Brooks England B67, Leather Bike Saddle with Suspension Springs

UPDATE March 2022: Still going strong. Best bike saddle I ever had. Very recommended! UPDATE April 1 2019: The saddle feels more comfortable as it is breaking in, looks like new, and is quiet (some reviews complain about squeaking - not in my case). In view of the good experience I got a B66 (also an Amazon warehouse deal) for my cruiser. ORIGINAL REVIEW: Quite honestly, I was feeling a little ridiculous when I was attaching this over $100 saddle to my barely $200 worth bike... until I took the test ride. The feeling of ridicule became a feeling of elation; and now I am a(nother) convert. After painful experiences with hard plastic saddles I have used padded vinyl saddles all those years, and still like them very much- don't take me wrong. But their padding compacts after a year or two, the plastic deteriorates, and then they're toast. So I decided to try a Brooks although it's well over my budget limit (I got this one as an Open Item Amazon Warehouse deal). Well, The brooks B67 is truly different: Firm without being hard, and with proper maintenance and care (exact instructions ref. break-in and care are included) it should last many, many years. With barely 5 miles on it as I write this review it's still in its break-in infancy, but feels already very comfortable, and as the saddle is not "squishy" the bike feels a lot "lighter" and more responsive. The many glowing 5-star reviews for this and similar brooks models are NOT exaggerations. There is one caveat: Brooks has many models. The "Classical Sprung" ones (like the B66, B67) are designed exclusively for UPRIGHT riding position, and that is clearly labeled on the package (see photo). Since I ride in that position (like most leisure/utility cyclists) it's just perfect. But when I 'hunch over' (like starting in stiff head wind) the saddle feels more uncomfortable as the nose digs in my plumbing, and since the butt and torso are not sitting straight on the springs they don't work as shock dampers as intended. As soon as I am upright again at cruising speed, it's back to normal. The B67 does not come with a seat clamp for standard 7/8 seat posts (see pictures), but any standard seat post clamp will do. I used one I had salvaged from a broken saddle. There are some additional expenditures (outside the seat clamp), as a vinyl cover, and *most importantly* a tin of Brooks Proofide. The saddle comes with a small pouch with 2.5ml proofide for the initial dressing (before the first use), but as it breaks in, and later as maintenance, it has to be treated on a certain schedule, which is explained in the instructions. The Brooks company is ADAMANT that their saddles only can be treated with Proofide, and that the use of any other leather dressing product will void the guarantee and might cause damage to the leather. I don't worry about the guarantee, but the idea that the leather seat might get saggy due to an improper dressing product makes me feel uneasy. The good news is: only a tiny amount of Proofide is needed per treatment, so even a small tin will last quite a time. In conclusion: Brooks saddles are way over many a commoner's budget, and need more and specific care than other similar products (they shouldn't get wet, i.e., therefore the need for having a vinyl cover). But you get what you pay for- it's really a top of the line item. It will prove interesting how this saddle will do in the hot, humid south FL weather with frequent downpours and rain storms, although I keep my bikes indoors. Curiosity got the cat here... :-) I will try to keep this review updated.

The seat is great, but it took me a while to adjust it properly. But after a lot of research and tweaking to adjust it, I noticed that in most of the photos of Brooks saddles online, they're slightly tilted back (about 5 degrees). So I tried it, and it worked. Now it's very comfortable, with no pain, even after long rides. I also used the 109% rule to find the exact saddle height.

Great saddle! Very comfortable. Smells good too!

Brooks B67 - a classic leather bicycle saddle made by Brooks of England. This saddle has spring suspension and because of it and the leather profile that eventually tailors itself to your back-side - it's very comfortable. It's designed for a more upright touring position on your bike - in my case, it was installed on my 1974 Raleigh Sports 3-speed. I have enjoyed using the seat for over a year now. I found that it was comfortable out of the box. I have regularly ride over 30 mile bike routes and don't feel the need to wear cycling shorts. I love it!

This saddle comes with a small leather conditioner packet, and a small wrench to adjust seat tension. Installs easily once you have the correct hardware and seat post. Longer rails allow a bit more adjustment than most seats. The saddle does look sturdy, and looks right on my older bicycle. The instructions were too small to read. I hope there is an online PDF format. I chose the B-67 due to the upright position my handlebar choice puts me in. This seat has a wider rear area and is recommended for more upright riding styles. I am looking forward to many years of cycling with this saddle. The seat became more comfortable during the 2nd or third ride. Maybe the proofide treatment was beginning to work in by then.

I own several B17s and I'm also trying out a C17 on another bike so I am familiar with Brooks saddles. B17 has been my go to saddle for several years. I had looked at the Flyer and B67 for quite a while due to the springs. I had also considered a Cane Creek suspension post. I found a great deal on the B67 so I decided to give it a try on my Surly Ogre. I have a pretty upright seating position on it. For my first ride I had it set up with 29x2.5" Maxxis Hookworm tires. Its a big balloony tire so they smooth out some of the road bumps on their own. With this setup the B67 did fine. It feels a little wide, probably because it is quite a bit wider than a B17, but not uncomfortably so. I need to play with the seat angle some. I didn't originally set the angle with the nose up as far as I would on a B17 due to the springs, but they are stiffer than I thought they would be. From my experience with B17s I know that break-in time varies a lot from saddle to saddle due to the leather. That said this saddle didn't feel like it really needed any break-in. You can feel the back of the saddle move under the springs some so if you are also used to a "rigid" saddle it may feel weird for a bit. I'm not sure if I will leave the B67 on this bike but a few more rides should help me decide. Either way I am sure it will find its way on to one of my bikes.

pros...This is the best saddle I have ever had the pleasure of sitting on. It is made in the genuine old fashioned way that saddles are supposed to be made, that means to last a life time. The leather is made of quality hides, that are thick and will mold to your backside and your gentlemanly parts as well. It is an age old tradition to break leather things in, and given some time, it will be a perfect fit, completely custom to your backside. It is leather so there are some things you will need to know before use...leather unlike living cows, does not like water or rain. Leather when dyed will rub off just a bit before it settles. Leather will mold to your seating position and riding style as it ages. Leather also needs just a bit of care to make it last for a long time. cons...wish I had got the leather protector cream when I bought it, now I have to buy it and ship it separately.

Diesen Sattel habe ich erst ein paar Tage montiert (Patentsattelstütze!), von unten eingefettet (normales Lederfett mit einem kleinen Pinsel), das Fett kurz mit einem Fön erwärmt und einziehen lassen (es war eh Regenwetter). Ich fand den Sattel vom ersten Moment an so bequem, wie den bisher verwendeten Gelsattel. Folglich kann es mit der Zeit nur noch besser werden. Qualität und Verarbeitung sind ok, was man für den Preis auch erwarten kann. Bei entsprechender Pflege wird er mir viele Jahre Freude bereiten.

Lots of great reviews on Brook's saddles so I decided to buy one with springs as my current ride is too hard for me. When I received it, I was surprised how wide it was and felt that it might not suit my slightly aggressive style. B67 is for upward sitting position riding. However after reading more, I decided to take it for a ride. After 19 km of trial ride, I am glad to say I made the right choice. The usual bumps on the road were minimized by the springs. And since there were lesser discomfort, I was able to ride faster and further. And it suited my 60 deg riding style. Money well invested!

V good design and feel

Todo

It's expensive, it's heavy, it's a quality saddle, it's by far the most comfortable saddle, I have had in years. Yes it's worth the money. I can literally spend all day riding,