Alternative to Brooks B17
#1
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Alternative to Brooks B17
I have been using Brooks B17 saddles on both my road bike and my bike that’s permanently mounted on a trainer. I am happy with the Brooks saddles but always on the lookout for products that may be better, lighter, more comfortable, etc..
I realize that saddle choice is an extremely personal issue but I am wondering if there are others who were happy with their Brooks B17 but tried another saddle that they ended up liking more than their B17. I am not looking for a Brooks clone or some other leather saddle.
I realize that saddle choice is an extremely personal issue but I am wondering if there are others who were happy with their Brooks B17 but tried another saddle that they ended up liking more than their B17. I am not looking for a Brooks clone or some other leather saddle.
#2
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you could check out the Brooks Cambria line on non leather saddles.
not within what your are looking for as it is leather but i like my Berthoud even more than the brooks
not within what your are looking for as it is leather but i like my Berthoud even more than the brooks
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(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
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Brooks C17. Its the B17, but one letter more.
Seriously though, there is no break-in period, no covering it due to moisture, no pointing it nose up 20deg, etc etc. And its the same effective dimensions as a B17.
Seriously though, there is no break-in period, no covering it due to moisture, no pointing it nose up 20deg, etc etc. And its the same effective dimensions as a B17.
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Brooks Cambium
Same company, made of rubber infused cotton weave.
I ride in all conditions and apparently you aren't supposed to get leather wet or something.
I enjoy mine, they even have cutout versions.
Same company, made of rubber infused cotton weave.
I ride in all conditions and apparently you aren't supposed to get leather wet or something.
I enjoy mine, they even have cutout versions.
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#8
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I have tried alternatives to the B17, like Ideale, and a couple Japanese copies, but I didn’t like them as much. The Cambium doesn’t feel the same to me. As my grandfather used to say, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” so I stick with the B17.
#9
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I wonder if it's possible to be better than a leather saddle (I'm only familiar with Brooks).
They're not overall perfect, but once formed to your body they are a perfect fit, if in exactly one position. Can any other material conform itself to your physique ?
A perfect fit is not necessarily comfortable, that depends on other things like leather tension, the ability of your body to receive the overall shape of the saddle and the sensitivity of the body parts involved. I've found that cushioned seats are more likely to cause pinching of my now old and thinner skin which can rapidly become a lesion if not addressed immediately. The firm smoothness of leather minimizes pinching (in that one perfect position).
The problem I have with my Brooks is that after several hours I start getting sore in that one best position and there aren't any alternative positions that are comfortable. The nose and rear of the saddle are hard as rock, so a lot worse than a padded saddle if you want to move around a bit for a break. Stopping and getting off the bike for five minutes helps a lot.
They're not overall perfect, but once formed to your body they are a perfect fit, if in exactly one position. Can any other material conform itself to your physique ?
A perfect fit is not necessarily comfortable, that depends on other things like leather tension, the ability of your body to receive the overall shape of the saddle and the sensitivity of the body parts involved. I've found that cushioned seats are more likely to cause pinching of my now old and thinner skin which can rapidly become a lesion if not addressed immediately. The firm smoothness of leather minimizes pinching (in that one perfect position).
The problem I have with my Brooks is that after several hours I start getting sore in that one best position and there aren't any alternative positions that are comfortable. The nose and rear of the saddle are hard as rock, so a lot worse than a padded saddle if you want to move around a bit for a break. Stopping and getting off the bike for five minutes helps a lot.
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I have had a Brooks Cambium (C-17) for about 5 years and I am NOT happy with it. Firstly I can only get about 1-2 hours on it before the saddle becomes a ass hatchet. I tried in for a trainer saddle and that went down to a half hour. it is VERY prone to abrasion and a couple years in it started to get a "crack ?" at the front across the top where the metal support is underneath. This was on a gravel/touring bike and did get many miles off road but that doesn't excuse the poor comfort after only a couple hours. On the plus side the saddle looked great until it didn't and was thoroughly waterproof. I have 5 or 6 other saddles which are infinitely more comfortable and I just ordered a 3d printed one from China to try out.
#11
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I have had a Brooks Cambium (C-17) for about 5 years and I am NOT happy with it. Firstly I can only get about 1-2 hours on it before the saddle becomes a ass hatchet. I tried in for a trainer saddle and that went down to a half hour. it is VERY prone to abrasion and a couple years in it started to get a "crack ?" at the front across the top where the metal support is underneath. This was on a gravel/touring bike and did get many miles off road but that doesn't excuse the poor comfort after only a couple hours. On the plus side the saddle looked great until it didn't and was thoroughly waterproof. I have 5 or 6 other saddles which are infinitely more comfortable and I just ordered a 3d printed one from China to try out.
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Another vote for Selle Anatomica. I had B17’s mounted on a few of my bikes thinking they would be the holy grail of saddles but could not get them to break in to my satisfaction. SA was exactly what I wanted.
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I am glad yours worked for you as the robustness of the material would make it ideal for touring in harsh conditions on or off road.
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Rode a touring bike with a B17 until it died. First the saddle, which was replaced by another B17 and then the bike.
Currently riding a gravel bike with a Specialized Power saddle and a road bike, which used to have the same Specialized Power until it died in a crash, and which now has a Wiggle's inhouse brand saddle, the Prime Primavera (which is very similar, but lighter and possibly the design fits me slightly better).
The big cutout and fairly wide platform make for a saddle which is comfortable all day, for me. Both are slightly more comfortable than the B17 was.
Big part of saddle comfort is the overall fit of the bike, I could give myself saddle discomfort by raising it by half an inch, but I don't.
Currently riding a gravel bike with a Specialized Power saddle and a road bike, which used to have the same Specialized Power until it died in a crash, and which now has a Wiggle's inhouse brand saddle, the Prime Primavera (which is very similar, but lighter and possibly the design fits me slightly better).
The big cutout and fairly wide platform make for a saddle which is comfortable all day, for me. Both are slightly more comfortable than the B17 was.
Big part of saddle comfort is the overall fit of the bike, I could give myself saddle discomfort by raising it by half an inch, but I don't.
Last edited by Branko D; 10-09-23 at 12:25 AM.
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I tried the carved C15 on the road bike and it may be too narrow and/or maybe too flexible. Doesn’t seem as well suited. It’s just a matter of bothering to swap the C17 to the road bike and try it out, I suppose.
Otto
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Rode a touring bike with a B17 until it died. First the saddle, which was replaced by another B17 and then the bike.
Currently riding a gravel bike with a Specialized Power saddle and a road bike, which used to have the same Specialized Power until it died in a crash, and which now has a Wiggle's inhouse brand saddle, the Prime Primavera (which is very similar, but lighter and possibly the design fits me slightly better).
The big cutout and fairly wide platform make for a saddle which is comfortable all day, for me. Both are slightly more comfortable than the B17 was.
Big part of saddle comfort is the overall fit of the bike, I could give myself saddle discomfort by raising it by half an inch, but I don't.
Currently riding a gravel bike with a Specialized Power saddle and a road bike, which used to have the same Specialized Power until it died in a crash, and which now has a Wiggle's inhouse brand saddle, the Prime Primavera (which is very similar, but lighter and possibly the design fits me slightly better).
The big cutout and fairly wide platform make for a saddle which is comfortable all day, for me. Both are slightly more comfortable than the B17 was.
Big part of saddle comfort is the overall fit of the bike, I could give myself saddle discomfort by raising it by half an inch, but I don't.
#17
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Near the end of this summer I found that my Brooks saddle fit better than it ever had before, and I attributed that to my body somehow conforming itself better to the saddle after riding more than I'd done in the past. But I had also lowered it while trying out different things to increase my cadence. So it may very well be that my saddle became so much more comfortable because I had lowered it.
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My caution is creaking--all seem to make noise, usually emanating from the nose. Adjustment bolt has a plastic washer intended to stop that but it's not completely effective, in my experience. They also stretch and occasionally need tightening. Simple process with an alan wrench.
As to the Brooks comparison, while Brooks in theory eventually break-in I'm not convinced that ever happens; rather, the saddle breaks the rider in.
Ideale still exists, my long-gone Motobecane had one and their current models seem very high quality. Another domestic US maker in addition to Selle Anatomica is Rivet--their products look lovely but I have no personal experience, have just spoken with the owner.
https://rivetcycleworks.com/
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Same. Selle Anatomica saddles effectively require no break-in, out of the box, and the -2 series are competitive weightwise; the 1s are fairly heavy. I see they've leveled prices, the 1s used to be less expensive. I find both very comfortable.
My caution is creaking--all seem to make noise, usually emanating from the nose. Adjustment bolt has a plastic washer intended to stop that but it's not completely effective, in my experience. They also stretch and occasionally need tightening. Simple process with an alan wrench.
As to the Brooks comparison, while Brooks in theory eventually break-in I'm not convinced that ever happens; rather, the saddle breaks the rider in.
Ideale still exists, my long-gone Motobecane had one and their current models seem very high quality. Another domestic US maker in addition to Selle Anatomica is Rivet--their products look lovely but I have no personal experience, have just spoken with the owner.
https://rivetcycleworks.com/
My caution is creaking--all seem to make noise, usually emanating from the nose. Adjustment bolt has a plastic washer intended to stop that but it's not completely effective, in my experience. They also stretch and occasionally need tightening. Simple process with an alan wrench.
As to the Brooks comparison, while Brooks in theory eventually break-in I'm not convinced that ever happens; rather, the saddle breaks the rider in.
Ideale still exists, my long-gone Motobecane had one and their current models seem very high quality. Another domestic US maker in addition to Selle Anatomica is Rivet--their products look lovely but I have no personal experience, have just spoken with the owner.
https://rivetcycleworks.com/
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I have releathered one of my SAs, replacing the X-series leather with one for the H-series, which is theoretically less stretchy. I weighed the two skins and they were within a couple grams, so guess the middle layer is a similar, less stretchy material. Feels the same riding.
Because the 2 series use Chicago screws and not rivets, this is a user-friendly process.
My sole Brooks is still rocklike by comparison, maybe time will change that.
Because the 2 series use Chicago screws and not rivets, this is a user-friendly process.
My sole Brooks is still rocklike by comparison, maybe time will change that.
#22
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If you like a B17's shape, and looking for a synthetic, I'd look at something straightforward like this: https://www.selleitalia.com/novus-en...-tm-superflow/
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I rode the Brooks team pro saddles for many years. They were always comfortable to me, even new. I have the Cambium and will return to leather eventually.
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Got by for many years with B17 but over the last 10 or so it is Selle Anatomica by faithfully keeping the narrowest portion of the slot at the recommended 1/4".
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I have 1 B17 and 2 C17's. all three are good for at least a 100 miles before I start thinking about them. On the C17's one is the special which has the organic cotton top. I actually think that one is a little softer but not enough to really make a difference. I think it looks better. I wish they were lighter weight but 80 miles into a long ride I doubt the extra 3 or 4 ounces is making any difference.I have moved the B17 to my barely gets ridden bike but it sure feels good when I jump on it.