it fits and you already know you want a brooks - I think the decision is pretty clear.

I can't comment on the Imperial but I ordered the B17 for my commuting road bike. It is great. I liked it so much I got one for my regular road bike and for my tandem ( my saddle and a womens specific B17 for my wifes saddle ). They may look out of place on my road bikes ( as much as saddles can really be seen while riding - taking a break, standing on a climb, at a stop light/sign ) and they are heavier but the pure comfort level made it an easy choice. For me , as Ping said, form follows function.

What's a bike seat?

Some sort of bike rack I think.

Lul @ comment. Has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?

Some people put a Brooks on their bike and it feels good almost immediately.

Other riders need to fiddle with the tilt, height and fore and aft position of the saddle in order to make the Brooks work for them.

Then, many riders need to break in their Brooks in order for the saddle to perform as intended.

I have two Brooks saddles and a Cardiff saddle (competitor to Brooks with a similar product).

I oiled and greased my Brooks until they began to get flexible, and then I tightened the tension a tiny bit.

A Brooks saddle functions as a hammock, and to that end, the saddle works best when perfectly level.

When level, the Brooks appears slightly nose up.

To find level, put a straight edge ruler on top of the saddle, touching the high point of the nose and the high point of the butt.

Level the saddle.

After you take away the straight edge ruler, the nose will appear very slightly higher than the butt.

Keep in mind that this saddle needs to flex in order to do its job.

I am gonna get the B17 soon... I am pretty stoked about it !

That and being able to ride longer = more distance.

^ That's a bike cushion.

This is a bike seat:


Or in BMX world, this: