Length: 242mm
Width: 176mm Height:58mm Weight: 460g
The B17 Imperial features the central cut-out, first designed by BROOKS over 100 years ago. The “registered cutting”, as can be read in the 1890 catalogue, is “a sure preventive to all perineal pressure".
MADE IN ENGLAND
*Cost excludes shipping
I purchased a few days ago a Brooks B 17 imperial. This is my first brooks saddle. I mounted it on an old peugeot PR 65, dating back to 1978. I was delighted with the bike, but the original plastic saddle was so unconfortable that I decided to replace it. The B-17 really was the answer to the problem. Right out from the box it's already more confortable than the original saddle, and this quality will probably be improved after the necessary beak-in period of the saddle. The central cut-out performs miracles on me, and as far as I'm concerned, I didn't experience any dfficulties whatsoever to get used to this specific design. I have other old peugeot bikes waiting for a better saddle than the model they were originally fitted with, and for sure, I'm gonna go for brooks. The first time, I tested the saddle on a pretty long ride (50 km) without stopping on the way, and on various terrains: road, cobbles and so on. Whatever the situation, the saddle remains as confortable as on perfectly flat roads. Many thanks to brooks for producing such both stylish and efficient products.
I can't praise brooks enough. Some people talk about the break in period, some talk about the saddle making them want to ride more. I'm both of those people. The first time I used my b17, I was amazed, and wanting to break it in more gets me to ride more. I love this saddle. Thank you brooks.
When the leather cracked on the Brooks B17 seat on my 1943 BSA Airborne Folding Bicycle I was prepared to carve a wooden mould from the original leather and use that to shape a new piece of Oak sole leather for it. To my surprise and considerable satisfaction I found that a) you're still in business, and b) you still have the model I needed in production. My replacement B17 recieves the proper attention that the original should have had - an occasional wipe with saddle soap and a bi-annual brush with neat's-foot oil, which should massively prolong its' working life, even under the heavy use I put to it - over 50 miles/week on the road.
This was my first Brooks Saddle experience. I was compelled to try a Brooks saddle after experiencing some serious groin discomfort with regular saddles. It started out very hard and quite uncomfortable so I rode my first 100 kms or so religiously with my thickest bibs. Once my sit bones had started to leave an impression on the saddle it just became more and more comfortable to the point where I can now ride for a couple hours without the bibs and I have no noticeable post ride pain. With regular bibs on it feels as if I could ride on the Brooks for an eternity. I have had no issues with the cut out pinching me while I ride either. This is definitely the best saddle I've ever had. Period.
I haven't been able to ride on a saddle for many years due to a medical condition that has finally been fixed. During that time I tried the most expensive drop nose, wide cutout, carbon, fancy wancy saddles and they all hurt and kept on hurting. As I've just joined the Fixie fashion mob and since the supplied saddle was a rather pretty example of sitting on a broken brick, I thought I'd grace the bike with what it deserved - a proper leather saddle. I assumed that derrieres haven't changed much in 100 years, so today I received my Brooks B17 STD Honey and it certainly is a honey. Why I ever thought that plastic, foam and vinyl was better than leather I'll never know and I'll never make that mistake again. They say you have to break these saddles in. Well it's going to be seductively comfortable then, because today I rode for an hour and it was heavenly. It's manufactured - not stitched together in a sweat shop in a back alley. You just have to open the box to see that this saddle will last. I loved the presentation and I love the saddle. Pass on my thanks to the production team. Thanks to their efforts there are a lot of behinds saying thank you in the nicest possible way. Go Brooks!
I've been riding on a Brooks saddle since I appropriated my dad's (an expat-Englishman) bike as a teenager over thirty years ago. Our aluminium touring tandem has always been equipped with a Brooks B17 up front and my 26 year old Miyata touring single now sports a brand new Team Pro copper saddle. Both are great saddles and I've found both comfortable right from the start, even the much stiffer Team Pro on my now much older posterior. A firm saddle is the best present you can give to your sit bones.
I have been a commuter for several years now aboard a Devinci Monaco "hybrid" I have gone thru all the expensive perches that I can bear to sit upon. 2years ago I purchased a B17 standard. This saddle has proven itself to be head and shoulders above all contenders in my humble opinion. At the risk of sounding pedantic, I will say that I will NEVER sit on any other brand of saddle henceforth. Nothing else can compare to my B17. And I have tried 'em all! Excellent work and I would gladly pay double to have this saddle on my bike! Keep up the fantastic work Brooks, you have a customer for life in me.
Amazing saddle. It took a while to break in, but it was well worth it. It never fails, after a 50+ mile ride, that someone in my riding group will complain about a sore backside. I just smile and remind them that the extra weight and maintenance of a Brooks saddle is well worth being able to enjoy long rides.
I am a member of the VETERAN CYCLING CLUB SCOTTISH SECTION and have an original flying scot racer which was fitted with a b17. unfortunately, due to its age(1958), the leather split across the front rendering it useless. I purchased a new saddle via the VCC and fitted it to the bike and bedded it in which took many miles, though i do swap the saddle to other bikes in my collection which i also use on VCC runs. After many miles the saddle is as comfortable as the one it replaced, the only thing i had to do was retension it with the spanner for this purpose, i also obtained a bottle of leather polish at an autojumble which was marketed for rolls royces and bentlys. Several applications of this has helped the leather as well. I reckon i have covered over 700 miles since purchase and wouldnt use any other make of saddle and would recommend a brooks to anyone contemplating doing a lot of cycling
My purchase of the B17 S Imperial was the best decision during the building up of my first touring bike the Surly Long Haul Trucker. My bike shop told me they had just the right saddle for me and went to their wall display and pulled down this one - the B17 S Imperial. What a fit, the first time I sat on it I loved it. I've always heard about Brooks, but never had the opportunity to fit one to my bike, well that's over now. This saddle will be on the Trucker until, well, who knows when. Go Brooks!
Have had the b17 imperial for just under a week now and i gotta say this is an amazing relief!!! BY FAR the best and ONLY saddle out there to consider. First off id like to address the break in thing, when i received my saddle i THOROUGHLY proofided both sides and edges of the saddle, waiting hours (practically the entire day) before buffing clean the top, and leaving the thick layer on the other side still just visible now (to my understanding this is a once only application, and top can be repeated). First day after mounting i noticed it was a little stiff, but i liked it! Only on the second day i felt a tiny bit of discomfort on my sit bones, another coat of proofide that night, and removed it in the moringing (im not sure if proofide does that much at all in regard to noticable instant softening) the next day it was fine, please note the discomfort was extremely minor, only lasted one single instance, and was not present the second i dismounted. The hole in the middle is meant to relieve perenial pressure, which i guess it does cause i had none of my previous pain (before this saddle i had a hole in my abdominal wall and extreme perenial and male organ pain), more than that i noticed this hole allows the saddle to flex ever so slightly on either side as you move without sag or stiffness...Perfectly ergonomic shape and movement, brilliant design! Now the overall shape, i feel (personally) this one beats the stock b17 even in this area on my original comparison, and believe it even more now that i've ridden this so much and began to notice the shape more, its curves are amazing! the saddle is shaped just so, that if you have your sit bones back where they are meant to be (BTW i'm a WIDE sitbone guy, see my question under b68 imperial, i asked the good folks here before purchasing a b17 imperial) the saddles curvature follows your pelvic lines and sides of your lower ass- perfectly distributing weight mostly to the sitbones, then it almost skips the rest!!! seriously my junk just gently rests in place, NO PRESSURE AT ALL ( and i've had serious junk issues and every saddle i've ridden). I know this seems a bit much so far, but really i can't say enough good things about this saddle, the break in was what worried me, and i'm yet to see an issue, its perfect...harder saddles are the answer to softer tissues and sore bits, harder saddles with a hole in the middle even better! as a side note the an-atomica looks good too, but is softer and seems longer and thinner, for my wide flat unfortunate ass this was the best option, and will be on my bikes for as long as i ride them.
After trying all sorts of BG type saddles and triangular wonder saddles disscomfort and poor blood flow were turning me against my bike after reading several reviews about how comfortabe Gel saddles with cutouts were i then at considerable cost dissproved one review after another. After reading a review in cycling plus on the standard B17 I was swayed to spending quite a lot of money on a B 17 imperial ,the saddle turned up and was fitted to my drop handled tourer and on my first ride, I was expecting al sorts of discomfort after reading about the bedding in period that is required, what a suprise no bloodflow problems at all the saddle is initially quite firm but after an hour or two of ridding the saddle became less noticeable and now after three months of ridding 15 to 20 miles once or twice aweek mainly in the saddle i dont notice the saddle at all . I have not made any adjustments to the tensioning nut or the lace all is as supplied and i applied two coats of proofer that sofened the leather and helped with the beding in. Up to this point i would recomend the saddle to anyone not just for improved blood flow and good cooling thanks to the cut out but because i can honestly say this is the best saddle i have ever owned. The only thing that would have been nice is for proofer and a rain cover to be supplied with the saddle.
Len Levesley, where do you live? I want to help you get back on your trike. Judging by some of your spellings, you are across the pond from the US, which is too bad. You are an inspiration! I bought a Brooks B17 to finish off a project bike: a Surly crosscheck single speed. Can I just say that all the info out there is true; With surely less than 200 miles on this saddle, I am already able to conclude that it is the best thing I have ever ridden on. Thank you to Brooks for making such a high quality product!
I have ridden on your B17 Special saddle for a month and now I cannot bear to ride on any other saddle. I have no choice but to replace the remaining four non-Brooks saddles, which is going to cost me a pretty penny! Curse you, sir, for your infernally comfortable products!
