Brooks B17 Standard leather saddle

The B17 is Brooks’ flagship saddle, ideal for long distance touring and ATB use. It is in the middle of the range of widths that Brooks offers, and is a good shape for people who ride with their handlebars at the same height or slightly lower than their saddle. The B17 is narrow enough that it doesn’t interfere with your legs’ pedaling motion, but wide enough to support your weight comfortably. The B17 is 280mm long, 170mm wide, and weighs 525 grams. It is available with either a black or honey (brown) leather top, and has black steel rails. The rails are a standard shape and size to work with any modern seatpost clamp.

All Brooks saddles are hand-crafted in the Midlands of England, using materials and methods that haven’t changed much since the company started in 1866. The key to the superiority of the Brooks saddle is its thick leather cover. Leather has two qualities that stand out. First, the saddle adapts to your shape. Over the first few hundred miles of riding (the break-in period) the leather molds itself to your body, so when you sit on it your weight is spread evenly across the whole saddle, not just on a few pressure points. Second, leather has pores and naturally breathes. This means that even on the hottest, stickiest days the Brooks saddle will feel much cooler than any plastic, foam and lycra seat.

Leather, being a natural material, does require a bit of care. It is wise to cover it if you expect to leave it in the rain or snow. (But then, your entire bike should be covered if left exposed to the elements.) Depending on riding conditions, you’ll want to treat the leather every 6 months to a year to keep it supple. Brooks makes Proofhide Saddle Dressing just for that purpose. Do just this minimum of maintenance, and your Brooks saddle will last for years and years.

There is no single saddle that is perfect for every body. While Brooks saddles with their ability to mold to your shape fit a bigger range of people than most saddles, not everyone likes them. We have found that most people who try Brooks saddles and reject them have given up way too soon, long before the saddle has had a chance to conform to their body and become truly comfortable. So when you buy a Brooks saddle, give it a chance. Expect it to feel hard at first, give it time, and remember that over time it will become the most comfortable (and quite possibly the last) saddle you’ll ever own.