onbike 1939

The Nidd costs £35 which surely is much less than $64.....no?

Wanderer

35 X 1.66 = 58, plus 25 = 83. So my brainless calculator was off - but more than I planned.

Spa is still working out a quote, so may be better......... meanwhile I will wait.

tcs

Uh, I actually do like both of my Persons No. 77 Deluxe, as have several posters in other threads. Of course, I haven't soaked mine in, what was it - paint thinner? - the way you did yours.

Grand Bois

I don't recall anyone but you defending them. I did not soak the saddle. I used lacquer thinner to remove the streaky dye. The rock hard water buffalo hide doesn't accept dye well. The green one was so bad that they sent a free black one. I've never seen sloppier workmanship. Absolutely the worst saddle I've tried. I got rid of both of them and it wasn't easy.

Wanderer

As clarification, I have many thousands of miles on my Brooks B-17, and am very pleased with it. It still looks very good, and could almost pass for new. The current one is black, as it matches my black bike.

I just heard from Spa, and their final quote is $69.08 (US) delivered to the Chicago area, for their Nidd saddle. They, (Spa) have been quick to reply, and friendly and courteous, explaining everything to my satisfaction. Their final price of 41.65 (GBP) delivered, (minus VAT) seems to be a decent price for a saddle comparable to my Brooks B-17. Within a few months, I will know how they compare - at least for my bum!

I think I will pull the trigger on this one............. my only dilemma, right now, is color.......... do I get black to match, or honey as a contrast**********??

I'd better check my bicycle/motorcycle/gun checking account, to make sure there is enough jack in there.......

onbike 1939

That's good and I do hope you will be happy with it.

Spa is almost the last sanctuary for the touring cyclist and are very knowledgeable with a vast experience. They were appalled at the many price hikes in the Brooks range and persisted in selling them at a lower price which eventually resulted in them withdrawing altogether. I've been buying from them forty-odd years now and it's now run by the original owner's son.

daf1009

Wow...any time Brooks comes up, the debate launches! I am riding Brooks almost exclusively...both older and newer saddles (dependent on bike!) and several models...and basically have had no issues at all...but, my bum is pretty forgiving!

lopek77

What chain lube would you recommend. Which one is the best?

daf1009

Oh no...not falling for that...

lopek77

Wanderer

My Spa Nidd should be "in the mail" shortly. I'll swap it out with my Brooks B-17, and see which one I like best.

If it ever stops snowing here, (more last night) maybe I'll start riding it to cardiac rehab, 3-4 miles one way....... that ought to get their blood boiling.....

Maybe I'll just tell them that it is my warmup exercise................... I'll ride slow till I get there.

Phil_gretz

I just did a quick web search no the Spa Nidd, and it appears to be the same Taiwanese saddle that sells under the names Gyes, and Cardiff Cornwall. You'll like the saddle, if you like the B-17. The leather will be thinner, and you'll appreciate the pre-punched skirts with waxed lacing. You'll need to keep the skirts laced when the saddle begins to break in.

Also, you might have a frame failure, where one of the two rails curves back and upward into the steel frame that shapes the rear of the saddle. The rail ends butt into square receptacle holes in the steel frame, where they are tack welded in a couple of spots. Those welds may fail, leaving the saddle simply resting on the rail at that point.

I'm not the only person to have experienced this.

Otherwise, I liked the saddle pretty well...

1 Miyata Biker

Can't say that I blame you for being concerned about this saddle. I just purchased a Brooks B-17 a couple years ago and it didn't have the look of possible problems like your saddle. That left side looks as if leather was used that wasn't quite up to standards for the Brooks Company. I'd sure ask them some questions before using this saddle. The leather should be fairly taught on bothe sides when shipped. They always warn you not to adjust the saddle and stretch the leather too much with their leather saddles.