Lekker leather saddles?
#1
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Lekker leather saddles?
Hey all:
I'm seeing these saddles on that auction site for good prices, just wondered if anybody had tried them out or has any info? I'm not able to find much on the web.
I'm seeing these saddles on that auction site for good prices, just wondered if anybody had tried them out or has any info? I'm not able to find much on the web.
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https://www.lekkerbikes.com.au/produ...-saddle-black/
I like this one .
I like this one .
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Looks like plastic saddle with a cover.
#4
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https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lekker-Leat...40b8c0ef9eb0cc
I have no experience with these other than what I glean from the photos in the listing.
Okay, with that disclaimer out of the way, I see they have already tied the skirts together. Tying the skirts in this manner is usually the last thing you do with an old saddle that is losing its shape due to use and abuse. Some people find the tied skirts allow them to get a little more use out of a saddle that's reached the end of its useful life. In my experience, once a saddle reaches that point, it's done.
If the manufacturer is already tying the skirts on a new saddle, that's not a good sign.
That's not a leather saddle.
I have no experience with these other than what I glean from the photos in the listing.
Okay, with that disclaimer out of the way, I see they have already tied the skirts together. Tying the skirts in this manner is usually the last thing you do with an old saddle that is losing its shape due to use and abuse. Some people find the tied skirts allow them to get a little more use out of a saddle that's reached the end of its useful life. In my experience, once a saddle reaches that point, it's done.
If the manufacturer is already tying the skirts on a new saddle, that's not a good sign.
https://www.lekkerbikes.com.au/produ...-saddle-black/
I like this one .
I like this one .
__________________
www.rhmsaddles.com.
www.rhmsaddles.com.
#6
Senior Member
They'll be Gyes saddles branded as Lekker. Velo Orange's leather saddles are also Gyes, as are Spa Cycles' saddles in the UK. Also Cardiff, Origin8, MHL, etc. - there are various. They don't seem to be marketed as Gyes outside of Taiwan, where they're made, although they're available as such on AliExpress.
You can search the Gyes catalogue for the likely suspects - 'RAIL' and 'SPRING RAIL' - the Lekker 'Sport' is the GS-06, the 'Cruiser' the GS-08 and the 'Commuter' the GS-17. I think the equivalent Brooks saddles would be the Swallow, Flyer and B17 respectively - they're quite elegantly branded, anyway.
Gyes
The ones in the ebay listing are most certainly leather (Australian cowhide), although I think there might be some kind of a membrane incorporated to prevent them losing their shape when wet. I haven't heard of them deforming the way Brooks saddles do over time, and their rails are longer than the equivalent Brooks, allowing more setback, but they apparently take longer to break in (if at all). Others on here will have had some experience with them. Some have laces from new, some don't, but I wouldn't worry unduly about them going out of shape.
There was a problem with the nose assembly cracking and failing on early Gyes-made saddles but AFAIK that's been sorted and shouldn't be the case with the Lekker branded saddles since presumably they'll be the latest evolution. The dye tended to fade on honey coloured ones, especially, but again that might have improved.
I'm just about to order a Gyes-made 'Nidd Narrow' from Spa Cycles, effectively a GS-24, a narrower version of the GS-17, like a Brooks Professional, I think. I'll see how it goes.
You can search the Gyes catalogue for the likely suspects - 'RAIL' and 'SPRING RAIL' - the Lekker 'Sport' is the GS-06, the 'Cruiser' the GS-08 and the 'Commuter' the GS-17. I think the equivalent Brooks saddles would be the Swallow, Flyer and B17 respectively - they're quite elegantly branded, anyway.
Gyes
The ones in the ebay listing are most certainly leather (Australian cowhide), although I think there might be some kind of a membrane incorporated to prevent them losing their shape when wet. I haven't heard of them deforming the way Brooks saddles do over time, and their rails are longer than the equivalent Brooks, allowing more setback, but they apparently take longer to break in (if at all). Others on here will have had some experience with them. Some have laces from new, some don't, but I wouldn't worry unduly about them going out of shape.
There was a problem with the nose assembly cracking and failing on early Gyes-made saddles but AFAIK that's been sorted and shouldn't be the case with the Lekker branded saddles since presumably they'll be the latest evolution. The dye tended to fade on honey coloured ones, especially, but again that might have improved.
