The B17 Brooks touring saddle is the first choice of bicycle touring saddle for many long distance cyclists. After using a Brooks saddle for touring over thousands of miles myself, here’s why I think it’s the best bike saddle for long rides.
Choosing a bicycle touring saddle
I didn’t always use a Brooks B17 saddle. Back when I first started bike touring, I pretty much just went on tour with whatever bike seat came with the bike.
As a lot of the bikes I used in the beginning were super-cheap, you can imagine how (not!) comfortable those saddles were!
In fact, it took me a while to develop a mindset where I was willing to invest in good quality bike touring gear. As such, I didn’t get my first Brooks touring saddle until after I’d already completed two epic long distance bike tours.
Those were cycling from England to South Africa (12 months), and Cycling from Alaska to Argentina (18 months).
I should have used a Brooks B17!
Man, if only I’d used a Brooks touring saddle on those trips! I still remember the pain of spending more than four hours in the saddle when cycling through Africa. I even took to buying a new saddle every few thousand kilometres.
Strangely though, the 10 dollar bike saddles I picked up in countries like Tanzania and Malawi just never seemed to get any more comfortable!
Brooks England B17 Black, Supremely Comfortable Leather Bike Saddle
✓ Manufactured according to centuries old standards, beautifully designed and perfectly formed to the anatomy of the rider for premium comfort
✓ Firm leather construction is easily broken-in over time and distance to give you a truly customized feel
✓ Invisible pores in the leather provide natural ventilation, and will keep you cool even on the hottest days
✓ Chromoly frame, stainless steel rivets and black steel rails for strength and durability
✓ Seat bag loop in back accommodates a traditional, English-style touring
Also available in your local Amazon store. We may earn a commission from purchases you make after clicking links on this site
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on: 2024-12-02 19:30:08
So, why didn’t I just get a Brooks saddle in the first place?
Well, I made these classic mistakes.
Bicycle Touring Saddle mistake number 1
The bike I have just bought came with a saddle, why should I buy another one? – Stupid, stupid, stupid. It's a rare day that any bicycle will come with a saddle suitable for bicycle touring.
Sure, it might be fine for commuting to work and back, or weekend rides of a few hours. Day after day of 8 hour cycling though? Nah.
Touring Bike Saddle mistake number 2
I need a gel seat because they are more comfortable. – Again, this is a big nahh. They might be nice and soft for an hour or so, but that's about it. Add into that chafing issues, and they soon lose their appeal as a bicycle touring saddle.
Bicycle Saddle mistake number 3
My bike came with a saddle, and I put a gel seat on it. It's not comfortable, but I am sure I will get used to it. – Even now, I look back on myself and shake my head!
Don't get me wrong, I put up with it for month after month. There is a big difference from enduring something and being comfortable though!
So, enough of the mistakes with my other saddles. It was time to invest some money in a Brooks B17 saddle, and see if it really was the best touring saddle on the market.
Which Brooks saddle for touring?
Hold on though, Brooks seem to do all sorts of bike touring saddles! Not only does the B17 range have different variations, but there’s also the Cambium C17 seat as well. Which is the best Brooks saddle for touring?
The Brooks B17 Family
As far as I can work out, these are the following leather saddles in the Brooks B17 range:
- Brooks B17 Standard
- Brooks B17 S Standard
- Brooks B17 Special
- Brooks B17 Special Titanium
- Brooks B17 S Imperial
- Brooks B17 Imperial
That's a lot of Brooks models. They don’t make it easy, do they!!
Brooks B17 Standard Leather Bicycle Saddle
I took the basic option, which is the Brooks B17 standard saddle. I daresay there are subtle differences, and that the best Brooks saddle for touring differs between people. For example, the Imperial range features a cut-out which some guys find more comfortable.
The standard B17 leather saddle seemed good enough for me, and comes in 6 different colours. I actually now own two Brooks saddles, and have one honey coloured, and one plain black. The honey coloured leather bike touring saddle is probably my favourite.
Hold on, a leather bicycle saddle?
I know. In an age where modern materials are being developed on a regular basis to increase efficiency, cut down weight, and improve comfort, a leather saddle for bicycle touring seems a bit of an anachronism.
