Brooks Saddles

[farrellcollie]

I am trying to decide between the B17 and B17S - The B17 seems very long - but the B17S seems way too short. DId the length take anyone time to get used to? I am concerned about my soft bits - not sit bones. ALso Team PRo S and B17S have the same dimensions - I can't figure out the difference in the two. I have my handlebars a little above my seat (getting used to roadbike slowly). I plan on ordering from Wallingford so I can return it if it doesn't work.

[nuthatch]

I started with the B17S and it was too short for me. There didn't seem to be enough variety in where I could perch because of that quicker narrowing of the saddle. I traded (good old Wallingford!) to the B17 after about three weeks and the nose doesn't seem too long at all.

The Team Pro (I have the B17 on my commuter and the Team Pro on my weekend bike now) is the same size as the B17S but it's made of thicker leather. It works fine for a more horizontal position on drop handlebars. But I've got to say, I wish it had a longer sitting area because I like to move around. The girly bits are still a bit of a problem on very long rides. Your sit bones can force the leather to shape to them but you have to get just the right position to protect those softer parts.

Be prepared to work at making this type of saddle personalize itself to your shape. Some folks love them immediately and others, like me, have had to work for miles and miles to get the leather to shape into a more comfortable form. Once, they are at that point, you don't think about the saddle anymore, no matter how long the ride is!

[stella]

I am trying to decide between the B17 and B17S - The B17 seems very long - but the B17S seems way too short. DId the length take anyone time to get used to? I am concerned about my soft bits - not sit bones. ALso Team PRo S and B17S have the same dimensions - I can't figure out the difference in the two. I have my handlebars a little above my seat (getting used to roadbike slowly). I plan on ordering from Wallingford so I can return it if it doesn't work.

I am a new brooks user, here's my experience (for what it is worth):
interestingly enough, I discovered that the mens B17 and the Team Pro S have the same width (170). I returned the B17 b/c of soft tissue pain. I am currently riding the Team Pro S and have not found the shorter length to be an issue for me. I set the saddle up according to the instructions. Monday I rode 25 miles and had no soft tissue problems.

My handlebars are about 2 inches below the saddle. From what I understand the B17 is for more upright, less time in the drops and the team pro is for folks that spend time in the drops.

[bikerchick68]

I'll keep you posted on my experience too... mine came in yesterday... will ride it this weekend for the first time...

nuthatch... I'm hoping my weight will help break it in faster! LOL... hey, it's gotta be good for SOMETHING!

as to the length, I'm already on the Butterfly and it's not real long either so... here's hoping for less soft bits pain!!! My butt is fine... but oh... those soft bits

[farrellcollie]

I rode my new b17 for 6 miles today - great except for the soft parts which are sore. The saddle was comfortable - I am going to try it for another week or so and see - if no improvement in the soft tissue I will try the S model. I thought it was very comfortable while riding -albeit slippery.

[jobob]

Just remember that a very slight adjustment of the tilt of the saddle can make a huge difference.

So if your "bits" are feeling squashed, you might want to try to tilt the nose of the saddle downward just a smidge. (Or would that be a skosh?)

[snapdragen]

just a smidge. (Or would that be a skosh?)

Or perhaps it's nooge.

[farrellcollie]

I will keep playing with it - I had it too pointed down at first and slid forward. If the soft bits get worked out - it is great. I shall move it down a tittle.