B17 is the best saddle I ever had. I bought few saddles before (different gel, air ventilation ... ). Most shops in Germany sell a lot of gel stuff but nobody recommended me leather saddles. Some shops even advised me against. My B17 was comfortable from start on. I regret I didn't trust you before. Now I'm driving often longer distance without pain.
I recently completed my first Century on the Brooks Imperial. Which is substantial enough but this was a rather difficult century to start with. 112 miles, 70% of this on the rural dirt roads of New England, and 11,300 feet of climbing. I spent 12 hours and 36 minutes on the ride, about 10 and a half of that in the saddle and my only complaint was some slightly sore sits bones. Quite minor given the length of the ride, and the roughness of the roads. And even this was gone within a day. I recommend the Brooks Imperial to anyone and everyone I meet who's looking for a more comfortable saddle.
It seems that break-in and proper adjustment and fit all came together at about 700 miles. I also learned to ride with good riding posture (support my hands and arms using my core muscles). The net result is that this saddle has emerged as the most solidly comfortable saddle I have ever used. That's saying a lot because I am also a happy Selle Anatomica saddle owner. Up to this point it was my all time favorite saddle. The Brooks gradually sneaked up on it in comfort and finally squeaked past it to claim the throne as my favorite. The three things I learned from the testing experience: 1. Be sure to get the model that is wide enough for you. I started with the B17N imperial and it just did not work. The standard width is much better for me and its the model that claims the comfort crown for me. 2. Work with the saddle adjustments and position to get it fitted right. A 1/2 degree angle change or 1 cm adjustment in height or fore/aft position can make a huge difference. 3. Concentrate on proper riding posture, if your bike has the bars lower than the saddle. Use your core muscles to support your arms and hands. Pedal at a fast enough cadence to allow your legs to take some weight off the saddle.
I now have approximately 945 miles on my test saddle and I have to say I love it. I've been riding it on a non-suspension MTB that has been converted to a commuter and all around duty bike. Two days ago I switched it out and put it on my Trek 7.3 to ride that bike for a while. I also have a B17 Std on a comparable bike (Giant FCR3) that I can do a side-by-side comparison with. I'm really pleased at the difference in this saddle. I take really good care of my stuff and this saddle is no exception. It hasn't shown any signs of wear or breakdown. You could probably rub a little Proofride on it and put it in a box and sell it for new. I was a bit concerned that it would give some because of the size of the cut-out. I haven't noticed a thing. I haven't done anything to alter the lacing either. I just took it out and bolted it on as-is.
Others have provided feedback about how hard the saddles are, how long it takes to break in, slipping around...etc. I don't find any of these characteristics to be a problem. In fact, I wouldn't be entirely displeased if the saddle stayed hard. I think squishy, lesser quality saddles have been part of what has contributed to the perennial pain I've suffered over the years. I'm not sure what originally drew me to the B17, but it's been my personal choice since. I wouldn't buy anything else. If I had to give up my B17's, I'd probably just hang the bikes up for good. I haven't found anything that provides this amount of comfort and quality and I've tried other options. I think this new design is just going to give people like me one other option to keep on riding without pain or numbness. I think you guys have a winner. Thanks people..GREAT products. I'm a Brooks lifer!
Although my mileage on the saddle is short of what I had expected it would be at this point, I must note that after approximately 700 miles of use, the saddle remains far and away the most comfortable I have experienced. On the several rides I have taken on it of over 2 hours, I am finding that saddle discomfort from perineal pressure is absent. While the saddle is a bit less firm than other leather saddles I have ridden, the very slight amount of give is actually welcome. I realize that this might not be the case for other riders, but I can take comfort in knowing that the option (which I have not yet had to exercise) of giving the tensioning bolt a quarter turn would restore things to right. I would judge this saddle to be a complete success. I am very thankful that I have been given the opportunity to participate in its testing. While the interest that other riders have expressed in the saddle design is less than what I had anticipated, I do know there are several local riders who have said they will look for this saddle to be offered for sale. I also look forward to the general availability of the Imperial, and am hoping that Brooks will see to offer it in the range of traditional colors - and also in a range of rivet sizes (I really like the look of large copper rivets on a brown or honey saddle).
The Imperial is so much more comfortable than any other saddle that I've ridden over longer distances that, yes, I will definitely be purchasing at least one more - possibly 2.
Wow. When I got my first BROOKS B17, back in January, initially, I was rather dismayed by its firmness. It took a few months but eventually, my boney butt pressed itself into the leather and I was officially hooked. When the Imperial arrived, I was expecting to go through the same discomfort. However, right out of the package, this baby felt like it was made for my rump. I know lacing is nothing new for BROOKS saddles, but I was really taken by how much control they allow the user in getting the "flex" right where it is needed. My interest in having a cut-out saddle is due to my perianal fistula. This was due to my having Crohn's disease. This fistula occasionally becomes inflamed and turns into an abscess in a most undesirable area. Any time that it has happened in the past, I have had to forgo cycling for a week or so. Last week, it flared up again and I had some tenderness in this area. I was prescribed antibiotics, which did clear it up, but I didn't miss a day of riding. This very incident has made the Imperial tops in my book. I'm even considering a cut-out and laces for my original B17. Awesome saddle. I can't say enough about the comfort.
The IMPERIAL is the most comfortable saddle I've ever ridden. I really wish I had some piece of constructive criticism to add here, but as far as I'm concerned, BROOKS knocked this one out of the park. Job well done.
At this time the saddle has approximately 1200km. It has been used exclusively on my new touring bike and will remain on that bike unless Brooks wants it back for evaluation. This was also the year I decided to commute on a full-on touring bike as I needed way more load capacity than any road bike could deliver. So the majority of my miles will have been commuting miles. In this respect, the saddle has been outstanding. My commute is 40km daily and I have none of the discomfort that any of my other saddles give me on the way to work. This saddle could be marketed at serious commuters or touring riders. I have also found the Imperial to be considerably cooler. I have now completed one tour with the longest day being 230km. The Imperial performed as I expected although the lacing seemed to loosen every 40-50km. Comfort on tour was very good. As a lighter rider I do not get any sit bone pressure so I can't comment on that. One thing I do get a lot of is perenial numbness and the Imperial has all but eliminated that. Judging by the wear on the saddle I would think it would last well over 15 000 km. To sum up my time with the Imperial I would say this. As a commuting or touring saddle, the comfort of the Imperial has far surpassed my expectations.
Count me in as a newly persuaded Brooks junkie. The B17 Imperial that I received gave me the desired relief with my first ride on it - a 60 mile ride. Not many seats come out of the chute like that. With over 1000 miles on it in the last month, it hasn't had a noticeable change in ride characteristics since about 200-300 miles. It's a class act. Classic good looks, durable and time-tested materials, and no intrusive ride qualities. After a few hundred miles you just don't notice it. For me, the Imperial is pretty close to perfection. I'm looking forward to putting another 400 miles on it in the next week as I step up my endurance training. I'll let ya'll know how it performs on Seattle-to-Portland in mid-July, which I'm going to do as a 200 miler.
The Brooks Imperial has perfomed beyond any of my expectations. As a daily bicycle commuter and avid long-distance rider, I often put more than 250 miles per week in the saddle. The Brooks Imperial has performed far beyond my expectations on everything from my daily 20-mile commute, to 50 mile single track mountain bike rides, to 100 mile century rides with 9500' of elevation gain here in the mountainous U.S. Pacific Northwest. Comfort, classic good looks, and quality workmanship. What more can you say about a saddle with this much versatility?
The B17 Imperial is very comfortable, I don't even notice it when riding, which is the true test of a saddle. It broke in faster than I expected.
The B17 Imperial is a joy. I did not find the break-in period unduly long and the initial discomfort, though notable, has not stayed with me. Perhaps because of my participation in the test I was extraordinarily conscious of the saddle until just now with roughly 500 miles (and roughly 1,000 adjustments!) under me. Then again, I noticed other saddles on other bikes over a recent holiday as well and suspect being a participant in this test made me hyper-conscious of this aspect of any ride. Right now, I'm a fan without a single complaint. Initial discomfort faded and then disappeared. Initial squeaking was quickly fixed with a little grease on the nose hardware. My only question going forward will be regarding longevity; however my riding pattern entails less mileage than many other testers so I don't expect this to be an issue in my case for a very long time. I did struggle with positioning. In the first several weeks of using this saddle I repositioned it constantly. I am not sure whether this was necessary or rather a result of my reading other posts on the review site on Bikeforums.com. In the end, the saddle feels most comfortable when positioned slightly lower than my older saddles and with the nose very slightly raised. It is in a great spot now. I WILL NOT MOVE IT AGAIN! That was the only part of the break-in that really felt tricky and was a bit of a pain. Last but NOT least, as a woman I had some initial discomfort with the rather phallic design of the cut-out. My sister spontaneously made this comment, too, the first time she saw this saddle on my bike. If you ever make a women's version (please do!) I would encourage you to consider and perhaps retool this aspect of the design. thank you.
I purchased this saddle for the ability to experience the Brooks design for myself. Yes, I will purchase another Brooks Imperial, presently considering a B17 to fit to bike I will be completing its restoration by months end.
The Brooks B17 Imperial saddle was installed to a Specialized Crossroads Sport, replacing the stock saddle. The new Brooks improved the comfort of the sit position instantly, and improved as it was ridden each time. This was the best investment I have made to improve my bike and riding experience. Before i always felt I was wearing the saddle for a few moments after riding, with the Brooks Imperial, no longer that ghost saddle sensation. I will also note that my rides are done in street type trousers/shorts, not biking type, and no issues on my evening rides.
