How long to give a new Brooks B17
10-05-18, 11:39 AM
#1
Eric C.
Thread Starter
How long to give a new Brooks B17
I have an electric bike that I'm riding more now (commute is 10 miles one way) but the saddle was uncomfortable. I bought a Brooks B17 Imperial (cut-out) and I've ridden it three or four commutes now. It's really uncomfortable on the left side, like it feels like a nerve being pinched. I found if I put the saddle level I was sliding forward, so I have the nose up at the moment. That puts me in a stable position, but I'm left wondering if perhaps it's uncomfortable because maybe I'm sitting on part of the rail? How long should I break in a Brooks before I know it's not going to work for me?
10-05-18, 12:05 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,901
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2604 Post(s)
Liked 1,928 Times
in
1,210 Posts
To answer the direct question, the B-17s that I've put on were never UNcomfortable, but they became more comfortable after 500-1,000 miles.
The asymmetry would concern me. It's possible there's a problem with the saddle, or it may be the rider. :/ I would wonder about a leg length mismatch (that might be corrected with shims), or possibly, if you're using clipless pedals, one cleat is further forward than the cleat on the other shoe.
The asymmetry would concern me. It's possible there's a problem with the saddle, or it may be the rider. :/ I would wonder about a leg length mismatch (that might be corrected with shims), or possibly, if you're using clipless pedals, one cleat is further forward than the cleat on the other shoe.
10-05-18, 12:27 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts
hmmm, errr, mine (B17 regular) was good for me me right out of the box
10-05-18, 01:31 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 2,249
Bikes: 1964 Legnano Roma Olympiade, 1973 Raleigh Super Course, 1978 Raleigh Super Course, 1978 Peugeot PR10, 2002 Specialized Allez, 2007 Specialized Roubaix, 2013 Culprit Croz Blade
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 741 Post(s)
Liked 818 Times
in
421 Posts
I have 2 B17s and a Brooks Professional. Never had a comfort issue with either of them. Proper padded bike shorts help for any saddle, if you aren't already using them. I ride mine pretty much dead level. Moving it fore and aft along the rails might help to get it dialed in. I've gotten two from Ebay from people who didn't like them, so maybe they are not for everybody, but they work for me. I've been using them since 1964. None of mine have the center cut outs.
Last edited by Slightspeed; 10-05-18 at 04:27 PM.
10-05-18, 03:45 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Iowa
Posts: 239
Bikes: Fuji Gran Fondo 2.1 and Scott Sportster P45
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 81 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
" The nose up at the moment" How much is up? If you keep sliding forward on the saddle I'm guessing either the saddle is at the wrong height or you need to adjust it forward.
10-05-18, 11:13 PM
#6
Eric C.
Thread Starter
10-05-18, 11:44 PM
#7
tcarl
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: St. Louis, MO
Posts: 561
Bikes: Roark, Waterford 1100, 1987 Schwinn Paramount, Nishiki Professional, Bottecchia, 2 Scattantes, 3 Cannondale touring bikes, mtn. bike, cyclocross, hybrid, 1940's era Schwinn
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 27 Post(s)
Liked 9 Times
in
7 Posts
That doesn't look "nose up" to me. That's about how all my leather saddles are.
10-06-18, 01:06 AM
#8
Senior Member
My B-17 was instantly better than the oem it replaced. Somewhere around mile 400, it simply became unnoticeable, which is about the best you can say about a saddle.
__________________
Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
10-06-18, 05:11 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 162
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 82 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
10-06-18, 05:12 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Michigan
Posts: 166
Bikes: Volkscycle, Trek Fx3, Specialized Hard Rock
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 33 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
10-06-18, 05:45 AM
#11
For The Fun of It
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Louisissippi Coast
Posts: 5,851
Bikes: Lynskey GR300, Lynskey Backroad, Litespeed T6, Lynskey MT29, Burley Duet
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2135 Post(s)
Liked 1,646 Times
in
828 Posts
I doubt that saddle will ever be comfortable for you. I experience the same frustration. It's a bummer when the holy grail of saddle comfort finds us squirming on short rides. If I were you I'd consider an ISM comfort saddle.
10-06-18, 11:13 AM
#12
Banned
not a good fit?
Other possibilities bars to far away and too low, ..
Need a gel comfort saddle instead, ?
Need a gel comfort saddle instead, ?
10-06-18, 12:42 PM
#13
Senior Member
A couple of things. I've used Brooks saddles exclusively since the 1970s- admitting however I fell out of cycling in the 90s and back early 2000s on and off. Mostly off but I'm back baby! Anyway, there are those that say take a 'level' and put it on your seat. Usually there's a sag in the middle but the back and nose rest against the level. This usually results in a saddle that looks like the nose is high, but your butt is centered in the saddle. There are those that say soak your saddle in Neatsfoot Oil to soften and help contour the saddle. Some say that is the worst you can do. The middle ground may not be a bad idea. Wipe Neats on top and bottom a few times- versus soaking. It does darken the leather, but does soften it some. Don't over-do and you may find it helps. A little then stop. A little then stop. Off-center- maybe a little more oil on one side than the other. Or, hand massage the seat HARD! Seriously, push, massage, PUSH OH YEAH! DON'T STOP! I'm now thinking of an uncensored Family Guy video forgive me:
IF YOU WATCH IT'S NOT MY FAULT! DON'T DON'T WATCH!
