A note on leather saddles - all of them are better than just about any synthetic saddle.

However, Brooks, Lepper, and other high-end saddle makers use high quality leather from the neck of the cowskin hide.

I have seen, bought, and used Chinese leather saddles. They are often made of pigskin or some kind of leather composite. They are cheap and "interesting", but they do not hold up for very long as the leather quickly starts to sag and eventually tear.

My sister bought a gorgeous Brooks leather women's saddle some years ago when money was very tight for her. She was going to be spending a lot of time on her bicycle, so she made the investment. That saddle was and still is very precious to her. Still, she never thought twice about the money after she got the saddle.

Personally, I think that it might be a wise idea to spend more money on the saddle and less on the bike... After all, it is what connects you to the bicycle. If you invest in the areas where you contact your bicycle: ie a good saddle, comfortable handle grips, and good quality pedals, your riding experience will be exponentially better.