Brooks B17 Imperial Saddle 2000 Mile Review
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- čas přidán 7. 09. 2024
- Brooks B17 Imperial saddle 2000 mile review and thoughts. I've spent a fair amount of time in this saddle and give you a look and thoughts on my experiences so far.
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I didn't even know about proofide. When the saddle was new, in 1984, I slathered neutral shoe polish on the inside and occasionally on the top. The saddle is now about 36 ears old and, save for some surface cracking, retains the shape it did 2000 miles after unboxing. You will own that saddle long after you lose the wrench to tighten the cradle, which have never needed to do. It's hard to say how many miles I have on my saddle 30,000 ? 50,000 ? More ?. At 65 I'm still passionate about cycling.
Neutral shoe polish for me inside and out.
instaBlaster
I live in Copenhagen/Denmark. We are a bicycle city, and people just buy bikes without any consideration on maintenance. But I have seen brooks saddles, been stored outside for years in rain, snow and sun, without greasing, and they still hold strong. It is an amazing saddle.
Sometimes if you are lucky, you can find an old vintage bike with an original Brooks. I had a 1930's Brook saddle that still broke in to me, and it was in an amazing shape.
My Brooks Professional came with my bike….1976 ROMIX Grand Tour 100….too many miles to remember, and I still ride most days….other than a bad crash in ‘85, the saddle and bike still going strong….for me, no more century days, but still have the same number of great smiles….even when it is only a few miles….still touring and hope to see ya out on the trails….My main touring is mid Sept through Mid December weather permitting….not riding in temps below 40 degrees….keep up the vids….love the local stuff…getting older is very easy and lots of fun….BUT ….being OLD is neither, thus I just keep riding and getting older….
I’m riding on a Brooks C17 Cambium Carved Saddle and have been riding for over 65 years and I gotta tell you it’s by far the most comfortable saddle I’ve ever plopped my butt onto. Maybe when I was a bit younger and a more aggressive cyclist I might think differently but for now I wouldn’t trade for any other saddle out there!
Great to know!
I am two days / 50 km into my B17 and I can tell it’s going to be staying on my E bike. I feel it’s more comfortable already than any of the gell saddles I have had in the past.. Thanks for sharing.
I bought the cover and keep it on in rainy weather and I always cover it overnight with a plastic bag, because I don't want sit on a wet seat.
The rail broke after about 6 years on my B17 Imperial and I found out that a Thomson seat post has a much wider clamp, that should be better.
So I bought a new frame and will drill out the old rivets then hammer on some new wide copper rivets, that look cool.
Brooks' saddle in combination with a single speed bicycle is basically old school cycling. *Rockin' retrostyle*
It's been ages since I've ridden a single speed, but I'd like to give it a go again.
Subscribed and liked as this is a great honest review. I have over 20,000 km on my Brooks B 17 standard and would not go touring on anything else. I recently compared it with another seat and the Brooks is by far the most comfortable.
And IS the flyer more confortable? For long trips
Bought myself the same today. Can't wait the winter ends to start touring on this saddle
It's a cherished saddle by many.
I bought the Brooks Flyer a couple of years ago. It took longer than I expected to break in, but it did eventually become comfortable. I like mine and intend to keep it.
I’m still very happy with mine as well. Although right now I’m just staring at it in the garage since the weather is so cold haha.
Yeah! I just commented on that above. I'm disappointed with a Swallow I bought last year to replace my Swift, which I'd had for some twenty years, and got it second hand then. It slowly tore around the nose clasp, I think it had been in an accident, landed on the nose, and the frame got bent down, thus putting undue stress around the keep.
Long story short, found someone in Toronto who can not only fix it (I'd been told by many that the leather would have to be replaced, and thus years to break it in to match the twenty year plus profile on what was still a perfectly good remaining saddle) but she quoted me C$40 to do it! (Sole Survivor in Toronto, Kensington Market). Wow! I told her to do an extra-good job and I'll pay her more.
