Top end Brooks Professional from the 1980’s or 1990’s!  If you like the B-17, you will LOVE this Professional!  It’s a fairly similar design, but a bit narrower and more ergonomically shaped for comfort, along with a more luxurious finish.  This one is a “Special”, featuring large hammered copper rivets

This saddle has been “trimmed”.  The bottoms of the side skirts, and a bit of the rear have been trimmed and chamfered for a more modern profile.  It wasn’t a professional job, and the rear looks just a bit off (thus the super low price)

It is a “pre-softened” model.  This means it’s leather is a bit thinner than a standard Brooks saddle.  It is much softer and more flexible than a standard model.

Condition:

Mixed condition.  The leather is very soft and pliable.  It was too soft for my tastes, but I love the “out of the box” hard Brooks saddles.  There’s definitely some give when you push/sit on the saddle.  Could probably be tightened up with the tensioner a bit  It has a bit of wear on the rear of the leather, and the badge is a bit rough.  Some minor wear spots throughout the leather.  Rails look great, though the frame has a few spots of light rust in the corners (would come off with a little effort).  In summary, this is not your average Brooks.  It’s soft and rough in some ways.  Would be great for a commuter or beater though, and is priced well under half of what a used Brooks Pro in good shape sells for. 

Details:

  • Model: Brooks Professional Special, Pre Softened
  • Brass rivets
  • Chrome frame and rails