Brooks B17 Saddle – review
OVERVIEW
Brooks is an English company that has been around for over a century. Well known for their leather saddles, many cyclist swear by their products and for good reason. If Brooks saddles work for you, you will probably never ride anything else ever again. For that reason alone, it’s worth trying them at least once. However, some people just don’t like them so let’s get into specifics.
BREAKING THE SADDLE IN
Unlike plastic saddles that have gel padding on top, Brooks saddles require being broken in before they will feel comfortable. When I first sat on this saddle I was surprised how stiff the leather actually was. The leather is hung across a horn on the front of the seat and a horseshoe shaped piece of metal at the rear of the seat so I expected there to be more bounce or play in the leather. The idea behind these saddles is that as you break in the leather where your sits bones contact the saddle, the leather slightly contours to your bones, increasing the surface area of your contact points. The leather also has a certain amount of spring to it as it breaks in, which makes the saddle almost feel like it has a spring suspension on it. Many riders don’t make it through the break in period which is unfortunate. The break in period can leave you a little sore, but it is definitely worth it.
MAINTANANCE
Brooks saddles are made out of leather which makes them susceptible to water. If you do a lot of riding in the rain I recommend picking up a waterproof saddle cover or tie a grocery bag over the saddle to prevent the leather from getting overstretched. If the saddle does get soaked on accident, make sure to let it fully dry before going on any long rides. I’ve ridden thousands of miles on my saddle of the last year and haven’t done any maintenance. Just treat the saddle with a little Brooks Proofide when necessary (about once a year) and adjust saddle tension via the bolt on the nose of the saddle. Be very careful not to overtighten the leather however as it will greatly diminish the life of you saddle.
CONSENSUS
You only have three contact points on a bike: your hands; your butt, and your feet. Since your rear is easily the most sensitive contact point on your bike, this is one area I would encourage every rider to spend the extra time and money to get what feels good to you. As a skeptic turned believer, I highly recommend giving this saddle a try for a couple months. Once I broke in my Brooks, I left the days of being distracted by the pain in my butt. Along with a form fitted contact points, the polished leather reduces friction, making the ride comfortable and cool.
If you’re worried you won’t like Brooks saddles, spend a little extra money and pick one up from REI. While their prices might be a little more than other online retailers, their 100% satisfaction guarantee for their co-op members is outstanding. Try one for two months and return it for something else if you don’t like it.
Brooks B17 Saddle – available at REI