Take my word for it though, the B-17 is super-comfortable once you have gone past the break-in-period! Quite simply, they are the best touring bike saddle around.
Note: If you are looking for a non-leather seat, check out the Brooks C17 from their Cambium range.
Breaking in a leather bike touring saddle
Firstly, the so called “breaking in period” sounds worse than it is! During that time, the saddle isn't painful to sit on or anything. It's just not as comfortable as it will be later on.
What happens during this period, is the seat starts to mould itself to the shape of your butt. As it does so, it becomes more and more comfortable.
Funny story here – My two Brooks B17 saddles look totally different where they have shaped themselves to my backside, but they are equally comfortable!
How long does breaking in a saddle take?
The break-in time seems to vary from person to person. I didn’t have difficulties with either of my Brooks saddles, and was able to get bike touring pretty quickly.
Other people have mentioned it might take several hundred miles for the B17 saddle to get truly comfortable.
Observation: You'll find instructions on how to break in the Brooks leather saddle when you buy one. Don't listen to the weird and wonderful methods some people describe online – follow the Brooks England advice!
Saddle Maintenance
Leather does need taking care of, and the Brooks saddle is no different. Applying some Brooks Proofide from time to time is hardly a problem. Neither is tightening the saddle if needed.
One thing that I would suggest, is that when bicycle touring, cover the saddle with a bag at night. There is no need to expose it to the rain more than necessary. The same can also be said of keeping it out of direct sunlight for long periods of time.
As you might expect, you'll find solutions to the most common scenarios within the Brooks products range.
Steel Rails
Another key feature of the B17 saddle is the steel rails which provide a sturdy frame. On some models from Brooks, you can also have saddles with springs.
Brooks Saddle Review
I’ve been using Brooks saddles for about 5 years now. During this time, I’ve taken them on thousands of miles of bike touring, including cycling from Greece to England.
Even during the longest days of 8 or 9 hours cycling, I’ve never had a problem. They remain the most comfortable saddle throughout. Even better, they are still in great condition.
There is no material wear or tear on either leather bicycle saddle, and all the copper rivets are still in place. They've lasted a long time, and look and feel like they will last for years more.
All in all, I find the B-17 to be a great saddle, and one I would continue to buy in the future if I ever add another bicycle to my collection!
Should you buy a Brooks saddle?
Of course, it’s totally up to you. I know for some people (and I was one of those), the idea of spending a hundred pounds / hundred and fifty dollars on a flagship model saddle seems a bit steep! Especially when you can get other seats at a fraction of the price.
After owning and using them myself as a rider though, I would say that it’s better to think of buying a Brooks saddle as an investment rather than an expense.
Not only are you saving yourself some butt ache, but you’ll also only ever need to buy one to literally last you a lifetime.
I honestly believe a Brooks is the best bicycle saddle for touring, but you need to try it and see for yourself. The choice, as they say, is yours!
Brooks Saddles FAQ
These are some of the most commonly asked questions readers have about using the Brooks England saddles for touring trekking:
Are Brooks saddles really that comfortable?
The Brooks brand range of leather seats are comfortable because they offer fewer points of friction when compared with gel pads.
How long does it take to break in a Brooks saddle?
Most riders say that it take less than a few hundred kilometres for the Brooks to start feeling more comfortable.
How do I know which Brooks saddle to buy?
Brooks offer a range of saddles, any version of which could be suitable for you. The most famous is the B17, but there is also the Cambium C17, B67, and others.
Are Brooks saddles good for road bikes?
They can be good for road bikes, but perhaps not for cyclists who are looking to maximize weight gains wherever they can. There are definitely lighter saddles available!
Pin this Brooks Touring Saddle post for later
I hope you found this article on the Brooks bike touring saddle useful. Please feel free to pin and share the post. If you have any questions you’d like answering regarding the Brooks saddles or would like to contribute your thoughts on the subject, please leave a comment below.
You might also want to read:
- The best bicycle saddles for long distance cycling
- Best Panniers for Bike Tours
- Rear Bike Racks for Pannier Bags
- Best bike touring shoes
Hey folks,
Seat comfort is holding me back from riding more. A gent I met today suggested Brooks seats, but that I had to measure the width of my sit bones and match a seat to them.
