B17 Saddle Review Reviewed By:James Anderson Reviewed On: April 16, 2004 Product Page:Brooks Saddles Price: $199.95
In-depth Look
The leather on all Brooks’s saddles are top grain leather and from the first hand looks of it they have told the story just right. The leather on this saddle has been dyed black and has a slick finish. The leather is riveted with brass rivets onto a titanium frame and rails. The Brooks logo is stamped onto what looks like a brass plate and is attached to the rear of the saddle with rivets. The B17 comes with a leather care pamphlet which has important information about caring for your leather saddle. The instruction says that the leather should be treated with “Proofide” a leather conditioner. It is the only conditioner that should be used on your Brooks saddle. The “Proofide” should be used on the leather several times during the break-in period or three to six months and periodically after that. You should try and keep your saddle from getting wet, however if it does happen to get wet it should be allowed to dry naturally. You should allow three to six months for the break in period in which the leather conforms to your body. It will take this long for maximum comfort and may take longer depending on how much you ride your bike. If you take care of your saddle, it will take care of you. The leather should be tensioned periodically as the leather stretches. To tension the leather you tighten the nose bolt 90 degrees each time until the leather is taught. Little or not very often is the key to this as you do not want to over tighten or you will damage the leather.
