General Cycling Discussion - New leather top on Brooks Swift - Brooks not answering emails

Hi,

I have Brooks Swift that I have ruined from fiddling too much with the tension.

Since the frame accounts for the largest part of the saddle's price, I sent an email to Brooks asking if it is possible to have a new leather top fitted. When this was not answered I re-sent it. None of these mails have been answered. I'm wondering if the shop could be closed for the summer vacation?

Does anybody else have experience with contacting Brooks by email and also has anybody had Brooks fit a new leather top on a saddle?

Jesper

call Bill at www.wallbike.com

Thank you for the reply 1oldRoadie, but I am actually a lot closer to the Brooks factory than to Wallingford.

It seems like either somebody at Brooks read this forum or else their summer vacation just ended. I sent my question for the third time today and got a reply within a couple of hours. It was only a request for the three-digit code on the bottom of the saddle, but at least I made contact!

Jesper

The FAQs on the Brooks website say that replacement of the leather saddle is not possible. The original saddle should be retired gracefully and a new one bought. A ditch the spanner. You shouldn't need it.

I disagree, The saddle is repairable otherwise why would
Brooks sell spare parts (like frames, rivets etc.).
I just think it would be cost prohibitive to do so.

As Rowan says retire the old saddle and get a new one
and NEVER use the spanner.

Marty

I am happy to say that Brooks has offered to repair the saddle! I have just sent them the frame. I don't yet know how much it will cost, but it should be a lot less than buying a new Swift.

I am only doing this because it seems a foolish waste to have to throw away the expensive titanium frame which accounts for about 75% of the price of the Swift.
For a steel-framed Brooks it would hardly be worth the trouble.

Jesper