The Brooks B17 I, once adjusted correctly for my bike (s), performed as I had hoped. Made my rides very enjoyable and really not much thought given to the saddle and sit point issue, once the setup was dialed in correctly. Most rides are 5 to 10 mile type, and did also take a couple longer tours, the saddle was never an issue. Took wrong bike on one ride, and had some difficulty do to head winds and hills, yet the B17 I, made the ride pain free when completed, no ghost saddle effect for hours or days, as experienced with another saddle. For my investment in the B17 I, it was well worth the expense, making a great enhancement to my hybrid, providing touring type comfort to a up right style bike. I also installed to a older vintage road bike. It took a little more to dial in, but in the more agressive ridong posture, it performed as comfortable as the hybrid. I am now waiting for this model to be available so I no longer will have to swap saddles between my rides. Thank you for allowing this simple pleasure rider the chance to experience Brooks comfort.
Still after more than 1500km the Brooks B17 Imperial seems to be the best saddle I've ever had. I'm curious about the durability...
I have well over 500 miles on the B17 Imperial and it's now my favorite saddle. It seems to tolerate rain well. I treated it with the supplied ointment and allow it to dry naturally after it gets wet. This is my first Brooks saddle so i don't know how soft it is going to get, but it seems to be the softest in the "crotch" area just behind the cutout. Now that I have become used to the Brooks, my other saddles simply aren't as comfortable.
The B17 Imperial is a great looking and riding saddle. It takes a few miles of riding to get it broken in just right but after that its great. I have several other saddles that probably wont go back on my bike now.
I've now ridden your saddle for several months now (at least 300 km) on my bike I use for riding rollers. The saddle has been comfortable throughout and continues to be increase in comfort as time goes on. The only issue I ever really had was when I wore shorts with a chamois, which led to some numbness. When I ride sans chamois there is no discomfort. The saddle seems to be shaping itself to my sit bones nicely and is more comfortable than the standard B17 that I've had longer. Potential issues: 1-I wonder if the saddle will ever get sloppy and if this can be fixed by tensioning/lacing--I'm assuming the answer is that any stretch beyond the comfort range can be fixed this way. 2--Also I wonder how it would fare being ridden every day by people that carry a backpack or a messenger bag loaded with gear -perhaps a check in with the testers after a year or two can tell more to see if anyone sees different performance at this end of the weight spectrum (say a 190 lb rider plus 20 lbs of gear on their back?). The saddle is at least as comfortable as the Selle An-Atomica that I have, but seems to stretch less. The SA started out comfy and got sloppy the Brooks started out reasonably comfortable (no numbness) but rather hard and seems to wear in nicely rather than wear out (thus far).
When I first received your Brooks Imperial saddle I was impressed with the way it looked and was hoping that it would be as comfortable as my current seat a Titanico LD which required no break in at all. After installing it on my touring bike and making a few adjustments for proper fit I was off. The first hundred or so miles I was expecting it to be more forgiving especially in the sit bone area I was constantly moving back and forth to relieve the soreness in that area, maybe mot soreness but pressure that I felt. Then after about two hundred miles it got less and less noticeable. Having a touring trip planned in the middle of June I couldn't wait to give it a good test with six days of riding between 60 and seventy miles per day. It has passed with flying colors in fact my Titanico LD seat was being used by a good friend of mine on the same tour and he asked to purchase it from me, I sold it to him and have since purchased another Brooks (BROOKS FLYER ) which until I had this opportunity to test the Imperial I thought I would never do. There are some issues that I do have with it, mainly it has developed a squeak that I can not seem to get rid of, and I wish it was somewhat water proof so I don't have to worry about getting caught in a rain storm without something to cover it up with while riding. Overall the more I ride it the more I like it, I would not have purchased the Flyer for my other bike if I had not had the opportunity to test your product which I am very grateful for. My score for this seat is a TEN/10.
The Brooks Imperial is arguably the most comfortable saddle I've ever ridden. Required almost no break-in and is still comfortable on longer rides (2-7 hours). The only problem I've had with it was some numbness around the sits bones on those longer rides.
I have approx 700 miles on my Imperial to date. I own and ride several other Brooks models, including a Team Pro and two Swifts on other bikes. The Imperial is currently on my cyclocross setup, level with the bars and level across the top surface. I have proofided it lightly twice since I got it. I am very happy with this saddle. I started it right off doing 50 mile plus rides to see if it does away with the break in period of most other Brooks saddles, and am pleased to report that for me it did. I rated the comfort very high on the first few rides, improving to a 9/10 score after about 100 miles. I have had no perineal pain or numbness on this saddle on rides of up to 100 miles. This is in comparison to a well-broken-in Team Pro, which still gives a little numbing and discomfort after approximately 4 hours into a ride. I did have to play with the lace tension to achieve the right suface tightness, and have noticed an annoying squeak, seemingly coming from where the skirts flex against the laces as it is ridden. Other than that it has been an install-and-forget piece of bike gear, which is just what I want in a saddle. I am wondering if a narrow version would have been a better fit for me. I believe that I did request the narrow originally, but wasn't sure when I received my tester which one it was. Now that I see below that a 170 is the standard model I think a narrow version might be even better for me, given that I find a Team Pro so comfortable. Thanks for allowing me to participate in this testing program, I went into it with an open and critical mind about the saddle to ensure I accurately reported any problems; I just didn't encounter any. The Imperial seems to do just what you would expect of a saddle designed to reduce perineal pressure and shorten break in. If I had purchased it I would be fully satisfied. I would encourage production of a ti model and the honey coloring, I might be tempted to replace my Team Pro!
Generally, the B17 Imperial makes my genital area feel much less numb than the normal Brooks B17. If the saddle turns out to be strong enough to last over a long time, I would buy another of these saddles and I would recommend it to our customers. This because of its comfort.
I received the IMPERIAL B17 three weeks ago and immediately mounted it on my Dahon Vitesse folding bicycle. I ride at least 20km per day on that bike. It`s years ago that rode a new Brooks saddle, and I have to admit that the first 100km were realy "hard". But then it turned into real delight. That mean that I ride the IMPERIAL B17 without any complications now and I think, this is the best compliment for a saddle. The cutting is a real improvement and very well-designed. Another good and necessary detail is the leather string tightening under the saddle. This saddle makes you looking forward for the next ride!
Before trying the Brooks Imperial, I had always regarded the B17 as a comfortable saddle. However, I could only use the regular B17 on bikes with a fairly upright riding position or I would experience excessive perennial pressure, leading to numb genitals. I was excited to hear that Brooks was considering the idea of producing saddles with cutouts, and was ecstatic to hear from Brooks that I had been accepted in the Brooks Imperial pilot program. I mounted the Imperial on my recently completed randoneering bike, a 2007 Salsa Casseroll. This bike has 1" saddle to bar drop, and after trying for 700 miles, I couldn't make a regular B17 work comfortably. No matter how I adjusted it, I'd get perennial pressure and genital numbness. This isn't a failing of the B-17, it's just engineered for bikes that have the handlebars approximately level with the saddle. The first 400 miles on the Imperial were somewhat uncomfortable. I was expecting the saddle to break in after about 100-150 miles like my other B17s, but this one took much longer. The laces make the saddle stiffer, and the leather seemed a little tougher and thicker than it is in my other B-17s (but this could be my imagination). But even though the saddle was still breaking in, I noticed a major positive change - the problems with genital numbness and perennial pressure were gone! After about 500 miles, the Brooks Imperial showed definite dimple marks from my sit bones (indicating that it was breaking in), and it started getting much more comfortable. After 700 miles, the Brooks Imperial fits me like a glove and it's honestly hard for me to ride any other saddle. I pamper this saddle out of fear that Brooks will never put it into production. I rate its comfort as a perfect 10/10 and I can't think of how Brooks could make it better. Please put this saddle into production, I'm begging you. I plan on buying three of them for my other bikes.
It took about 5-7 adjustments to get the tilt and set back of the saddle 'dialed in' to where is was comfortable. The initial set up, which had it level, resulted in my sliding forward as I was riding. A slight up angle on the nose solved that issue. Once the set up process was completed, I found the saddle to be very comfortable on both short 3-10 miles rides and longer 30-50 miles rides. This is the first saddle that I have used that felt good while riding in jeans and regular cotton or nylon shorts. After about 300 miles of riding, the saddle started to creak, making a very distracting noise. I noticed that the laces had become stretched out a bit, and I re-laced the saddle, starting a few holes closer to the front and making things a bit more taunt then how it came from the factory. This seems to have reduced or eliminated the noise, and the it may have improved the comfort, although I have only ridden a few miles since doing this.
So far very good and very nice, I only regret that I haven't been able to put more miles on it yet.
Thanks for sending the Imperial B17 saddle. I'm using it on a trekking bike with a nearly athletic seating position. The saddle is being used for everyday commuting around town ( mainly shorter rides around 20 minutes ) as well as weekend touring at a speed between 20 - 35 km/h. The saddle felt very comfortable from the first moment, break in time seems to be reduced by the cutting. There is an obvious relief in the genital area in comparison to my brooks flyer. There is an occasional pinch effect on the male genitals however when I am wearing a pair of light summer trousers. I have not yet experimented with the tension of the lacing, since I didn't feel it was necessary.
