Just picked up another bike that will take over urban commuting duties from my Univega, at least for a little while Just finished cleaning her up, needs some time in a bike stand and new pedals, switch the tires and rack over and she will be good to go!

Nice! Is the name "Fraser Pro?" Any idea where that comes from or what year it is?

It is a Canadian made Peugeot, an judging from the parts somewhere from 1990-1992. Low end Shimano 100GS, but I like biopace chainrings, and a prettt nice chromoly fork and frame.

Better seat, lose the seat QR and the pie plate and you are good to go...

It's my dream to one day have a Brooks on almost every bike I have
I will keep the seat post QR. The places where she will sit outside are not known for any sort of bicycle theft. When I am at home or work my bikes stay inside.
Pie plate will go as soon as I can get her up in a work stand.

Have you seen the Velo Orange version of the B17? You can get it on Ebay for about $70. I bought one about six months ago. It's not nearly as soft as Brooks (yet at least), but it has some of the same qualities, and I don't find it too bad as a budget alternative. I have four bikes: three have B17s and one has the Velo Orange.

I was thinking of swapping out the QR more for looks, but it sounds like you have thought it out.

I looked at the VO before getting my Brooks and realized I will hopefully have this seat for many years so I would rather go with the good one.

BTW, I got my NIB Flyer complete with adjustment spanner and a tin of Proofide off the 'Bay for $90 shipped...

At $70 for the VO, I would rather just get a Brooks. My B17 cost me 80+shipping and came with Proofide. I would like a Cambium and a Flyer for two other bikes of mine.

Looking at the VO website, there isn't much of a price difference in their saddles vs a Brooks. Hoping to get one as a bday gift this year...or at least money towards one.

Yeah, if you can get a B17 for $80, there's no doubt! I got a used one for $80, but even that can be hard to find. Truly even if it were $70 vs. $110, I'm still undecided on which I'd get next. I'm interested to see how the VO breaks in over time. It was MUCH stiffer out of the box.

Oh it took a number of auctions to win one for a price I deemed acceptable. It was used for about 2 weeks before the owner decided he didn't want to go through the break in. It being my first leather saddle, I didn't know what to expect...though now having owned one, every time I am on something else I always end up missing the Brooks. To me, the cost is justified.

You should take the cranks off just to see how heavy they are. Protect your shoulder, because the right crank might rip your arm out of its socket.

I noticed that the bottom bracket lockring was a bit loose so I was planning on taking the cranks off and checking out the BB. Are you suggesting those cranks look heavy? lol

I'm not merely suggesting. I have those in my bin. They are very heavy. A lighter crank would be a worthy upgrade.

At some point if I find I keep this bike around. Right now, the $50 I spent buying it is probably exactly what it is worth. Once things start to wear out, I might throw in an 8 speed IGH and then upgrade the cranks at that time. OTOH, my friend has a bin full of crank arms I might end up looking through next week.

The bike's weight may not matter. By "worthy" I meant you might appreciate the upgrade, but it's far from necessary.

I think it's great material for whatever you end up doing with it. I hear good things about these bikes. Too bad the company is gone.

I don't doubt it!

Aren't VO saddles just rebranded Gyes saddles? Those cost less than a Brooks; I've been thinking of getting one for a three speed I'm fixing up.

Saddles / Seats - Bicycle Components