The Brooks B68 is back!
 

https://www.brooksengland.com/en_us/...eid=81f524c73d

They'd started making them JUST for Rivendell as OEM equipment a couple of years ago... I guess it raised enough interest the Brooks jumped in. That's good.

Brooks saddles are great. There's too much emphasis on comfort with modern saddles, as if comfort were the only consideration in choosing a saddle.

I mean, it should be a big consideration, seeing as discomfort can lead to physical damage; pressure sores, nerve damage, etc.

How does that differ from the b72?

Basically a spring less 67?

I think- single rail not double.

Which would be nice. I knew there was a reason I didn't use the b72 I have.

The reason modern saddles are so preoccupied with comfort by way of comparison is because virtually none of them are as comfortable as large leather saddles... Brooks doesn't need to worry about comfort because for a vast majority of people these saddles are extremely comfortable by nature - the saddles literally wear into ideal forms based on a rider's shape and motions.

Oh man, I like the B72! If this is like a B72 I'm in. The B72 has double rails and four curly-Q springs. Of course, it was the seat that came on most English three speeds that had Brooks leather seats.

Anyway, this is about the availability of the Brooks B68 which is pretty exciting. The video that Rivendell made for the Brooks B68 probably wasn't aimed at someone like me, but the seat is.

I like the double rails on the wider seats. Since the seat is wider, I feel like having four wires attached to the cantle (is that the right word?) is more supportive over this large span. And the double rail isn't so bad if you have a straight seat post or can get the plate that allows a Laprade type seat post to accommodate the double rail. But with all that said, a wider Brooks with an easy to mount single rail is good news.

I went to the Brooks website and it does looks like a B72, B67 and B68 all share the same dimensions, 250mm long x 205mm wide. The differences are the undercarriage. I didn't know the B72 was still available. I sold mine off with a Raleigh DL-1. This B68 could be a good replacement.

In response to [MENTION=566353]Lamont Cobb[/MENTION], yea, I guess there are other considerations beside just comfort. Some like Brooks and leather seats for their classic look and durability. I will agree to that. I remember when Rebok shoes/sneakers first hit the market. They felt great right from the first time you slipped your foot into them. But they didn't last. Puma's, Adidas and even Converse may have needed to break in and they lasted.

I see what you did there.