Where to begin! This saddle was mounted on my brand new touring bike which is a Rocky Mountain Sherpa 30. I had planned on using this bike as my commuter and as my main touring bike this year. I applied one coat of proofhide and rode it the next day. My commute is 40km round trip, about 200 km weekly, and I ride as long as the temperature is above -10. Amazing! No sit bone pain or perenial numbness, which has always effected me. I can ride in the drops all the way home into that damned wind and I get zero numbness. I could sum up my commuting week like this; with 50-80 kmh winds and -11 morning temperatures, the last thing I need is an uncomfortable saddle. And with the new Imperial I had no worries about that. It disappears beneath me when I'm riding. That is the key for me. I do not notice this saddle. I do not shift around trying to find "the right spot". That said, I spent considerable time adjusting the position of my saddle until it was perfect. I plan on touring with this saddle in the next month. I now have no worries about how it will feel as I have already completed a metric century and I felt like I could do another 100km. I was planning on taking my Sherpa's factory seat but that is no longer a consideration. I cannot offer anything for comfort. My saddle is comfortable and looks like new after 600km. I did however have to tighten the laces now and then. I would like to see a longer lace with a heavier wax coating. My saddle has no sagging or dimpling. I would guess it will last 3-4 years easily. That would equate to 25-30 000 kms of commuting and touring. I would only get 2 years max out of my other saddles anyway. I will buy another when they become available.
When riding on a bike without any saving graces in the ride department, i.e. no suspension, stiff frame, the initial impression is that the saddle is very hard and unforgiving, this is true, but if it fits you, or gets to fit you after a bit of riding, the surface qualities become irrelevant, this is a saddle you can stay in for the whole day. Your seat is supported across the whole of the surface, the best way to support it there is! It fitted me almost perfectly from the start, the changes took a while, but it didn't matter, the changes needed for me were minor, but when they did happen, the fit was a good as I could imagine it being. I am wondering if the cutout needs to come further forward? I am not at all certain though.
Hard on the sit bones but getting better, I now have about two hundred fifty miles on it and its feeling better. I no longer have to stand up to relieve the discomfort on the sit bones. I must also say that I have not used any padded shorts since testing the Brooks. I will be going on a 600 mile trip in two weeks and Brooks will be attached to my bike so I should be able to get a good feeling for it then. I have never had any discomfort or numbness with your product, most other seats I have tried were gone within thirty miles. Style is great and I love the shorter nose compared to the saddle I am using now. Durability looks like no problem, saddle is constructed well and has killer looks.
Before - All of my vintage bikes came with what apparently was the original saddle. Not one of them came with a cut out. I've switched almost all of them to a saddle with a cut out. Even though I am a woman, I still don't like my sensitive bits to get numb! I have longed for a Brooks saddle for several of my bikes for a number of years. I have always decided against it because I really prefer a saddle with a cut out (Specialized Dolce).
After - Nothing but love for this saddle. I received a Brooks B17 Imperial, and so far have around 150 miles on it. My average speed is up, climbing up hills is easier, and absolutely no problems with chafing, soreness, or numbness of tender parts of my (female) anatomy. I look forward to obtaining at least a couple more of the Imperials.
After my first 100 or so miles (I am still recovering from foot surgery) I believe I have found the saddle for me. I rode a Brooks B17 years ago on my old Falcon Road Bike and have not been able to find another suitable saddle since. After the first 30 or so miles, the saddle really began to feel "dialed in" for my tastes. The cut out (this is my first saddle with the cut out) made a huge difference in my overall comfort level. My only negative comment is that my saddle had some trouble with the laces holding tightly enough, a problem that has since corrected itself. Now that the saddle is breaking in, I feel I can say that Brooks has a winner on their hands here. The width is perfect for my sit bones and the saddle looks like a work of art. Kudos to Brooks and another sincere "Thank You" for allowing me to test this product. BAJ.
I was excited about being selected for the Brooks Imperial focus group for a few reasons. First and foremost; I have suffered from perineal induced numbness all my 30 years of adult cycling. I have tried a myriad of saddles with only occasional, moderate success. So I sincerely believe I am an ideal candidate. Also, I had never tried a Brooks saddle of any type. So I jumped at the chance (as did a legion of other Bike Forum participants) to apply to test one free of charge and finally experience the Brooks mystique. I am, after all, the bottomfeeder! (my nick name on the forum) But it's not all about getting free saddles. After monitoring the Brooks testing thread, I believe the Bike Forums group has done a great job of providing enthusiastic, valuable feedback on a new product. And so here are my thoughts in a nutshell. Well the bottom line is; after riding the Brooks Imperial for nearly 600 miles over the last 8 weeks, I can honestly say that it is the most comfortable saddle I have ever ridden. I really have to look hard in order to find anything to complain about. And at worst, I would only be able to dredge up some very occasional slight sit bone tenderness. When you compare that to the fact that I no longer experience any perineal induced numbness, whatsoever, it simply pales into insignificance. So in my opinion, Brooks has succeeded with the Imperial, where others have failed. As I said previously, I have tried many other saddles, of varying dimensions, all with anatomical cutouts intended to relieve pressure on the perineal area. After comparing these other saddles with the Imperial, I am convinced they failed due to even a moderate amount of padding. Simply put; the sit bones sink into the padding, allowing the perineal area to contact the saddle, creating enough pressure to impede blood flow. On the Imperial, my sit bones support my weight, and allow the perineal area to ride above the firm leather saddle, maintaining enough clearance and lack of pressure to keep blood flowing where it should. I would say that it took me about a week and 4 or 5 riding sessions for the saddle to break in to the point where my sit bones were not tender during or after my 30 mile, one way commute. During this time I did experience some limited, but in no way as severe, perineal numbness. However, I believe that this was due to not having yet fine tuned the saddle position. I will say that the Imperial is ultra sensitive to even the slightest adjustments in saddle tilt, height, and fore/aft positioning. There is even lacing tightness and saddle tension issues to consider - but I have only tightened the laces once. And so It cannot be stressed enough, that the new Imperial owner should pay careful attention to set up, and know that further adjustment can make all the difference between a bad experience and a great result. After reading reports from a few other testers who had problems, I believe my initial experience with the Imperial has been blissfully easy. But I will say again that it has been nothing short of amazing. My only concern is that as the saddle ages, my sit bones might sink into the leather enough to reduce clearance in the perineal area and cause enough pressure to become an issue. Of course at this juncture, that is a "what if?" scenario not really worth considering, as I will deal with that if and when the times comes. Thanks again for a great product. I think you have a winner. Sincerely
Daniel O'Connor
The Imperial is a beautiful saddle. It's style is more retro than modern, but it looks good on my Serotta road bike, if I do say so myself. I had resigned myself to saddle area soreness as a fact of life I must accept to continue my passion for cycling. I am so pleased to say that in my initial rides on the Imperial (only 150 miles so far) I am experiencing much longed-for relief of the ongoing and chronic soreness I have been experiencing the perineal area. Oh, my husband thanks you as well. With my other saddle, a Terry Butterfly, I had developed an ongoing sore spot that I was constantly tending. I was always in various stages of either healing or exacerbation, depending on my riding schedule. After the last 150 or so miles on the Imperial, it seems like this chronic sore spot is really, actually FINALLY healing (insert halleluijah chorus!)....thanks to the Imperial, I am very sure of that. Needless to say, this single factor alone makes me highly favorably predisposed to the Imperial.
This Brooks Imperial saddle has a near ideal sitting platform which seems to add confidence in bike handling. In the drops the saddle avoids the dreaded perennial pressure and resultant numbness issues which many other saddles stand guilty of by providing some "give", or "compliance" in his area with the cutout design. The saddle seems equally adept to the rider who prefers a more upright position as well as the rider who prefers a more aero position. On a wish list, I guess I would prefer alloy in lieu of steel for less weight.
Have used this saddle on three different bikes. A tandem set up as a comfort bike, the Imperial replaced a "foamy" stock seat. Rode this for a number of shorter (6-16 km) rides with my 9 yo son in the navigator seat and one longer (92 km) ride- the 5Boro tour in NYC. Had no numbness or genital area discomfort with this seat, even during the longer ride. Did take a while to tweak the seat to get it to the correct spot, not unusual for any new seat. We are going on a family tour in Nova Scotia later in the summer, will be putting the seat back on our tandem for this trip. Second bike is a CrossCheck (CxCk), with a fairly upright seating posture with Albatross handlebar and 1x9 gearing. An all purpose, commuting, winter, knockabout bike; my favorite upright bike. The Imperial replaced an pretty comfortable B-17. I probably get a little numbness after about 80 km with the B-17 (usually don't wear padded shorts). Rode the CxCk with the Imperial for a number of shorter commute and pleasure rides, each about 10-20 km and one longer ride about 60 km. No discomfort or numbness during the long or shorter rides. Third bike is a Trek 520, this is a new bike for me- installed the Imperial in place of a B-17; the whole bike is not quite settled in yet. Have only had about a dozen rides 16-20 km in length- I think the Imperial is more comfortable than the B-17 was, no discomfort or numbness during any of these rides. Not sure of the exact total distance I've ridden on the Imperial, perhaps 600 km total among the three different bikes. Also not sure how to rate the seat other than to simply say it is comfortable, comfortable on all the bikes I've had it mounted on. No pain or discomfort- just comfort. Thanks, Oren Martin.
The Imperial virtually eliminates the perineal pressure that hounded me with other saddles. I had a surgery that left me with a very sensitive bottom, and the only saddle that I've been able to ride since then has been the Brooks B17, but this Imperial has changed the game. Even with the B17's comfort level, I've been limited to rides of about 40 miles or so... but I've found that I can ride the Imperial on rides of 50+ miles for three consecutive days! I cannot tell you how I love this saddle! The Brooks Imperial has given me my bicycle back...
