Brooks England B-17 Review
Cons: Maintenance intensive, long break-in time, heavy
Manufacturer: Brooks England
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
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Brooks England B-17 | |||||
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Price | $144.48 at Amazon | $149.95 at Amazon | $124.23 at Amazon | $104.03 at Amazon | $164.95 at REI Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score ![]() |
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Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Durable, comfortable, classic style | Lightweight, comfortable, durable | Lightweight, supportive, comfortable on long rides | Lightweight, comfortable, reasonably priced | Relieves pressure, good price, texture prevents slip |
Cons | Maintenance intensive, long break-in time, heavy | No anatomic relief channel, lacks versatility | No pressure relief channel, limited colors | Unique shape may not be for everyone | Saddle can stick, excess padding, pricey |
Bottom Line | Go old school with this durable leather saddle, but know it comes with maintenance duties | If you're a racer looking for comfortable and lightweight performance, this may be the model for you | A lightweight, comfortable bike seat great for cruising and distance riding | A uniquely shaped saddle that blends comfort with lightweight performance | Forgiving to the sitting bits, but sleek enough for racing |
Rating Categories | Brooks England B-17 | Fabric Scoop | Fizik Aliante Gamma Kium | Prologo Dimension | Terry Fly TI |
Comfort (30%) | |||||
Performance (30%) | |||||
Versatility (20%) | |||||
Durability (10%) | |||||
Weight (10%) | |||||
Specs | Brooks England B-17 | Fabric Scoop | Fizik Aliante... | Prologo Dimension | Terry Fly TI |
Dimensions | L 280 mm, W 174 mm | L 282 mm, W 142 mm | L 265 mm, W 142 mm | L 245 mm, W 143 mm | L 277 mm, W 140mm |
Weight (grams) | 537 g | 195 g | 252 g | 191 g | 236 g |
Target Use (mountain, road, etc.) | Road, Commuting, Touring | Road | Road | Road, Mountain, Cyclocross | Road |
Rail Material | Steel | Carbon fiber | Alloy | Tirox | 316 Titanium Alloy |
Seat Cover Material | Leather | Waterproof Microfiber | Synthetic | Microfiber | Leather |
Shell Material | None, Tensioned Leather | Nylon, PU foam | Nylon Carbon Reinforced with Twin Flex™ center | Light foam | Unspecified Composite |
Anatomical Cut Out or Channel | No | No | No | Yes, full cut out | Yes, cut out |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Performance Comparison
Comfort
We found the Brooks England to be comfortable, following a long break-in period. The tensioned leather takes time to break in. Once broken in, it develops a distinct sweet spot where you will always find yourself. Our testers preferred the other saddles in the test that utilize some sort of padding for most riding.
Performance
The Brooks B17 did not receive high marks for performance from our testers. Its wide tail and short nose do not allow the rider to get into a high-performance position. A longer nose would allow the rider more position options when down in the drops on a road bike. It is better suited to a more upright position, utilized by commuters and touring riders.
Versatility
The tensioned leather design does not lend itself well to many cycling disciplines such as cyclocross, road, and mountain biking. We liked the Brooks B17 on our commuters, touring bikes, and cruisers.
Durability
When properly cared for, the B-17 can be a very durable and long-lasting piece of equipment. We know riders who have had the same Brooks saddle on their daily commuter bike for many years. The tensioned leather will stand the test of time if it is treated often using Brooks Proofide, and protected from the elements.
Weight
At 570g the B-17 is not a lightweight racing saddle. But with an intended use of touring and trekking, it does not need to be. Touring saddles often compromise on weight to achieve all-day comfort.
Value
You will likely pay over $100 dollars for a B-17, and another $25 or so for the proper leather conditioning products. There are cheaper saddles, but none that offer the vintage style and design of the B-17. The B-17 is expensive but its value comes through in the long run.
Other Versions
There are many versions of the B-17, including a titanium railed version that will save you quite a bit of weight. The B-17 is also offered in a women's specific design, as well as a range of different colors.
— Nick Bruckbauer & Curtis Smith