ink1373

alright, i have a two-fold question for the panel this time.

the first part is my usual foo-foo aesthetics opinion check. how do you all feel about brooks saddles on modern bikes? i'm rocking some pretty techy looking parts on my bike, it's lugless, i have a supertype seatpost on the way, threadless stem, etc. so it's pretty newish looking...would that make a brooks saddle (most likely a black swift) look hopelessly out of place?

second, has anyone done any heavy riding on a swift? fixed touring is going to be a pretty hefty task to begin with, i'm wondering if a swift will treat my ass right on my adventure. i really don't have the money or time to acquire and break in two different brooks saddles before i set off.

46x17

This should answer your first question. My bike looks very pretty even with brown brooks. No lugs, no threaded stem. See pic.

About the second question. Maybe this helps. I found the brooks team pro to be comfy right out of the box. However I could never get use to the B-17 which I sold a while ago. Strangely enough almost every bikeshop will tell you that the B-17 is way more comfortable.

roadfix

Swift & Supertype

p3ntuprage

stop posting that damn picture.

you keep giving me saddle/seatpost lust.

fsnl
sparky

ephemeralskin

first aesthetics: i had a brooks on my fixie and took it off when i toured on a different bike. now i have a black flite on the fixie and think it looks better. BUT if i go on a ride longer than 40 miles i would put the brooks back on. (there are pics on here if you feel like searching of the two different looks for my bike...)
i think the fixers saddles shouldnt count because all butchered they look more modern. not to mention fackin gorgeous. but imo brooks usually look old-fashioned.

and now touring advice: a brooks will make your ass happy. unless you are riding through a lot of bad weather, take it!! for short rides i like a lightly padded modern saddle. for longer rides, you start out thinking "damn this saddle is hard" but after about twenty miles you hit the 'sweet spot' and it lasts forever! for me, i get saddle sore on anything else after about 40-60 miles. brooks saddle = touring fountain of youth.

ink1373

hmm, i'm liking the responses. very well reasoned. does anyone have experience with butchering brooks saddles? i've looked at the article on FGG about it, and the finished products look fantastic, but i'm pretty terrified to try it.

also, best brooks for a black and chrome scheme? butchered black b17 narrow perhaps?

icithecat

The Swift is a factory butchered b17. Leave it to the pros. Cheaper in the long run than a pile of ruined b17s.

ink1373

but the swift has copper rivets, the b17 has silver...

told you i was picky.

Tony Arms

I really like Brooks saddles , after the first few rides it becomes part of you.
I have a few different models. A B-17, B-67 and a Team Pro , The pro is by far my favorite.
Here is a shot of my butchered Team Pro.

icithecat

But your team pro has copper rivets and is therefore unacceptable.

Rowan

I like your priorities. If the Brooks does look hopelessly out of place, get rid of the bike and get a lugged one that the Brooks will look at home on.

ink1373

well, it seems like a lot of people have had success with butchering saddles, so i don't really see a reason to "leave it to the professionals"...

the tenative plan is to hack up a b17 (with SILVER rivets!) and i'll be sure to let you guys know how it goes. hopefully i can swing the cash for it after the holidays.

bottom line is, i was into art long before i was into bikes, so my bike is going to be pretty, damnit. the only saddles that come close to satistying my need for beauty are are the various brooks, the san marco regal, and the saddleco flow.

emayex

what about the brooks swallow?

ink1373

also, thanks fixer, for all of your posts (which i finally did a search for)...they're quite helpful.

the swallow is 400 bucks. enough said.

roadfix

Thumbs up on the Regal....(w/silver rivets!)

andygates

Okay, Brooks veteran time (B17 narrow for 10 years, B17 for 3, Swift for 3/12000 miles currently). Any of the Brooks saddles are suitable for heavy work - touring, uber-commuting, fixed or gearie. Light riders, 230lb lumps like me, it's all good.

* The B17 is the widest, then the B17 narrow, then the Swift. Dunno about the Swallow, too expensive for my bikes! Choose the one that's best fitted to you.

* The S's have slightly finer leather too, so are more comfy out of the box.

* If you can afford it, get Ti rails. The steel-railed saddles are great but are heavy, and on a stiff alu frame, can be hard on the arse. Ti rails bring the saddle weight back into the mainstream, and are very comfortable.

As for aesthetics, that's all personal. I'm never going to insult another person's grotesque tank or mistmatched bitza abomination - honest. The fact that a Brooks breaks into your shape and looks worn-in after a few thousand miles does give it a very cool and unique wabi-sabi vibe.

trespasser

my B-17 has small copper rivets, not silver...

Shiznaz

Whats the word on those funky looking Selle Italia Storika saddles? I'd like to try one out but the price tag is as much or greater than a brooks.

roadfix

The black Storika is definitely S&M. I like it, but a bit too kinky for me....

ink1373

new b17s = silver rivets

www.brookssaddles.com

keevohn

Storika: definitely hot, but I read somewhere that the leather's too soft (not tensioned properly) to do a suspended-leather saddle justice. Alas... I am unable to back that up with a link or (gasp) personal experience.

cphfxt

i dont know if its still up , but check
2bikesinasia.com

cphfxt

no its not me tinks .. but here :
https://www.cyclingnews.com/cyclingtr...ixedtour.shtml
there´s some touring for ya..
and i think i spot a rolls and a flite