The initial 'break-in' period was much shorter with the Imperial than with my B17 Champ. Std. I was concerned at first, that I might run into hammocking problems as I put more miles on it, but the lacing has kept things taut; just like my Champ. Std... except that I punched and laced that one myself around 2000 miles to fix the problems I was having. I've done 2 century rides so far (200km and double century planned over the next 2 months) and over 300 commuting miles on the Imperial and I don't plan on switching to a different saddle. Especially for long distance riding and lots of climbing (7000+ feet) the Imperial is the most comfortable saddle I've been on. The cutout really helps to alleviate the pressure I was getting from my Champ. Std. when sitting for a long climb (hills longer than 2 miles.)
I've been riding the Brooks Imperial for about a month now. Prior to the Imperial, I was riding a well broken-in Brooks B17, which had about 6000 miles on it. The B17 had a long break-in time (1000 miles at least). The Brooks Imperial has been more comfortable during the initial break-in period that was the B17 standard. While it's not yet as comfortable as my old B17, it's breaking in faster. I'm looking forward to putting more miles on the Brooks Imperial. BRAG (Bicycle Ride Across Georgia) is coming in about two weeks!
COMMENT > A lot more comfortable than the Arione but still, after 2000+ kms, not in that famous "forgettable" state. I would really like to see more advice on set-up and how to angle the saddle in the optimum way on your website. For example, how do you set it up "level" when it isn´t flat? There must be tons of "Brooks knowledge" in your possession. Please share.
REPLY > Fortunately BROOKS Saddles are so personal, that any advice can be nothing more than a subjective opinion. Nevertheless your advice is precious and we will be working o a series of videos to show some of the most common techniques to get the saddle "right". This is what we wrote in the leaflet we send out with every saddle:
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The rider’s comfort will depend to a much greater extent than is generally imagined, upon the correct adjustment of the saddle on the machine. The great thing to bear in mind is that, to obtain comfort and immunity from injurious pressure, the weight must be carried by the broad part of the saddle. The peak should carry as little weight as possible. The nose is mainly intended to ensure a steady and secure seat, which a peakless saddle would not do. By attention to the following hints the correct position should be readily attained.
The saddle should be placed:
1. just sufficiently behind the crank-axle to allow the rider to sit upon the broad part of the saddle, while riding, without being pulled forward on to the peak by the onward thrust of the leg;
2. with the peak positioned just high enough to prevent the rider from slipping forward; this is normally attained when the surface of the saddle is parallel to the ground;
3. just low enough to enable the rider to reach the pedals comfortably all round, without even a suspicion of stretching after them.
This is a general guideline, but I have personally experienced that different saddles need different adjustments. Here are my examples:
-the Swallow on my road bike is perfectly parallel to the ground
-the B17 Imperial on my mountain bike is more comfortable if the nose is slightly higher than the back
-the B17 Special on my Brompton folding bike feels perfect when parallel
-the B33 on my city bike is more comfortable if the nose is facing quite a bit upwards
I'm sure my experience is different than someone else's, that's why I thought of publishing comments from different Brooks Cyclists!
Andrea Meneghelli
Marketing Manager
BROOKS ENGLAND LTD.
Q > not a comment but a question: I own a b17 imperial, and am quite satisfied with it, using it on my "urban" bicycle. For my road bike, I'm thinking of getting a racing brooks saddle, in fact a B15 swallow, because modern saddles don't fit me on long ridings (I've tried 4 of them, fi:zik, san marco, smp, ...) so my question is: is it possible to get a b15, but with the "registered cutting" which I appreciate so much on my B17? what makes me think it might be possible is that there is a B17 narrow with it, and that the B15 is about as narrow as the B17 "narrow". So thank you by advance for telling me if my wish can be realised, and if so, what would be the price for such a saddle (in the chrome version)
A > Unfortunately the B15 Swallow cannot be made with the Imperial "registered cutting" because the structure of the saddle would not be strong enough. The Swallow in fact has no flaps which provide the necessary structure for a saddle to bear the central cut. The only other sports saddle which could be done with the Imperial "registered cutting" is the Team Pro, but we have not planned to make it yet. I suggest you to go for the B17 Narrow.
I've ridden Brooks saddles since the early 1970s and I love them. As a 15 stone (95Kg) powerlifter who cycles for fitness I need some width to support my large rear end and I've got three Brooks among a collection of about twelve saddles ... the pricey but worthy Honey coloured Swift, a B17 narrow and a B17 standard, which my wife has hijacked. The Swift Titanium is also really light in relative terms. The classic styling of Brooks saddles just looks so good and draws many comments. Although some of the others are comparatively heavy that extra few hundred grams is a sacrifice worth making for the sake of the great comfort and durability you get from a genuine Brooks hide saddle especially on the longer rides. I continuously recommend Brooks saddles. It's just such a shame that the titanium metalwork is so expensive otherwise I would replace my two other others for the titanium special models withe the big rivets..
I had a tried with a Swift titanium for 2000 miles and still not that comfortable. The B17 Standard was extremely comfortable straight from first contact, now all of my bikes have B17's (one has the titanium version).
ever since i bought my first brooks b17, ive been in love with brooks saddles. since then i have had 15 custom builds, and each one has had the brooks b17 on it. from touring to fixed track riding, the brooks b17 BEATS ALL.
Better comfort and break-in out of the box than the regular B-17. No pressure points whatsoever. Break-in is very quick and adjusting for comfort very easy. Only complaint is rubbing on the inner left thigh. Not sure what it is but I suspect it's because I carry my commuting gear on the left side pannier.
My son recieved the BROOKS IMPERIAL saddle and started riding it. He laced it quite snuggly but didn't get to ride it enough to get it broke in. He experienced a medical condition from a prior hernia operation and has had two follow-up surgeries, so I took over the test. I live 9 miles from my town with 4 miles of it on rough washboardy gravel roads. I commute to work and to town for errands such as mail or random meetings. I ride other times for just pleasure. I am planning on some touring after it cools down in the fall. I have ridden the IMPERIAL nearly 300 miles since I got it. I have ridden the saddle on two different bikes, one being a trek hardtail mountain bike and the other is a Bridgestone XO-3. About the month of July I bought a Brooks B-67 and put on the Trek and have been comparing them on this rough road I have to ride. I actually prefer the B-17 IMPERIAL over the B-67. The B-67 is not laced as yet but I intend to punch the necessary holes and lace it up like the IMPERIAL and see if it doesn't improve the feel of it. The B-67 is broke in and shows depressions from my sit bones, more so than the IMPERIAL, which I consider formed to fit my sit bones. I feel the cut out in the IMPERIAL aids in the flexibility of the saddle on the rough roads in absorbing jolts and hard bumps and the constant bouncing of the washboard portions of the road. My pedaling strokes seem to make a difference on the two sides of the cutout and each side seems to flex when needed. I know the lacing is holding the pressure of the flexing as I have just broken the lace on the very front holes and will now replace it with a new lace. The B-67 has sagged some but the IMPERIAL is still holding a more level aspect from front to back with little discernable sag or deformation.
It has been a privilege to have taken part in the testing of the new Imperial saddles. I've always held Brooks saddles in high regard and the Imperial has lived up to my expectations. The weather here has been unusually wet this year, floods and all, and life has been unusually hectic, so my anticipated mileage is way below what I had planned and hope for so far. My longest ride so far with this saddle has been around 30 miles, other rides have averaged around 20 miles, and a lot of shorter jaunts around town of under 5 miles, and so far there have been absolutely no numbness issues or problems in the perineal regions. This saddle so far has surpassed my fond memories of my B17 I rode for thousands of miles way back in the 1970's, and I anticipate the Imperial will continue to provide good service. Once the Imperial begins production I can foresee adding these to several of my other bikes.
I have really enjoyed the Brooks B17 Imperial saddle. After about mile 500, it seemed the saddle was broken in to me. I still need to tighen the bolt to get it a little bit stiffer, but I have thouroughly enjoyed the saddle. It has been a real comfort for my commute. I no longer have the pains that I had previously. One great saddle.
During my cycling trips I always experience a num feeling in my genital area. For that reason I've tried many saddles. Unfortunately I always had to compromise between the comfort of my sit bone area and the genital area. The normal Brooks B17 Standard was very comfortable to my sit bones but the numbness in my genital area prevented me from choosing Brooks. The Velo Plush and Respiro saddles gave me far less numbness but where to soft for my sit bones. The new Brooks Imperial combines the comfort for my sit bones without blocking the blood circulation in my genital area, Perfect! Still after more than 1500km the Brooks Imperial seems to be the best saddle I've ever had. I'm curious about the durability...
I was excited to try a B17 Imperial as soon as I heard about them being tested. I have ridden many Brooks saddles, and currently all my bikes are Brooks equipped (save one children's bike). The transition from my well worn B17 to the new Imperial was rough at first. I wasn't eager to break in the saddle and I was uncomfortable for the majority of my early rides (daily commutes)- I rated the saddle 'so-so.' After a couple hundred miles I swapped bikes for a week or more, not really liking the Imperial and looking for the familiar comfort of an older saddle. This is when I realized I had been being overly critical- my Brooks Professional, which I had liked prior, was now uncomfortable. After the mentioned week or so, I switched back to my bike equipped with the Imperial and it felt like riding a cloud. I must have been spending too much time thinking critically about the saddle and not allowing it to function like a normal seat. I have increased the mileage on my rides, since it is summer, and I now love the Imperial. Assuming these get produced I will end up buying more in the future.
