zomg, love this seat. the plastic is thin and very flexible, almost like a hard rubber. the padding is like a dense foam rubber, and leather is very nice. john thom, never had a real brooks. had a fake swallow and it was comfy enough but having to retension it bothered me as the saddle got very long and strange looking. i wanna try the brooks select models, with the extra thick non-dyed leather. those look promising. i intend on gripping a brooks and a vintage ideal though at some point. but i know this cinelli boi lighter weight doe. also nice zeus pista avatar. over all, for $35 shipped im very happy with my purchase, love it. gonna get more of these 2 stock up