I think you'll be seeing a lot of progressive 'cobblers' doing a sideline repairing classic leather saddles.
My Brooks Flyer, is wearing in now after about 800 miles, and getting comfortable. Goodbye plastic, loving the leather.
I’m going to try out a Selle Anatomica soon to compare as well. Brooks makes a quality product though.
I have had two Imperials. It's the only saddle that is a no-brainer for me.
Very happy with mine.
It’s really interesting to see folks discovering Brooks. I am now 60, and I first rode a racer with a Brooks aged 12. So that was 1972. And even then it was an 1960’s bike. Interestingly, you could often tell the quality of an older bike depending on whether or not it was sporting a Brooks. Since that time I have had several older bikes sporting Brooks saddles. And many without. I can tell you that, even (and perhaps especially) being the owner of a 60 year-old backside, a Brooks leather saddle will give you a lifetime of service and, more importantly, comfort!
I am for sure a fan and continue to use it. In face I treated mine today with Proofide to give it some love for the season. Appreciate the comment and thank you for watching/commenting!
Brooks... one of the best seats of yesteryear. RIP Brooks, humans have moved beyond the leather era for bike seats.
I've had Brooks saddles in the past, and they were comfortable, but the cheap saddle that came mid-priced Trek road bike was really comfortable from day one.
I think saddles are definitely a personal choice and it's hard to know until you find what you like.
@@BradBeaird that's what scares me, that i might buy a new saddle and not like it as much. A risk when mine feels fine.
I had the sprung loaded B67 saddle in the past, which was heavy, but luxurious. Sadly, it got stolen.
I've had no problems at all with the saddle on my present Trek 7.5 FX. I think a replacement one only costs £14.0. That's cheap. It doesn't have springs but the material is quite forgiving.
My other Trek bike has a web sprung saddle, with 2 coiled springs at the back as well, plus a suspension seatpost, and yet going over to my new trek with a basic saddle and seatpost was perfectly fine, which surprised me, especially as I love it.
The new Brooks Cadmium C17 looks interesting, though.
I agree it is a lot of money for some of these saddles to just be trying out. I know some folks sell them off if they don't like them, but ultimately you are losing money everytime. It's a tough decision to pull the trigger on some of the high end ones when you are mostly satisfied with what you have. Plus, I'm not convinced there even is a saddle that is "perfect" for anyone haha. Perhaps I'm starting to get old and my body just don't cooperate :D
Thank. Great review. I am about to change from the C17 to the Brooks Imperial .
I am riding a Brooks B17 Imperial now for nearly 4.000 Km in combination with a Suntour SP12-NCX suspension seat post on my hard tail E bike and that is a very comfortable way to ride. Good video!
Thanks!
Beautiful scenery! ❤
Thanks!
I just got the C19 with the cutout yesterday only had time to ride 16miles but man I think I finally found the saddle for me, it honestly does not feel like im sitting on anything there are no pressure points at all it's like im just floating on my bike
luis vega that’s great!
Great review. I've been trying to decide whether to go for it. You may have decided for me.
Thanks
Good saddle
I was considering getting the Brooks for my tour next year. Lots of good reviews. My groin area tends to go numb, now Currently have a memoflex II that came with my vintage 81' Miyata 1000 doing ok for now. Great review! I'll check out the Brooks. 👍
Thanks. I've been happy with the Brooks but I realize it isn't for everyone.
You say you don't know what's in Proofide, but the ingredients are listed on the bottom of the tin I have: Beeswax, Paraffin Wax, Rapeseed Oil, Sunflower Oil, Refined Tallow, Citronella Oil.
Good to know! Thanks for sharing.
Alan Striegel “Rape-seed oil”???
Oh, yes - a very common oil. See the article on Wikipedia at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapeseed. There it says it is, "the third-largest source of vegetable oil in the world."
