Originally Posted by
int19
I was looking at one of those Gyes/VO/Cardiff/Origin8/etc leather saddles, and they seem really really stiff. Is there anyone else like me who has had good experience with other tensioned leather saddles and can advise?
Here's a sample size of two. I rode a Cardiff Cornwall (B-17 clone) for about 2500 miles, and it never softened, but I only weigh 170 lbs and don't mash. It did have a rear rail weld failure, though. This appears to be a chronic problem on these saddles.
I also rode a Gyes imitation of Swallow for ~800 miles on my fixed gear. It needed re-tightening a few times to retain its shape, and the leather was thinner. It was comfortable, though. I sold it.