Quote Originally Posted by trickycoolj View Post
I'm a little stunned that I just dropped this much cash on a saddle, but it's a small price for happy lady bits and preventing any long term damage right?? Pulled the trigger on a B17 Imperial from WallBike after some advice from Bill via email today. My sit bones measure 135 center and 180 outside in an upright position and 170 outside leaning forward. I was torn between the B68 and B17 Imperial but he suggested that I try the B17 with my riding position and goal of training for the 2013 STP. The guarantee should make it nice and easy to exchange for the B68 if I do need the extra width after all, though the Imperial is not in stock at the moment so I'm crossing my fingers that the B17 Imperial will be a winner! I recall maybe in the 2 hour blur it took to read this thread some folks went from cut out seats to the non-cut out Brooks' just fine so I won't worry about the B68 Imperial not being in stock... yet.

Now... is it here yet??
I have almost your same measurements and was torn between those same two saddles. Bill at Wallbike says he doesn't use sit bone measurements and usually recommends the B17 if you have seat level with or above the bars. I ordered mine in mandarin orange and slapped it on the Trek 7.6 FX I own. I have 7 miles on it, so way too soon to see the sit bone indents, but I discovered a way to cheat a bit. I reached under the saddle while pedaling and can feel my sit bones pushing through the leather. It seems they are very, very close to the cantle, possibly a teeny bit on top of it, but I have no idea if it will be problematic. I went ahead and ordered the B68 today so I can see and compare. I just cannot rest until I can know I'm getting the right saddle after spending this much money.

At any rate, one thing I just cannot make sense of is that this B17 is supposed to be Brooks' flagship model, and articles all over the Internet say most people should be able to use it. That said, I have read posts from many ladies here on this forum who have found it too narrow. I wonder if other people out there are just riding with sit bones on the cantle and never knowing/caring about it? Is it possible that it doesn't matter if one sits on the cantle? Not trying to be controversial, just can't seem to find a definitive answer...