TreaderSteve
Senior Retro Guru
Cambium C17 carved on the tourer. Best saddle I've owned - no break-in - zero undercarriage pain - a bum-hammock. I love it, I think it's a great product if you don't have to have leather
Rear world experiences with brooks b /c 17
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I have multiple C17 saddles and I always buy them used, I never had a saddle more comfortable.
I also ride them in rain and mud and it also never was a problem. Some waxing every now and then and all is great as far as I know.
Great idea! I'm glad to help if you are near.
Got both, B17 Narrow on the tourer, C17 on the drop-bar folder.
Both fine, my go-to is the San Marco Regal, the C17 seems very similar. The B17N is a bit flatter at the back, not quite as comfortable but fine for an 80 mile day.
For me a Flite is an instrument of torture.
Both fine, my go-to is the San Marco Regal, the C17 seems very similar. The B17N is a bit flatter at the back, not quite as comfortable but fine for an 80 mile day.
For me a Flite is an instrument of torture.
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I have a couple of B17s, a couple of Cambium Carved C15s and a Cambium Carved C13 fited to various bikes.
My first B17 was bought from new and took a while to break in properly on a touring bike, but not that long.
It was pretty comfortable from the outset.
I also picked up a used B17 on an old bike that was probably about 20 years old when I got it.
It was a bit dry and needed plenty of Proofide to get it nice an supple again. Very comfortable though.
The modern Cambium C15s have served me very well on Audax bikes aver the past five years. They were really comfortable from day one and stay that way even on 600km rides.
The carbon Cambium C13 was a purchase earlier this year to knock a big chunk of weight off whilst retaining the shape and comfort of the familiar C15 saddles.
I've tried several other lighter weight saddles, but have always come back to Brooks for the shape, comfort and durability.
My first B17 was bought from new and took a while to break in properly on a touring bike, but not that long.
It was pretty comfortable from the outset.
I also picked up a used B17 on an old bike that was probably about 20 years old when I got it.
It was a bit dry and needed plenty of Proofide to get it nice an supple again. Very comfortable though.
The modern Cambium C15s have served me very well on Audax bikes aver the past five years. They were really comfortable from day one and stay that way even on 600km rides.
The carbon Cambium C13 was a purchase earlier this year to knock a big chunk of weight off whilst retaining the shape and comfort of the familiar C15 saddles.
I've tried several other lighter weight saddles, but have always come back to Brooks for the shape, comfort and durability.
dirttorpedo
Senior Retro Guru
I tried a B17 on a vintage bike for a year or so and it never felt like it was breaking in (I had tried a friends bike with a well broken in one before I purchased, and loved it). I traded it for a c-15 carved and liked that so much I bought another used. Its not perfect, but its pretty good and more weather resistant.
bikeworkshop
Old School Grand Master
I've sold Brooks saddles for 30 years.
Here's a view from the other side of the counter:
Many buyers are committed to a breaking- in period, but many don't need it. Bs especially.
Some people try for years but never get to like them. Bs and Cs
There's a general feeling that starting new, breaking in and looking after a Brooks is way superior to getting someone else's used model, in leather.
Body position, arse-shape, weight and fitness definitely have a part to play, as does model choice and fitment onto the rails fore/aft and angle.
But determination and investment provide the incentive to get on with it.
I do tend to dissuade novices who've been told they are "the best saddles" and know nothing more.
Riding positions too sporty or too casual work less well.
The casual buyer is more likely disappointed than the enthusiast.
There are levy of exceptions to all this, its just an overall average view.
You'll never know till you try, but trying might take a few hundred miles, and quite a few quid.
If you get it all working right, they are excellent.
You, to, may become evangelical!
Here's a view from the other side of the counter:
Many buyers are committed to a breaking- in period, but many don't need it. Bs especially.
Some people try for years but never get to like them. Bs and Cs
There's a general feeling that starting new, breaking in and looking after a Brooks is way superior to getting someone else's used model, in leather.
Body position, arse-shape, weight and fitness definitely have a part to play, as does model choice and fitment onto the rails fore/aft and angle.
But determination and investment provide the incentive to get on with it.
I do tend to dissuade novices who've been told they are "the best saddles" and know nothing more.
Riding positions too sporty or too casual work less well.
The casual buyer is more likely disappointed than the enthusiast.
There are levy of exceptions to all this, its just an overall average view.
You'll never know till you try, but trying might take a few hundred miles, and quite a few quid.
If you get it all working right, they are excellent.
You, to, may become evangelical!
Takingabreak
Dave Yates Fan
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Regarding breaking them in, I found I didn't need to break in a B17 special or a B15 swallow, they were comfortable out of the box, but the Swift needed breaking in. I also found that breaking it in on a turbo trainer worked well as when I was in any discomfort I could just get off and not be miles from home
Rod_Saetan
Old School Grand Master
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I have used a C17 on my main riding bikes for the last ten years (or however long since they came out!) and really get on with them. I also like Turbos, but not Flites, and have never used a leather saddle (unless you count the strip of leather on a penny).
klunkrider
Retro Guru
My opinion is that this is either snobbishness/wanting to feel superior if it's coming from users or just patter if it's coming from a salesperson rather than anything factual. I reckon about 90% of 'breaking in' a Brooks is just softening up the leather. It's handy that it's while that's happening that they depreciate by about 50-75%!
I've been through a good 8-10 B17s now, one bought new, the rest bought used off ebay or forums. I don't think the one I bought new was particulalry uncomfortable but it was certainly never as comfy as the ones I've bought used. I've only cocked up and gotten an uncomfy, strangely shaped one once, you can usually spot the mishapen ones fairly easily.
Had a few Cambiums too, they all squeak like crazy for me. Annoying as I find them as comfy as the B17 and the more modern look definitly suits some bikes better than a leather saddle. Seems like the squeaking is a problem that either plagues you or it doesn't. I Think there's a couple bits of them squeak for me, the top against the rails just ahead of the seatpost clamp and the rails inside the cantle plate. Not sure if it's angle, fore/aft position, pedalling style or anatomy that dictates if you get squeak or not. I know quite a few people that use them and most of them get squeaking, some of them have never had it though.
If you use a saddlebag then 'All Weather' Cambiums should be avoided. I use a Carradice on a Classic rack and rolling my bike off a kerb with a fairly lightly loaded Nelson/rack combo snapped the loops out of the plastic cantle plate. I imagine it'd have lasted slightly longer with a bag fitted just by the straps but not much longer and I'm actually glad it broke where it did as breaking while I was actually riding could have had pretty dire consequences. The older style cast alloy cantles do alright with the rack but they do wear and bend whereas the steel loops on the leather saddles can take dogs abuse.
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