The formulae has changed over the years. I see it now appears as clear. Last formulae was honey coloured leaning toward caramel, and the one decades back was quite dark. I suspect the earlier formulas
left dark staining on lighter shorts and pants. The latter formula looks lighter as well as being lighter and more easy to permeate the leather. (Less grunt needed to work it in)
White pen suggestion: appreciated
Why the prelude to annoy us? Your video is great without the annoyance.
Very happy with my b17 don't have the cut-out.
Awesome. I think they are great saddles.
People use shower caps to protect the leather from rain? Leather is so weather resistant they are now making animals out of the stuff.
Hahahaha. Yeah I think it is to guard against the leather stretching.
I've had many excellent leather saddles over the decades, Brooks, Wrights, Middlemore, French and Italian ones, and every one of them didn't like getting rained on. You seem to overlook that unlike shoes, you ride on the *finished side* of the leather, and if that patina is compromised by rain, both the smoothness and the *behaviour* of that leather deteriorates.
You want that saddle to fit you intimately? Then nourish it and protect it.
On sweat, btw, which is an essential part of forming the fit, even humans emit oils from that region (anal glands, look it up) which help the leather stay healthy and fit to form.
@@stephensaines7100 lol, ew🤮
well i have the exact same saddle and my sit bones are feeling quite bruised ...im waiting for my arse and the saddle to be broken in...early days.
It does take some miles.
I've bought Brooks B17's new...They all had terrible sag after broken in.
Brooks saddles are not for everybody. My brooks flyer saddle splayed out and sagged, I laced it. It had a noisy defective nose bolt. I sent it to Brooks for repair.
My saddle spent three months in customs and was returned to me without ever getting to Brooks. They then said it sometimes happened and offered to have it repaired for free in the USA, but I had to pay shipping...If Brooks has a USA repair person they should have informed me that they could that to begin with!
Leather is natural, you might get tough stuff, or you might get soft stuff. I have never been able to get more than a couple hundred miles on a Brooks before it gets too soft.
The tension adjustment does nothing, once the saddle is sagged you get an ass hatchet.
Brooks saddles have very limited adjustment at the rails, it's either ass up or slightly down.
For those who claim 10k miles on a Brooks, I want to see some real forensic documentation of that. I think it's bullshit. If you honestly got 2k miles on that seat I'm impressed. Do you weigh less than 200 pounds?
I can honestly say it's a crap shoot. You might get a saddle with a faulty nose bolt...if they don't sit right the nose will twist. These defects are common in Brooks.
Leather supply...well I doubt they are meticulous. I believe it is just get the hide of a certain oz...and press it together.
Modern saddles are surprisingly more comfortable...and put less pressure on the sacrum.
I can only comment on my own experience so far. I’m just over 2000 miles, 185 lbs and haven’t had issues. That could all change tomorrow I suppose but so far so good. Saddens are like anchors .... everyone likes something different haha.
Mink oil the bottom, [profide] the top
Hi Brad . yesterday i have got my Brooks B17 . and i put it on my bike . But i have a problem with slipping. if i put the oli , is getting beter.? i coul,t rijd on it
The Proofide should go under the saddle to treat the raw leather, not on top. And once or twice a year is enough.
Brooks seems to disagree with you: czcams.com/video/jYmGjyBjVXs/video.html
According to Brooks, the first two times you do it proofide goes both underneath and on top. After that, if you have fenders, or you don't ride when the roads are wet, you only do the top with proofide for the rest of the saddle's life. If you don't have fenders and you ride when the roads are wet, you do the underneath again on an infrequent basis.
Thank you for posting this review as I am thinking of getting this one. I looked up this model and notice that the holes are for lacing to keep its shape BUT you did not lace yours. Just wondering why?
It is actually laced to the inside and tucked underneath (which is actually how it came from the factory). You can kind of see it at 3:20 a bit if you look closely in the center.
@@BradBeaird Oh, I see it now, thank you. I also looked at a few for sale on ebay and the lacing is included to the side... in Red, white and Blue so I got confused.
Yes it comes with black prelaced and red white blue in the box as options I guess haha.
