Because some people think their way is the only way and anyone who deviates from that way must be an idiot. Alongside its unsprung racing and touring saddles, Brooks also makes a whole range of traditional coil sprung saddles. They’re good for leisure and commuting use, where you ride in a more upright position. They’d also look great on a traditional vintage machine. Cant decide between the swallow or swift, so was wondering if anyone has experience/opinion on either

Brooks B-17 -vs- Brooks Swift. | Road Bike, Cycling Forums Brooks B-17 -vs- Brooks Swift. | Road Bike, Cycling Forums

You get the traditional steel riveted design, three air holes in the top for ventilation and, of course, the saddle bag loops and Brooks logo plate at the rear. There are B17 and B17 S Aged versions too, with an antiqued leather top. Haven’t sat on either but god damn do I want an excuse to buy a Swift, they look lovely. I think my B17 on my tourer is actually a bit to big for me somehow… You should always keep proof of postage and we advise you to use a ‘signed for service’ when returning goods.a) If we have sent you the incorrect bicycle, we will cover the cost of collection and delivery of the correct model. I chose the Swift because it has more of a race bike geometry, and lends itself better to a drop-bar bikethan the famous B17. I am very glad I did. Not only is it fantastic on my steel training bike, it is a real craftsman's art: thechamfered sides, bashed copped rivets, and the chrome rails, really look special and should last a long long time. I don't think he was suggesting riding a gel couch from Walmart. If I'm not mistaken, I believe he was wondering why you would want to wait so long for a saddle to be broken in when you can buy other high quality saddles which don't require that kind of breaking in. It is an expensive saddle, but I have spent more in the last 2 years on other makes trying to cure my chaffing problem. As someone that's old enough to ride pro bikes pre-Flite saddle days, Brooks was always somewhat heavier but none of the other saddles could compare to the comfort of a Brooks.

Brooks England Saddles: Premium, Long Lasting Bicycle Seats

If you wish to return your bike to us please keep it in the box it arrived in and call us on 01772 644340 and we will arrange a collection. They do supply a cover, but I didn’t realize that was to be used for riding on in the wet. I assumed it was a transportation cover. The concept of an expensive leather saddle that has to have a PVC cover on it to use in the UK is plain daft. Brooks saddles ship out with a little sachet of ‘Proofide’. There’s a relatively common misapprehension that this is a waterproofing treatment, given its greasy nature, but it’s a leather conditioner. It will add waterproof qualities, but its job is to soften the leather to aid the break-in process. It should be used sparingly, as overdoing it will over-soften the leather upper and eventually lead to sagging over and above that which is optimal. In fact, despite the claims that it takes hundreds of miles to 'bed in a Brooks' I found that straight from the intricate box, the Brooks was very comfortable. A lace tied loosely keeps the narrow waist shape....too tight lacing is like sitting on a broom handle.Comfy, but not any more comfortable then any other decent saddle. As oldgit says, they almost melt in prolonged rain.

Saddles: Handcrafted Premium Bicycle - Brooks England Bike Saddles: Handcrafted Premium Bicycle - Brooks England

I like the swallow! But Brooks weigh a ton, and I can't bring myself to get the Ti version. I would love the white Stussy edition though, there are still a few unsold in Tokyo....... Many models are available with or without a cutout. In my experience, these aren’t as beneficial as they are for synthetic models, as, once broken in they're essentially redundant. However, they do make for a saddle with a little more initial give, as the removal of the central material allows the sides of the upper to sag inwards a touch, which can cause the side wings to flare out. This is why you’ll often see saddles with cutouts having a web of cord under to hold the sides in place. Perhaps think of them less as relief channels, and more as break in relief. Old world" craftsmanship and unsurpassed build quality distinguishes this top of the range Brooks from anything else on the market. Individual and distintive looks with best quality leather and copper rivets only add to it's appeal. Thanks for all the views, do you think that using one of those funky little ass saver mudguards would be sufficient, to give the saddle a fighting chance in the rain?Another classic design for the racing cyclist, the B15 Swallow’s design was originally patented in 1937, when it became a popular choice for professional cyclists in the UK and on the Continent. So, I've just replaced my tension bolt (after it snapped the first time I tired to tension it). Now the saddle has more a sag to it than I remember. I once test-rode a Schwinn Paramount with a worn-in Brooks that was posterior heaven, and that is why I buy them, but I have more nerve than nirvana so far. My riding weights on these started at a skinny 130lbs in the 70s, up to ca 190; but for this Swift, prob 185 down to 170 or so. A slight, but noticeable upward tilt is advantageous to keep you in the ideal position when using a leather saddle (Image credit: Will Jones) Positioning and setup Yeah, you gotta have a certain butt to really appreciate one of these saddles, but if you have that butt there is nothing that makes it more comfy on a long ride. The leather is thinner than many Brooks to keep the weight down so it may not be ideal for a heavy rider, but for me (185 lbs) I will never need to replace another saddle on this bike I expect.