PSA: The Brooks B17 might not be right for you

[Lawrence Marcus]

After years of thinking about buying a Rivendell, I ordered my Charlie Gallop with a Brooks B17 because, of course, that's the appropriate saddle for a Riv.

I found the Brooks to be tolerable on short rides, but in six months of riding it never really softened and after ending a 20-miler sore, I decided it was time to try something else. After considering Selle Anatomica and many others, I decided to go far — FAR in the opposite direction and demoed a 3D-printed saddle — the Specialized Romin Evo.

The surface was more comfortable. But what shocked me was that pedaling felt much, much better because the shape was, apparently, a radically better fit for my anatomy. The Romin is marketed as being for an "aggressive" positions, which I don't think I ride in. But neither do I ride bolt-upright, and the Brooks seems to have been constricting my movement. Maybe I'd do better with a B17 Narrow.

It's hard to think of a less philosophically compatible component for a Rivendell than a 3D-printed saddle, but I'm keeping this thing because it feels damn good.

[Eric Daume]

I’ve never rode a B17 that I liked (including the narrow). Hard, slippery, unforgiving. But I am quite enjoying the Brooks C17 that I picked up a while ago. It’s still a sort of classic look, but a more modern take on it, still has bag loops, but weatherproof and comfortable. 

I liked the C17 enough that I wondered if a C15 would be a good fit for my drop bar bike. Not so much. Much harder and narrower. 

Eric 

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[Garth]

When it comes to saddles and butts, whatever works, works. I've tried Brooks/other like saddles in the past and found them all torture devices. I was about to try a 3d printed saddle before I found the Ergon SM Comp saddles suited me. 

[Ron Mc]

My daughter loved B67 on her upright.  

When she built her go-fast (with my help) on '86 Team Fuji frame, we tried saddle after saddle, 

B17S (carved), Specialized, Anatomica (leather - free trial), and found her Ahhhhh!! spot on Fabric Radius.  

Made in UK, Fabric is nylon pan that acts similar to Brooks, but with minimal padding and breathing fabric top layer.  

Me, I'm easy - B17 on semi-upright, Swallow and Pro on aggressive drop-bars.  

I don't believe the myth of leather saddle break-in, but matching saddle shape/width to riding position is important.  

I've always stretched out low-grade Brooks saddles after a summer of sweat, so I stick to the thicker S- and L/E grades.  

The L/E grades, I've found some killer close-outs for $100, and stashed multiple saddles for later projects and replacements.  

2012 World Traveler L/E

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[Ron Mc]

Sorry, make that B68S on my daughter's upright

[Johnny Alien]

I tried Brooks for years but in the end decided there were way better saddles for me personally. Better looking saddles? Nope not by a long shot. But better comfort for me 100%. My absolute favorite it the old Fizik Aliante saddles. I don't care for the new redesigned ones so with brand new saddles I also found the Fabric Radius to be top notch. Closest to the Aliante that I can find and more affordable on top of that.

[Brian Turner]

Personally I think Berthoud saddles have all other saddles beat across the board. Especially Brooks. The build quality and leather is sooo much nicer and robust. And, with many of their models, you can easily swap out tops or rebuild them completely.

Brian

Lexington KY

On Jun 26, 2026, at 8:41 AM, Johnny Alien <johnny....@gmail.com> wrote:

I tried Brooks for years but in the end decided there were way better saddles for me personally. Better looking saddles? Nope not by a long shot. But better comfort for me 100%. My absolute favorite it the old Fizik Aliante saddles. I don't care for the new redesigned ones so with brand new saddles I also found the Fabric Radius to be top notch. Closest to the Aliante that I can find and more affordable on top of that.

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[Elisabeth Sherwood]

Lawrence,

You definitely shouldn't feel bad about a Brooks saddle not working out for you!  Years ago I worked (and worked) to have one on a bike, and it just always killed me.  I'm kind of surprised there wasn't permanent damage.  It was just the wrong shape for me -- end of story.  I still can't even look at a B17 without a bit of PTSD.  

