http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Brooks B17 saddle en Sat, 25 Apr 2026 20:58:58 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12043&page=2#post-278930 Wed, 28 Mar 2018 21:59:40 +0000 Greenroofer 278930@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have a B17. Comfy since I got it. Love it. Edinburgh Bike Fitting say it's too wide for me, but I still love it. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12043&page=2#post-278921 Wed, 28 Mar 2018 21:12:35 +0000 wee folding bike 278921@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've got B17N, B17S, Colt and a B72. </p> <p>They've all been comfy from the get go and just get better over time. The one I like least is the B72. </p> <p>The B17S is now on its second Brompton. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12043&page=2#post-278906 Wed, 28 Mar 2018 18:50:23 +0000 Nelly 278906@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have a B17 narrow on my Singlespeed (which is my everyday do everything bike).</p> <p>I bought it used off fleabay for £20 (was missing a badge, which I picked up a replica off web for a couple of quid) - think it had 10/15 years on it, and I have had it about 5 years?</p> <p>Looks good as new, feels fantastic and apart from trying to keep the worst of the weather off if outside shop/pub, all I do is occasionally wipe in the brooks dubbin stuff.</p> <p>Its the comfiest saddle I have ever owned, and if I could get away with it, would have one on my roadbike and MTB too.......but perhaps a step too far. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12043&page=2#post-278902 Wed, 28 Mar 2018 18:06:46 +0000 Baldcyclist 278902@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I’ve always got on pretty well with Brooks saddles, my B66/7 on my Pashley is so comfy, but NOT for long distances, my a**e was in tatters after a 30 mile ride once.</p> <p>I’ve got a B17 on my commuter, and that has been comfy since day 1, though firm still comfortable.</p> <p>I have a Cambium on my indoor bike that I don’t get on with as more than half an hour is an ordeal, though when that was on the commuter it was really comfy. I suspect I just have to adjust the spin bike to be more road, than upright positioned. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12043&page=2#post-278900 Wed, 28 Mar 2018 17:33:03 +0000 Frenchy 278900@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Went and bought one, have 30 days to try it out. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12043&page=2#post-278730 Mon, 26 Mar 2018 19:11:10 +0000 amir 278730@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have done about 100 miles on a new Swallow. It still hurts so wasn't allowed out on the audax. It probably depends on the distance they're planning to ride. 200km? Try it on a 100km at least 2 weeks before so that your bot can recover.</p> <p>I have a sprung version of the B17 on the tourer I bought. Yet to be evaluated but it weighs a fair bit </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12043&page=2#post-278685 Mon, 26 Mar 2018 13:08:43 +0000 Morningsider 278685@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I reckon my B17 has around 10,000 miles on the clock - and I'm not entirely sure it is fully broken in yet.</p> <p>Unless your current saddle is cream-crackered, I'd stick with that for just now. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12043&page=2#post-278683 Mon, 26 Mar 2018 13:01:33 +0000 unhurt 278683@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>What's the breaking-in-time/distance for a Brooks?</em></p> <p>Longer/further than my seating area was prepared to tolerate... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12043&page=2#post-278677 Mon, 26 Mar 2018 12:45:40 +0000 dessert rat 278677@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've had my B17 for 6 years, I reckon another 6 and it'll be halfway there.</p> <p>It's a comfy now as it was on the day I got it. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12043&page=2#post-278674 Mon, 26 Mar 2018 12:36:23 +0000 sallyhinch 278674@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A lot depends on whether you have a Brooks-shaped undercarriage or not. My B67S (wide, with springs) was comfy from the get go and the B17 on my Brompton hasn't caused me any problems despite being a lot narrower and less obviously sofa-like. It they're not comfortable from the off, then I have heard it can take months. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12043&page=2#post-278664 Mon, 26 Mar 2018 12:09:50 +0000 Frenchy 278664@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>What's the breaking-in-time/distance for a Brooks?</p> <p>If someone were looking to upgrade their saddle, would they be better off waiting until after the <strike>utterly mad</strike> perfectly sensible trip they're planning in five weeks time? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12043&page=2#post-208429 Thu, 14 Jan 2016 11:18:05 +0000 cb 208429@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>This reminds me that I need to Proofride my saddle. Maybe I'll add it to my shoe polishing schedule to ensure it gets done once every year. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12043&page=2#post-208363 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 18:27:48 +0000 wee folding bike 208363@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Usually some grease on the clamp will sort that. