Standard Issue

I've recently developed an interest in vintage leather saddles since acquiring an old Ideale that was attached to a Trek I bought for $20.
I'd really like a Brooks B17 for my casual-rider but the prices are a bit high unless the saddle's in rough shape. While searching on ebay I came across a Wrights leather saddle that looks a lot like a B17 and the ad says it was made by them. I've read conflicting opinions about the differences between the two brands and was wondering if any of you had any insight on the topic. The saddle I found looks to be in really good shape and is significantly less expensive than a comparable brooks. I might pick it up but I'd hate to have my street cred questioned, lol.

auchencrow

Brooks owned Wrights after about 1960 and manufactured them in the same factory for some years. (Prior to that Wrights was a separate concern).

The Wrights saddles produced by Brooks were similar but supposedly used a lesser grade of leather - but your preeminent consideration now is condition and cost, not the label.

Bianchigirll 

I don't think Wrights saddles were made by Brooks but I could be wrong. decent leather saddles seem to sell well, so you can always resell it if you do not like it.


Edit.
I stand duly corrected and put in the Dunce hat for today. although I will say judging from the post time that I posted before even seeing Auchencrow's post. perhaps this due to my bad habit of surfing both C&V threads and Flicker at once.

Auchen the link you provided me does not say when Wright was phased out

TugaDude

I have a Wright's saddle that came off of an old Raleigh. It is in nice condition, has the "pebbled" top and rides great. It is probably a little less thick in comparison with my Brooks B-17s, but not noticeable when riding it. I like the saddle a lot and it is just slightly narrower than some of my other Brooks, so I put it on my "go fast" bike because it seems more comfortable when I'm in the drops.

oldroads

Wrights are not quite the quality of a Brooks but they are decent.
How much riding will you be doing on it? I’ve seen many 30 or 40 year old saddles break at the nose.

Standard Issue

I actually just sold it on eBay. This came off a '70 raleigh record with super low miles. There's one on eBay now with a cracked nose but mine was pretty much flawless. I heard the big difference was the quality and thickness of the leather. Though I can't speak for the quality of the wrights, I also have an old ideale 90 and the leather thickness of those two are the same.

SteveSGP

I also had a Wright off an old Raleigh and the leather was definitely not as thick as a Brooks.

Standard Issue

I used to own an SVT Contour. Though I don't think I'll regret selling the saddle, I miss the SVT every day...