I have 3 brooks saddles that I bought new within the last 7 or 8 years. Swift ti with more than ten thousand miles on it now, pro with about 500 miles on it, and a B17 special with a couple thousand miles on it. None have ever been tensioned and have never needed it. None have sagged. They get proofided once or twice a year at most. Can't vouch for the brooks saddles the last couple of years or their customer service, but I've had no problems with mine and would buy another one if I needed it.