kroozer 

I always assumed the Professional was Brooks' top model and the B-17 and others were lower models due to their thinner leather. The B-17 has a big reputation among touring cyclists, but I have met a few who have worn out their B-17's relatively quickly (after intense use of course). Compared to this, the Pro seems to last forever. I am still riding my first Pro, 47 years now. I know the B-17 is a icon, that has been in production longer than just about any other cycling component. But why would you buy a B-17 when for just a bit more money you can get a Professional? I've never had a B-17, so asking out of curiosity.

JulesCW 

The shape is different -- the B17 is a bit wider in the back, and so fits and feels different. Which feels better depends upon the particular posterior of the rider. Many who are not spending a lot of time on the drops prefer the B17 shape, but YMMV.

The leather on Pros was typically thicker and supposed to be cut from even more premium hides, but your 47+ year old Brooks Pro is likely a very different leather than a modern era Brooks of any type.

fender1

I find the Pro model uncomfortable. I have had over a dozen to try as I flipped a number of vintage bikes over the years.

I like the B17 Champion Special. When they start to sag, I punch a few holes in either side and lace them up to reduce the sag. Never going to use a Pro. B17 for life!

Had this one since 2006 and it has thousands and thousands of miles on it.

fender1

I also have a B17 Select, which was made with leather almost 5mm thick, if I am remembering it right.

You'll notice that this one has not been laced because it has not sagged after many miles. They don't make these anymore unfortunately.

ehcoplex 

I had thought the Pro was discontinued, but apparently not...! B-17 is cheaper, and I've been fine with them. Depending on how you tote stuff around on your bike, the bag-loops can be handy. My '72 PX-10 came with the original Brooks Pro- I tried it for a bit and didn't really like it, so I put one of my B-17 saddles on. But I really liked the way the Pro looked.... It kept 'calling' to me from on the shelf, so last season I decided to give it another try. Now I have to say I prefer the Pro.. Enough so that I've kept my eye out for a deal on another (which I have yet to find), but in the meantime the B-17 saddles are fine on the other bikes..

TiHabanero

Brooks and the butt make an odd couple. First road bike saddle was a B15N, was comfortable enough to ride it for many years. The Pro model was discovered and I liked the fact that it didn't sag, but stayed true to its shape over time. Then the Sella Italia Turbo was introduced and it is what I have ridden since 1986. My butt no longer likes any Brooks saddle due to the rivets. Always seem to be riding on the rivets, which never happened before I got the Turbo saddle.
The best looking saddles are Brooks, no question about it. I still ride my 79 Raleigh Pro with its original Brooks Pro saddle, and it is ok for a short while. It is a sweet looking saddle!

nlerner

B17 typically has bag loops; Pro does not. That makes the B17 the preferred saddle for hauling your Carradice bag.

merziac

I freely admit that I don't ride far or hard enough most of the time.

I probably have 20, including several sprung ones that are mostly good too.

That being said I do ride quite a bit and never met a Brooks I didn't like, Pro, B17, Special, big, small rivets, new, old, broken in and not, etc.

Most C+V up to about to 75 is not correct without one IMHO.

Wish the B17 standards still came with chrome rails, haven't bought a new one since they don't anymore.

ehcoplex 

Agree- and now some of the sprung ones have a combination of chrome springs AND black rails, which is particularly unattractive (to me, at least)..

seedsbelize2

I have had a Pro for years, and have never gotten comfortable on it. B17 is too wide for comfort. I like the B17 narrow, but am currently riding a Selle Anatomica.

merziac

Also agreed, however black springs would be another multitude uglier so......

And to be fair the black could be stripped off to a certain degree then either polished a bit or just treated to not rust and would likely be a great look either way, maybe.

52telecaster

B17s work well for my upright style and flyers with black rails and springs look fine in my book. Bag loops are a must!

Whit51 

I use both and I like the Pro best. It just works for me. Seems less slippery than the B17. I like a dead flat saddle alignment with no tilt and sometimes I have trouble setting up a B17 this way. But I think nothing is more vintage cool than a B-17 and Suntour Barcons on a lugged sports tourer.

52telecaster

That's my jam man

Bad Lag

WAH HOO!

Brooks Pro is back in production, boys! So is the B-17 Special.

I am very happy I clicked on this thread.

retlaw53 

Thank you. I've been on the fence as to which Brooks to purchase and you've validated my decision to go with the B17

The Golden Boy 

What's the verdict on that TC Electronics tuner?

I've heard lots of people love 'em (and I see lots of people with 'em). Tonight, I asked one of the guitar players in my band- he said he wished he had his old Boss TU-2 back.

52telecaster

I use cheap clip ons.

fender1

Ha! I bought it used like 7 years ago and it works well. At the end of the day it is a tuner and it does that pretty well. There are probably other things that it does that I am unaware of but that is not unusual for me with most modern, music tech stuff...

ollo_ollo

I like both B17 and Pro saddles and have these adapters on one Team Pro. Works for me, however bag does hang lower, so could be a problem on small frame bikes. Don't have a picture and bike is 2,700 miles away in Oregon, but here's link to 1 on eBAy: https://www.ebay.com/itm/36387312458...Bk9SR4zWnfrWYQ

ollo_ollo

Should have added that I didn't pay $45, found mine cheap at a swap meet and have seen them since from time to time. Don

ehcoplex 

Holy moly, $45!? Here are some from Velo Orange for considerably less (especially as they're having a 30%-off sale at the moment...)

52telecaster

I have a set of the VO ones and the work very well.

ollo_ollo

Swap meets are still potentially cheaper, but V.O. is reliable, buy stuff from them frequently