I hate breaking in a new leather bike saddle – hate.  It takes a month of riding for it not to feel like some sort of 15th century Transilvanian torture device.  When it finally does wear into place, there is nothing better on long slow rides.  A properly broken-in and adjusted saddle makes back to back all day rides possible and enjoyable without any pain the next day.  My favorite of all time was a 1970’s vintage Rolls that I got with when I traded a pair of skis for a time-trial bike in the 1990’s.  It was like a soft calfskin glove for my butt.  It died in a horrendous crash on a colorado mountain road – a crash that left me with some serious road rash and some broken fingers.  When I replaced the bike and saddle, I put a Brooks B-17 (black) on my new stead.  After the initial torture, it was a constant companion for about 10 years.  It was heavier that most saddles, but I am not in the ounce counting club and a comfortable ride is worth POUNDS of added weight.

Below is a video of the Brooks factory tour.  They still do it all by hand.  Watching the video makes me want to buy an new one just because of its provenance.