I've been riding a Cardiff Mercia for two years. Was reasonably happy with it, but then... The weld that joined one of the rails to the rear bracket separated. If you compare the welding on a Brooks to that of a Cardiff. Well, there is no comparison. I've replaced it with a Brooks B17. I'm still thinking about having the broken weld fixed. The Cardiff has broken in nicely for me, and the Mercia is a nice looking saddle.