@@BradBeaird s
how would this saddle do on a 29" BMX? thinking about buying a new saddle and this is one of the finalist.
No idea. I have it on a big Surly ECR and it's great :D
Trying to decide between b67 and b17... want the b17 because it comes in red, but i want the b67 has suspension which would help with the shitty city sidewalks and streets. Anyone try dying a b67?
@Brad Beaird is this saddle comfortable to ride on without riding shorts or should I still get the riding shorts with cushion?
It’s really up to each person individually. Some don’t feel the need, others do so it’s personal preference.
@@BradBeaird thank you. I’ll probably purchase the B-17 in the near future
It’s a good saddle, but saddles are a really personal choice so what works for one person doesn’t always work for another. It’s taken me a long time to accept that idea, haha.
I’m looking for a comfy saddle for long distance riding. Gunna cycle across America soon, 4500 miles. I’ve got a TREK DS2 and the gel saddle is shit
I’m still very pleased with the Brooks but I realize saddles are very personal choice item and definitely people like different things.
Just got the same exact model. Did you adjust the strings underneath? Not sure if I should lace up the entire saddle since it came partially strung. Thanks in advance.
I didn’t really make much of a change to the laces. Just went with the factory setup.
Brad Beaird thanks for the quick reply. This is my first leather saddle and I wasn’t sure if the laces play a major role in the break in or break down of the seat for that matter.
thank you for this amazing video . I just want to buy a B17 imperial woman . i have no idea about that . but i want to take a risk because every body say that brooks saddle is the best . wat is the diffrent between man and woman model ?t
hanks
I'm sorry, I'm not sure what the difference for man vs. woman is either.
@@BradBeaird No problem . thanks
Mojgan women's saddles tend to be wider,due to women having wider hips
@@Thecrazyvaclav thanks Keith . I serch and i see that B17 Imperial has also woman model . thanks
Did you buy it and did you like it?
Is imperial same as carved ?
Yeah they changed the name.
The music matches the video perfectly! His bike looks like a bunch of bags with wheels! Lmao
Are you still using this saddle? And if so, do you still enjoy it? Thanks!!
I do still have it on my Trek FX3. Still like it. I also enjoy the Selle Anatomica I have on my ECR as well. Both good saddles.
Where was this videoed? Looks like Florida?
Exactly. That individual break in is the reason why it makes no sense to buy a used leather saddle.
Custom fit for each one :)
I get what you’re saying but it can absolutely make sense to buy a used one. I had a very limited budget and a saddle issue so bad I was injured. A very kind man at my LBS had a brooks he was no longer using in the back of his car and offered it to me to try/keep when the shop had little options in stock due to COVID. It suits me just fine and solved my issue. Just wanted to put that out there for anyone in a tight spot who might be considering a used brooks saddle - it can totally still work for you if still in good shape.
Necessity is the mother of invention as they say :)
Hey Bob!
I'm thinking about buying this saddle for my bike, You still rate it ?
I love my Brooks personally but saddles are different for everyone. To me it is great.
@@BradBeaird totally agree I guess I'll have to try a couple of saddles and see what works best for me!
Thanks!
Started ( adult) riding in early 1980. 2 years of gels and seat covers, etc. Found a wrench who said you need a Brooks B-17. I am now on my 4th one. About 25,000 on each one , and , change because of a new bike or a color match. Probably could still be on the original one. And never , ever does my saddle cross my mind. Perfect. Wife , of course, changed at the same time I did , and she rides one with springs on the back !! Wouldn't change for anything.
@@Cederlind Great to hear others having good success with their Brooks. I'm still a fan :)
You didn't say anything about the lacing.....
The Brooks B17 (imperial) is one of the most hyped saddles on the market. And one of the hardest. It takes forever to get used to this hard unpleasant saddle that has no comfort whatsoever. It could ruin your bike holiday, as it did for my son. I use it for daily short rides, but after 1500 km it is still stiff and hard. Maybe it was ok in 1900 but we’re now in 2019. There are much better saddles available these days.
