Brooks Imperial range

I currently have a Specialized alias 143 saddle on my main bike that is nice and comfy, but I’m increasingly being drawn towards a Brooks. I ride an alias because it’s got one of those body geometry canal things and I find saddles that don’t do not necessarily agree with me.

Anyway, I’ve been eyeing an Imperial (I think B17) in Condor recently and was wondering if anyone had any experience with them? It looks like the cut out is designed to serve the same purpose as the canal thing on modern saddles, Brooks say: “The ‘registered cutting’, as can be read in the 1890 catalogue, is ‘a sure preventive to all perineal pressure’.” Does it actually work?

How well they will last compared to a standard Brooks (one without a big hole in the middle) - will the wet kill it as there is more 'edge' exposed? Also, how will this affect keeping the leather at the correct tension?

I’ve seen you can get an Imperial in either: B68, B17 or B17 narrow. Is the finish the only real difference between the B68 and B17? Thanks.

I've just taken one of these off my bike.
I initially thought it was fantastic. It did indeed prevent perineal pressure and was comfortable.
But the saddle lost tension very quickly. In only 4 months I had used 3/4 of the length of the tension bolt. My previous Brooks saddles have been much better. It also lost shape quicker. This despite me treating the saddle thoroughly at the beginning...

So I have my 4 month old one of these sitting around now and I doubt I'll ride it again. The team pro is much better.

I have a koobi saddle. If grooves suit you, then check them out

I have seen a really interesting attempt at a DIY one, where the hole bit was peeled underneath and laced up, looked like the inside of a grand piano though.

I'd been wondering about whether they'd keep their tension well, tomasito, thanks for the info.

They should have done it with a team pro, maybe tougher leather would have worked better.

Do you think the lack of tension was down to the thinner leather, as Teddy once explained, rather than the cut-out?

I've never bought a Brooks saddle, though always hankered after one. I now own one, but that was on an exchange for the previous saddle on my Capo, that had failed. Apparently, I'm heavy or something, so the saddle bent and buckled at the metal stanchions.

Evans replaced it with any saddle of my choice, up to the same value. So I chose a black B17. I adore it. As comfy as Beth, but with no lumps. I love it.

Do you think the lack of tension was down to the thinner leather, as Teddy once explained, rather than the cut-out?

I'd've thought it's a combination of the two. Either way it is not ideal.

Shame, thats a nice saddle.

thanks for the input. must say I am disapointed that the reviews are not glowing they do look ace. I really don't want to spend 90 odd quid on a saddle that will only last me 6 months to a year. might speak to someone at Brooks to see if they would re-cover for free if the leather stretched unreasonably quickly.

I don't think they can guarantee the leather. Better check with them.

They do replace hide that has failed on saddles, I know that much. Not sure if/what it costs.

The leather appear to be different to the standard B17 (or probably a different batch), currently have the Imperial B17 on the BMW at the moment after aquiring it for cheep, will posted about the difference eventually.

i had a b17 and like others say the leather has stretched, its a 3rd of the way down the tension bolt after about 2000 miles, which for a brooks is not so great.

so, i contacted brooks about the problem and explained that i felt the saddle was not up to standard and i enquired as to whether they could replace it. they asked me to document the fault and send an email with a photo of the serial number on the underside of the saddle, they keep a record of the batches of leather used.

they had no problem replacing the saddle and when i asked whether i could get a brooks imperial narrow as a replacement and keep my b17 as it was worn in and very comfortable they also said "yes". so i now have an imperial that i'm waiting to use.

i don't think there is a problem with the leather or the quality of brooks saddles although you are much more likely to read about it when there is as people naturally like to bitch rather than praise, but if so the best thing to do is politely contact the manufacturer about it.

Wow, there's a huge amount of information on here, it's nice to hear Brooks are so good in terms of customer service. I'm trying to decide between the B17 champion special and the team pro, any opinions on the quality and thickness of the leather between the two? Is the team pro worth spending that bit more?

Is the team pro worth spending that bit more?

Yes

thanks man, actually a friend of mine works at evans so I might try and get a swift with a little discount, if not I think the pro's a winner

it pinch the area between your bumhole and your penis if you're not careful.

it pinch the area between your bumhole and your penis if you're not careful.

sounds kinky.