Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Brooks wanna-be saddles

Yeah, I know this is really a gear thread and probably belongs in another forum, but I have a hunch that this forum has the highest percentage of Brooks saddle zealots...

Just curious if any of you have any experience with the some of the "Brooks like" saddles being sold on Ebay, like this one (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370150843800&category=106952&_trksid=p3907.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D15%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D54)? Also, Velo Orange sells something similar (http://www.velo-orange.com/vosaddlemodel6.html), possibly made by the same manufacturer?

I love Brooks saddles, but the prices are getting a little ridiculous, so it would be nice if there were some lower cost alternatives that worked as well.

Rivendell is selling some "Brooksalike" saddles. They gave them good reviews, although for the money, a Brooks is hard to beat for quaility and durability.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3436/3368974059_06a405b479_o.jpg

Soma Okami? http://somafab.com/sad_okami.html
Synthetic leather, rivets....
I've no experience with them at all.

I don't know about that Ebay one, but I trust stuff that V-O makes. I've got a bunch of V-O equipment on a couple of my bikes, and I'm friends with one of their buyers on a couple other social networks. He puts a lot of time and effort into sourcing quality stuff to offer on their site.

Yes, I'm a bit biased toward V-O; but they honestly do sell good stuff.

It's good to see others getting into designing/sourcing quality bicycle products. Hopefully time will bear out the quality of these saddles.

It is hard to beat the time-tested Brooks mind you and these copies, generally retailing @ about 65% of similar Brooks models, w/ shipping and duties are not much different in cost.

I am very happy also w/ the products from VO. I'm especially fond of the racks and decaleur (http://www.veloweb.ca/garagepages/vo_rackinstall.html) on my Bleriot.

Pricepoint.com has B-17s for $75 (plus shipping) right now. That is a lot less than many of the plastic saddles out there.

I love Brooks saddles, but the prices are getting a little ridiculous.

I've wondered about the sudden proliferation of Brooks knockoffs. I also love Brooks saddles, but I don't think their prices are out of line. I see a lot of variation in price---and haven't checked prices this year---but last year bought a few B-17 Specials for, I think, $79 each plus shipping, and thought that was a bit of a bargain (which is why I bought several).

I know what to expect from Brooks. I haven't tried VO and Rivendell, but they're reliable brands and their saddles are probably fine. I don't know what to expect from someone on ebay selling no-name leather saddles, but I'd be disinclined to find out. My thinking with leather saddles is long-term---like 20 to 30 years long---and I've had good experience with Brooks. That experience counts for a lot with me.

It's good to see others getting into designing/sourcing quality bicycle products. Hopefully time will bear out the quality of these saddles.

It is hard to beat the time-tested Brooks mind you and these copies, generally retailing @ about 65% of similar Brooks models, w/ shipping and duties are not much different in cost.

I am very happy also w/ the products from VO. I'm especially fond of the racks and decaleur (http://www.veloweb.ca/garagepages/vo_rackinstall.html) on my Bleriot.

There's another one commonly on Ebay, the Cardiff Gull Swallow imitation. This in all its photos looks nearly identical to the V-O Swallow. I have a V-O, and have liked it on the trainer, but I haven't taken it on the road yet. The finish of the leather is not the equal of Brooks, it isn't obviously a hide, and there is some sort of underlayer on the bottom side. Some have commented that the underlayer is a sign of a lesser product, but if the leather is not of the same quality, it's positive that the designers added it.

I should take that Imperial off the Trek and mount the V-O. Oh boy, more wrenching!

Road Fan

I have the V-O saddle as well as a couple of Brooks. For the first 5 miles, I thought the V-O was by far the best saddle I've ever tried. Then my sit bones started to feel a little sore and I thought, "Well, it's not broken in yet, the leather must be a little hard still." But the more I rode, the worse it got.

Eventually I realized that the saddle is narrower than I am, and my sit bones were resting directly on the metal frame. I don't think that's going to get any softer with use. ;-)

So the V-O saddle is great if you have a skinny butt. If they had a model that was an inch wider, I'd buy 3 right now.

What saddle is wide enough for you, and which Brooks have worked well for you, elbows?

What saddle is wide enough for you, and which Brooks have worked well for you, elbows?

I have a B-17 and a Team Pro. Both are adequate in that I can do longish rides on them without pain or numbness. I find the Team Pro a bit more comfortable, and it's probably close to the minimum width for me.

Yeah, I know this is really a gear thread and probably belongs in another forum, but I have a hunch that this forum has the highest percentage of Brooks saddle zealots...

Just curious if any of you have any experience with the some of the "Brooks like" saddles being sold on Ebay, like this one (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370150843800&category=106952&_trksid=p3907.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D15%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D54)? Also, Velo Orange sells something similar (http://www.velo-orange.com/vosaddlemodel6.html), possibly made by the same manufacturer?

I love Brooks saddles, but the prices are getting a little ridiculous, so it would be nice if there were some lower cost alternatives that worked as well.

Brooks were just on sale at Nashbar for only a few dollars more than the VO. I'm cheap by nature but always thought a seat was good place to overspend. If your backside isn't happy you aren't going to be either.

Seriously, the knock-offs don't save much at all.

BikeIsland.com has had B17's for $72 (black) and $80 (honey) INCLUDING shipping for a while now. All those knock-offs that you see on eBay ending up costing nearly that much if not more once you factor in shipping anyway. So why no just get the real thing?

I've been resistant to buying a B17 because of my experience with my Ideale 92. The 92 has the same dimensions as the B17, and mine is one of the long ones that really is as long, 27 cm. It always seems too wide and causes chafing on the inner leg even on 15 mile rides - not worth it! so the B17 has the same width numbers. If my Brooks Pro is set up right I don't get that, and on the VO swallow there is no sensation that's even close to that. So the discounted VO I have was a bargain way to check out the geometry of a real Swallow.

I think not all leather saddles are identical.

Road Fan

I can get a B17 for £35 which to me is well worth it. I will get one eventually, but I'd need to change my suspension seat post to a standard one! Then I'd need one for my road bike too, so it'd end up costing around £100!