Brooks b17

If you aren't in too much of a hurry, you could keep checking the cyclinguk forum For sale posts. There seems to be a steady supply of slightly used brookes saddles, I guess bought by people who have been told to put them on their touring bikes, and not got on with them.

My b17 narrow cost £45 as  good as new from there.

Thanks!

I'm not fussy about it being new.

What colour are you after @tall_martin

On this subject - how do the B17 or B15 cambium saddles compare to leather versions?

@bigblackshed

Black ideally, but any colour is fine.

I tried a c17. For a month. I hated it. Thought it would be the same as the b17 with less waxing and it was not. Just wasn't comfy for me at all. The top was rounded where as on the leather saddles my sit bones put into the leather

Not sure Matt, never had a cambium

Anyone seen a brooks b17 cheaper than £90?

No. And if you're buying from Mr Pocklington you are buying from an industry legend.

I own three B17s. That's quite an investment at current prices !

Never owned a  Cambium saddle. I suspect they lack the natural hammock feel of a B17

@tall_martin

I have a used B17 that has been sitting in the garage for ages.

It's free if you want it see photos

@bruce that would be awesome if you are sure, Thank you!

@StirlingCrispin I bought a flyer about 5 years ago. That was a load less than £90 even with added springs

or MTFU and buy a Spa Nidd saddle, and see if you are tough enough to break it in..........    ;o)

I've used a B17 for a fair while and liked it on my old hybridised Rockhopper and touring bike but found it less comfortable on a road bike with a lower front end. It is now on my Birdy folder and comfortable on that.
I've just started using a Cambium C17 carved on my rigid Sonder Frontier. I've not done many rides yet (126k on Strava) and I'd say it is slightly hard but kind of sits in the same places as the B17 if that makes sense. I'm just getting back into regular riding after COVID enforced reduced exercise so I'd say C17 is fine if you don't usually ride a very padded saddle. Brooks recommend a C17 for more upright bikes and C15 for lower or more stretched out. All b shape dependant obviously.

or MTFU and buy a Spa Nidd saddle, and see if you are tough enough to break it in………. ;o)

I'll stick with what has worked in the past 😉

buy a Spa Nidd saddle, and see if you are tough enough to break it in

I have one sitting unused.

Free to good home.

Came on a Surly Disctrucker. Looked at it - thought ooft! - and fitted a B17.

wise move mate........ wish i had

@StirlingCrispin

message you re the spa saddle.

I used to love my B17, but then it started squeaking. Then SQUEAKING.

I had to take it off and replace it with something less comfy but that didn’t turn the heads of passing pedestrians.

Both my brooks flyers squeak. My solution is grease on the threaded rod and springs

I've tried grease, I've tried leather oil, I've tried repositioning the saddle ...

The only thing that has helped even a little is putting rubber (from an old tube) in places where the frame and the leather make contact. that kind of worked, but I couldn't find a way of keeping it in place, so last time it fell out I just switched saddles.
I might give it another go sometime, or I might make a Picasso-style bull's head out of it when I next have time on my hands.