geekrunner...People fork over good money on Brooks because the quality is superior to any other seat on the market. It is not a fashion statement it is a heritage of quality goods.

The basic model Brooks can be had for 60-75$ if you shop around. The main advantage of leather is that it breaks in to your bones. There is nothing quite like broken in saddle. Plastic saddles with foam/leather covers don't make any indents of the sit bones.

Those who don't like Brooks probably didn't spend enough time breaking in the saddle. Nor did they get the nose angle right. It is a 500-1200 mile commitment before the saddle is broken in. Leather thickness varies so break in times will be different.