Just the bikes would be fine. I think it would be interesting to see!

That would be nice...or just the bikes if the staff are too shy .

East Hill

Did you look at the new online catalogue? For most of the models I've been able to track down the "birth date". But as Brooks has changed many owners over the years we do not have all catalogues. Moreover some models have changed name or the same name has been used for different models. For example in the 1950's the Flyer was a B17 model without springs. Now the Flyer is a model with springs, but actually it is also the single rail version of the old B66 Champion, which was a sportive version of the B66 in the late 1920's...
in other words writing the history of all models is quite a challenge, especially without having all the catalogues. Do you have any friends who have catalogues from the late 1940's or early 1950's?
Andrea

snaps of the staff w/bikes might add a more personal touch. folks could see the folks who crafted what cradles their tuckas.

Make up your minds poeple!

I went back to the site - I agree with the comments about navigation. I think the menu would be easier to see and use if the drop-down boxes were replaced with links.

Otherwise, I'm quite happy with everything aside from the present value of the U.S. dollar.

I'm most interested in finding out exactly what the letter codes mean on the cantle plate of older
Brooks saddles (if that's even knowable at this point). I've always gone by the information found here:

https://www.vintage-trek.com/component_dates.htm

Unfortunately, that indicates that the meaning of the letter codes is lost to the ages.
Is that true? Regardless, it would be nice to have that kind of information about date
codes on the Brooks site so collectors like me can easily find it.

I could really use a white B-17...

But this reminds me of something for the web site.

I think it would be nice to have "How-to" directions (even if not officially endorsed. with as many disclaimers as you need) such as:

How to punch/lace a saddle.

How to dye a saddle. (I actually considered this as a possible option to get a white Brooks for a bike I have) This may not be feasible, but until you come up with a publicly available white saddle, it will always be in the back of my mind...

How to treat certain conditions (especially old saddles). Especially usability issues, since I actually like the looks of Brooks saddles worn from long years of usage... but secondarily cosmetic issues.

And as far as products:

I understand that making a quality leather saddle isn't cheap, but I would like more budget oriented saddle options instead of high bling. Are there "factory seconds" available? Cosmetically perfect isn't a big deal for me, as long as the durability and comfort aren't impacted... I just can't get myself to pay more for a saddle than I pay for the bike.

We vintage riders often have several bikes... how about "owner loyalty" pricing? I carry a club membership card for the grocery store, I would gladly carry a card for Brooks. Oh, and make the card out of leather.

Thanks for dropping by Andrea, I hope it is helpful to you as a member of the manufacturing sector.

Andrea,

What I would find most useful would be a side by side comparison of your different saddle models.

Is the top of the B33 the same as the B73?
Champ Flyer and the B17, what's the difference in the leather and size?

Questions like those are difficult to determine when looking at individual images of the saddles.

Thanks,

--Allen

I agree. However, I doubt if the modifications and alternative treatments would be approved by Brooks. Note that Brooks have adamantly recommended only their Proofide as a dressing and wouldn't stand behind their saddles if they were, perhaps, damaged by something else. However, we know that other treatments have been reported to be successful and maybe even better. Perhaps what is needed is for someone to put up an unofficial "Friends of Brooks" website compiling all this information. All that information is out there now on various websites.

there's a potential candidate for flash. a saddle comparison page that will let the user place models next to each other and rotate the individual images.

Let me just throw in a +1 for that. It would displace my white Rolls on my chrome singlespeed. Mmmmmm.

Thans for the pic On a serious note, do you have anyone doing market research over there? White saddles and bar tape are HUGE right now.. you guys are missing out on a giant shift in preferences. I think you could sell a ton of white saddles, not only to vintage guys, but regular roadies as well. Same with leather bar tape to match. Just my opinion.

I love your saddles. I think you need a little information on your website for adjusting the tension on the seat.

thanks.

White saddles for roadies and C&V would be great! I would get three if I could.

+1,000,000

...and the timeline would be a smash....

I have Brooks on all my bikes except for one......and if you made a white one, this wouldn't be the case

Drop the worthless Flash and integrate Flash elements where appropriate, providing a usable alternative for those who may not have it.

Make the site more usable by utilizing a more intuitive navigation structure that allows the user to find the information they need as quickly as possible.

Provide more useful information about your products. I find better information about your saddles at sites like walbike.com and Harris Cyclery.

The white Swift...can't think...of adequate...words.

*faints*

White saddle? Ok... I guess. Not my thing.
Interesting site...

One place where Sheldon Brown's Brooks pages score heavily over your own is in a selection guide.
What weight rider,
why 3 springs, why 2,
which saddle works well with a given seat / handlebar relationship.

Howard (enjoying the B67, and quite frankly surprised by a B15)

White B17???? How are you going to keep it white and put your break in potion on it?

I kind of figured this is the reason Brooks has not offered white saddles. I am sure I could come up with something that doesnt stain though.

I just want to add that i really enjoyed the complementary DVD from NAHBS and i thank you for it.

I have a couple of 80s ,white leather Turbo and Concor saddles that are still white....and get ridden quite often.

Oh yes! Forgot all about that, it was a nice touch.

East Hill

I actually think that the Wallingford site is better than Brook's actual site. They seem to do a very good job describing the models. The content in Rivendell BIke's catalogue regarding measuring for your correct saddle purchase would also be a nice feature.

Maybe a Q&A or FAQ section that covers all things saddle, from stopping annoying clamp squeaks to how to handle an accidentally soaked in the rain saddle. Even a forum (simialr to C&V?) might be nice where people who actually own them already can help those contemplating buying one. $200 beans is a lot for a saddle, and I think more folks would buy them if they had a better idea of what to expect.

All in all I find the official Brooks site fairly low on content but big on style. When I think back to when I was trying to select which Brooks to try having a fit guide and instructions for figuring out which model is best for your body type would have been the most important thing.

Having said all that, the product itself is great. I have 2 swifts and a Team Pro, and love all 3.