Brooks England Men's B17 Saddle

Product Information

On the standard range of B17 saddles chrome plated rails were also offered as an option for the first time. I am concentrating on repairing hub gears and can be contacted by anyone who has hub gears that need attention.

On the Flyweight models a wire loop was added where the saddle rails met the cantleplate – this was soon adopted on the other models. In line with Brooks' current policy of looking through the back catalogue for items that might please the contemporary audience, the concept and design of the Imperial date from around 1890, making it possibly the first-ever cycle saddle manufactured with a large hole in the middle to relieve 'perineal pressure'.Finished with black steel rails and machined steel rivets, the B17 Softened is a comfortable bike seat for those who want to avoid a lengthy break-in period. Leather saddles mould to fit the rider’s shape and the polished leather has just the right amount of friction for the rider to sit on. It’s not just about reaching your destination but appreciating the journey and wanting to do it repeatedly; our Brooks Male Saddle will make you want to hop on your Brompton day in, day out.

In 1954/5 the badge was changed to a parallelogram shape with Brooks in the centre and the model name at the bottom. It had made a brief appearance in the 1910 catalogue but it does not appear to become established in the range before the 1920s. Our leather saddles come in different shapes and styles depending on what kind of bike or riding position. This model later evolved into the Special before disappearing from the catalogues just before the announcement of the B17 Competition at the November 1954 London Cycle Show.Our Brooks Female Saddle B17 S has a stylish and modern look with its special copper-plated rails and hammered copper rivets. This saddle was not a great success – some riders complained that it was not stiff enough laterally. A supremely comfortable saddle thanks to its flexible, hammock-like, performance that moves with every pedal stroke, the B17 is a bike seat designed for the 60° angled riding position. After the break-in period, it is normal and proper to tension the saddle to retain its shape and comfort.

This feature is, of course, widespread on current saddles and, if reports on the Imperial's comfort are anything to go by, is as worthwhile on a leather saddle (for those who need it) as on a plastic-shell design.

The other main change has been to the saddlebag loops which almost all B17s (barring most Sprinters, the B17F (Special) and Competition) have been fitted with. A year later it was renamed the Flyweight Flyer and a Flyweight version of the Narrow was introduced.