I just got my first Brooks in the mail this week. As I was looking at it tonight I noticed that one side of the saddle reaches down further than the other quite a bit. Is that normal with these saddles? Here are two pictures:



So what do you think? Normal or should I send it back?

Not ideal, but pretty normal with those cheaper Brooks that came out of England over the last several year. On the plus side, the leather appears to be around 4.5mm thick, at least from the nose and rear view.

Hmm...looks like you have the "left handed" model.

From what I can see, it looks like a bit of a trimming gaffe occurred. Have you ridden on it yet? That'd be the big tell, in my mind. That said, if it's that much of a concern (and for $100, you have a right to be concerned), you should exchange it.

take/send it back, it aint right.

Hard to tell b/c the carseat isn't complete level itself.

I called up REI and told them my concerns with the saddle. They are shipping out a replacement tomorrow and will send me a prepaid shipping label for this one. I love REI. I hope the replacement looks better.

REI seems to be good like that. Kewl Ending.

Wow...also had another Flyer from REI with one flap lower than the other...just like your top picture. Decided to buy a used Brooks locally so I don't have to deal with returns.

I'll keep returning them if they give me another dud. I bought it from REI due to the 20% off sale. If not, I was going to get it from wallbike.com. My luck can't be that bad...can it

Wallbike rules! The best part, they are 2 miles from me!

Fun people to ride with as well!

Perhaps REI is selling "B" quality Brooks? JK. Brooks' QC is all over the map with the base B17. Colt and Professional are usually very good. I got lucky with this used Imperial narrow. 5mm thick hide, even flaps, and the rivets are only off by 1.5mm.

Does anyone know if the standard B17 are machine made? I know the Professional, etc. have the copper rivets that are hammered down by hand. If the next B17 is sub-standard then I might consider the B17 professional. I'd just hate to spend $150 when I'm paying $80 for the basic B17 model. From what I read the type of rivets don't really play a role in how long the saddle lasts or rides.

No, it doesn't look normal. It looks like a Brooks saddle

I'm sure your next one will be fine. I've bought three Brooks saddles and they've all been fine. I've seen a few in the store that also look fine. The one you were sent was probably just one that got past quality control.

I suspect the entry-level Brooks aren't done by hands, as little as possible to control cost. The larger hand-hammered rivets should provide superior shear strength if done correctly. That said, if you don't soak the cheaper saddle in water and ride, then it should be good for at least 20K miles. Don't forget to add a little oil to the saddle once a year to keep it from drying out. I use the stuff found at sporting goods...baseball glove conditioner sold in a white container that resemble a box of Kiwi shoes polish. Looks like yellow hair gel!

I have an order from Rivendell coming next week with a small container of Obenaufs leather treatment. I'll probably rub some of that on the top and bottom before I install the new saddle. I also have a tub of Sno-Seal beeswax leather treatment that I've read others have used, but I'll probably just use the Obenaufs as I heard someone say the Sno-Seal leaves the top of the saddle sticky. I believe that as when I treated my shoes earlier in the winter they had a sticky feel for a long time. Sno-Seal works really well though for footwear. Depending on how I like the Brooks, I will get a cover for it for when the weather is crappy. I have full fenders on the bike that it is going on so it shouldn't get too wet on the underside.

Eric the Champferer must have been off the day that one was made.

No.. He probably was there, but quite hungover from the pub!

trim it ...

I'd rather not trim something that is new. If I bought it used or at a really steep discount maybe, but not in this situation.

My B17 just arrived from REI today. It's shaped correctly with symmetrical sides. Unfortunately, they shipped you one that looks like it sat in the bottom of a rain barrel for a few years. I'd return it.

No pic? Guess the US dollars doesn't buy much these days when Yanks are getting European's rejects.

Looks like someone tried to trim the left side....send it back.

Or it's a factory second.

Natural materials. are not going to be 100% consistent,
want identical units by the thousands, Synthetic composites are the way to go..