I'm just about to order a Gyes-made 'Nidd Narrow' from Spa Cycles, effectively a GS-24, a narrower version of the GS-17, like a Brooks Professional, I think. I'll see how it goes.
Last edited by kylecycler; 03-28-19 at 07:43 PM.
#7
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Thread Starter
They'll be Gyes saddles branded as Lekker. Velo Orange's leather saddles are also Gyes, as are Spa Cycles' saddles in the UK. Also Cardiff, Origin8, MHL, etc. - there are various. They don't seem to be marketed as Gyes outside of Taiwan, where they're made, although they're available as such on AliExpress.
You can search the Gyes catalogue for the likely suspects - 'RAIL' and 'SPRING RAIL' - the Lekker 'Sport' is the GS-06, the 'Cruiser' the GS-08 and the 'Commuter' the GS-17. I think the equivalent Brooks saddles would be the Swallow, Flyer and B17 respectively - they're quite elegantly branded, anyway.
Gyes
The ones in the ebay listing are most certainly leather (Australian cowhide), although I think there might be some kind of a membrane incorporated to prevent them losing their shape when wet. I haven't heard of them deforming the way Brooks saddles do over time, and their rails are longer than the equivalent Brooks, allowing more setback, but they apparently take longer to break in (if at all). Others on here will have had some experience with them. Some have laces from new, some don't, but I wouldn't worry unduly about them going out of shape.
There was a problem with the nose assembly cracking and failing on early Gyes-made saddles but AFAIK that's been sorted and shouldn't be the case with the Lekker branded saddles since presumably they'll be the latest evolution. The dye tended to fade on honey coloured ones, especially, but again that might have improved.
I'm just about to order a Gyes-made 'Nidd Narrow' from Spa Cycles, effectively a GS-24, a narrower version of the GS-17, like a Brooks Professional, I think. I'll see how it goes.
You can search the Gyes catalogue for the likely suspects - 'RAIL' and 'SPRING RAIL' - the Lekker 'Sport' is the GS-06, the 'Cruiser' the GS-08 and the 'Commuter' the GS-17. I think the equivalent Brooks saddles would be the Swallow, Flyer and B17 respectively - they're quite elegantly branded, anyway.
Gyes
The ones in the ebay listing are most certainly leather (Australian cowhide), although I think there might be some kind of a membrane incorporated to prevent them losing their shape when wet. I haven't heard of them deforming the way Brooks saddles do over time, and their rails are longer than the equivalent Brooks, allowing more setback, but they apparently take longer to break in (if at all). Others on here will have had some experience with them. Some have laces from new, some don't, but I wouldn't worry unduly about them going out of shape.
There was a problem with the nose assembly cracking and failing on early Gyes-made saddles but AFAIK that's been sorted and shouldn't be the case with the Lekker branded saddles since presumably they'll be the latest evolution. The dye tended to fade on honey coloured ones, especially, but again that might have improved.
I'm just about to order a Gyes-made 'Nidd Narrow' from Spa Cycles, effectively a GS-24, a narrower version of the GS-17, like a Brooks Professional, I think. I'll see how it goes.
#8
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Yes, indeed it does. But the photo does not show a leather saddle. The photo shows a plastic saddle with foam padding and some kind of upholstered cover (that may be real or fake leather) and decorative rivets.
If nothing else, the stated weight gives it away. A Brooks leather saddle with titanium frame, which is as light as a leather saddle gets, is over 350 g. If this saddle is really 300g, it's not a leather saddle.
If nothing else, the stated weight gives it away. A Brooks leather saddle with titanium frame, which is as light as a leather saddle gets, is over 350 g. If this saddle is really 300g, it's not a leather saddle.
#9
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https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lekker-Leat...40b8c0ef9eb0cc
I have no experience with these other than what I glean from the photos in the listing.
Okay, with that disclaimer out of the way, I see they have already tied the skirts together. Tying the skirts in this manner is usually the last thing you do with an old saddle that is losing its shape due to use and abuse. Some people find the tied skirts allow them to get a little more use out of a saddle that's reached the end of its useful life. In my experience, once a saddle reaches that point, it's done.