Bartender!
Bartender!
Last edited by xetaprime; 10-06-18 at 12:56 PM.
10-06-18, 02:16 PM
#15
Senior Member
Most Brooks I've had over the years were comfortable right out of the box but were hard like wood. That's where the break-in period comes in to play. If that Brooks is not comfortable riding now it may never be comfortable. Just FYI.
If you don't peddle a lot, as on an eBike, I would think that it might take longer to break-in? I don't know for sure. I think the act of peddling is what messages and moves the leather. Just sitting on it may take longer. You should start to notice a difference after 300 miles or so...I would think....
If you don't peddle a lot, as on an eBike, I would think that it might take longer to break-in? I don't know for sure. I think the act of peddling is what messages and moves the leather. Just sitting on it may take longer. You should start to notice a difference after 300 miles or so...I would think....
10-06-18, 02:29 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,094
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1034 Post(s)
Liked 1,290 Times
in
743 Posts
I have an electric bike that I'm riding more now (commute is 10 miles one way) but the saddle was uncomfortable. I bought a Brooks B17 Imperial (cut-out) and I've ridden it three or four commutes now. It's really uncomfortable on the left side, like it feels like a nerve being pinched. I found if I put the saddle level I was sliding forward, so I have the nose up at the moment. That puts me in a stable position, but I'm left wondering if perhaps it's uncomfortable because maybe I'm sitting on part of the rail? How long should I break in a Brooks before I know it's not going to work for me?
You also have a lot of drop. You may or may not be able to get the seat to work, but you specific problem doesn't really sound drop related.
Go through the steps on Hogg's site for setting seat setback and height. It should help. https://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/bikefit/2011/02/seat-height-how-hard-can-it-be/
https://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com...d-can-it-be-2/
10-06-18, 02:39 PM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 523
Bikes: Trek Domane, Surly Disc Trucker
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 170 Post(s)
Liked 103 Times
in
68 Posts
As others have experienced, my B17s felt comfortable for me right out of the box. I have two, one on my road bike and the other on my touring/gravel bike.
10-06-18, 03:21 PM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Central Indiana
Posts: 2,159
Mentioned: 27 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 912 Post(s)
Liked 515 Times
in
344 Posts
My B17 remained hard as a rock after 9 years. I would often complain about my saddle to other cyclists and to bike store employees, and was often told to keep at it, and one day the saddle would break in and I would experience saddle nirvana. Sadly, that day never came, and when I finally got rid of my saddle after 9 years, I reckoned that that magical day would come the same day that Elvis astride a pink unicorn would fly out of my ass.
10-06-18, 03:25 PM
#20
Occam's Rotor
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,248
Mentioned: 61 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2366 Post(s)
Liked 2,331 Times
in
1,164 Posts
Lower the saddle a wee bit before doing anything drastic.
10-06-18, 03:26 PM
#21
Occam's Rotor
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,248
Mentioned: 61 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2366 Post(s)
Liked 2,331 Times
in
1,164 Posts
10-06-18, 04:03 PM
#22
Eric C.
Thread Starter
What seat did it replace and how high was it off the rails? If you simply replaced the seat without adjusting the height, it may be too high. The B17 is not very forgiving with respect to a too high seat height. I had issues, similar to yours, and it was too high. I too slid forward, and had pain. Later, as the dimples appeared, they were off center, showing I was dropping one leg to compensate. I have since lowered the seat, using Steve Hogg's methods, and I now can run the seat with the nose almost level, and i do not slide forward at all, I am stable. I have zero pain, and the dimples have now reformed where they should be.
You also have a lot of drop. You may or may not be able to get the seat to work, but you specific problem doesn't really sound drop related.
You also have a lot of drop. You may or may not be able to get the seat to work, but you specific problem doesn't really sound drop related.
I'm 6'5". So it may look like a lot of drop, but I'm actually fairly upright.
I'll re-do some of the fitting with the suggested site. Thanks again.
10-06-18, 04:06 PM
#23
Occam's Rotor
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,248
Mentioned: 61 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2366 Post(s)
Liked 2,331 Times
in
1,164 Posts
I had to lower mine a bit more than I would with other saddles, or one side (corresponding to a very slightly shorter leg) hurts.
10-07-18, 04:09 AM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Milwaukee
Posts: 597
Bikes: Fred cycles
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 34 Post(s)
Liked 18 Times
in
16 Posts
I bought my Brooks B17 mail-order from a place in North Dakota or somewhere. It was a tad cheaper than from other better-known outlets. Took me a while to realize it was crooked. When the back part is centered, the nose points off to the right by 5 or 10 degrees. I find that centering the back with the nose pointed off to the right is comfortable. Nose appears quite high relative to the back. I have done 50-plus mile rides on this & have no complaints about the saddle. Before setting the nose off to the right and pointing it high, long rides caused horrible hip pain on one side.
10-07-18, 10:53 AM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Bay Area CA
Posts: 66
Bikes: 2011 Rivendell Sam Hillborne, 2016 Brompton M6R, 2017 Ritchey Timberwolf
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I’ve had great luck with B17s but had to shift to a sprung Flyer Special when I ride in a more upright position. I found that the more upright I was, the less comfortable my old B17 was. The Flyer provided just enough spring (not much mind you) to dampen vibration and comfort the upright riding style. They do make a Flyer Imperial but it only comes in black.
John
John