67tony 

I love the B-17, and have used them on several of my bikes. I then tried the cutout Imperial version (now called "carved"), but could not get used to it.

So, I'm planning on swapping my barely-used Imperial for a standard B-17, but I also see the "narrow" version, which is slightly longer and 24 mm narrower. Being a 5'11", 175 lb. guy...might the narrow version be too narrow for my sit-bones?
B-17: 275 x 175 x 65
B-17 Narrow: 279 x 151 x 70

I also see some Cambiums for sale, with the C-17 and C-19 dimensions given below. Is this version as comfortable as a leather B-17? Weatherproof doesn't matter much to me, as I'm more interested in comfort, and am worried the Cambium will stay too stiff too long.
Cambium C-17: 283 x 164 x 52
Cambium C-19: 275 x 184 x 57

Any experiences you may have are greatly appreciated!

Rage

I’m a little shorter and ten or fifteen pounds heavier and the b17 narrow is probably my favorite saddle. I can and do spend all day on one with no discomfort at all. Can knock out a century on one no problem.

randyjawa 

The B17 is the most comfortable Brooks saddle that I have had experience with, right out of the box...


...or broken in...


The doctors took two hours to surgically remove the B17 Narrow from, well you know where:-(


I find the Brooks Professional to be uncomfortable, just out of the box...


...but once broken in it is just fine. But not a fine as the B17...


As for the new Cambium saddles - not interested as they offer no vintage appeal to me.

Moe Zhoost

Why risk trying a different saddle. If you've been comfortable with the standard B-17 you should stick with it.

I've always liked B-17s so I figured that I'd give a C-17 All-weather a try. I found that it was comfortable out of the box, but this encouragement did not last long. It was always really nice for about 20 miles but then would get progressively less comfortable. I really tried to give it a chance, but after a few hundred miles replaced it with a B-17. I have to say that my experience may not be yours though. I've seen other positive reports. In my case, I wanted the B-17 comfort without the weather worry. Since weather is not an issue for you, I see no reason to opt for the Cambium.

Good luck

67tony 

Really good point.
I'll be on the lookout for a black B-17, either new or lightly used, while listing my lightly-used Imperial.

If my wife convinces me to join her and buy an e-bike (blasphemy!), I'd probably equip it with a B-67 or a Flyer, due to the upright position of an Aventon Pace 500.

montclairbobbyb 

I consider the B17, including the Flyer (sprung) version as the go-to Brooks model. The Flyer Special and Conquest (similar to Flyer) are my faves. But I did also have a nicely broken in Swift and currently have a nicely broken in Pro and they're ALL awesome. Really never have been disappointed with any of the Brooks leather saddles. But they need to become your own; in other words, break them in!

ascherer 

As with all things saddle, your experience will be unique to you. Height and weight may have no relationship to your sit bone width. I agree with those saying if the B17 fits...wear it. I rode a Pro Team select for a good decade before I realized it was never going to break in. I'm taller and a bit heavier but it won the war. In my 40's started to experience some numbing. Moseyed through many saddles, some better than others and ventually I settled on C17 Carved. It's pretty good and maybe a touch firmer than I'd prefer. Last year I put a B17 Flyer on my rough stuff bike and the fit is glorious, but numbness started to happen again. rhm turned it into an Imperial and I couldn't be happier. I would consider swapping the C17 Carved on my Mercian for a B17 Imperial.

VicBC_Biker

^^^^
This is important, IMO.

imabeliever1

B17, B66, B67, B72 all work great for me. Been trying the Gyes copy of the B17 and it works pretty well.
Bought a C19 to use on a touring bike with somewhat upright posture.The C19 did not work well at all.

It went on ebay

Slightspeed

I ride both standard B17 leather and C17 Cambium, and my butt can't tell the difference. They both feel good to me. Looking at the vertical surface transition of the narrow part (nose) to the horizontal seating area is a little smoother on the Cambium. Never tried a "narrow", but I have a Brooks Pro and it seems a little abrupt on the transition. I have leather B17s on 4 vintage bikes and C17s on two modern carbon bikes, for a more contemporary look, but mainly for all weather durability vs. leather. I did kill a 50 year old Campy branded B17 (narrow rails) in a 10 mile downpour. Broke my heart.

C17 on my modern Culprit.

Replacement B17 for the original one that died in the rain.

Germany_chris

If you just want to try a different saddle why not try a Berthoud?

th3realmckay

I recently put a Selle Italia Epoca saddle on my commuter and immediately fell in love. Definitely worth consideration if you want something similar to the B17. Proofide included.

67tony 

Nice-looking saddle. So much so that I just impulse-bought one off fleabay, for just under a Franklin.
I've got an near-new B-17 Imperial that I'll list for similar money, so it'll be close to a wash.

67tony 

This saddle arrived today, and looks great.
It's not light, but, I knew that, and neither is a B-17.
Very comfortable during a brief fitting ride, likely more so as it is broken in.

merziac

If it ain't broke....

New, old, special, standard, B17, Pro, Team, broken in or not, out of the box, CL and anything in between, all good.

seedsbelize 

6' 170 lbs. The B,17 standard is too wide for me. I can ride the narrow all day and all the next day.

Wildwood 

Two B-17s (both new) convinced me years ago it was too wide for me and too long a break-in period given the number of bikes in rotation.

At 70, my saddle comfort needs are changing. And I am responding.
Selle Anatomica works for me on 2 bikes. Ordered their new rubber cover saddle (R2) for a trial.

Will be trying a 'custom cutout' saddle from www.RHMsaddles.com.

Gyes with a cutout also works well on one of my bikes.