As I've ridden Brooks saddles almost exclusively for many years, I'm somewhat familiar with the lengthy break-in process. The Imperial broke in at about 500 miles . I've tightened the laces on 3 different occasions and the tension bolt twice. The saddle is the most comfortable saddle I've ridden so far. It continued to get better with each ride. At 20 miles the saddle is not noticeable. At 30 miles, a bit of shifting around is required. Over 50 miles it starts to become uncomfortable. At 75 miles or more, as with any other saddle it hurts. Let me say, lest the above comment is mis-understood, that I don't believe any saddle is totally comfortable at extreme long distance. I would be uncomfortable in an "easy chair" after 5 hours or more. I've only experience numbness in the genital region 2 or 3 times. I believe the Imperial regular may be too wide for my anatomy. I'd like to try a B17 Narrow Imperial on another occasion. If this saddle were to become available to the general public I would certainly consider purchasing another. I would like to see a chamfered, large rivet version in other colours were this to be so.
I must say I've never been a fan of "holey" saddles in the past, I always found the hole very obtrusive creating more points of contact than a normal saddle. On first sight I thought the Brooks would have the same problem so when you ride on it all you feel are the edges of the hole. On actually riding I was pleasantly suprised that the softness of the leather flexed enough that the corners of the hole were not felt at all. The saddle then behaved as I would expect the B17 that I took off the bike to. I did however chamfer the edges of the hole a bit more as when the saddle softened the edges became more aparent. More chamfering helped this and now the saddle is fully softened there is no feel of the edges of the hole. A production model would need better chamfering and a neater cut of he hole (I know this was a prototype) most people who saw it assummed I'd cut it with a knife myself!
I've never really payed too much attention to the saddles on my bikes before unless they became broken or painful after a long ride. The Brooks B-17 Imperial I recieved has changed that. While at first I experienced the expected and customary initial stiffness, the saddle has broken in nicely and I have ridden my bike for longer periods of time and for longer distances. While I am training for randonnuering in my spare time I am a daily commuter, and I'm car-free so the the Imperial has had to endure daily riding in the high heat and humidity of the Texas gulf coast plains, not to mention the weight of my clydesdale frame set upon it. Except for a few niggling exceptions the seat has performed flawlessly. Faults:this is minor as far as I can tell but the rear edge of the cutout has delaminated slightly for no apparent reason. Every once and a while I find that the edges of the cut-out feels a bit sharp and bites into the groin area. A little wiggling around on the seat usually fixes this.
The 1st thing I noticed about the saddle was how simmiliar it was to the b17 I already have. I also notice that I thought it broke in faster than the 17. I think it was more comfortable because of the cutout. At times my clothes got snagged on the cutout when I stood up or got off the bike after sitting on it for a period of time. I really like how at times, I would not notice the saddle at all. I had to realize that I was testing it and I needed to be aware of how it was operating. I really like the saddle. I has gotten rid of some of the pain I felt from prolonged riding. I commute to work about 35-40 miles a day. So, it is worth it to have a good saddle to ride on. I think that initially after the leather started breaking in, it started to sag. So, the tension of the saddle needs to be tightened. I have not done this yet. But I think if the saddle can hold up the correct tension and not sag, it should last for quite a while.
I have found the cutout on the B17 Imperial to be very useful allowing a lower saddle to bar drop that was not achievable with a regular B17. It was comfortable from the second I sat on it. I was curious to how the narrow saddle felt and asked another member if we could trade, so I actually got to test out the B17N Imperial as well. I find the B17N to be better than a regular only because I have thick thighs so the narrow profile is very nice when I am pedaling fast. Overall I am very pleased with the saddle and the cutout is a really large improvement. The cutout may lead to wear a little faster than a regular one but it will still be a long lasting saddle in itself it seems. The simple fact of having a lower saddle to bar drop is a nice thing when you don't want to shell out as much $ for a Team Pro or Swift saddle.
This Brooks was typical of all my others in the fact that out of the box it was hard as a rock. My first ride of 3 miles did much to confirm that fact. This was to be expected, the cut out as I hoped would relieve pressure did not disappoint me it performed as expected. I commute daily and have put over two hundred miles commuting and about another two hundred miles in weekend rides the saddle while not actually any softer has comformed to my anatomy and I can ride it without discomfort. I will say that bicycle specific shorts are the more comfortable way to ride with this saddle I can ride in just abou any other pants other than really new jeans without problems for 10 miles or so. The cutout does the job although it could use a bit more easing of the edges and I think it would be a bit more comfortable out of the box that way. I tried this saddle on three different bikes. My hybrid commuter and a Schwinn Volare and a Bianchi road bike each bike has a different ride but the Imperial was better on the roadbikes than the commuter owing to the different geometry of the hybrid which is more relaxed and upright in its riding position. I only included one picture since I usually forget to take my camera when I ride. Saddle is breaking nicely and I really like the lacing. Cutout needs a bit more easing around the top edges. I expect this saddle to be as bulletproof as any previous Brooks with the proper care.
I originally signed up for B17 Narrow and put 326 miles on it, including a single 104 mile ride. To be honest, the saddle was simply marginal in comfort. Then another tester indicated they would like to try the Narrow saddle instead of the standard width which they originally received. We agreed to swap saddles. From the first ride on the B17 standard width, it was readily apparent that this was a much better fit for me. I received the B17 with 100 miles on it and proceeded to add another 322 miles. As I worked with the fitting adjustments and the saddle began to break in, the comfort moved from "OK" to "Outstanding" for rides up to 50 miles. As of this writing I am planning to do a 100 mile ride and that will really tell the tale of how this saddle holds up for me. During the month of testing, I have never expected much from the saddle. I own a Selle Anatomica and I am well pleased with it. The brooks is hypersensitive to positioning. Get it wrong and its a torture device when it is new and hard. But the quality craftsmanship and "rideability" of the saddle kept me trying and adjusting to give it a fair chance. By "rideability" I mean the confidence inspired by position stability and lack of intrusion into my peddling motion and handling. The Brooks saddle design is quite narrow immediately forward of the sitting area. This means there is no chafing or hindrance to leg movement. This is very important to my experience, as I have large upper legs. I was absolutely certain, I would complete my tenure with the saddle as an obligation to Brooks to provide test feedback and re-install the Selle Anatomica after I was finished. Now I am not so sure. I installed the Selle Anatomica on my wife's bike this morning and kept the Brooks in place. I'll know a lot more in a month. I do plan to put the S-A back on to see how it compares after having ridden the Brooks for 2 1/2 months. That will be an interesting experience which I will report. When I look back to my horrid experience with the Brooks Swift, I must say the B17 Imperial is a completely different experience. The cutout allowed me to deal with the saddle long enough to get it adjusted properly. I now wonder if the swift would have been a different experience if I could have applied the fitting knowledge I now have to it. Obviously the wider B17 is a better fit. To be honest, I am not sure the cutout is absolutely necessary for me in the long run. I've never had genital pain or numbness with any saddle. I've had lots of pain in the perenial area, however. The cutout is a break-in shortcut that seems to work for me. I do have concern about the longevity of the saddle based on the reports from other testers. If I had not read their reports, I would not have a clue about problems because I've had none that point toward longevity issues. The lacing works, but seems to be a rather crude system. I cannot fathom why all the holes on the front and the rear of the saddle. Does anyone ever lace these areas? However, I can certainly see that lacing is a very low cost solution that can be adapted to numerous seatpost and fit challenges. At first I thought I would be adjusting the lacing every 100-200 miles. but I now realize that as the saddle breaks in, the lacing adjustment was a stop gap measure to keeping the comfort reasonable while the break-in occurred. I understand it will also keep the sides from flaring out. If I get three years of comfort out of a saddle that only requires a month of break-in, I am thrilled. I've never been enamoured with the aspect some people talk about riding months and 1000's of miles to get their Brooks saddle broken in. I refuse to dedicate that much time to uncomfortable riding, no matter how good the result is. However, I would much rather see a B17 Imperial Titanium with copper rivets. I would buy that model, if it existed.
The Brooks Imperial is an extremely comfortable saddle, and takes care of the only complaint I had with the Brooks saddles I have ridden in the past: some pressure on the perineal area during longer rides (3 hours or more). The saddle has not had that many miles on it so far (maybe 150 so far) but seems to have started breaking in. I haven't noticed any sagging or other problems with it that others mention. On my last ride, I noticed that my sitbones were a little sore after about 2 hours, which isn't normal for me. I suspect that my rear is a little out of condition, and that I may have picked up a few pounds in the last few weeks. In any case, it was just a minor soreness. Weight could be improved. If possible, rails that allow more adjustment would be good. Aesthetically, if you have the lacing, the saddle would be cleaner looking with a shorter "skirt". I haven't seen the issues with the saddle that others have mentioned. The saddle got to the point where there were depressions under the sitbones, and then no further. I *am* concerned about waterproofing though, because I used the bike on a commuter and ride in the rain commuting as well as for winter training. I haven't seen the issues with the saddle that others have mentioned. The saddle got to the point where there were depressions under the sitbones, and then no further. I *am* concerned about waterproofing though, because I used the bike on a commuter and ride in the rain commuting as well as for winter training.
While break-in of the Imperial has been gentler than that of the new B17 standard I can't say it was great right out of the box. I experienced pain in the genital area and discomfort on my sit bones. I found I had to tweak the adjustment considerably before I found a comfortable spot. I am just now getting there. At 80 miles this does not seem excessive to me for a saddle of this quality and supposed durability. It helps that I anticipated the break-in issues and was fully prepared to deal with them. With the saddle in a flat position I felt considerable discomfort in my genital area just as I had done with the standard B17. I had never adjusted a saddle before (!) nor had I ever experienced genital discomfort. I have had a lot of squeaking in the saddle which I find quite unpleasant. I have not yet adequately addressed this. I believe applying oil and running the tightening bolt back and forth will solve this as one BF member suggested. I just haven't gotten around to it. I would think Brooks might want to address that before these saddles go out of the shop to avoid a flurry of questions and complaints upon delivery. I did not note this with my standard saddle from Brooks. I have never once been aware of the cutout. I wear street clothes (blue jeans, khakis, hiking shorts) and have not had any issues with grabbing or pinching my clothes. As I begin to get adjusted my overall impression is that for me having the saddle lowered about 1/4 to 1/2 inch has been very important. I also have the nose very slightly raised. At 80 miles there is just beginning to be some dimpling at the cutout where it is cut on the underside and the chamfered edge is beginning to fold down.
