Brooks saddles

Senseiwai

Member
Hi

Any with experience with Brooks saddles, especially Cambium series? The stock saddle on Turbo S is not quite OK. I replaced it recently with another saddle from Specialized Henge Comp. Is not so expensive is OK 143mm narrower then stock saddle is more comfortable, but stil little hard for me.

I heard a lot about Brooks saddle, they looks good, stylish, cool and timeless, but expensive. I want to make sure I pick the right saddle this time without second guess buying a expensive saddle.
 
I have a Cambium Brooks. Main thing I like is no concern for wet weather protection. No comparison to my Imperial leather B-17 Brooks saddle for comfort though. Cambium models come in different widths , so watch out for that.
 
The Brooks B67 is a most comfortable seat on my city bike. The B17 on my road bike is also relatively comfortable. Need a cover to protect these from rain. I'm interested to hear of comfortable rides with that Cambium on an e-bike.
 
I ride with a Brooks Cambium 19 (Touring). So far, so good. Saddles are very personal, you just have to keep trying one until you find one that works for you.
 
Traditional Brooks saddles get better and better once broken in and as they age. I used a B17 while cycling through New Zealand for 6 months years ago, and now a B67 on my more upright ebike. After a few hundred miles or so they form to fit your posterior. I never worry about the occasional rain (wouldn't leave it out in the rain on purpose), as long as I give it an occasional thin coat of profide it is fine. Cowboys don't panic when they get in a rainstorm with their saddles, and they cost a LOT more.
 
Traditional Brooks saddles get better and better once broken in and as they age. I used a B17 while cycling through New Zealand for 6 months years ago, and now a B67 on my more upright ebike. After a few hundred miles or so they form to fit your posterior. I never worry about the occasional rain (wouldn't leave it out in the rain on purpose), as long as I give it an occasional thin coat of profide it is fine. Cowboys don't panic when they get in a rainstorm with their saddles, and they cost a LOT more.
They do form to fit & last long when cared for! yeehaah.
 
You have to measure your ass's bones and according to their distance, you'll have to choose a right saddle according to your posture on the bike.
Check this picture:
(Link Removed - No Longer Exists)
I personally bought this Brooks a couple of years ago, and I find it quite uncomfortable for rides longer than 40'. So, disappointed for the amount of money it cost and not as comfy as I was expecting from Brooks (though, they look great).
As other mentioned before, seats are personal and you'll have to try yourself. If you ask me for my personal experience, gel seats suits better, last longer (require less maintenance than leather seats for example) and are more comfortable.
 
Very helpfull chart. I got my ass measured when brought saddle from Specialized last time. I can have 143- 155mm depending on position. I have a race bike also and I like the stock saddle very much, very comfy, narrow racer saddle 143mm, but Turbo is little more upright position so is a little bit tricky to choose between a Cambium C15 or C17. Brooks have a bit diffrerent measurment 15 is it equivalent to 143mm or 155mm?
 
Very helpfull chart. I got my ass measured when brought saddle from Specialized last time. I can have 143- 155mm depending on position. I have a race bike also and I like the stock saddle very much, very comfy, narrow racer saddle 143mm, but Turbo is little more upright position so is a little bit tricky to choose between a Cambium C15 or C17. Brooks have a bit diffrerent measurment 15 is it equivalent to 143mm or 155mm?
Sorry but I can't say about Brooks measurement. Sure there's some info on the net or you can ask them directly to convert your measurements to their standard.
 
I have the B-17 Special with copper nails on my Turbo S. The only adjustment I made was lacing the sides so they stay straight. However, 1000 km later I do recognize that this made the saddle much stiffer. I'll give it another 1000 km to see whether I will break it in to the comfort level I had before lacing.
 
I have the B-17 Special with copper nails on my Turbo S. The only adjustment I made was lacing the sides so they stay straight. However, 1000 km later I do recognize that this made the saddle much stiffer. I'll give it another 1000 km to see whether I will break it in to the comfort level I had before lacing.

Jan where did you brought your Brooks saddle? Online or shop in Stcokholm?
 
Sensewai, I did my research and came to the conclusion that Bikester had the best price for the B-17 Special. It was available in a few stores also on Södermalm but not with the nice copper nails.

There is a full sub-culture around Brooks saddles on the internet, how to break them in. how to treat the leather and use the tightening bolt etc. Most of it is crap and it is really down to simple care and wear. It is a nice looking saddle that, well maintained, will last through many bicycles.
 
I know I'm in the minority, but I rented a bike for a weekend and hated the Brooks seat on it (obviously broken in by someone else). I have put the Specialized Toupe and Phenom on several bikes and am quite happy with them, even up to 100 miles.
 
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