I need to put this in the bank!https://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...1&d=1470398856

Nah, I had one that would not break in, which greatly diminishes its worth. Looks terrific but in actual use, not so much.


*edit*


I see yours is one of the Rebour versions and that might make it more supple than mine ever was.

that saddle looks just broken in.

If you replace it with a current Brooks, odds are, you'll be replacing it again within 2 years - they don't make them like they used to.
The only current Brooks that don't stretch out too soon are the Select, and I heard they're discontinuing those - I bought a spare and put that in the bike bank.

I can't imagine riding a saddle that would sell for $400+

First T&B I-series saddle I've seen fitted with bag loops. May add to collector value.

They are attached with nut/bolt. Maybe after market addition. My frames have to be so small that a bag hardly ever fits. Unless it is just a tool sack. I saw someone using an old binochular case once/looked good-and a repurposed good idea! Yes Uszorrow-I concurr.

I have sold two of those on ebay, in worse condition, for $250+ for each one. I then took some of the $$ and purchased 2, Brooks B17 Selects, also on ebay for about $100 each. I prefer the B17 and am not a collector.

Andrew Hague offered add-on bag loops but theirs were of a different design made to mount to round rails.

Good play.

I had three Ideale 90s that were passed on right here on c&v.

Mentioned that I had them available on Paceline and they were snapped up in two days.

Bought my Serotta CSI with the proceeds.

This is the first I have heard of this. So far, I am very pleased with my new Brooks Team Pro, which I am still breaking in. I shall report back in a couple of years. My 1972 Brooks Pro is definitely showing its age after 40K miles, but it is still eminently usable. It will go on the Sieger if its Ideale is not salvageable, otherwise on the UO-8.

Team Pro are still thick and stiff, but for the most part, across the board on lower grade saddles, and even Select, they've made them to break in sooner, which affects their stretch life

Sad to hear that about Brooks. I always expected them to last a lifetime. I also prefer the B17, had 1 Professional that I liked equally, but sold the bike.

As to breaking in, I have 3 Champion Standard that all were good within 300-500 miles. Also have 2 Champion Special that took much longer. Got them years ago when it was rumored Brooks was going away. 1 was Green, I put it on my touring bike & logged more than 2000 miles before it just began to break in. The other is Honey, & put it on a bike that is seldom ridden. Roughly 500 miles & still looks & rides almost like new. My grand kid will have to finish it. I'm light, so even "as new", they are fairly comfortable though. Don

I'm glad I don't have to shell out that kind of dough, but if it were that what it took to obtain a nice leather saddle I would probably get me one. And move it from bike to bike, just like in the old days. I like 'em that much.

I always keep an eye open, and whenever I see a nice Brooks or Idéale for sale for less than $50 I tend to buy it, irrespective of whether I need it or not. Someday I will and then they might be $400!

[MENTION=158677]juls[/MENTION]: if it rides anywhere near as nice as it looks, use it!

more views....
https://www.bikeforums.nehttps://www.b...1&d=1470417797
It IS a pretty thing.

Learned from reading forum that the frames for these were produced by the firm CEGEDUR. So perhaps the alloy bag loops on this example made by them as well.

never cared for the alloy-rail model 90 so was happy to sell the one I had. I'm keeping the 2 with steel rails, however! The presoftened "Rebour treatment" had no effect on break-in or ultimate comfort AFA I was concerned...looks cool tho.

I do the same! Here was my stash about two years ago:



Hopefully they'll go up in value, but they may also go down if the next generation of vintage restorers and riders don't care or know about old saddles.

Nice collection! Your stash is definitely better displayed than mine. Mine are either on my bikes or on the floor of my study, waiting to be fondled (yes, I'll admit I like to do that) or to be put on the right bike.

Impressive!

great photo, too