The Specialized Romin Evo is a GREAT saddle!  And you don't even have to go with the 3-D printed version -- the Comp level ones (I'm partial to the ones with Mimic) are just fantastic.  Great sit-bone support, and a nice little "cradle".

(That said, I've found that the WTB Volt -- the Chromoly level -- hits the sweet spot.  It has just a bit more cushion than the Romin Evo.  I tend to buy an extra one when REI has them on sale "just in case".)

Cheers,

Liz

Washington, DC

On Friday, June 26, 2026 at 12:20:03 AM UTC-4 lawrenc...@gmail.com wrote:

[Cyclofiend Jim]

The B17 never worked for me. Too wide. 

I found the Brooks Swift to be a much better option. They tend to be thicker than the 17's, but it was never the firmness of the surface that was the problem.

There's not one "right" saddle shape. Y'gotta honor physiological diversity...

Jim

[Manoucher Brahman]

Have been riding on B17 for over 19 years. It is a tough saddle and I do not think it can get “ softened enough “ in dry climates. I soak it in olive oil for 36-48 hours once a year. It is unorthodox but has been working fine for me. 

Best

Manoucher in San Jose CA 

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 25, 2026, at 9:20 PM, Lawrence Marcus <lawrenc...@gmail.com> wrote:

After years of thinking about buying a Rivendell, I ordered my Charlie Gallop with a Brooks B17 because, of course, that's the appropriate saddle for a Riv.

I found the Brooks to be tolerable on short rides, but in six months of riding it never really softened and after ending a 20-miler sore, I decided it was time to try something else. After considering Selle Anatomica and many others, I decided to go far — FAR in the opposite direction and demoed a 3D-printed saddle — the Specialized Romin Evo.

The surface was more comfortable. But what shocked me was that pedaling felt much, much better because the shape was, apparently, a radically better fit for my anatomy. The Romin is marketed as being for an "aggressive" positions, which I don't think I ride in. But neither do I ride bolt-upright, and the Brooks seems to have been constricting my movement. Maybe I'd do better with a B17 Narrow.

It's hard to think of a less philosophically compatible component for a Rivendell than a 3D-printed saddle, but I'm keeping this thing because it feels damn good.

--

[Ron Mc]

That's likely why it is personal - I've always found Berthoud saddles too rigid, while my best bud (since 6th grade) has Berthoud on every bike.  

(Schwinn World Sport built with SRAM 2-speed auto hub, and has that 1st version Acorn bar bag someone is looking for)

Heck, I put 40,000 mi on Unicanitor nylon pan with pigskin cover, supplemented with Concor when the pigskin faded through - but that history likely leans to the preference for hammock saddle, and S. Texas heat excludes padding and excess layers.  

[Mr. Ray]

My own experience is before the recently released Brooks B17 Utmost, Brooks leather saddles came in 2 different thickness.  The leather in the black saddles was always a bit thinner than the leather in the brown and honey saddles.  This made black leather saddles easier to break-in and thus more comfortable.  The thicker leather also breaks in but may take longer (dependent on your body weight).

Saddles are a very personal choice (based on your sit bones and riding angle).  If you view the Brooks website and look at the B17 in the various colors, you can see the difference in the leathers thickness.

On Friday, June 26, 2026 at 12:20:03 AM UTC-4 lawrenc...@gmail.com wrote:

[Ryan Fleming]

That Utmost looks a bit like the Select(in terms of quality and thickness of the leather which was also vegetable-tanned IIRC) they sold that was discontinued between 5 and 10 years ago...I have a Select on the mixte I ordered from Riv at the end of 2015 and received early 2017...might have been   $178 US when I ordered it for the build...so...$248 and change now. I guess those premium hides are a limited supply and don't come cheap