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. While most Brooks saddles take about 500 miles minimum to break in, the Imperial B17 is an exception. Due to the cutout in the middle of the seat, the leather has more flex than the standard B17. As a result, you’ll notice this saddle is more forgiving out of the box than most other Brooks saddles. Brooks includes pre-punched holes and a leather string to prevent the leather from butterflying out and keep the leather more rigid. This is a great compromise for the perennial cutout and extra flex. There is still a break-in period before the leather will feel soft on your sits bones, but I noticed the extra flex from the cutout helps curb this period.

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 the last year and haven’t done any maintenance yet. 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 over tighten the leather however as it will greatly diminish the life of you saddle. Also, on the Imperial, you can adjust the tightness of the lower flaps. Stringing it tighter will make the saddle more rigid while loosening them will allow for extra flex.

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. I can’t say enough good things about this saddle. With form fitted contact points and polished leather which reduces friction, this saddle makes your ride comfortable and cool. The perineal cutout also relieves some pressure on your privates. I noticed that wearing very thin shorts or pants (like board shorts or quick drying hiking pants) can lead to a slight pinching sensation every so often. However it’s not a big deal for me as it’s minor and infrequent. The extra flex in the saddle and ability to adjust the rigidity of the leather with the holes and string on the bottom of the seat make this my favorite Brooks saddle out there. It may cost a touch more than other saddles, but after over a year and thousands of miles, I’d consider it worth every penny.

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

REI Return Policy