My last ride just brought my mileage to 100 and this suddenly seemed a breakthrough in comfort. I went from 6.5 to 8 and at times did not notice the saddle at all, other to enjoy its firm support and smooth feel. No discomfort in either the sitbones or genital area. The weather was 80 degrees F and that may have been a factor. I have not adjusted the laces after the initial installation, nor have I tweaked the tightening bolt. I applied a thorough proofide application on the saddle's top and a thick layer on the underside at the outset. No reapplication since. My mileage is low due to late delivery of the saddle. I was on tap for the female version which did not make it out of the shop. I am not sure why the cut-out flares at the top. My uneducated guess is that a smaller cut out might work as well and lend increased durability to the saddle. I do not expect the same level of durability with the standard yet that seems a reasonable trade-off if the comfort continues to improve as I expect. I would pre-grease the tightening bolt to reduce problem with squeaking which I have had and others have reported. I would debate between the Standard and Imperial. My one question would be re durability. I like the standard a lot. Once it started to break in (a process interrupted by the arrival of the Imperial -- a Brooks quandry!) I was pretty devoted to the B17 Standard. I'm not yet sure if I like the design of the cut-out as much, but it is growing on me. I love the elegance and feel of these saddles and the notion (so far just abstract) of their longevity. I honestly don't think I'll ever use another saddle. I appreciate the idea of a saddle that conforms specifically to my shape. Then again, I'm someone who uses a fountain pen! It has been a real pleasure to take part in this test.
I have a bulging disk in my back which limits my use of a road bike. If I were to bend at the waist, pressure results and the possibility of blowing the disk increases. In order to compensate, I have to bend at the hips, making for more pressure in front. I had to have a custom road bike frame made with the issue in mind. Since I usually ride the more upright mountain bikes and have found comfort with the saddle on them (WTB Pure V with the channel) I had one put on the new road bike. Unfortunately, the new position being bent over somewhat proves that the saddle is not good for this type of application. I asked Andrea if I can be a tester and was blessed with the opportunity. Being on this saddle is just as they say it would be...HARD! I've applied the proofide as instructed. The first ride, all I did was concentrate on my position on the saddle, the hardness of it and trying to figure out if I had it adjusted properly. After a few rides and somewhere around the 80th mile, I realized that this saddle was not something I was thinking about any longer. The only issue is when leaning forward to go into the drops, I feel a bit of pressure in front. Unfortunately, because of the problems with producing the women's version, I was left to choose between the B17 standard or narrow. I chose the standard. If the cut out was more to the front, I truly believe the women's version would be the answer to my frontal issues. If and when the production of it comes, It seems so far that I will most likely invest in the women's version. Thank you Andrea, and Brooks for this opportunity.
At first I found it extremely uncomfortable and very sensitive to set-up angle. I was dismayed and worried I would not like the saddle. I tested it on a bike with drop bars and saddle to bar drop much to much discomfort. As Brooks knows and I know but most of the fixed gear community tries to deny is that the B17 is really suited for bike with no saddle to bar drop or perhaps a little drop if using a non-drop bar such as a moustache or flat bar. But you know this of course. The B17 excels on upright position set-ups. However, The B17 the Imperial included does leave something to be desired even on a bike with drop bars that are as high as the saddle. I believe it is a minority of people who ride with such a set up and those that do and use all bar positions will know that you have to make a choice. Optimal of tops, drops or somewhere in between. I usually go for somewhere inbetween which means that I am never completely comfortable in either position. That said, before I started using a brooks I found that I would get very sore sitbones on long rides, that is no longer an issue. I would also like to note that at this point I have not done back to back comparisons with the swapping the B17S with the imperial to really assess the perineal pressure factor but I can say I did about 120kms over 3 days on a leisurely camping trip in mid-May and found little to no numbness after 4-5 hours in the saddle (I think time is more important than Kms because you travel considerably slower when loaded touring off pavement. This was much to my surprise. I still get perineal pressure with the B17 and it is my biggest complaint about the saddle. My ideal is much better as it is longer. I am tall so am inevitably bigger in proportions while still being of slight build. I cover the entire saddle including the nose which is completely obscured when I am riding. My girlfriend has several inches of nose exposed when she rides and has no pressure issue whatsoever. In my opinion the issue is as much the size of the saddle as anything. larger fellows are resting on the metal shackle in the nose and that is uncomfortable. I think this should make sense when you think about it. I realize adding a variation to the line is expensive and you have a standard and narrow for different sizes but really why shouldn't there be a "B17 long"? That is what I'd like to see. In the end my current impression is that while I still have pressure on my tender parts which "hurts" I haven't experience as much numbess as on a regular B17. I think perhaps this is because the cut-out does allow more flow through but it does not alleviate the pressure up from which is what really matters. That or I am not in the saddle long enough to experience it. However I can say for a 4-5 hour ride it is very comfortable though I wonder what 8 hours in the saddle might bring. I dare say I won't get a chance for such a ride anytime soon though I will try and make one in June. Sill I feel lengthening the saddle with a more forward cut-out would be more appropriate for my larger than average body dimensions. Alas, it is an average sized world where the advantage is to be average in size, as everything is designed for the averaged size person.... Currently, I am in fact using the B17 on my city bike, which I ride to work daily which takes about 15 mintues. it is very comfortable on these rides and I ride a moustache bar with about 3 inches of saddle to bar drop but the moustache affords a more upright position than drop bars similar to a flat bar but with different wrist angles. The moustache bar while having several hand positions they do not change the tilt of the pelvis nearly as much as a drop bar and so the saddle is optimal in this application. These are my experiences with the imperial and B17 saddles in general. I hope that my feedback has been helpful and look forward to being able to supply more. I definitely have at least 300kms on the saddle, probably over 400 as the city kms add up fast, but it's hard to keep track.
...I ride a 70's Schwinn Cruiser to the beach, to surf, regularly. It's only a six mile round-trip, but the usual, big, fat, foam-padded cruiser seats can get pretty uncomfortable on a hot day. I've always admired the styling of Brook's saddles, my brother-in-law had one, but never thought the expense was worth it. All I can say is, Wow!, was I wrong! Not only does my cruiser stand out in a town chock-full of classic bikes, but it's more comfortable than I'd ever imagined. I've only put about thirty miles on it, and it's already like sitting on a cloud. Cheers! Brook's. I'd like to say that I'll buy another, but I think this one's gonna last forever...
Q > I'm curious, why do only the aged saddles come with pre-punched holes for laces? Is it because the softer leather leads to earlier flattening of the saddle requiring the laces to be tightened? Also, if my B66 should ever get to that point, would Brooks be able punch the holes? I could do it myself but the result would undoubtedly be less impressive.
A > Yes, we do it on the Aged and Imperial because they have a weaker structure. Our other saddles occasionally would flatten, but that thakes quite some time and lack of care.
I am very pleased with the looks and workmanship of the Brooks Imperial. But I continue to struggle getting the seat position right. I have had it on two bikes and can not get comfortable. No pressure in the genital area just in the sit bones. I really feel it is just finding the sweet spot. Recent reading on Bike Forums suggests that I might want to back off tightness 1/2 turn. It will be the next thing to try. I have had the saddle on a bike with a comfort geometry and on one with a more aggressive geometry to see if one was better than the other. It will get the mot miles on the comfort geometry so I am leaving it there. It seems to be breaking in slow, no dimples are showing up yet. The lacing loosened up after about 50 miles and makes it a little difficult to adjust the seat, but I feel in the long run the lacing will help. Brooks is a highly reputable company and the cut out is an improvement to a saddle that has stood the test of time to become one of cycling's standards.
I FINALLY had the chance to install and ride the Imperial (standard) for my weekly ride and the impression is very, very good. My test ride consisted of a some varied terrain (hills and sketchy roads) because I wanted to see how the saddle and I would react together on seated climbs and uneven pavement. With total mileage being just over 60 (5 mile warmup and cooldown), the true test came really occurred during the central 50 miles. Total miles on the saddle has been only this initial ride but the impression left is very good. I've ridden several different Brooks models including the B-17 (standard/standard ti and narrow), Swift, and Champion. Beautiful saddles all but none really worked. The perineum cutout in the Imperial has made a big difference to me. While I achieved a certain level of comfort on the other saddles after break in, the Imperial gave me an immediate level of comfort. Break in will still be very important with this saddle but there will be much more comfort in the nethers than I would have felt before. I would rate this saddle with an '8' (I'd rate most with an initial '6') bordering on '9'. This could be the saddle to end all saddles for me. If Brooks ever offers it in a Ti version, sign me up... Break in period has been very short. The cutout is really doing a fine job and numbness has not been a problem at all. The only suggestion I'd give for ALL Brooks saddles is to waterproof all the letter and to offer titanium rails only to save weight. The leather breaks in quickly but sag is not apparent. I haven't had to tighten the laces at all yet. I believe the Imperial is a great step forward for Brooks. The only downside I can see is the overall weight but the comfort positive offsets the weight negative.
