Carlton Versus Holdsworth

[raleighnut]

The saddle could be either, they look very similar and the width difference is only an inch @151mm versus 175mm (nominal size, they all vary a tad)

 

[Spokesmann]

Thats saddle could be a B15 Champion narrow.

 

[Illaveago]

There is one thing I have got to say about the saddle is that I hit a bump in the road and it pointed skywards so I had to raise myself up and press it back down again, I'll have to see if I can tighten the nuts up underneath.

 

[Illaveago]

Well I have just measured the saddle, I am assuming the measurements are taken at the widest point in which case mine is 150mm.

 

[raleighnut]

Well I have just measured the saddle, I am assuming the measurements are taken at the widest point in which case mine is 150mm.

Thought it looked like a Narrow, much better (for me anyway) than the standard B17.

 

[Illaveago]

This thread seems to have turned into the Great Saddle debate. I'll have to go and see if I can read the writing on the wall, of the saddle that is.

 

[Illaveago]

I have just been out to the garage with a torch and although the writing is worn I can just make out B 5 N. Does that mean anything?

 

[midlife]

Brooks B5N, saddle from my era. . Lots of little holes drilled along the side edges.

Shaun

 

[raleighnut]

I have just been out to the garage with a torch and although the writing is worn I can just make out B 5 N. Does that mean anything?

Yep, it means it's a B5n, often fitted as OE on bikes of that era. I was given one by John at Bob Warner Cycles a few years back that currently sits on the Equipe but that has a dimpled top, supposedly they were a cheaper saddle made of 'inferior' leather but I get the feeling that the hide may have been marked/scarred.
Rarer than a B17 these days though.
article : http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...s-b5n/&usg=AFQjCNGyV5V6ishqy0dBgctrYQmXoo-3bQ

 

[Illaveago]

As far as I can remember the saddle was blemish free when I bought the bike new, it had a smooth black finish. The first few rides were a bit painful, a bit of chafing on the insides of my legs but it soon wore in.

 

[raleighnut]

Mine looks a lot like this



but they also did a smooth one apparently

 

[Illaveago]

The saddle on my brother's 60's Carlton had deep cutouts so that there was hardly any of it left, it was comfy though.

 

[raleighnut]

The saddle on my brother's 60's Carlton had deep cutouts so that there was hardly any of it left, it was comfy though.

Could have been a Swallow, they have a metal plate underneath to reduce sag


they were/are Brooks most expensive model, mine is the 2005 limited edition one.
If you fancy a laugh go onto Brooks website and look at the price of the 2007 Swallow limited edition (the 2005 has sold out)

 

[Illaveago]

Could have been a Swallow, they have a metal plate underneath to reduce sag


they were/are Brooks most expensive model, mine is the 2005 limited edition one.
If you fancy a laugh go onto Brooks website and look at the price of the 2007 Swallow limited edition (the 2005 has sold out)

It was similar but more extreme and it didn't have a metal plate.

 

[robsa]

The one at the bottom looks like mine on my sun, but its got some bizarre cats cradle leather bootlace malarkey going on. Often wondered why