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Brooks England B-17 Review

An all leather classic, no padding just high quality tensioned leather that gets better with time and use.
Brooks England B-17 Saddle
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Price:  $145 List | $78.63 at Amazon
Compare prices at 3 resellers
Pros:  Durable, comfortable, classic style
Cons:  Maintenance intensive, long break-in time, heavy
Manufacturer:   Brooks England
By Nick Bruckbauer & Curtis Smith  ⋅  Oct 24, 2019
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53
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#11 of 14
  • Comfort - 30% 6
  • Performance - 30% 5
  • Versatility - 20% 5
  • Durability - 10% 8
  • Weight - 10% 2

Our Verdict

The Brooks B17 is a truly a beautiful saddle. First introduced in 1898, the B17 has been in production for over 100 years. Superb craftsmanship and a vintage yet timeless design set it apart from other touring and commuting saddles. The tensioned leather evolves over time, giving each saddle a unique character. It does not offer the performance and low weight of more modern designs, but it does offer style and comfort for the more casual ride. It is not cheap and requires a bit more TLC than most, but with the proper care, it could last longer than many other components on your bike.


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Brooks England B-17 Saddle
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Brooks England B-17
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award   
Price $78.63 at Amazon
Compare at 3 sellers		$164.99 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers		$120 List
Check Price at Amazon		$87.99 at Amazon$163.95 at Amazon
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Pros Durable, comfortable, classic styleLightweight, comfortable, durableLightweight, supportive, comfortable on long ridesLightweight, comfortable, reasonably pricedRelieves pressure, good price, texture prevents slip
Cons Maintenance intensive, long break-in time, heavyNo anatomic relief channel, lacks versatilityNo pressure relief channel, limited colorsUnique shape may not be for everyoneSaddle can stick, excess padding, pricey
Bottom Line An all leather classic, no padding just high quality tensioned leather that gets better with time and use.A high-end, ultra lightweight racing saddle that blends comfort and performance.A comfortable, affordable saddle great for long-distance cruising.A high-performing saddle that provides lightweight comfort and a unique design.A sweet cut-out model with generous padding and a sleek racing design.
Rating Categories Brooks England B-17 Fabric Scoop Fizik Aliante Gamma Kium Prologo Dimension Terry Fly TI
Comfort (30%)
10
0
6
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
9
10
0
8
Performance (30%)
10
0
5
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
8
10
0
8
Versatility (20%)
10
0
5
10
0
7
10
0
9
10
0
5
10
0
8
Durability (10%)
10
0
8
10
0
8
10
0
9
10
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9
10
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6
Weight (10%)
10
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2
10
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10
10
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7
10
0
10
10
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8
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

The B-17 shines as a touring and trekking saddle. We recommend it for all-day epics, and month-long expeditions where speed and performance come secondary to enjoying the view. It is also a great commuting saddle. We found it equally comfortable on short rides wearing jeans or a pair of padded cycling shorts. If you are not the type who enjoys oiling your saddle, or if you frequently leave your bike out exposed to the elements, we recommend that you try a more maintenance-free perch such as the WTB Speed or the Selle Italia Flite Gel Flow Saddle.
Brooks B17 mounted and ready for testing.
Brooks B17 mounted and ready for testing.

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.
The Brooks B17 with included tension adjustment wrench.
The Brooks B17 with included tension adjustment wrench.

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.
At 174mm in width the B17 is one of the widest saddles we tested.
At 174mm in width the B17 is one of the widest saddles we tested.

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