lecky

I recently bought a second hand B17 in good condition for £25 BIN - about $40 - on ebay. It's very comfortable. Over a couple of weeks I saw a few Brooks' used but in good condition go for similar prices. Keep an eye on ebay UK listings. You may get a reasonable deal on shipping too from a private seller.

soma2x

Initially I said I liked my Brooks B68 better than any of the knock offs. I changed my mind. Once fully broken in, the Gyes Parkside II is even better. The leather was initially a little softer than the Brooks but it did mold to my rear end. Now I love the thing...so much so that I bought another in Natural Leather. I'll put the old black one on my grocery getter and break the new one in on my road bike . The new one actually seems a little more Brooks-like; the natural colored leather is firmer/harder than on the first black Gyes I bought. I'm sure it'll break in just like the black one and it looks BEAUTIFUL. Just as there are those who will say that all Brooks clones are inferior, there are also those that will tell you Campy is better than all that "Japanese crap". Campy is fine but Shimano's become functionally superior. Brooks saddles undoubtedly work well but it could be that some of the clones are surpassing the original.

CardiacKid

I imagine the OP has already purchased a saddle based on your faulty opinion. I think you owe him.

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

All Brooks clones are inferior.
Suntour is better than both Campy and Shimano.

bikerosity57

Brooks hands down. You will never go wrong spending the extra money for a Brooks. Nothing even comes close.

jtgotsjets

Have you ever tried anything else?

I spent a long time looking at reviews of all different kinds of Brooks knock-offs before I pulled the trigger on my VO saddle (Flyer knock-off). I'd say a good 95% of negative reviews were from people who had never ridden the knock-offs and are just retro-grouches about their saddles. The other 5% felt that the leather was too soft (I've heard the opposite complaint lodged against Brooks, so....) or maybe the rivets weren't as nice. Most people that actually had them on their bikes seemed to like them.

Personally, I have two convictions.
I find it incredibly hard to believe that there are zero advancements to be made in the realm of leather saddles. I mean, Brooks hasn't even changed the length of their rails to compensate for steeper modern frame angles—they'd rather you get a fancy set-back seatpost. They are the ultimate retro-grouches. Whether VO or Persons or Gyes represent these advancements remains to be seen.
I find it incredibly easy to believe that Brooks includes a significant mark-up on their saddles solely because they're the 800 lb gorilla of leather saddles. If other manufacturers want to try to make a quality saddle at a more affordable price-point, I find it not only a good but also completely plausible idea.

juls

+1 on the Gyes-got one last year for 60 something-they are lower now (natch). I just love it

mickey85

I know it's not a racing saddle or anything, but I'm in love with my VO Model 8. Functionally superior to the B72 it's replacing.

And, Suntour FTW, but Campy #2, IMO.

Grand Bois

I tried a cheaper alternative to Brooks once.

illwafer

b68=no springs
parkside II=springs

how would it compare to a b67?

mickey85

I'll be interested to see how my Model 8 does for an extended period. Right now, I have about 500 miles on it. It broke in very quickly, and seems to require the straps to keep it's shape, but other than that, it looks really good. No tensioning needed. We'll see how it looks in 5 years...

tatfiend 

IMO there is already a worthy competitor to Brooks saddles, Giles Berthoud. Still a suspension leather saddle but with different design of rails and frame parts and it completely disassembles with one hex wrench. IMO better looking than Brooks with very heavy gauge leather and less expensive than the high end Brooks models. No sprung or wide versions are offered though.

jtgotsjets

To be fair, I've seen plenty of Brooks that look like that.

But yeah, the vintage Brooks knockoffs seem to be really hit-or-miss. Would never ride an AGDA.

mickey85

All the Berthouds I've seen are $300+. I wouldn't call that a competitor, unless you're talking the super-low-run models that are built nearly completely out of titanium...which I seriously doubt is Brooks's bread and butter anyway.

It's kinda like their $200 carbon fiber fenders...I guess I just don't get it.

XR2

Yeah the Gilles appear to be very nice. However they're expensive across the board.

balindamood

I must have buns-o-steel. I have Brooks, VO, Belt, Ideale, and Wright leather saddles and once broken in they all seem the same to me. The VO's take longer than brooks to break in (took one of mine almost 600 miles, but I did not use any proofride or anything) and now it is just like the others.

I really do not understand the bombastic brand flag waving around here sometimes.

tatfiend 

At Wallbike the Berthouds start at $210, considerably under the $300 you mention and just a bit above the price of a copper rivet Brooks Team Professional. At the $300 level you are talking Ti rails and that is still cheap compared to a TI Brooks. The Berthoud design makes it a lot easier to replace saddle parts if required too.

mickey85

$80 B17, $100 (ebayed) NOS Professional...$210 Gilles...

Not even a fair fight, IMO. And being that I know Brooks, I think I'll stick with that.

elguicho 

I own a B17 Imperial that I love. I have put several hundred miles and it is incredibly comfortable on my Paramount P15-9. The paramount has a very relaxed geometry and the saddle fits it very well. However, I recently got a 1980 Pinarello with a more aggressive geometry and I'm looking for a leather saddle to fit it. The brooks racing saddles are just way out of my budget right now so I might give this Gyes a try



I think it looks gorgeous and the price is a no brainer. Does anyone here own one like it?

vodid

I had a model 8, and the frame rails under the saddle broke. I'm not some huge guy; I weigh 170 and I'm 5'9" tall. Velo Orange refused to replace the frame, because I've had the saddle longer than a year. It irked me because this is a part that I don't expect should break, ever, and I'd expect the manufacturer to replace the part. I have several Brooks saddles that I've had for over ten years with no problems. Brooks for me from now on.

Dylansbob 

For both rails to brake parallel like that, I would guess the seatpost was overtightened. What post were you using?

Chris_in_Miami

I agree, I've never broken the rails of a saddle and most of mine are antiques! It's a shame they won't stand behind their product.

Andrew F

I'd go with a Brooks. Growing up I always wanted a pair of Chucks ( Converse Chuck Taylors) but mom would only buy me knock off Bata Bullets, no pride in ownership. If you want a Brooks, buy it and be happy. The pain in the wallet only lasts a week or two.

illwafer

dang.

i have a model 8 as well. did you have it set back all the way?

i agree that this part should never break.

beech333

When was this? I always got Chucks, because they were frequently on sale for $9.99 or 2 pair for $30. My brother wore them too.

Of course, I now splurge on Merrells, but my one pair has lasted about two years, which is far more than anything else that I've tried. I suppose the same can be said of a Brooks..plus a Brooks will look better once aged.