If the manufacturer is already tying the skirts on a new saddle, that's not a good sign.
I have no experience with these other than what I glean from the photos in the listing.
Okay, with that disclaimer out of the way, I see they have already tied the skirts together. Tying the skirts in this manner is usually the last thing you do with an old saddle that is losing its shape due to use and abuse. Some people find the tied skirts allow them to get a little more use out of a saddle that's reached the end of its useful life. In my experience, once a saddle reaches that point, it's done.
If the manufacturer is already tying the skirts on a new saddle, that's not a good sign.
#10
Senior Member
Crow Cycles used to be the US distributor for Gyes but seems to be gone - they even offered them on ebay.co.uk but unfortunately the shipping costs to the UK were prohibitive, especially when at least some were available from Spa (so far Spa hasn't offered any of the sprung ones).
A cycling buddy (ex US Navy nuclear submarine Lieutenant Commander, no less - he married a Scots lass and settled here) has lent me a Brooks Cambium C15 'Carved' (i.e. with a cutout) that he didn't get on with. I've got two more-or-less identical hybrids, one used as a workhorse for transportation, the other for country/club rides and touring, so I could compare the two saddles back-to-back and see which works best. For me, of course - you'll know what works for one of us won't necessarily work for the other when it comes to saddles, especially! The most I've spent on a saddle so far was on an Ergon, and I don't think it works for me.
The 'leather look' saddle above is also marketed under different names, although I don't think it's made by Gyes.
#11
Member
https://www.lekkerbikes.com.au/produ...-saddle-black/
I like this one .
I like this one .
If leather then Brooks or such ... I love the old "Professional". Have about 3 or four on several bikes. My other favorite for classic roadbike is the old Turbo, not the remakes.
Last edited by Catfart; 03-29-19 at 03:33 AM.
#12
Member
I have no experience with these other than what I glean from the photos in the listing.
Okay, with that disclaimer out of the way, I see they have already tied the skirts together. Tying the skirts in this manner is usually the last thing you do with an old saddle that is losing its shape due to use and abuse. Some people find the tied skirts allow them to get a little more use out of a saddle that's reached the end of its useful life. In my experience, once a saddle reaches that point, it's done.
If the manufacturer is already tying the skirts on a new saddle, that's not a good sign.
Last edited by Catfart; 03-29-19 at 05:41 AM.
#13
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2019's tensioned leather saddle manufacturers include:
Berthoud - France
Brooks - UK
Gyes (Cardiff, Dia Compe, Fyxation, Lekker, Origin8, Papillionaire, Shinola, Spa, Torelli, Velo Orange, etc.) - Taiwan
Ideale - France
Lepper - Netherlands
Nasiruddin (Persons) - India
Rivet - AFAIK manufactured in Taiwan by Gyes but to their own proprietary designs
Selle Italia - Italy
Selle Anatomica - USA
Selle Monte Grappa - Italy
Tabor - Portugal
Berthoud - France
Brooks - UK
Gyes (Cardiff, Dia Compe, Fyxation, Lekker, Origin8, Papillionaire, Shinola, Spa, Torelli, Velo Orange, etc.) - Taiwan
Ideale - France
Lepper - Netherlands
Nasiruddin (Persons) - India
Rivet - AFAIK manufactured in Taiwan by Gyes but to their own proprietary designs
Selle Italia - Italy
Selle Anatomica - USA
Selle Monte Grappa - Italy
Tabor - Portugal
#14
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I bought one on clearance $38 about 6 months ago. Now they're about $78. The Commuter looks exactly like the B17. The leather is a little thicker than the Brooks and it's taking longer to break in. The ties are kinda cool but they may be hampering the break in. My butt is happy with a Brooks right out of the box but the Lekker needs some time. It's been several months and about 2,000 miles and it's getting better. I think it looks great and if I could get them at $38 again, I'd stock up. For a $20 difference I think I'd stay with the Brooks if it was for me.
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I'm running a few Gyes saddles, had them for a few years now. Just as comfortable as my Brooks but cheaper and with longer rails. I see no reason to avoid them.
