BCRider

NCBiker is not the original poster. He did this on his own to find out what Brooks has to say about this.

It says a lot about the reputation of Brooks that so many of you are at the point where you feel that a Brooks is a Brooks and that they can do no wrong.

However this reputation is built on a foundation of longstanding perfection. And that perfection is clearly not demonstrated in this particular saddle. If the history of Brooks was to have produced saddles with various hide flaws over the years and call them "acceptable" then they would not enjoy the reputation that they have today. Besides, natural products such as leather have been used for centuries. And during all that time good craftspeople have learned to avoid blemishes when creating superior products even if it means some waste. The Brooks Statement Of Quality clearly says this is the standard that the work to achieve. And frankly I think that it's nice that there are still such companies out there in today's market with the all too prevalent "that's good enough" standards.

The OP deserves his bit of Brooks perfection that result from such high standards every bit as much as the rest of us who have smiled when they first see their new saddle come out of the box. Will this saddle fail from that small defect? Certainly not. But it's not a case of failure. It's a case of quality. Would all of you that are willing to accept this defect have the same opinion if with a similar size defect in the paint on your new Corvette or Beemer on a highly visible area? ...... I didn't think so.

BikeWise1

OK. I see that. But the question stands: why wouldn't someone go straight to the entity that could remedy the defect to begin with?

This argument is irrelevant! The appearance of the saddle will change from its first use, and continue to change. It will darken, and change shape, and show scuffs if the bike falls over-not an uncommon event, but these changes do not diminish function in any way. Automotive finishes are applied for the specific purpose of preventing a change in appearance! Besides, a scratch in the paint can cause rust, which would diminish the value of the vehicle and require relatively expensive repairs.

If this was a scratch on a new bike, my opinion would reflect the realities of why finishes are applied. But a scratch on a leather seating surface that will be exposed to the realities of someone's butt? Not as much.

hagen2456

That, I think, would be a fair question if the saddle were not brand new. But a new saddle at that price should not have even aesthetic faults. It's a return, IMO.

BCRider

Why does the fact that this is a saddle instead of a paint job make it less relevent? Never mind what the eventual function of the paint on a car or the last layer of the skin on a leather saddle performs in mechanical terms. You bought it expecting perfection. A purely cosmetic flaw may not affect the usefulness at all. But the point is that you bought a product expecting a flawless finish. Never mind that a saddle and a car's paintjob are soon marred in use. That's fair wear and tear. But when it comes out of the box you, me and the OP has every right to expect a perfect looking saddle or a perfect paintjob on a car or bike frame. There is simply no difference in either case.

ESPECIALLY when Brooks goes to so much trouble to claim that they hold themselves to this sort of standard.

So why didn't the OP go directly to Brooks or the dealer that sold him the saddle? I guess he wanted to find out if his issue with the scratch was worth making a fuss about or if it's normal. He's certainly getting his money's worth of entertainment and opinions in both directions on THIS thread...

jamesdak 

Well all I can say is that none of my 3 Brooks saddle ever came with a mark like that on them. On top of the durability concern I would question the effect such a mark would have on your shorts/bibs since it appears to be in the area where you weight will be and with the normal moving about will it cause damage? I ignored a trunk bag rubbing on my bibs for one 20 mile ride only to get home and find a hole in them. Just another aspect to consider.

mcavana

you guys are funny...

It is a leather saddle. It has a unique blemish on it. If you have to have a saddle that looks identical to all the rest, I recomend a trip to wally world. It is easy to make all the cheap plastic ones look the same

Retro Grouch 

Price is easy to define. Value not so much.

Most things, the day that you buy them, are as good as they are ever going to be. Leather goods, like Brooks saddles, are the exception. Normal wear and tear and associated color changes continuously enhance their beauty over the lifetime of the product. That tiny little scratch is simply a head start in the beautification process.

If that's the kind of thing that bothers you, send it back and buy yourself a nice plastic saddle that's made in mainland China. Then hang it on the wall so it stays new looking like the day you bought it.

billnuke1 

The question that will come up everytime someone who knows the Brooks name sees the saddle in question is going to be,"It came that way?".

Retro Grouch 

You're kidding - right?

nubcake

x2

It is a saddle, I have never inspected a friends saddle close enough to find any minor blemishes, especially after it has been ridden.

Its simple really, if you are concerned about the look have it replaced, Brooks already said that is ok. If you are not so caught up in something so petty, mount it and cherish the fact you have a very nice saddle that will probably outlast your bike.

mcavana

Ha Ha....

It is a brooks saddle. The older and more seasoned it gets, the more it is worth to the owner. this light scratch will make it look another year or two older if anything, adding value. You are looking at this kind of saddle all wrong.

billnuke1 

Kool Aid for everybody!!

billnuke1 

Whoopee! This one must be worth a fortune!

kamtsa

All cars get scratches over time but I would not accept a scratched new car from the dealer.

neurocop

OK, that is a reasonable expectation. As regards the saddle in question, it is described as brand new, so the scratch seen was either:
1) present when it left the Brooks factory; or, 2) damage that occurred post-manufacture. I doubt #1, because Brooks saddles are closely
inspected before they are shipped and while leather is a natural material that may have "imperfections" those imperfections are usually
things you would see in the graining of the leather and such things as healed hide injuries sustained during the life of the cow. These
blemishes will appear beneath the finish of the leather. This appears to be ascratch sustained after the saddle was shipped.

I'm sure that Brooks would be interested in knowing if they shipped a defective saddle (even if it is a cosmetic non-functional defect), and
if so, they would undoubtedly replace it for the buyer.

SurlyLaika

FWIW, these small knicks and scratches will happen. Trying to prevent it will only drive you crazy. True, a new Brooks saddle is a beautiful thing but it isn't yours until you %#* it up a little bit. Btw, the worst thing I ever did was totally drop by bike on its side. The saddle took the hit. It looked like beige Brooks hamburger meat. I was devastated. I applied some proofide as the LBS suggested to seal it and kept on riding. Now I don't even notice it unless I'm looking for the blemish. The point is it's a saddle for riding and that little scratch shouldn't keep from enjoying a great saddle!

onespeedbiker

There is an old saying that causes me to kick myself in the head when I vary from it; "Buy the best, you'll never be disappointed". When you buy anything new that has not been discounted due to a mar or scratch, you expect whatever the industry standard is; in this case a saddle free of obvious imperfections. The point that it will wear and and become unique to the rider is irreverent; if he wanted a distressed Brooks they are available. The idea one would ignore damaged goods because of entropy seems absurd to me. Yes, Brooks develop character over the years as it distresses, but it's time and the owner that distresses the saddle, not UPS or a QC guy that had a rough night.