Sucks for you. I LOVE mine and it was pretty cozy straight away. Everyone is different.
Hi Brad, I just received my B17 imperial today and it is so hard to the touch. Coming from a foam cushioned saddle to this, I wonder how on earth it could be comfortable lol. Do they really break in, or are they just over-glorified pieces of leather? After spending $120 dollars, I will be pretty disappointed if it isn't more comfortable than my $25 dollar seat, after break in. I ride 17 miles to work, both ways, so I guess I will always have a little pain.
I agree brand new they are stiff and hard to the touch. You'll hear most everyone talk about the break in period. Personally, I felt like it took 500 miles or so before it felt comfortable. I liken it to like buying a brand new baseball glove. New they are stiff and hard to use. Once broken in, it's like an old friend you can't wait to get back to.
How’s your brook saddle now?
Anyone have any stories about your history with different saddles?
CaptainBobAdventures My groin and buttocks go numb. Adjusted the angle felt ok but I feel more comfortable with soft saddles I noticed. Is the Brooks soft or is the design what makes it feel comfortable?
The Brooks definitely isn't what I would call soft, although it does soften as it breaks in. It's leather, so it does flex a little, but probably the best characteristic of leather saddles is that as you ride them, they conform to the shape and location of your sit bones. For me, this has translated into a comfortable ride. That combined with the cut out in the middle of the seat has been a real winner for long rides for me.
I like my Serfas rx saddles but my favorite is a Brooks B17 Imperial Narrow. I bought used off ebay, it was already broken in and right now I am moving it from bike to bike.
Great to hear you like the Brooks. Something about how it fits over time just has worked for me. I know it isn’t for everyone, but once you find what works, you tend to want to stick with it. Thanks for watching!
@@1uniqueislander968 Be aware that the B17 when laced underneath 'sets-up' like the Swallow saddle, tubular in form, with your sit-bones not facing a complementary angle.
The Swift *typically* (look for this when you buy!) is already preformed and accommodates a down angle for the sit-bones much more than the Swallow and B17 laced. I've had all three types, and a Professional.
Removing the laces on a B17 allows it to accommodate *most peoples'* sit bones much more readily, such that the weight is shared with the perineum and buttocks. You really don't want to be touring when sitting on sit-bones alone!
Definitely a Brooks saddle! It doesn't get any better even at twice the price. But shop carefully for the model that fits you best. Take a look at the displays to see the radical difference on the angle and accommodation made for sit-bones, and consider the implications for distance riding.
Snuggles forevermore
가죽안장의 최대단점은 여름에 가죽물이 나의 아끼는 바지에 얼룩을 만든다는것입니다. 특히나 베이지색 계통의 밝은바지를 입고타면 엉덩이에 가죽물이 이염되서 똥 싼것처럼 보입니다.
Must be why bike shorts are mostly black, haha.
Probably Mink oil
It's written on the bottom of the tin, Beeswax,Paraffin Wax,Rapeseed oil,Sunflower oil, Refined Tallow, Citronella oil.
Any leather moisturiser will do. I use dubbin, marketed at horse saddles. Also use it on my leather boots. The trick is not to over do it, as overuse of any moisturiser makes the leather too soft and prone to damage.
And here we thought he was only the prison librarian.
Haha glad you enjoyed it!
How much do you weigh?
200 lbs
@@BradBeaird I am down from 376 to 295.5 so I can start riding again. never had a brooks but rode a buddies once and never looked back. waiting for the B17 now.
Mine lasted less than a year and Brooks refused to honor the warranty. Be careful it’s not worth the money.
What kind of problem did you have with yours?
@@BradBeaird The rails broke in half. I can try to link pictures this weekend if you would like.
AJ Williams wow! Had mine for a couple of years now and no issues but I’ll keep my eyes out for those types of issues.
What's wrong with your eyes?
Blepharospasm syndrome