Brooks called with an offer: design any saddle you want, as long as it uses existing Brooks materials and technology. Rivendell said yes immediately. The result is the Brooks x Rivendell B17 Leather Saddle — a B17 in gray, with copper rivets, black steel rails, and a pebble top.
The gray is exactly right. Copper rivets against gray leather without copper rails — that was a deliberate call. No blinginess. Ti rails were floated and turned down by Brooks, which is fine; it keeps the price where it should be. Pebble top and carved lower flaps made the cut. The saddle came out beautiful.
Of course, you can't see it while you're riding. The beauty is for lunch stops, lock-ups, and passing strangers catching a glimpse while you're standing on the pedals. The real payoff is the ride itself: the B17's hammock-like flex, the leather that gradually shapes to you, the patina that builds quietly over years of use. Handmade in England. Vegetable-tanned leather. A 10-year guarantee upon registration.
