Review by Michelle Dodd, November, 2007
(updated 2008)

Pros:

  • One saddle can last you a lifetime
  • Classic, beautiful look
  • Handmade
  • Strong
  • Can be the most comfortable saddle you ever ride

Cons:

  • Sometimes there’s a break-in period like hiking boots
  • Can be uncomfortable until you get it set up (angle & fore/aft) just right
  • Must be conditioned a couple times a year, though not a big deal
  • Shouldn’t be ridden when wet

Recommendation:
Great for commuting, mountain biking, cruising, and for some people, touring

Review:
I’ve had only Brooks B17 saddles on my mountain bike and my commuting bike, which doubles as my touring bike. This is fairly uncommon for women, I think because they look hard and uncomfortable and most women go for cushy or women-specific bike seats right off the bat. I’ve been extremely happy with both Brooks saddles for mountain biking and commuting. Once you get them at the right angle they are the most comfortable saddle because they do just what you need them to do: support your sit bones. No extra gel or cushioning that will simply squish out of the way and push on other parts that need the room. They are plenty wide enough for the width of women’s sit bones (and the Brooks also comes in other wider models as well). They have a classic look that grabs attention and makes any old bike something special.

You’ll want to condition the saddle two or three times a year with Brooks Proofide or other leather conditioner and keep the saddle covered when sitting out in the rain. You can ride it in the rain, but it’s best to have a back fender that will keep water from coming up from beneath. When taken care of, these saddles can literally last a lifetime. I will continue to use my Brooks B17 saddles for commuting and mountain biking.

Selle An-Atomica Titanico Second Skin Watershed

However, I’m not sure that I’m going to keep my Brooks on my touring bike for the Southeast Asia tour. The saddle was becoming uncomfortable on the long days of the Great Divide trip, and I developed some saddle sores throughout the trip. It was always comfortable when commuting, but I never spent that much time in the saddle commuting every day. It was perfect for mountain biking, even on the longer days, but when I’m mountain biking I am up out of the saddle a lot, giving my sitting area a break fairly often. I’m also thinking that it may take a beating with the wet weather we expect in SE Asia. The saddle can get wet, but it will stretch if it is ridden while wet. I may try to find another firm alternative with cutouts or molding for women.

Update: Switched to the Selle An-Atomica Titanico for touring, still using Brooks B17 for mountain biking.

I did switch to the Selle An-Atomica Titanico saddle for my touring/commuting bike. I was so happy I made the switch for the SE Asia bike tour because it worked out so well. However, I still use the Brooks B17 on my mountain bike. I got a new Specialized Era this fall (I now ride with gears and front suspension!) and it came with what looked to be a very comfortable Specialized Arial saddle. That thing hurt my ass so bad that after a couple of rides I had ongoing pain when sitting down. I don’t know what the deal was, but I put my good old Brooks on my new mountain bike and, AHHH! What a relief! It’s so comfortable! I think the Brooks, for me, is best when ridden for day rides, just not day-after-day touring.

 

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