#16
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I had the really springy one back when VO sold it. Saddle leather was fine (though it apparently needed the reinforcement the manufacturer put on the underside). I rode it with the saddle set all the way back. The rails failed after a not-very-long time.
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You make a good point but I loosened the laces a little to give it a little and more sag and it's indistinguishable from my Brooks. It also features a nylon cover on the bottom to keep any spray off the underside. I really like them and my ego can take the lack of the Brooks name plate.
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All Gyes saddles, and brands that are made by them, are constructed using Australian Buffalo. The new Cardiff's leather is sourced from the same Italian tannery that makes Leper saddles of Holland. These Cardiff's are truly unique.
2019's tensioned leather saddle manufacturers include:
Berthoud - France
Brooks - UK
Gyes (Cardiff, Dia Compe, Fyxation, Lekker, Origin8, Papillionaire, Shinola, Spa, Torelli, Velo Orange, etc.) - Taiwan
Ideale - France
Lepper - Netherlands
Nasiruddin (Persons) - India
Rivet - AFAIK manufactured in Taiwan by Gyes but to their own proprietary designs
Selle Italia - Italy
Selle Anatomica - USA
Selle Monte Grappa - Italy
Tabor - Portugal
Berthoud - France
Brooks - UK
Gyes (Cardiff, Dia Compe, Fyxation, Lekker, Origin8, Papillionaire, Shinola, Spa, Torelli, Velo Orange, etc.) - Taiwan
Ideale - France
Lepper - Netherlands
Nasiruddin (Persons) - India
Rivet - AFAIK manufactured in Taiwan by Gyes but to their own proprietary designs
Selle Italia - Italy
Selle Anatomica - USA
Selle Monte Grappa - Italy
Tabor - Portugal
#19
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Gyes make great saddles. I've been using some I got for 30 bucks for years of touring. Secret is to use Nikwax Aqueous Wax on them. Makes them waterproof and doesn't soften the leather no mater how much you apply. They will stretch a bit at first but then they settle down and become super comfortable.
#20
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I see they have already tied the skirts together. Tying the skirts in this manner is usually the last thing you do with an old saddle that is losing its shape due to use and abuse. Some people find the tied skirts allow them to get a little more use out of a saddle that's reached the end of its useful life. In my experience, once a saddle reaches that point, it's done. If the manufacturer is already tying the skirts on a new saddle, that's not a good sign.
I will tie my Brooks saddle skirts together at some point. I prefer that to extending the bolt.
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I bought one about a year ago. Nice but really hard. It had a liner under it for spray protection and ties to keep it tight. I like it but be prepared for a long break in. I'm not sure they are the same but back then it was about $40 and they had three styles. I think the commuter was a B17 look alike.
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The saddle pictured is not what I think of a "leather" saddle. If it is real leather stretched over a padded plactic form then it might look nice but I wouldn't want to sit on it for a 100mi. ride. Some of these adds don't stretch leather but they might the truth when they say these are leather instead if leather-like.
These were the Lekker saddles I was referring to.
These were the Lekker saddles I was referring to.
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"Lekker" in Dutch translates to "tasty".
Nevetheless, I wouldnt mind having one on my bike. Good for a laugh, too
Nevetheless, I wouldnt mind having one on my bike. Good for a laugh, too
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Lekker are definitely Gyes
They'll be Gyes saddles branded as Lekker.
You can search the Gyes catalogue for the likely suspects - 'RAIL' and 'SPRING RAIL' - the Lekker 'Sport' is the GS-06, the 'Cruiser' the GS-08 and the 'Commuter' the GS-17. I think the equivalent Brooks saddles would be the Swallow, Flyer and B17 respectively - they're quite elegantly branded, anyway.
You can search the Gyes catalogue for the likely suspects - 'RAIL' and 'SPRING RAIL' - the Lekker 'Sport' is the GS-06, the 'Cruiser' the GS-08 and the 'Commuter' the GS-17. I think the equivalent Brooks saddles would be the Swallow, Flyer and B17 respectively - they're quite elegantly branded, anyway.
I only noticed it when I took the seat apart to put in a crotch hole.
The saddle is easy to take apart unlike Brooks which look to need special tools to insert the rails.
Its also easy to remove the saddle bag tabs on the back which can catch on your bibs if you dismount awkwardly.