Any words of wisdom on this step? Thank you!
I owned a Brooks B17 a long time ago (longer than I care to remember). Now, coming back to cycling after family, cars etc, a B17 is on my list. However, it will be a pre-loved one for 2 main reasons: cost, a new one is outside of my budget. The second reason is bizarre, I live in England (actually not far from where they are made) BUT…..Brooks is now owned by Selle of Italy and although they are made in England they are then shipped to Italy from where they are distributed worldwide, including to England! Thanks to Brexit, Selle are not currently shipping to the UK!
Dumb or what?
I just got a Brooks flyer (like b17 but with springs like the b67) aged leather saddle on Amazon for £92. Not much use yet cos of weather but fitted on my Brompton 2011 that I just got and which has a new Swytch e conversion kit coming in N year
To put it simply, Brooks saddles are the Rolls Royce of saddle makers. They are the best in the world and I’m proud to say British! I’ve been riding about on one or other for more than twenty years. My favourite saddle was lost when some a**hole stole my bike. It was super comfortable and had only recently changed the springs after one snapped. Maybe it’s time to lose a few pounds. I bought another bike and the first thing I put on it was a Champion Flyer. I’m pushing sixty now and flying is a thing of the past but my bum still appreciates sitting on a Brooks.
Thanks Chris for your views. I do appreciate your comments. I did end up buying a B17 Standard. What a difference! I noticed an increase in comfort immediately ( replaced a Selle Royal Prestige – a nice saddle but not great for me.) I wasn’t expecting this after reading so many reviews stressing break-in before judgement. Just got back from a 20 km ride and I’m very pleased. If it only gets better, and that seems to be the consensus, awesome!
Hi Dave,
I’m 68 yrs old. New to cycling. Plan to ride often but not long distances. Bike is a hybrid 650B wheel set 47″ WTB tires. I’m seriously thinking of buying a Brooks B17 leather saddle. Does this make sense for a non-long distance cyclist? My brother says it feels like a rock. Lol. But I do understand the need to be patient and break the saddle in.
Hi Tom,
It’s going to come down to preference, but I think it’s fine to use them for non-long distance. The only things is it might take a little longer to wear in is all.
In fact, when I got my first Brooks, I really only used it when cycling to work and back – just a few miles a day. I didn’t really feel like it was too hard – when wearing padded inner-shorts.
Tom,
I am going to dissent a little from Dave’s opinion here. Both myself and my father have used brooks saddles previously and we are no longer such great fans of them. We are both heavy cyclists and he has broken saddle rails on two brooks, and we were only able to get them to replace one of them. Mine has stretched and is no longer usable. They were supremely comfortable once you do wear them in, and indeed for long rides are therefore ideal.
Specifically I would add a caution about using them for frequent short rides however. My concern would be that frequent short rides would mean the time you spend looking after the saddle is excessive per riding hour. When stepping off the bike it’s best to cover the saddle so it doesn’t get wet, you should also ensure it’s dry before sitting on it, and you need to be religious about applying proofide in wet conditions. Using mine for commuting in wet conditions is how it stretched and became unusable. I would buy their waterproof cambium alternative but I’m unimpressed that these don’t have the same guarantee as their leather ones.
Having said that, if you only plan to ride in dry conditions and so it might just get a little damp occasionally when you get caught in some drizzle, this will not be a problem and you should buy one.
Hello, I have three at the moment one on each bike. My Pashley Sovereign , came with a B33, wide and very comfortable I proofide it often underneath and it took about 9 months to become very comfy every time I check the tension screw but just take out the slack sag.
Then I got a Flyer and an sp12 parallelogram seat tube on a hydro formed aluminium bum spanker. Great immediately. Now next and the hardest to bed in is my B135, double spring. It’s getting there but after 16 months it still needs a bit more. That’s on my MailStar. My favourite is the B33, but I am building an enduro type bike and am thinking of getting a rubber Cacovered seat, though I unsure which model. I’ve tried gel and Chinese leather equivalents .
Despite all considerations I will always have a bike with a Brooks, seat. After all any thing else is pure sacrilege Especially if like me your English.