I was quite pleased with the saddle from the initial ride - despite not having it positioned optimally. Following the initial ride, I did not get to ride it for another 3 weeks, and was mentally comparing it to the saddles on my other bicycles I happened to ride while I was building up the new bicycle that the Imperial was destined for, and the perineal pressure differences were alarmingly apparent. Since then, I'm rather behind on the mileage I intended to have ridden, but I'm closing in on 200 miles, and the saddle seems to gradually get more comfortable with each ride. Due to some issues with manual dexterity, I have been effectively been riding it without laces until the most recent ride - which I completed about an hour ago. I did not notice a difference due to the laces, and so far I have not had any issues with the saddle losing it's shape or tension. The saddle is breaking in nicely. I know it's not yet quite all the way broken in yet. When mounting the saddle, the one thing I noted that I had a challenge with were the laces. I had to unlace the saddle to tighten the bolts on the Campagnolo style two bolt seat post in order to secure it in place. The clearance under the saddle was not conducive to someone with fingers as short and stubby as mine to do a good job of establishing appropriate tension with the laces. I suggest that the shoe lace be replaced with a longer cord and a slide-lock (might not be the proper terminology, but it's the plastic device that is commonly used on draw cords on sleeping bags, stuff sacks, and some active-wear garments at the waist, hood and sleeve cuffs). This would make adjusting and establishing desired tension a far, far faster and easier task than with the laces. I suspect that in the few cases where people have reported saddles becoming a bit deformed, that lace tensioning is a factor, and this could help prevent that pitfall. Probably not for a go-fast bike that I won't be riding for much more than an hour, and I won't be replacing the B-72 on my old Raleigh 3-speed with one either, but the Imperial is so much more comfortable than any other saddle that I've ridden over longer distances that, yes. I will definitely be purchasing at least one more - possibly 2. On the whole, I have been quite pleased, and I am looking forward to some opportunities I have over the upcoming few weeks to boost my mileage totals significantly. Thanks again Andrea and Brooks for the opportunity you've given me to help test your product. If you have any further innovation you want tested, I'd be willing and honored to do my best to provide an honest and thorough evaluation.
I have not ridden as much as I'd have planned but I have put in a dozen commutes on the saddle. My initial impression is that it was more comfortable than the B17N or the Professional. For some reason I also noticed some soreness about the sit bones. That has disappeared. Initially I was more aware of the saddle and focused on the perineal area. In terms of pressure, I do sense a slight difference from the B17. Since then I've noticed the saddle less - a good thing. A couple rides it the edges of the cutout bothered me slightly. It's just starting to beak in - getting less taught in the middle. I'm wondering if it will hold up longer than the normal B17, which had to be tightened after 1000 miles.
Hi I recently purchased a B17 special (the brompton version, brown top, copper rivets, standard black frame) I have only put 70 kms and it's by far the most confortable saddle I have riden, by far much much more than my previos gel saddles (one with ventilation) they were fine for a few kms then it's was a pain in the butt, literality. Q: My concern is only one, I sweat a lot from the buttocks and I can't always wear padded short, which helps a lot with this matter, so when i use jeans sweat stays there in touch with the saddle, and leaving a very embarassing trace in my jeans. Would this sweat damage severly the saddle eventualy? Because I noticed in some parts of the saddle it has become darker just like a few spots, and in the back part has a little brighter spot as if the color has fell off.
answer - Sweat will not damage your saddle!
This saddle was sent to my son for testing. Unfortunately, he has a problem with his male anatomy that is precluding his testing routine. He let me take the saddle to ride. I live 9 miles from town with 4 miles of very wash-boardy dirt and gravel road. This is giving me an opportunity to evaluate the comfort of this saddle in this harsh environment. I have lost water bottles out of my racks on these washboards due to the severe oscillation of the bike, especially when both wheels are either hitting the tops or the bottoms of the bumps. I ride platform pedals as I commute to the office and need to be dressed appropriately when I arrive. I have lost my pedals a couple of times on the corrugations. So far, the Brooks Imperial is helping me ride with more comfort. I have a simple suspension seat post on my bike that seems to take just a bit of the edge off the worst bumps and the Brooks then kicks in. I only have 88 miles on it so far but will hopefully get at least 50 miles per week from here on out. I've had the saddle for 2 weeks. My bike is a 1993 Bridgesotne XO-3 which I restored. I have 26X1.5 tires and am running 90# pressure in them. I'm sure this also helps make for a rough ride but they fly on the pavement! I had a B-17 previously and sold it (much to my regret) because I thought a padded saddle would be better. It wasn't! I'm glad to be back on a Brooks. I think a B-67 with the cutouts might benefit me. I ride in an upright style (ala Grant Peterson's doctrine, Rivendell). I experience numbness of the hands if I try and carry too much weight on my hands. I have a Nitto Albatross handlebar with a long Nitto Technomic stem with 5cm front extension. A wider saddle with the cutouts seems like an ideal setup for me. I am riding the saddle in a somewhat nose up position to keep from sliding forward and putting pressure on my hands. I wear civilian clothing with no padding such as bicycling apparel has.
Q >>> Will the B17 Special mount directly to a Crank Brothers Joplin Seatpost? I am in need of a GOOD saddle and hear rave reviews about your products. I ride an all mountain type of bike. Through wet and mud and muck. Is this a good product for its intended use? Thank you. Derek Johnson
A >>> All our saddles have standard 7 mm rails, so it should work!
First off I'd like to thank Andrea and the others at Brooks for the opportunity to be able to help test this saddle. It is wonderful to know that Brooks is taking such an active role in getting customer feedback. After 635km I could take anymore of the sitbone pain I was experiencing with this saddle. It seemed that I could feel the metal frame of the saddle on my sitbones. I found that after around 400km the saddle was sagging significantly, and then again 100km or so later. Both times I tightened to saddle via the adjusting screw, which would give me a comfortable saddle for another 10 or 20km, but then the pain would start again. It's of note that for the first 350km or so the saddle was extremely comfortable. I tried adjusting the tilt of the saddle, I tried adjusting the lacing, I tighten the tension screw when the saddle sagged, none of these could make this saddle comfortable for me. I'm quite shocked by this as I'm a longtime user of Brooks saddles. In fact I won't use any other saddles except Brooks. As far as perennial pressure goes this saddle was excellent. Even in the drops there was no pressure. This saddle simply isn't for me. This saddle is simply horrible for me. I can honestly say it's the most uncomfortable saddle I've ever ridden. I've replaced it with a tried and true B17.
The saddle is by far better than the Brooks Pro I tried several years ago. It takes me 500-1000 miles to really evaluate a saddle so I am keeping an open mind and won't say much. Right now I will say I am optimistic about this saddle. I have a very sensitive ass and it takes a while for it to adjust to a saddle. I have recently started commuting to work on my bike using this saddle. I am doing two 8 mile rides daily. This is unusual for me becauser I usually do 20-30 mile rides. I think these short rides are actually better for breaking in the saddle. Lacing interferes with seatpost. Waterproof the saddle like Selle anatomica does! I think this is the biggest turnoff for your saddles. Even worse than the long break in.
The Brooks Imperial was a very comfortable saddle to begin with, one of the best i've tried - it is very nice to be able to have the saddle level with the ground (or even slightly nose up) and not worry about sliding around or discomfort in the genital region. Unfortunately, my test model was unevenly tensioned and became sagged on the left side, resulting in a fairly uncomfortable ride. Although this was an excellent saddle at first, I feel that I would not purchase one without further steps being taken to ensure that the saddle is even and reliable - given my experience with the B-17N and with Brooks typically excellent quality, I think you guys will figure it out. Cheers, and thanks for inviting me to test your product! Thanks Abneycat
Hi, I was always very content with my Brooks which I bought from a friend about ten Years ago until this morning on my way to work through a snowstorm the Metal under the leather cover broke. Can you repair it?
answer - All Brooks saddles may be repaired, please visit the Getting in Touch section of this website!
I've tried several Brooks saddles, and I've always had the same experience with them. I believe that the leather provides unbeatable "sit bone" comfort, but the center portion of the saddle puts too much pressure on the perineum. The center ridge becomes more and more pronounced as the the saddle breaks in, and the leather begins to sag and dimple under the sit bones. Unfortunately, I had the same experience with the Imperial. The saddle was supremely comfortable for the first 300-400 miles or so, then the center began to put the pressure on. I believe that the problem with the Brooks saddles, (for me anyways) is not the lack of a perineal cut-out, but that the sides of the saddle, under the sit bones, go DOWN, which causes the center to go UP. Now, that being said, I understand that not many people have this problem to the extent that I do. I have a bony butt, or sharp ischial tuberosities. I've seen many people who ride the Brooks saddles and their saddles don't look anything like mine, as far as sagging and dimpling. Everyones butt is different, and unfortunately mine doesn't agree with leather saddles. Make a saddle with 2 ply leather, or a heavier grade of leather. It would be for heavier people, or people with sharp ischial tuberosities. I need a saddle with support under the sit bones area.
Q > Your saddles (B-17 Ti, standard and Special) are on each of my three road bikes and are exceptionally comfortable. The Special is around seven years old and has about 7000 miles. I use Brooks Proofide three or four times a year, and seldom is the saddles wet, however the leather is cracking a good bit around the back upper most four rivets. Is this detrimental to the life/quality of the saddle? Is it repairable?
A > Leather is subject to detriment, as any other material. This depends on the climate and use. Unfortunately we can only repair the metal parts...
In the 1890 catalogue, the oldest we preserve in our archives, Brooks presents most of the saddles with "registered cutting, a sure preventive to all perineal pressure". Over 100 years ahead of today's saddle manufacturers, John Boultbee Brooks had already found the solution to a nowadays well known problem. Eventually this line of saddles went out of production in the 1950’s. We reintroduced it on our most successful models with an improved and dedicated solution for men and for women.