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12043&page=2#post-208357 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 17:18:21 +0000 kaputnik 208357@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Stickman yeah I tried just ignoring it at first. And then I tried to ignore it harder. Didn't fix the creaking no matter how hard I tried! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12043&page=2#post-208356 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 17:08:35 +0000 Stickman 208356@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Ta for this checklist. My Brooks has a similar creak which I've been hoping would just go away. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12043&page=2#post-208355 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 16:47:09 +0000 kaputnik 208355@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Rather than start a new thread I'll do that thread necromancy thing here as it's relevant.</p> <p>Recently my bike has developed a squeaky creak (different from the squeaky creak that indicated a cracked frame). Everything was taken apart and put back together again when I moved to a newold frame, but the creak persisted and got worse. Fair doing my napper in it was.</p> <p>After the usual experimentation of pedalling / sitting / standing / taking feet off pedals / hands off bars, bouncing deliberately etc. I traced the creaks back to the Brooks saddle.</p> <p>I have remedied the creaking by one of the following measures (I tried them all at once, so can't say which it was that worked).</p> <p>- tiny spots of 3-in-1 oil put where the rivets meet the saddle frame so as to suck into the joint by capillary action.<br /> - spots of 3-in-1 also places on the nose nut, the pivot where the nose nut attaches to the saddle rail and the two sockets where the saddle rails meet the rear support of the frame.<br /> - drops of leather oil added so as to get between the frame and the leather and the rivets and the leather. I used some raw linseed oil in small quantities as I had no proofride left. Some forums suggested sticking dods of proofride in this area then blowing with a hot hair drier to melt it into the gaps.<br /> - saddle rail taped with some black insulation tape where the clamp attaches.<br /> - saddle clamp disassembled and reassembled, with some tape added where the clamp sits on the top of the seatpost.<br /> - the metal ratcheted washer of the saddle clamp was lightly oiled.<br /> - a small turn of the nose nut (&lt;0.5 turn)</p> <p>The saddle is now creak free. I've probably gone too long without giving it a good dose of Proofride so will have to do that soon. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12043&page=2#post-142231 Mon, 10 Feb 2014 15:41:05 +0000 Baldcyclist 142231@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Ok, if a Brooks B17 in honey which has been used for 4 days is of any use to anyone, make me an offer....</p> <p>Have tried the Cambium on my bike, and it goes into the required position and is comfy. Wish I had known that Bike Trax was a brooks dealer 2 weeks ago! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12043&page=2#post-142075 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 13:45:17 +0000 Roibeard 142075@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@SRD - wore out a tyre and brake pads is all, but then it needed ordered, and fitted and...</p> <p>Robert </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12043&page=2#post-142053 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 12:03:59 +0000 Baldcyclist 142053@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>My current saddle is about 25mm (maybe more) further back than the B17. I did manage to get the B17 into a position which was comfortable for height and reach. But the main issue is having to push straight down on the pedal, rather than forward and down, unfortunately my legs don't have muscles to deal with that rotation and all the force was going into my inside thigh muscle which is under developed compared to my outer thigh muscle which is where my power comes from. It is my inside thigh muscle that is shot now, it just couldn't cope with the strain.</p> <p>The seat post I currently have has 21mm of setback on it, they do seem to be available with 30mm of setback which still leaves about 15mm still to find. The Cambium may be an option...</p> <p>It has about 10mm more rail available at the front, but that would mean saddle and seat post just to get the position.</p> <p>The B17 would likely fit my Cervelo as the seat tube is a far more aggressive angle than my commuter so the saddle naturally sits further back on that anyway, but, a Brooks B17 on a carbon Cervelo road bike? Well, that would look silly I imagine. :(</p> <p>May have to cut my losses and sell the B17, I'll wait to see what Brooks say, the may swap (with some money) for another saddle as a 'gesture'. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12043&page=2#post-142050 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 11:50:57 +0000 SRD 142050@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@roibeard you've broken your brompton??? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12043&page=2#post-142049 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 11:46:50 +0000 DaveC 142049@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hmm might be interested in the S/H saddle. ;O)</p> <p>Sorry you can't get on with it. I'd be looking at even more laid back seatposts on t'interweb. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12043&page=2#post-142025 Thu, 06 Feb 2014 23:16:05 +0000 Baldcyclist 142025@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Have contacted Brooks to see if the have an alternate product with longer rails. B17 with 4 days use may be available imminently.</p> <p>Old saddle back on bike for now, my legs, neck, and shoulders are all broken. :( </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12043&page=2#post-141729 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 12:47:23 +0000 wingpig 141729@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Although it handled fine my main bike couldn't be pushed from the saddle: as the steerer was left unchopped and the stem was a standard short one the handlebars tended to waggle at the slightest provocation. I never got round to fitting a longer stem to see if it made a difference as I'd have had to have lengthened the gear cables too.<br /> On the sparebike I had a lot of low-speed wobble after fitting the front porteur rack which completely disappeared when I changed the riser bars to flats two weeks ago. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12043&page=2#post-141726 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 12:40:07 +0000 Roibeard 141726@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Probably worth a caveat, longer stems may impact handling...</p> <p>I've discovered a flaw in my "many bikes, so if one breaks, grab another" philosophy. One has to repair the unused bikes! As a result I'm on a BSO borrowed from a friend - probably worth a post in its own right.</p> <p>It has a much longer stem than other bikes I've ridden and the handling feels quite dead - a quick Google suggests that this is a topic of quite some debate, but probably something of which you should be aware (and perhaps already are!).</p> <p>Robert </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12043&page=2#post-141722 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 12:16:33 +0000 Baldcyclist 141722@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I got a bike fit a few years ago and have to admit that I felt more comfortable on the bike instantly. I set up my commuter with the measurements from that bike fit with the exception that the commuter has a slightly shorter stem so it is a slightly less stretched position.</p> <p>Saddle height, and distance back from the BB is identical on both bikes, and it is the position relative to the BB that I can't mimic. I guess a longer stem would fix the reach issue, but not the position relative to BB issue. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12043&page=2#post-141721 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 12:12:17 +0000 kaputnik 141721@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>P.S. yes you can get seatposts with significant setback, they do them for getting a more "aero" position for TT and Triathlon racing using a regular road bike frame with clip-on bars. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12043#post-141718 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 12:00:42 +0000 DaveC 141718@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>How long have you been riding the new seat? Shoulders and arms will adjust to the new position quite soon I'd have thought? Give it a couple of weeks before forking out for more kit. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12043#post-141716 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 11:59:11 +0000 DaveC 141716@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Go for a bike fit, I hear you can spend hunners on them, and even then not get comfy. Or just buy a slighly longer stem. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12043#post-141715 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 11:53:34 +0000 kaputnik 141715@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Remember if you move your saddle to extreme back or forwards positions that you then will find your knees in relatively a different (and perhaps wrong) position to the pedals and axle. As the saddle gets more offset, the chance that this might stress your knees probably increases. It may be that rather than pushing the saddle back, lengthening the stem or otherwise repositioning the handlebars is what is required.</p> <p>Pushing the saddle up will also increase the relative distance to the handlebars.</p> <p>But yeah, it can take much fiddling around with things to get it just right and your previous comfy position might take a little while to change to your new position being the comfy one. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12043#post-141714 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 11:49:12 +0000 EddieD 141714@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Saddle adjustment can sometimes be a nightmare.</p> <p>I remember years ago on my old, and much missed, Hardrock, I'd switched tyres and saddle, and I spent ages adjusting the saddle - I always took the key with me - and one day, cycling round Harlaw it suddenly felt perfect.</p> <p>Five minutes later I found I had a slow puncture and the comfort had come from a soft rear tyre. Hey-ho. </p>