Any Brooks experts out there?

[asterix]

I knew someone knowledgeable would come along, sooner or later, to confirm, knowingly or unknowingly, that they are the work of the devil...

..surely the essence of being knowledgeable is to know?

All my Brooks saddles have leather of consistent thickness. The difference has been in the hardness. Softer saddles are the ones that become hammock-like and uncomfortable whereas the hard ones do break in if you are strong minded enough to see it through.

Brooks saddles are not for wimps, only have a go if you are hard enough. They are like wild beasts that need to be tamed.

 

[gwhite]

..surely the essence of being knowledgeable is to know?

All my Brooks saddles have leather of consistent thickness. The difference has been in the hardness. Softer saddles are the ones that become hammock-like and uncomfortable whereas the hard ones do break in if you are strong minded enough to see it through.

If these saddles are al of the same thickness then how do you account for the difference in "hardness"? After all the leather comes from the same source. Again, I've had many saddles that have operated on the "hammock" principle and all have been very comfortable.

 

[asterix]

If these saddles are al of the same thickness then how do you account for the difference in "hardness"? After all the leather comes from the same source. Again, I've had many saddles that have operated on the "hammock" principle and all have been very comfortable.

Ah well, I never claimed to be an expert on leather, did I? I have no idea why some leather is hard and other leather is not.
All I know is what my saddles look like and certainly how hard or soft they are. When I say 'hammock-like' I mean the saddle sags too much for comfort; I prefer to sit on a saddle, not in it. I've a theory that about 12 years ago, Brooks went through a patch when the leather just wasn't as good, but that could be complete rubbish and maybe I was just unlucky.

At the moment I have a test sample of 8 Brooks saddles. I have lost one, stolen and sold a Swift when almost new (at a profit) because it was simply too small. The best Brooks saddles I've used date from the mid-80s (incl the stolen one) and last year's which is just becoming broken in (it were a crool 'ard beast too).

 

[wheres_my_beard]

Gulp/Swallow...

 

[gwhite]

[quote="asterix, post: 2169808, member: 69"When I say 'hammock-like' I mean the saddle sags too much for comfort; I prefer to sit on a saddle, not in it.[/quote]

My fault as I should have been more specific.
By "hammock-like" I meant saddles that do not become comfortable by the dry leather fibres being broken by pressure from the rider's sit-bones which create indents. The leather on some saddles being too thick for this to happen (Berthaud for example),, the leather is slightly pre-softened which means that it supports similar to a hammock and indents are not created.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

I've seen a 40 year old one used daily and raked at a very unusual angle have that much of a spooned look but not a newish one. The 40yo one also looked like it had a fat blokes bum on it every day for 40 years. I've got a couple and I have tweaked them slightly looser but after a good few years of frequent use in all weathers; although dried immediately after getting wet & well fed and proofided; they don't look half as dished as that. I'm +/- 13 stone at any time

I suppose the questions are

• is it comfortable
• does it feel like it is supporting you or about to snap in half at any moment and leave you with a very nasty injury
• have you sent any pics/the link to Brooks for their comment

 

[actonblue]

Tony Colgrave is your man he has repaired my Brooks. I do not have his number but if you google him it willcome up.

 

[wisdom]

Probably a daft question but i have to ask,
I like the look of brooks saddles and i do have a place in my heart for traditional gear as well as modern technology.
Are they really worth all the effort to get them right?
Are they more comfortable than quality modern saddles?
I guess the answer will be yes but i had to ask

 

[guitarpete247]

I have a 1970's Competition that I half inched of the bike of my little brother. I swapped it for a cheap leather saddle that had seriously sagged in the middle.

Here's my 30 odd year old Brooks Competition. Been ridden in all weathers and never been tensioned.

 

[Banjo]

Probably a daft question but i have to ask,
I like the look of brooks saddles and i do have a place in my heart for traditional gear as well as modern technology.
Are they really worth all the effort to get them right?
Are they more comfortable than quality modern saddles?
I guess the answer will be yes but i had to ask

On audax rides the longer the ride the more brooks saddles you will see. I found mine was comfortable enough straight away ,now that my sit bones have sunk into it its even more comfy.

 

[mrandmrspoves]

Probably a daft question but i have to ask,
I like the look of brooks saddles and i do have a place in my heart for traditional gear as well as modern technology.
Are they really worth all the effort to get them right?
Are they more comfortable than quality modern saddles?
I guess the answer will be yes but i had to ask

To use a somewhat overused expression..... Marmite (other extremely salty yeast extracts are available)
Those that have them love them. I have one on 3 of my bicycles. All Standard B17's. In conjunction with a pair of padded pants they are supremely comfortable.

 

[gwhite]

The last survey done by the CTC found that the majority of tourists preferred Brooks saddles. As I remember it was something like 88% in favour and the main reason given was the comfort they gave over long distances.