Aussie_Cyclist

My previous bike had a Brooks B17 and I really enjoyed that saddle and it looked good too, it was a vintage style bike. I had no problems with it at all, but my new bike is a lot more modern with Gates belt drive, hydraulic disc brakes and so on and to me the B17 just didn't cut it. It was comfortable, but to me it was a distraction to the appearance of my bike so I decided to try out the C17 All Weather Cambium. Instant love lol. When it arrived I was concerned by how hard it felt, but riding on it is a different matter. It really does flex and supports me. I'm very impressed.

Anyone else have one of the Brooks cambium saddles?

dmanthree

I tried the C17 "regular" version, and while not bad, for me the B17 was still a better choice. It's still an "all day" saddle for me.

YMMV, of course.

Moe Zhoost

I invested in a C17 all weather and it felt OK for the first hundred miles or so but never felt B17 good. On a multi-day ride last Autumn OK turned close to agony so now the C17 is on the shelf and a B17 is in its place. My butt is much happier now. Man, I really wanted that C17 saddle to work out.

I hope you have better luck. I do plan to give the C-17 another chance though

Speedway2

Was the discomfort due the the fact that the synthetic C-17 got "stiffer" with the cold weather?

KJK

I have the C17 with the cutout and love it!

mstateglfr 

I have c17 saddles on my main road bike and my gravel bike. They are the original cotton topped version that are a light gray now.
Most comfortable saddle I've ridden by far..

I just bought an all weather c17 off of Amazon. Went with the regular, but they mistakenly sent a cutout. I'll give it a try before returning if I dislike it and just get the regular one instead.

psa- Amazon has both the regular and cutout for $80 shipped. Screaming deal for a new c17.

mstateglfr 

It gets stiffer in coler weather? I havent noticed.
Admittedly, I dont ride below the mid30s.

Rolla

I have B-17s on three bikes, a Professional on one, and C-17s on the two that see the most weather. One of the C-17s has a cut-out, the other is standard; I think the cut-out has more flex, and I like it a little better. The B-17 is still my hands-down favorite, though.

Aussie_Cyclist

For sure the B17 is a great saddle, but the C17 on my bike looks so slick

bwilli88 

I have both a C17 and a C19 and both work great for me. I also have 3 Flyers and 2 professionals, and a B17 in the mail.
The C17 is on my SS 29r and the C19 is on my MTB.
The Flyers are on my Pro-Tour and my All-road and the Pro is on my Pure Fix Cleveland

I have a few other Brooks in the States on other bikes.

fishboat

I ride B17s, B17 Imperials(carved), C17 carved, and C17 std. The C17std is the least comfortable (for me). I can ride it 15-20 miles before I've had enough. I'm still trying to make adjustments and ride it as it's hard to believe it's so different from the carved C17. The C17 carved..pretty good. I do 50 mile+ day rides on it without issues. Day after day on a tour..I suspect it'll start to get less comfortable. B17 on tour(50+ a day)..it's good. B17 Imperial is the best of the bunch...for me.

Amazon has had some widely variable pricing lately..varying $20 over hours in a day. I recently picked up another C15 carved for my GF at $76. I bought a C17 carved for $77, but it never arrived..though they said it shipped, I think that never happened. They gave me a complete refund.

The Chemist

I bought a C15 a few weeks ago and I really like it. It took a bit of time to get it adjusted properly, but it's a real winner.

Not worrying about it getting wet is a nice bonus. In a word, expensive, but worth it.

veganbikes

I have at the moment I have at least 5 of them (though technically one is the carbon railed version in the similar width) all carved all comfortable to my buns. Will probably end up with more but at the moment I have enough and at the worst I can always just swap a seatpost or a saddle over to another bike if really desperate.

J.Higgins 

I use both, but prefer the B17. Actually, I prefer the professional with the larger rivets.

Moe Zhoost

No, I don't think that would be a factor. I imagine any saddle would quickly warm up to butt temperature. I'm not sure why it didn't work for me. It always felt good for the first half hour of any ride but then got gradually worse.

Aussie_Cyclist

That's the other added bonus for me as well.

Aussie_Cyclist

I'm considering trying out one with a cut out, but wondered if it's too flexible?

tcs

My Cambium C17 Cotton Natural was a small improvement over my ShelBroCo Real MANŽ️ saddle, but overall it's my least favorite. YMMV.

Rolla

To me it feels like a broken-in B17, but I don't know what your threshold for flex is.

Aussie_Cyclist

Okay, well that's interesting. I might check one out.

MattCycle

I own both a softened B17 and a C15 (narrow cambium). Both are slightly different from a standard B17 (the softened B17 has no brake in) and the C15 is narrower. After adjusting the C15 position some I've had no issues. I think the ride is still better on my B17 (or maybe my ass has PTSD) but I think the weather, humidity, and maintenance of the cambium series makes up for it. The C17 is probably slightly softer than the C15 and I imagine the cut out and C19 (wider) even more so.

Bill in VA

I have a C17 "original" with the alloy frame with steel rails in a now discontinued Rust Color (not the newer all weather type). I liked it, and was very please with its construction and quality. Unfortunately, I found my butt (sit bones) had a mileage limit with this saddle of about 35-40 miles per day. I could do multiple days UNDER that limit, but if I went over, the next day or 2 were very uncomfortable. I tried lots of tweaks with tilt, seat heights in 1mm changes, a longer stem, and did not find any improvements. After years of eyeing the Berthoud saddles, and some discussions with BF members with Berthouds, I bought a Berthoud Aspin over the winter and found that even the first mile was a large improvement. I have not yet this early in the season, and/or with winter/lock down weight gain, gotten to my 'mileage limit' of the C17 this year, but so far I am glad I switched.

I had read that the C17 was a good saddle, but that it did not 'break in' like a B17. I decided to try it and up until 35 miles have been very satisfied. I will keep if for a bit longer, but will probably sell if if the Berthoud continues to please. I think that it is possible that the narrower C15 might be better, but did not want to take a chance.