Brooks Cambium C17 "Carved"
 

Last summer I got a C17. I really, really like it. It is super comfortable and (yes, I know looks aren't everything, but...) it looks amazing.
So, a couple of months ago or so, I filled out the Brooks survey/questionnaire saying I'd love to be a tester for the new model in the Cambium series. I figured, "Why not?"

Well, today DHL delivered the new model for me to test! The Brooks Cambium C17 Carved. This particular post is going to be just photos (I am pretty excited, I don't often get luck like this). I hope to get some good mileage on it in the next week or so and will return with any thoughts I've had. I'm guessing a few of you guys are getting them delivered, too.

I'm posting this in the Classic & Vintage forum because it seems like a good fit (and the original Cambium thread lives in here). My bike isn't vintage, but wishes it was.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=369708 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=369709 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=369710 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=369711 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=369712 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=369713 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=369714 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=369715 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=369716 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=369717 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=369718

Cool! nice pictures too. The only saddles I've had with a nut rut are a Selle Italia Flite transam and a "Pro" shimano off-brand item. I don't care too much for them... how's the ride compared to the regular Cambium?

I got Vulcanized in Italy one time ….

That looks appealing to me. Would be more so with bag loops, but I suppose one can't have everything and could buy some bolt on loops from VO for $20 or so.

I hope to know soon, my schedule hasn't allowed for any riding yet, unfortunately!

Ah, but it does have bag loops!

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=369772

Oh I missed those. Might be worth a try.

How long before they laminate some leather to that model?

Mine showed up this week as well. ( Shipped from Italy on Friday, arrived in New York on Monday at 11:00AM. We're living in the future! )

One thing I noticed right away is that is actually seems stiffer than my original Cambium I bought last year. I don't know if that's because the carved might be using thicker rubber, or my original is simply stretched a bit, but it definitely flexes less.

This will be going on my wife's bike for testing, and it's a heck of a step up from her current generic saddle. ;-)

Glad to see they're out there, and they must have made a deal to use the Carve label.

Did you get the C17S for your wife? Or do they even have that version for the "Carved" model?

Perv.












:D

I think Brooks stole the design from me, when one of their clever English spies saw my 90s Specialized MTB saddle stripped clean of the vinyl and foam. (And staples)
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...n/photo-49.jpg

Curses! I guess I should have been more careful about keeping my breakthrough design under wraps! :(

And yes, I've put a few miles on it that way. I am, after all, an idiot. :P

The Vulcan NCC-17 has arrived
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=369814

I'm 99% sure I asked for the 'S' model, but it's the men's version.

Any word on how it rides? I tested the C17 and it was a lot better than my current saddle but still have some numbness. How does the C17 Carved compare to the C17?

:lol:

I installed a Brooks C17 Carved in black last night on my road bike (vintage steel Ciocc Designer 84 with modern Shimano 6700 components). It has about 2 inches drop to the bars. I previously had a Brooks Swift Titanium and it was too hard on my soft parts when rides got above about 35 miles.

For reference, I love my Brooks B17 that is on my upright touring bike/commuter (1988 Trek 520).

When installed last night (just riding around the block without cycling shorts), it felt hard on my sit bones. I leveled it a bit more and it felt much better on my ride to work this morning. No noticeable pressure on my soft bits.

I will update as I go on more rides.

When I was a small kid, my mom would always complain about my hard bony butt when I sat on her knee.... I guess no "soft bits" on this guy....:rolleyes::D
That's maybe why I never had a problem with not so soft saddles like Concors and my Brooks and Berthoud.....and surely no problem if I buy one of these vulcanized rubber based Brooks. Carved??....Mehhh....:p

Any update / long term feedback on the C-17 or carved version? Considering one for a modern do-it-all ride. Interested in how they feel after 100 mile rides. The cotton top fabric looks like it would retain the rain and not shed easily. Opinions?

Also, was told by one owner the color rapidly faded to a chalky white. Brooks was typical 1st rate excellent in warranty and replaced the saddle without issue.

Any Brooks followers hear rumors of different color options?

The C17 is fantastic. I have a couple thousand miles on mine, and it is really comfortable. Personally, I didn't like the C17 carved as much: for whatever reason, the C17 was more comfortable for me personally.

I just got a C15, and although I only have a few miles on it, it seems like a winner as well.

As for colors, the have the denim version, a rust, the natural, slate and black, if I am recalling correctly!

Oh, and the color is fine on my Natural C17, but I don't leave it outside.

+1 The C17 is doing well on my one bike with the bars barely below the seat, not a well worn B17 but closer than anything else I tried (Selle Anatomica, etc.). On bikes with lower bars I recommend the C15 as the ticket. There being water proof is a major advantage for me as I spend part of the year in Portland, OR. Do check your faux rivets, they can work out and be lost, I have found two Cambiums with loose screws

I am using the Brooks Cabmium C17 Carved. Very comfortable right out the box. No more sitbone pains. The search for the Holy Grail of saddles ends here. These are the saddles I had before the brooks; Selle Royal, Bontrager Affinity, Fabric Scoop Swallow, Selle Anatomica X LD, Specialized Toupe Expert Saddle.